Best U.S. States for Skiing
Colorado is a state in the United States encompassing most of the Southern Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains. Skiers from all over the world know the names Aspen and Vail. Utah had to host the Olympics just to get attention, yet people still know Aspen and Vail far more than they know Park City or Alta. Colorado has 29 ski resorts versus Utah's 14.
Its resort towns are more immersive, and overall, Colorado deserves the top spot. Although, to be fair, if it were the US and Canada, then British Columbia would give Colorado a run for its money.
Nearly 30 of the best ski resorts in the world are located in Colorado, the state with the best snow. Not only is there the most snow, but there is also the best quality powder, perfect for carving. This terrain can only be found in the mountains of Colorado.
Utah is a state in the western United States. It became the 45th state admitted to the Union on January 4, 1896. Utah is the 13th-largest, the 31st-most populous, and the 10th-least-densely populated of the 50 United States. The greatest mountains ever. The terrain in Utah is so hard and challenging, it is so fun. I have been to other states to ski like Colorado and California, and nothing compares to Utah. Maybe Switzerland and France.
Living in Utah, I've gone skiing a few times, mostly at the major ski resorts like Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, etc. People call it a wannabe Colorado, but it seriously has such fresh powder. It's cold enough that the ski resorts are still open, even though it's April.
Utah's snow is far superior to Colorado's. Colorado has done a fantastic job of marketing their state compared to Utah. Utah gets the snow first, then the remainder dumps on Colorado. Not to mention, it hosted one of the most successful Olympics ever in 2002.
Vermont offers the best skiing east of the Rockies and offers a different experience for those who wish to ski something different.
Great wood trails, beautiful scenery, good snow. Stowe and Jay are great for tourists. Mad River is affordable.
Bromley, Stratton, and Mount Snow are the ones I often go to. Really fun and amazing.
California is a state in the Southwestern United States. With 39.6 million residents across a total area of about 163,696 square miles (423,970 square kilometers), California is the most populous U.S. state and the third-largest by area. The state capital is Sacramento, and the largest city is Los Angeles... read more The richest state, probably richer than most of the states combined. Best weather, where else can you snowboard and surf all in the same day?
It's got Mammoth. What else do you need?
This should be one of the tops, and I strongly think that it should be on the tops now.
There is North Conway Ski Resort and the White Mountains, the highest mountain in New England.
I live in North Conway, close to skiing, the White Mountains, and basically all fun winter activities. This place is awesome.
Nevada is a state in the Western, Mountain West, and Southwestern regions of the United States of America. Lots of great places to ski, though most are in northern Nevada in the vicinity of I-80.
Montana is a state in the Western region of the United States. The state's name is derived from the Spanish word montaña. Can't beat the snow of the Rocky Mountains. Skiing is just as good as in Utah/Colorado, between Big Sky, Big Mountain, Bridger Bowl, Showdown, Discovery, Moonlight Basin, and countless other smaller mountains.
The only difference is we don't have the tourism and lines of Utah/Colorado (except at Big Sky on national holidays), so there is a much better small-town vibe and a closer skiing community.
The Rocky Mountains are something else. Much less crowded than Colorado, and in my opinion, better snow. There are plenty of small ski towns with terrific slopes, such as Whitefish.
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The state is the tenth largest by area, but the least populous and the second least densely populated of the 50 United States. What? It should have a better rating than this!
New York is a state located in the Mid-Atlantic Region. New York was one of the original thirteen colonies that formed the United States. With an estimated 19.54 million residents in 2018, it is the fourth most populous state. In order to distinguish the state from the city with the same name, it is... read more Two Olympics at one town, Lake Placid. Whiteface after it snows is best.
Lots of places to ski like in the Adirondacks or Catskills, or in WNY like Holiday Valley or Kissing Bridge.
Awesome state. 8 ski areas to choose from and the New Mexican Chile is the bomb. Red or green?
This state is a great place for skiing because of its mountains!
Hidden gem. Keep it secret. Keep it safe.
Idaho is a state in the northwestern region of the United States. Idaho is the 14th largest, the 39th most populous, and the 7th least densely populated of the 50 United States. Keep it secret. Even though Idaho slaughters every other state when it comes to the combination of mountains and snow, it's best left to the locals.
I mean, Sun Valley, Idaho, is one of the first to have a chairlift.
Got the mountains, got the snow. Idaho is the best ski state.
Washington is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States located north of Oregon, west of Idaho, and south of the Canadian province of British Columbia on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. It is the only state named after a president. I've shredded WA, CO, UT, ID, and OR. On a good day, Washington is the best. Any type of terrain you can ask for: steep (like real steep), cliffs, trees, groomers, parks, backcountry, family, heli, etc. It gets the most snow (Mt. Baker holds the world record, and it's not that close) and the scenery is easily the best with Rainier, Adams, Baker, Goat Rocks, etc., all stunningly visible.
Everywhere else, the terrain seems flatter and similar in every direction. That being said, there are plenty of days in western Washington where you may be skiing on ice or sometimes rain. Once you get to the Eastside, though, Mt. Spokane, 49 Degrees North, and Mission Ridge, you don't have to deal with this, and the snow is nearly as good as the Rockies.
Take this all with a grain of salt. I was born and raised in Washington, but I've traveled a ton, and it's crazy how underrated the skiing is. That will change within the next couple of years as Seattle and Tacoma continue to explode and the parks expand.
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Oregon is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean, on the north by Washington, on the south by California, on the east by Idaho, and on the southeast by Nevada. Oregon should be number 3 or 4 after Utah, California, and Colorado. Oregon gets lots and lots of snow, and there are some good resorts that have great terrain. In my opinion, Mt. Bachelor is number 1, with Mt. Hood Meadows and Timberline trailing behind.
Only New York has more ski resorts than it on this side of the Mississippi.
Michigan has some great mountains with different kinds of terrains. Should be higher.
Should be higher. It has some nice spots, a lot of good snow, and it's very cold.
Maine is located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. Known for its rugged coastline, it is the easternmost state in the contiguous U.S. Its capital is Augusta, while its largest city is Portland. Maine is famous for its maritime history, as well as its seafood cuisine, particularly... read more Maine has Sugarloaf! It's one of the coldest states.
The only place I've ever gone skiing, so yeah, go Maine!
Only real snow skiing on the east!
Alaska is a U.S. state situated in the northwest extremity of the Americas. The Canadian administrative divisions of British Columbia and Yukon border the state to the east; it has a maritime border with Russia to the west across the Bering Strait. I live here in Palmer, and I can confirm that Alaska, Girdwood, is an amazing place to ski. Though there are not many people, the staff and instructors are very kind and funny. The mountain is very small compared to others, only 3,900 feet.
I love Alaska for its winter skiing, Northern lights, and views. Once you stay at Girdwood's hotel near Chair 7, you will see how amazing Girdwood is. Stay long enough, and soon you'll know all the staff and instructors! Hope you visit. I can't explain how awesome this place is.
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States, in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. Great small hills, nice terrain parks, and growing business up north.
Wisconsin has great ski hills in the winter!
Wisconsin's hilly terrain makes for some fantastic small-town slopes, and there are several hills within an hour of Milwaukee.
Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state located in the northern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. Many resorts populate the northeastern part of PA, ranging from 1 hour to 2 hours and 45 minutes away from Philadelphia, up the Northeast Extension. Not top tier, but still competes with NY in my opinion.
Larger mountains to the south and colder, snowier ones to the north.
Minnesota is a state in the Midwestern United States. Minnesota was admitted as the 32nd state on May 11, 1858, created from the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory. I know Colorado and other Rockies states are the best for skiing, but Minnesota has some nice downhill areas and very good cross-country conditions.
Massachusetts, officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the most populous state in the New England part of the northeastern region of the United States. Has multiple ski resorts near the Boston area that serves millions of people and can easily direct people from Logan Airport.
Amazing ski hills. They're perfect for skiing, good enough for beginners to advanced skiers.
North Carolina is a state in the southeastern region of the United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west, Virginia to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
Arizona is a U.S. state in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the Western and the Mountain states. Not the largest slopes in the country, but good if you live in-state.
Flagstaff has just as good of snow as Colorado, and I'm from Colorado.
West Virginia is a state located in the Appalachian region of the Southern United States. It is bordered by Pennsylvania to the north, Maryland to the east and northeast, Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, and Ohio to the northwest. West Virginia is the 41st largest state by area,... read more
Missouri is a state located in the Midwestern United States. It is the 21st most extensive, and the 18th most populous of the fifty states.
Texas is a state in the Southern USA. It is the second largest by area and population. Its largest city is Houston.