The Best Ski Resorts in the U.S. and Canada: 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards
For our 35th annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey—yes, more than three decades—voters weighed in on their favorite ski resorts around the globe. Colorado resorts dominated the list of U.S. ski resorts year, but the East Coast made a big statement with five resorts in our top 20. From Aspen to Alberta, Montana to Maine, these ski resorts were picked by our readers as the best in North America for their trails, lifts, and après-ski spots. Whether you’re a moguls expert, a terrain park shredder, or a novice still mastering blue runs, these ski resorts ticked all your boxes.
All listings featured in this story were independently selected by our readers. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
ANDREW MAGUIRE/Courtesy Keystone Resort20. Keystone Resort, Colorado
Thanks to its easy access from Denver, Keystone is one of Colorado’s most family-friendly resorts, with a Kids Ski Free program and complimentary red wagons to tote your tikes and their gear to and from the parking area to the slopes. The terrain, however, isn’t just for kids. With three mountains and five above-tree-line bowls Keystone is a winter playground for all-levels of skiers and riders. The newly expanded Timber Ridge Lodge on North Peak offers a cushy base to rest and refuel. Keyston is also one of the state’s few resorts that offers night skiing. The action goes beyond schussing down the slopes. Families love the variety of activities offered: snow tubing, sleigh rides, ice skating, and cross-country skiing at the Keystone Nordic Center.
Where to stay: Founded as an 1800s stagecoach stop, Ski Tip Lodge remains one of the ski industry’s most historical buildings. The charming B&B is known for its excellent food and intimate fireside après scene. Keystone Lodge & Spa has easy access to the slopes, a heated outdoor pool, three on-site eateries, daily happy hours, and complementary s’mores kits.
Stats: 20 lifts for 129 trails. One-day lift tickets from $112 on the Epic Pass.
Danny Holland/Unsplash19. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Aptly nicknamed "The Big One," Jackson Hole has some of the most challenging skiing in all of North America. Despite its deserved hard-core reputation, there are plenty of intermediate runs off the Bridger Gondola, and a base area quad lift, Eagle’s Rest, whisks beginners to the mid-mountain Solitude Station Learning Center. And the old Thunder lift, a pinch point for traffic, has been replaced this season with a new high-speed quad that cuts the ride time nearly in half. Piste Bistro, set at the top of the Bridger Gondola is the on-mountain lunch stop with its fireplaces and floor-to-ceiling window views. Both Teton Village and the nearby town of Jackson offer a ton of honky tonk après-ski diversions (the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar is legendary) as well as seriously good dining options.
Where to stay: The recently renovated Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, Hotel Terra, the Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa, and Amangani are classics, while the eight-suite, tram-side Caldera House is perhaps the resort’s most exclusive slope-side stay. In town, the historic Virginian Lodge is fresh off a modern makeover, while the new Cloudveil, a 100-room Autograph Collection hotel, is the only hotel on Jackson’s historic Town Square, and home to local restaurateur Gavin Fine’s newest concept, a Parisian brasserie named The Bistro.
Stats: 13 lifts for 131 named trails. One-day lift tickets from $109; on the Mountain Collective and Ikon passes.
John Bellenis/Killington Mountain Lodge18. Killington, Vermont
The Beast of the East spans 3,000 acres in the Green Mountains, including lift access to the second highest peak in Vermont. In addition to its massive size, Killington holds the distinction of the longest season in the East, firing up its snow guns early, and keeping the lifts spinning on the man-made Superstar “glacier” some years into June. From endless cruisers such as Great Eastern, to legendary bump runs like Outer Limits, skiers and riders of all ability levels can find something to love. The expansive Woodward Mountain Terrain Park network offers ample options for freestyle fanatics. In addition to Killington’s six peaks, visitors can also explore near-by Pico Mountain on the same lift pass. This season, an all-new K-1 Base Lodge will welcome guests with next-level amenities. After the lifts close, Killington Road comes alive with après options such as the Wobbly Barn steakhouse, which turns into a nightclub.
Where to stay: Killington Grand Resort Hotel is the closest accommodations to the slopes, with a convenient ski-bridge to the chairlift and heated outdoor pool. The Mountain Inn is also a popular option and has lovely views. Down the road, the Killington Mountain Lodge is part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, or book one of the action-sports themed rooms at the Mountain Sports Inn.
Stats: 21 Lifts for 155 trails, plus seven lifts for 58 trails at Pico. One day lift tickets from $110 on the Ikon Pass
Courtesy Beaver Creek17. Beaver Creek, Colorado
Arguably the most luxe ski experience in the United States, Beaver Creek takes pampering to the extreme, with perks big and small—think complimentary, just-baked chocolate chip cookies handed out in the base area daily at 3 p.m. The culinary experience is unparalleled, with three fine dining cabins—Beano’s, Zach’s, and Allie’s, and a fantastic new Mediterranean restaurant, Citrea, in the Village. The grooming is immaculate, and kids love the Candy Cabin at the top of the Strawberry Park Express lift. Beaver Creek’s frills get all of the attention, but the mountain boasts serious steeps, like its famous Birds of Prey, home of the FIS Ski World Cup downhill course. A new learning area, McCoy Park, offers 17 trails of natural, groomable glades, plus snowshoe and cross-country areas.
Where to stay: Favorites include The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa Avon, Vail Valley; The Pines Lodge, a RockResort; the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa; and The Osprey, a RockResort. The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch recently completed a three-year renovation that includes the addition of a stellar Japanese restaurant.
Stats: 26 lifts for 167 trails. One-day lift tickets from $99 on the Epic Pass.
Photo by Ryan-Bonneau/Courtesy Telluride16. Telluride, Colorado
Telluride rises above the rest with its no-nonsense attitude, a healthy mix of adventurers, artists and entrepreneurs, and a gorgeous location set within a box canyon of 13,000 and 14,000-foot peaks. Its nearly 2,100 acres of terrain includes 44 new acres of expert and advanced-level terrain around Lift 9. Into heli-skiing? Telluride Helitrax can take you to more than 200 square miles of high alpine skiing. Or, grab the kids and shake things up with some snowbiking. A free, eight-mile pedestrian gondola eliminates the need for a vehicle, connecting the mountain and historic downtown in a quick 13-minute ride. Custom designed yurts and tents will provide extra al fresco dining areas in the village this winter. And getting here has never been easier. Southwest Airlines and JetBlue have both introduced new direct flights to Montrose Airport (MTJ), a 62-minue drive away, this winter season.
Where to stay: The Madeline Hotel & Residences, an Auberge Collection Hotel, is the most stylish new stay on the mountain.
Stats: One-day lift tickets from $162; on the Epic Pass. There are 19 lifts for 148 trails, with Galloping Goose being the longest at 4.6 miles.
Sunday River15. Sunday River, Maine
Exceptional snowmaking and grooming operations allow Sunday River to be one of the earliest mountains to open in the East (and sometimes in North America) and the resort has been known to remain open into early May. With eight peaks spanning over three miles wide, there’s fantastic terrain for everyone from beginners to experts. Even West Coast ski snobs will be impressed by the glades on Oz and Aurora, which are considered some of the best the East has to offer.
Where to Stay: The Grand Summit and the Jordan Hotel are two excellent slopeside stays; the latter has an excellent spa. The Snow Cap Inn is a comfy, budget-friendly option in the heart of town just a shuttle-ride away from the base of the resort.
Stats: 19 lifts for 140-plus trails. One-day lift tickets from $49; on the New England Pass and Ikon passes.
Getty14. Lake Louise Ski Resort, Alberta
The largest of the SkiBig3 resorts in UNESCO-designated Banff National Park, the “friendly giant of Canadian skiing” earns its keep with 4,200 acres spanning four different mountain faces and a solid mix of beginner, intermediate, and expert runs from every chair. Here’s what else makes it a dream for all walks of skiers: steeps backed by an awe-inspiring wilderness, bowls dusted in famously dry powder, four terrain parks for beginners to experts, and long cruisers—one of which winds on for five miles. In 2020, Lake Louise Ski Resort debuted ‘West Bowl’ – 480 more wilderness acres of advanced freeride terrain to explore, and last winter’s addition of the Juniper Express Quad opened up five new runs on the front-side of the resort, aimed at improving access for beginner and low intermediate skiers and riders.
Where to stay: Located lakeside in Banff National Park, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise looks like a fairytale castle and offers an authentic fondue experience in its Walliser Stube restaurant. A member of Relais & Châteaux, Post Hotel & Spa has a saltwater pool and is known for its extensive wine cellar and talented culinary team. At the intimate Baker Creek Lodge, guests can choose between log cabins with wood-burning fireplaces or spacious lodge suites, some with kitchens and whirlpool tubs.
Stats: 11 lifts for 164 runs and back bowls. One-day SkiBig3 lift tickets from $116; on the Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective passes.
Getty13. Mont-Tremblant, Québec
Northwest of Montreal in the gorgeous Laurentian Mountains, Mont-Tremblant rises 2,116 feet, covers 755 acres, and, even with its gladed terrain, seems quaint compared to most contenders on this list. But Tremblant brings exactly what you what you wish for from a European-inspired ski resort in French-speaking Quebec: a pedestrian village with boutiques at the foot of the mountain, ski events like Tremblant’s 24h and the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup, and Le P’tit Caribou, a rowdy après-ski hot spot with a lake-facing terrace and bars upon which people are known to dance until 3 a.m. Major snowmaking investments mean the slopes are guaranteed to be good.
Where to stay: For ski-in-ski-out access, stay at the 314-room Fairmont Tremblant, which boasts excellent restaurants, including a unique gastronomic restaurant called Le Choux Gras. The Sommet des Neiges hotel, located at the foot of the slopes, just renovated its 110 units, which come with balconies with killer views. If you prefer to be close to the shops and restaurants of the village, book Le Westin Resort & Spa, Tremblant. Just a short walk to the ski lifts, the hotel has one of the area’s best spa facilities.
Stats: 14 lifts for 102 trails. Multi-day lift ticket from $85 on the Ikon Pass.
Getty12. Breckenridge, Colorado
For the skier and rider who wants it all, it’s hard to do better than Breck, where vintage-cool ski town charm meets big-mountain views and terrain. The connection between mountain and town is ever present, with the resort’s Five Peaks serving as the backdrop to historic Main Street. Plus, with an abundance of walk-to-lift accommodations, the BreckConnect Gondola, and ski-to-town trails, the entire town is practically ski-in, ski-out. On-mountain, there are nearly 3,000 skiable acres spread across the resort’s Five Peaks, and some of the country’s best lift-accessible high-alpine terrain, including the highest chairlift in North America. With a base elevation of 9,600 feet above sea-level, Breck consistently offers great snow conditions well into the spring, with a season that runs into May. New this winter, an upgraded Rip’s Ride chairlift will greet beginner skiers and riders at Peak 8.
Where to stay: Geared to the modern adventurer, 60-room Gravity Haus is one of the newest and coolest properties in town, with a Japanese-inspired onsen, performance-focused gym, and in-house adventure company. For slope-side luxury, the original ski-in/ski-out stay at the base of Peak 8, One Ski Hill Place, has roomy condos and kid-friendly amenities like a two-lane bowling alley.
Stats: 35 lifts for 187 trails. One-day lift tickets from $152 on the Epic Pass.
Courtesy Deer Valley Resort11. Deer Valley, Utah
One of three “ski-only” resorts in the country, Deer Valley is made for families who love to ski together and are willing to spend top dollar for the experience. The resort’s “your wish is our command” customer service is worth the splurge. It's also easy to access located: under 40 miles from the newly expanded Salt Lake City International Airport in Park City along the Wasatch Range. The resort’s world-class dining rivals its exceptional skiing. You’ll want a reservation to secure a table at newcomer Cast & Cut, where the menu features steakhouse classics and fresh seafood, like whole Thai sea bass.
Where to stay: Montage Deer Valley remains the epitome of luxury with its 35,000- square-foot spa and rooms and suites that feature fireplaces and soaking tubs. This winter, the hotel will have a converted airstream on its patio hawking elevate street food and craft beer. Guests of the ski-in/ski-out St. Regis Deer Valley have access to an exclusive funicular that transports them to the top of the slopes as well as thew new slope-side Vintage Room, a heated, 1,600-foot après spot with champagne service and a raw bar. Now managed by Auberge Resorts Collection, Goldener Hirsch is Deer Valley’s new darling, with 18 newly renovated rooms in the main inn and 40 two and three-bedroom residences connected to the inn by a glass walkway.
Stats: 21 lifts for 103 trails. One-day adult lift tickets from $189 on the Ikon Pass.
Courtesy Sun Valley Resort10. Sun Valley, Idaho
Welcome to a slice of history: Developed by businessman and politician W. Averell Harriman in the late 1930s, Sun Valley marked the first destination winter resort in the U.S., complete with the innovation and installation of the world’s first ski lifts. Bald Mountain, the larger of the resort’s two hills, upped its expert slopes in 2020 with the opening of the Sunrise terrain expansion, an additional 380 acres of advanced tree skiing accessed from the top of Seattle Ridge.
Where to stay: The well-heeled crowd stays at old-world Sun Valley Inn. For a downtown address, look to the buzzy Limelight Hotel Ketchum, which boasts a lively après scene like its sister outposts in Aspen and Snowmass, or the Hotel Ketchum, a former motel turned–modernist mountain stay.
Stats: 11 lifts on Bald Mountain for 120 trails, four lifts on Dollar Mountain. One-day lift tickets average $131–$175; on the Ikon and Mountain Collective passes.
Getty9. Aspen Highlands, Colorado
Of the four mountains that make up Aspen-Snowmass, the ultimate rite of passage is here at Aspen Highlands’ massive Highland Bowl. Here’s how to do it: Hike some 45 minutes to the top of the bowl, soak in rewarding 360-degree views that include the twin-peaked Maroon Bells, and own the drop into almost 2,500 feet of steep bowl skiing. Survive? Celebrate your Aspen street cred later at Las Montañas with a Jimmy’s Own made with 22 Tatio Reposado, Grand Marnier, fresh lime and agave.
Where to stay: The Little Nell, located only 17 steps from the Silver Queen Gondola at the base of Aspen Mountain.
Stats: Five lifts for 144 trails. One-day lift tickets from $149; on the Ikon Pass.
Getty8. Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Bretton Woods touts the largest ski area in New Hampshire with 464 acres of skiable terrain, including a terrain park and a summit elevation of 3,100 feet, all surrounded by the woods of the White Mountain National Forest. While it’s not super steep, New Hampshire-native Bode Miller says he can even find challenges here. Recent additions of a new base-to-summit, eight-passenger gondola and stunning on-mountain Rosebrook Lodge provide killer views of the Presidential Range. Bonus points for Bretton come with award-winning snowmaking and grooming, a robust 62-mile Nordic trail network for skiing and snowshoeing, and a dedicated system of winter fat bike trails.
Where to stay: The historic Omni Mount Washington.
Stats: 10 lifts across 63 trails and 35 glades. One-day lift tickets from $102.
Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Vermont7. Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Vermont
In an age a resort conglomerates, Smuggs, as it’s lovingly known, remains defiantly independent. Family-forward service, a fantastic ski school and three mountains with terrain suited to all experience levels make up for the resort’s old-school, lift system. If you think the East doesn’t have challenging terrain, test your mettle on the resort’s 750 acres of gladed terrain or the steeps of Madonna (the ride to the summit affords some seriously stellar views). When your legs are shot, head to après at Black Bear Tavern in the Madonna Base Lodge for a pint of the resort’s signature Prohibition Ale, brewed by Long Trail Brewing Company.
Where to stay: You won’t find big-name hotels here. If you want to be close to the slopes, the resort offers a variety of condo options. The Smugglers’ Notch Inn, an 18th-century farmhouse turned–B&B is just a 10-minute drive away and serves a made-to-order breakfast guaranteed to fuel you through the day.
Stats: Eight lifts for 78 trails. One-day lift tickets from $59.
Waterville Valley Resort6. Waterville Valley Resort, New Hampshire
A family favorite of New Englanders, Waterville Valley is an affordable ski hill just two hours north of Boston with terrain that rivals some of the bigger area mountains. This winter, the resort will debut a new six-person, high speed bubble chairlift. On-mountain dining highlights include made-to-order breakfast sandwiches at Schwendi Hutte and flatbreads at Freestyle Lounge. Waterville Valley is also known for its Nordic trails, which can be accessed from the Adventure Center in Town Square.
Where to stay: The Town Square Condominiums are steps from the village shops and restaurants; all-suite Black Bear Lodge has units that sleep between four to six people.
Stats: 12 lifts for 62 trails. One-day lift tickets from $62. Adult Season Plus Pass holders also receive a free Junior Season Pass for children ages 6 to 12.
Getty Images5. Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana
This quintessential local skiers' hill will celebrate its 75th anniversary this winter. With nearly 3,000 acres of terrain, the resort offers plenty of glades and chutes for the experienced skier or rider, as well as uncrowded beginner-geared slopes with stunning views of the Flathead Valley, Glacier National Park, and the Northern Rockies. The new Snow Ghost Express, the resort's first six-person chairlift, will shuttle guests from the Base Lodge to the top of Inspiration Ridge starting this winter. Break for lunch at the Summit House, at an elevation of 6,817 feet, or grab a pint at the iconic Bierstube. Glacier Park International Airport (FCA/GPI) is only a 30-minute drive from the resort, and the S.N.O.W. Bus shuttle service offers free rides between the resort and downtown Whitefish.
Where to Stay: The Kintla Lodge offers ski-in, ski-out access.
Stats: 11 lifts for 113 named trails. One-day lift tickets from $94.
Courtesy Big White, British Columbia4. Big White, British Columbia
It’s all about the snow. Locally known as Okanagan Champagne Powder, the perfect fluffy, dry snow falls frequently and abundantly on Big White Mountain—reaching upwards of 24.5 feet annually. If your powder legs aren’t quite in shape, Big White Ski Resort’s grooming fleet serves up plenty of flawless corduroy on which to practice your turns. Canada’s largest full ski-in/ski-out village is just 45 minutes from Kelowna International Airport. Once you arrive, every amenity and experience you desire is a short ski away, from nearly 20 on-mountain restaurants and bars to ice skating and snowmobiling. And after a two-season hiatus, the resort’s beloved night skiing program is back for the 2022/2023 season.
Where to stay: It’s worth splurging on one of Sundance Resort’s cabins, which offer ski-in/ski-out access and private hot tubs.
Stats: 16 lifts for 119 runs. One-day lift tickets from $93.
Getty3. Aspen Mountain, Colorado
While the Aspen Mountain ski area is only one-fifth the size of Snowmass (without a single beginner run), it offers 675 acres of powder and is beloved by intermediate and advanced skiers who say it skis like a much bigger mountain once you know its secrets. Locals score first tracks just so they can nab oatmeal pancakes at Bonnie’s, Aspen’s legendary mid-mountain eatery. And enjoy après-ski at the Snow Lodge at the St. Regis, the sister of Montauk’s famed Surf Lodge.
Where to stay: The St. Regis Aspen Resort, The Little Nell, Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection, and the newly renovated Limelight Hotel Aspen, remain area favorites. The Gant Aspen, tucked just a few blocks from the gondola plaza, offers apartment-style lodging with kitchens. Aspen Street Lodge, in the heart of downtown, is a ten-room buyout property perfect for families or groups of friends.
Stats: Eight lifts for 76 trails. One-day lift tickets from $159 (if purchased in advance) on the Ikon Pass.
Courtesy Daniel Bayer/Snowmass2. Snowmass, Colorado
The most expansive of Aspen Snowmass’s four mountains also has the most lift-served vertical feet of terrain in the U.S., with a 4,406-foot elevation drop and enough variation to make it an all-around hit with families. Investments in the Base Village have turned it into a social hub complete with an ice-skating rink and great dining venues. An on-mountain dining options rival what you’d find in Europe. Now in its third season, Sam’s transports skiers to the Italian Dolomites with a menu featuring rigatoni Bolognese and Negroni spritzes, while the new Alpin Room takes its cues from the Alps, with dishes such as schnitzel and tartiflette.
Where to stay: The former Westin underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation recently reopened as the Viewline Resort Snowmass, Autograph Collection, under Marriott’s Autograph Collection flag, while its sister property, Wildwood Snowmass, got a retro makeover, including a new beer hall. Located in the Base Village, the Limelight Snowmass is known for its lively après scene and boasts the state’s highest indoor climbing wall, while the Viceroy Snowmass is the most luxe stay on the slopes, with a serious spa and a restaurant from star chef Richard Sandoval.
Stats: 20 lifts for 96 trails. One-day lift tickets average $162 on the Ikon Pass.
Getty1. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
In recent years, Whistler has grown into the largest destination ski resort in North America, known for unmatched big mountain skiing and snowboarding. With 8,171 acres of skiable terrain, including 16 alpine bowls and three glaciers, there's easily enough mountain to keep you on new runs through the entire six-month regular season. The pistes offer a wide range of difficulty, making this the perfect place for beginners, adrenaline junkies, and everyone in between. And the debut this winter of the new high-speed Big Red Express Lift and new high-speed Creekside Gondola means you’ll rarely have to wait in line. To push your limits with high-alpine descents, book a steeps clinic with Extremely Canadian or a heli-drop with Whistler Heli. Whistler’s après-ski scene is just as legendary as its slopes. The Roundhouse Umbrella Bar is the hot spot on the slopes; in the village, head to the Garibaldi Lift Company for outdoor drinks around a firepit. The hot table to book this season is new sustainable seafood spot, Wild Blue Restaurant + Bar.
Where to stay: The 519-room Fairmont Chateau Whistler at the base of Blackcomb Mountain will offer unique snow-globe dining this winter. The all-suite Westin Resort & Spa is a short walk from the Blackcomb gondola and FireRock Lounge is a cozy spot for après ski. A short walk to the Creekside lifts, Nita Lake Lodge is known for its top-notch spa and rooms that feature basalt-rock fireplaces, heated floors, and double soaker tubs.
Stats: 37 lifts for more than 200 marked trails. One-day lift tickets average $165; on the Epic Pass.
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