There are very few things as wonderful as downhill skiing. I have skied often and it is one of my life’s passions. My favorite ski resorts are the ones with quality terrain and snow conditions, with an Old School laid back ‘vibe’, comfortable accommodations, and without the large crowds and carnival atmosphere of the Mega ski resorts. I want to get to the remote mountain peaks with steep slopes and deep snow. I do not need lavish spas, 5-star hotels and restaurants, heated bubble lifts, ski valets, designer boutiques, or exotic nightlife. Neither do I need the high costs just to be seen in some tres chic resort. Call me old-fashioned, but I’ll choose the true Alpine mountain experience, lush with its natural beauty and wonder, over glitz any day.
Why I love skiing: because it’s fun and enjoyable; it’s an adventure; it makes me feel alive. There is nothing quite like it with its thrilling adrenaline rush. No matter the level of skiing from beginner to advanced, it’s addictive and exhilarating.
“Skiing is the best way to have wings,“ Oprah Winfrey. It’s like flying, similar to hang gliding, ski diving, and wing suits.
It gives you freedom, it’s otherworldly, like scuba diving, backpacking, dancing, and mountain climbing. “A pair of skis are the ultimate transportation to freedom,” Warren Miller, ski film director.
Why Go to the Underrated Ski Resorts?
With today’s social and economic uncertainty, it is prudent to look for underrated ski resorts. There exist numerous ski resorts that are lesser known that offer high-quality skiing in an intimate setting with more affordable pricing.
It is a myth that skiing is only for the wealthy. Local ski day trips are comparable in price to going to a sports event, play, or to the movies. For ski trips, flights and hotels can be made in advance with significant discounts. Many skiers stay and ski at lower-priced resorts and then visit other regional resorts including some of the pricey Mega resorts.
Furthermore, many skiers don’t like the crowds, long lift lines, and the carnival atmosphere at the Mega resorts. Many advanced skiers, couples, families, and seniors prefer a more laid-back and intimate setting.
Advanced and expert skiers want the challenge of steep slopes in deep powder. ‘Old School’ ski resorts offer an authentic Alpine experience and embrace the true spirit of mountain skiing. These resorts have a ‘retro chic’ charm with a relaxed atmosphere. Vintage resorts offer high-quality skiing with good snow conditions and challenging terrain, at affordable prices without the crowds. They do not offer luxury – no frills, no glitz, barebones ‘back to basics.
Northeast
I enjoy skiing in New England, which I did when I lived in New York City. Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine ski resorts were only hours away, perfect for short weekend ski trips.
The Northeast states of New England and the Mid-Atlantic offer world-class skiing with high slopes and good powder snow. The states with the best skiing include Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, as well as excellent skiing mountains in New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Eastern ski resorts compete with the western ski states, offering high-end ski resorts with all the amenities, entertainment, family-friendly accommodations, and multiple winter sports attractions.
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Mad River Glen Ski Area, Vermont
Mad River Glen
Ranking: Challenging terrain
Mad River Glen is one of the most unusual and unique skiing experiences in the country. It is very challenging with a sign stating “Ski if you can!” Ranked as “the most challenging and diverse terrains on the East Coast.” It has an Old School laid-back feel in a natural ungroomed setting. Mad River is a cooperative-owned, non-commercial ski area with no lodging, no frills, and affordable prices. The ski area does not allow snowboarding. Skiing is available for all levels and is family-friendly.
Waitsfield is the ski town for Mad River Glen and Sugarbush Resort. Voted Most Charming Ski Town and known for high-class restaurants with excellent lodging, pubs, distilleries, shopping, and entertainment. Popular lodging is at the Waitsfield Inn, Pitcher Inn, and Round Barn Inn. Popular dining includes the Hideaway, Blue Stone Pizza, and Common Man.
Stats
Summit 3637 ft., Vertical 2037 ft.
Terrain: 115 acres, 5 lifts, terrain parks, longest run 1 mile
52 runs – easy 20%, intermediate 35%, advanced 45%, expert zero
Annual Snowfall 228 inches
Travel: Burlington International Airport
Ski town: Waitsfield pop. 1,719
Highly rated – CNN, Business Insider, Conde Nast, Wall Street Journal, Ski, Snow Brains, Powder Hounds-4.5, Snowpack, Skier Ranker, Travel Blue Book
Magic Mountain Ski Resort, Vermont
Magic Mountain
Ranking: challenging terrain, Old School, laid back
Magic Mountain claims to be the “Best Kept Secret” ski resort “Where skiing still has its soul.” It has an authentic Old School, laid-back mood, and sense of community with awesome terrain for all levels of skiers and with challenging slopes. Magic Mountain offers downhill, cross country, snowboarding, tubing, and kids programs, and is known for tree skiing.
The quaint, nostalgic atmosphere is very family-friendly. It has limited amenities but nearby Londonderry and Manchester have lodging, dining, entertainment, and shopping. Popular lodging is at the Sleep Inn. Popular dining is at The Black Line Tavern, Two Cousins, Whippersnappers, and Coach Stop.
Stats:
Summit 2850, Vertical 1500 ft.
Terrain: 205 acres, 50 runs, 4 lifts, longest run 1.6 miles
50 runs – easy 22%, intermediate 32%, advanced 18%, expert 28%
Annual Snowfall of 150 inches
Travel: Burlington International Airport
Ski town: Londonderry pop. 1,709
Highly rated – Wall Street Journal, Snowpak, Powder Hounds
Bolton Valley Ski Resort, Vermont
Bolton Valley
Ranking: family-friendly, laid back
The Alpine-style Bolton Valley resort is laid back, peaceful, and secluded. It is popular with intermediate and family-friendly skiers. The terrain offers skiing for all levels and includes downhill, cross county, terrain parks, night skiing, tree skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, and is known for backcountry skiing.
The resort has lodging, dining, a sports/ fitness center, an indoor pool, daycare, and kids programs. The nearby towns of Bolton, Waterbury, and Burlington offer lodging, dining, pubs, entertainment, shopping, and arts. Popular lodging is at the Essex Hotel with dining at the Prohibition Pig, Leunig’s Bistro, Sweetwater, and the Farmhouse.
Stats:
Summit 3150 ft., Vertical 1625 ft.
Terrain: 300 acres, 6 lifts, 3 terrain parks, 100 kilometers of Nordic trails, longest run 0.6 mile
71 runs – easy 34%, intermediate 38%, advanced 23%, expert 6%
Annual Snowfall of 312 inches
Travel: Burlington International Airport
Ski town: Bolton pop. 1,182; Burlington pop. 214,796
Cranmore Mountain Resort, New Hampshire
Cranmore Mountain
Ranking: family-friendly
A classic 80-year-old gem opened in 1937 and is only a few hours from Boston. Cranmore offers skiing for all levels, with downhill, cross country, snowboarding, tubing, tree skiing, glades, terrain parks, daycare, and kids activities. The resort is a family-friendly destination with a festive atmosphere offering full amenities.
The ski town of North Conway is voted the Best Ski Town in the U.S. serving six ski resorts in the area. The town’s Victorian architecture is full of New England charm. North Conway offers lodging, dining, pubs, art, antiques, shopping, and entertainment. Popular dining includes McGrath’s, Thomson’s, and Muddy Mouse. Lodging includes Glen House, White Mt., Grand Hotel, and the Wild Rose.
Stats:
Summit 2000 ft., Vertical 1200 ft.
Terrain: 170 acres, 8 lifts, 3 terrain parks, longest run 1 mile
56 runs – easy 28%, intermediate 44%, advanced 28%, expert zero
Annual snowfall of 80 inches
Travel: Portland International Jetport, 60 miles
Ski town: North Conway, pop. 2,349
Highly rated – Travel Awaits, Snowpak, Powder Hounds
Midwest
I grew up in Michigan and taught myself skiing on steep slopes and in deep powder on the state’s ski areas and resorts.
The northern Great Lakes states are summer and winter outdoors wonderland attracting millions year-round. Michigan and Wisconsin are where many people from Chicago, Detroit, and the Midwest have vacation homes. The Midwest has some of the best skiing in the U.S. and many excellent ski resorts. Granted the Western Rocky Mountain states and Northeast have higher elevations, but the Midwest has high vertical drops, hair-raising extreme skiing, lots of pure powder snow, and family-friendly resorts for skiers of all levels offering affordable pricing.
The leading ski resort regions in the Midwest are northern Michigan, northern Wisconsin, northern Minnesota, and western South Dakota in the Black Hills. Cold air from Canada and the ‘lake effect’ from Lake Michigan and Lake Superior dump deep powder on the mountain slopes of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
Mount Bohemia, Michigan
Mount Bohemia
Ranking: challenging terrain, Old School
Mt. Bohemia is ranked as “the best powder terrain.” It is a mecca for expert, advanced, and extreme skiers. Its slogan is “No beginners allowed.” It is “truly wild” with beautiful scenic views and offers very challenging terrain and backcountry and tree skiing in non-groomed natural conditions with legendary chutes, cliffs, and glades – and lake effect heavy snowfall. This is not a place for beginners or intermediate skiers.
The resort is in a remote, non-convenient location on the uppermost part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on Lake Superior. It is a very Old School with no luxury, no frills, limited lodging, and low-key dining. Shuttle buses transport skiers from nearby Hancock and Houghton which offer lodging, dining, bars, nightlife, art, shopping, and entertainment. Popular eateries include Bleachers, Eagle Harbor, Harbor Haus, Hillside, North Pole, and Log Cabin.
Stats:
Summit 1500 ft., Vertical 900 ft.
Terrain: 620 acres, 105 runs, 2 lifts, 4 shuttles
105 runs – easy zero, intermediate 2%, advanced 8%, expert 90%
Annual Snowfall 273 inches
Travel: Sawyer Intentional Airport, 148 miles
Ski town: Houghton pop. 7,752
Highly rated – CNN, USA Today, Powder Hounds, Liftopia
Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort, Minnesota
Lutsen Mountains
Ranking: very family friendly
The “under the radar” Lutsen resort is the only true mountain experience in the Midwest offering the steepest and longest skiing in the region. With rave reviews, it is a legitimate ski area much like a New England resort with spectacular views. Lutsen offers skiing terrain for all levels, including downhill, cross country, tree skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobile, dog sledding, and ice fishing on wide-open well-groomed trails.
Lutsen is a popular destination for families and couples’ romantic retreats. The resort offers lodging, dining, bars, and kids’ activities. Nearby towns of Lutsen, Tofte, and Grand Marais offer additional accommodations and activities. Popular eateries are Cascade, Summit, Mogul’s, and Crooked Spoon.
Stats:
Summit 1688 ft., Vertical 825 ft.
Terrain: 1000 acres, 95 runs, 9 lifts, 3 terrain parks, 2 miles longest run, 4 mountains
95 runs – easy 10%, intermediate 58%, advanced 24%, expert 8%
Annual Snowfall of 120 inches
Ski town: Grand Marais pop. 1,357
Highly rated – Snowpak, Travel Blue Book, The Manual, Powder Hounds
Boyne Highlands Resort, Michigan
Boyne Highland
Ranking: family-friendly, laid back
I love Boyne Highlands and have skied there many times. It is the best ski destination in Michigan only a few hours from both Detroit and Chicago. It has a relaxed, laid-back mood and is known for its hospitality with a touch of elegance and luxury. Boyne offers wonderful skiing for every ability with downhill, cross country, snowboarding, tubing, snowshoeing, and ice skating.
Boyne is an Austrian-style, all-season golf and skiing resort with good amenities, lodging, dining, an indoor water park, spa, and après. It is very family-friendly and offers daycare and kids’ activities. The resort is close to shopping, bars, restaurants, art, nightlife, and hotels in nearby tourist destination towns of Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, Petoskey, Walloon Lake, and Traverse City. There are also several other ski resorts close by.
Stats:
Summit 1290 ft., Vertical 552 ft.
Terrain: 435 acres, 10 lifts, 4 terrain parks, longest run 1.2 miles
55 runs – 36% easy, 31% intermediate, 31% advanced, 2 %expert
Annual Snowfall of 140 inches
Travel: Traverse City Airport, 75 miles
Ski town: Harbor Springs pop. 1,205; Petoskey pop. 5,756
Highly rated – Snowpak, Travel Blue Book, The Manual, Powder Hounds
Granite Peak, Wisconsin
Granite Peak
Ranking: family-friendly
Wisconsin’s biggest ski resort and highest vertical drop offer terrain for all levels with good snow conditions. Granite Peak is known for night skiing and offers downhill, cross country skiing, tree skiing, terrain parks, moguls, and kids programs. There are plenty of runs for beginners and intermediates.
One of the first ski areas in North America opened in 1937. The resort is very family-friendly and resembles a New England ski resort with full accommodations. The resort is not far from Green Bay and Milwaukee. The nearby ski town of Wausau offers additional lodging, breweries, wineries, pubs, restaurants, cafes, entertainment, shopping, and art. Popular lodging is at the Jefferson Street Inn and the Grand Lodge. Popular dining includes Back When Café, Red Eye Brewing, Thrive Eatery, Wausau Mine Co., and Sconni’s.
Stats:
Summit 1942 ft., Vertical 700 ft.
Terrain: 155 acres, 7 lifts, 4 terrain parks, 1 mile longest run
58 runs – easy 24%, intermediate 24%, advanced 45%, expert 7%
Annual Snowfall of 75 inches
Travel: Central Wisconsin Airport, 13 miles
Ski town: Wausau pop. 39,106
Highly rated – Snowpak, Travel Blue Book, The Manual, Powder Hounds
Southwest
The Southwest is the most popular skiing mecca of North America. The southern Rocky Mountain states of Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico have the best U.S. ski resorts and offer the highest mountain skiing terrain with the most snowfall. There are also excellent ski resorts in Arizona, California, and Nevada.
Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
Taos Ski Valley
Ranking: challenging terrain, Old School
I love Taos, the town, the native American Taos Pueblo, the New Mexico cuisine, adobe architecture, viewing celebrities, and the southwestern art community. It is considered one of the coolest cities in the U.S. It is also ranked as one of the best ski resorts in the U.S. There is nothing not to like. Conde Nast Traveler calls it “one of skiing’s best-kept secrets” tucked away in a remote canyon.
Taos skiing is challenging with half the terrain for advanced and experts but it still delivers for beginners and intermediates. It has world-class steep terrain with deep snow, moguls, bowls, cliffs, and chutes. Taos offers downhill, cross country, backcountry, terrain parks, snowshoeing, snowboarding, tubing, snowmobiling, and skating. There is a ski school, daycare, and kids’ activities.
The resort has a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. There are numerous lodging, dining, and shopping opportunities. The city of Taos is a year-round tourist destination for summer and winter activities, famous for its art community, food, fashion, and Native American Taos Pueblo, a World Heritage site. Lodging includes the Blake Hotel, Bavarian Lodge, Taos Inn, Edelweiss Lodge, and others. There are many high-class restaurants. Popular restaurants include La Cueva Café, Blonde Bear Tavern, Blake Restaurant, Bavarian Restaurant, and Tim’s Stray Dog Cantina.
Stats:
Summit 12,481 ft., Vertical 3281 ft.
Terrain: 1294 acres, 14 lifts, 2 terrain parks, longest run 5 miles
110 runs –easy 14%, intermediate 16%, advanced 30%, expert 40%
Annual snowfall of 300 inches
Travel – Albuquerque International Sunport, 154 miles
Ski town: Taos pop. 5,929
Highly rated – Travel Blue Book, The Manual, Business Insider, Ski, Snowpak, Official Networks, Powder Hounds – 4.5, Skier Ranker
Diamond Peak Ski Resort, Nevada
Diamond Peak
Ranking: family-friendly
A “Hidden Treasure” with breathtaking views in the Lake Tahoe area on the California-Nevada border. The low-key, community-owned resort is oriented toward family vacation skiing for all levels. There is a child ski center.
The Incline Village offers lodging, numerous dining options, and shopping. The area offers additional lodging, dining, casinos, and entertainment. The best place to stay is the Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe.
Stats:
Summit 8540 ft., Vertical 1849 ft.
Terrain: 655 acres, 7 lifts, 4 terrain parks, longest run 2.1 miles
30 runs – easy 18%, intermediate 45%, advanced 36%, zero expert
Annual snowfall of 300 inches
Travel – Reno-Tahoe International Airport, 30 miles
Ski town: Incline Village, pop. 8,777
Highly rated – Conde Nast, Travel Awaits, Powder Hounds
Solitude Mountain Resort, Utah
Solitude Mountain
Ranking: challenging terrain
A relaxed European-style family-oriented resort with well-groomed runs with heavy snow and lots of challenging terrain and runs for every level. Solitude offers downhill, cross country, backcountry, terrain parks, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating, glade skiing, ski school, and kids programs.
The ski village offers affordable lodging and dining. Nearby Park City is a tourist destination and has additional lodging, dining, entertainment, and shopping.
Stats:
Summit 10,035 ft., Vertical 2494 ft.
Terrain: 1200 acres, 9 lifts, 7 terrain parks, longest run 3.5 miles
82 runs – easy 6%, intermediate 43%, advanced 30%, expert 21 %
Annual snowfall of 500 inches
Travel – Salt Lake City International Airport
Ski town: Brighton pop. 260
Highly rated – Business Insider, Ski, Snow Brains, Powder hounds- 4.5, Skier Ranker
Powder Mountain Resort, Utah
Powder Mountain
Ranking: Old School, family-friendly
An overlooked little known oasis with the largest ski resort in the U.S. providing a genuine ski experience with great terrain and deep snow in natural conditions. Powder Mountain is great for families, groups, couples, and lone wolves. The resort limits daily tickets to 1,500 to make it private and uncrowded. Powder Mountain offers downhill, cross country, backcountry, terrain parks, Cat skiing, and kids programs.
The resort has lodging and dining. Additional amenities are available in nearby Eden and Ogden. Ogden is an art community and ski town for three ski resorts in the area.
Stats:
Summit 9422 ft., Vertical 2522 ft.
Terrain: 8464 acres, 9 lifts, 2 terrain parks, longest run 3.5 miles
154 runs – easy 25%, intermediate 40%, advanced 35%, zero expert
Annual snowfall of 400 inches
Travel – Salt Lake City International Airport
Ski town: Eden pop. 600
Highly rated – Conde Nast, Wall Street Journal, Travel Awaits, Business Insider, Snowpak, Powder Hounds -4, Skier Ranker
Wolf Creek Ski Area, Colorado
Wolf Creek
Ranking: Old School, challenging terrain
An off-the-radar “Hidden Gem” tucked away in a remote high Alpine ridge. Wolf Creek is a throwback to a time of low crowds and minimal resort amenities. Conde Nast Traveler wrote “the most snow in Colorado.” Wolf Creek offers downhill, cross country, and backcountry skiing with steep slopes and rocky glades, bowls, chutes, and ridges. There are runs for all levels.
The ski area is very family friendly with childcare, kids’ activities, and a ski school. There is no lodging but has several full-service dining options onsite. There are plans to build a ski village. Lodging is available in Pagosa Springs, an art community with lodging, spas, restaurant, pubs, breweries, and shopping
Stats:
Summit 11,904 ft., Vertical 1604 ft.
Terrain: 1600 acres, 133 runs, 10 lifts, longest run 2 miles
133 runs – easy 20%, intermediate 35%, advanced 25%, expert 20%
Annual snowfall of 430 inches
Travel – Denver International Airport
Ski town: Pagosa Springs pop. 1,727
Highly rated – Conde Nast, Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, Snowpak, Powder Hounds-4, Skier Ranker
Northwest
The Northwest ski resorts are a major destination for skiers across the country. The Rocky Mountain slopes of the Northwest compete heavily with the Colorado and Utah Rocky Mountain slopes. The Northwest region includes the Rocky Mountain states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho; as well as the Pacific Northwest states of Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.
Grand Targhee Ski Resort, Wyoming
Grand Targhee
Ranking: Old School, challenging terrain, family-friendly, laid back
Grand Targhee is a low-key, no-frills family-friendly resort that has fantastic skiing. It is located in northwest Wyoming by Yellowstone National Park. It provides an intimate experience known for western hospitality. There is incredible deep snow and groomed trails. Conde Nast Traveler wrote, “some of the best skiing in the U.S.”
There is terrain for all levels of skiers including challenging terrain. It offers downhill, cross country, terrain parks, snowshoeing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, backcountry, and Cat skiing. Kids have their own mountain.
The resort has limited lodging and dining. Additional lodging, dining, pubs, shopping, entertainment, and art are available in nearby Alta, Driggs, and Jackson. The Anvil Hotel and Hotel Jackson offer lodging. Dining includes the Million Dollar Cowboy Steak House, Trap Bar, Wild Bill’s, and Forage.
Stats:
Summit 9862 ft., Vertical 2270 ft.
Terrain: 2602 acres, 5 lifts, 2 terrain parks, longest run 2.7 miles
97 runs – easy 33%, intermediate 37%, advanced 25%, expert 5%
Annual snowfall of 500 inches
Travel – Jackson Hole Airport, 42 miles
Ski town: Jackson pop. 9,577
Highly rated – CNN, Wall Street Journal, Travel Blue Book, Business Insider, Ski, Snow Brains, Snowpak, Powder Hounds – 4.5, Skier Ranker
Bridger Bowl Ski Area, Montana
Bridger Bowl
Ranking: Old School, challenging terrain, family-friendly
Bridger Bowl is an off-the-radar, classic, Old School, laid-back ski area with a big mountain experience. It is not a posh resort but offers excellent skiing at a great value. Conde Nast Traveler calls it “Intimate, only in the know.” The resort offers great terrain and good snow with challenging slopes, chutes, cliffs, and glades. Its extreme terrain is legendary. Advanced and expert skiers are attracted to the resort. There are also slopes for beginner and intermediate skiers. There is downhill, cross country, extreme skiing, terrain parks, and backcountry skiing.
The resort is family-friendly and has daycare and kids programs. The nearby town of Bozeman offers lodging, dining, shopping, and art. Bozeman is a college town and art community boasting many breweries and pubs.
Stats:
Summit 8700 ft., Vertical 2600 ft.
Terrain: 2000 acres, 11 lifts, 2 terrain parks, longest run 1.5 miles
105 runs – easy 12%, intermediate 28%, advanced 18%, expert 42%
Annual snowfall of 350 inches
Travel – Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport, 25 miles
Ski town: Bozeman, 52,619
Highly rated – Conde Nast, Wall Street Journal, Official Networks, Business Insider, Travel Awaits, Ski, Snow Brains, Snowpak, Powder Hounds – 4, Skier Ranker
Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana
Whitefish Mountain
Ranking: family-friendly
Ranked the third best ski resort in North America by Ski Magazine and called a “Hidden Gem” by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine. Whitefish Mountain offers laid-back, world-class skiing at unbeatable prices. The resort is a modest and unflashy destination with a quaint and cozy family atmosphere. Tucked away in the northwest Montana Rocky Mountains with stunning scenery.
The resort offers deep snow and well-groomed trails for all levels of skiers for downhill, cross country, terrain parks, night skiing, backcountry, tree skiing, and kids programs. Amenities include lodging, dining, shops, cafes, and bars. The picturesque town of Whitefish has boutiques, breweries, lodging, dining, pubs, and shopping.
Stats:
Summit 6817 ft., Vertical 2353 ft.
Terrain: 3020 acres, 14 lifts, 4 terrain parks, longest run 3.3 miles
113 runs – easy 12%, intermediate 37%, advanced 44%, expert 7%
Annual snowfall of 320 inches
Travel – Glacier Park International Airport, 19 miles
Ski town: Whitefish pop. 8,295
Highly Rated – Huffington Post, Travel Blue Book, The Manual, Ski, Snow Brains, Snowpak, Powder Hounds -4.5, Skier Ranker
Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Idaho
Schweitzer Mountain
Ranking: family-friendly, Euro-style, laid back
Idaho’s largest ski resort, Schweitzer Mountain is a full-service, family-friendly, year-round resort described as “the best ski area you haven’t found yet.” Located on the remote northern tip of the Idaho panhandle. The resort’s European-style ski village has a super laid-back, small-town feel. This resort offers confident skiers luxury without the big crowds and at affordable pricing. Schweitzer is also one of the best family-friendly resorts in the Northwest, with daycare, ski school, and kid’s activities.
High in the Selkirk Mountains, the resort offers awesome panoramic views of Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Canada.
Schweitzer provides terrain for Alpine skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing for all levels from beginner to expert. Ski bums love it. Half the trails are rated advanced or expert. The runs are steep, well groomed, and have excellent snow powder conditions. The resort is known for backcountry and tree skiing, as well as expert bowls, chutes, and glades. Heli-skiing and Cat-skiing are available for real steep and deep powder mountain peaks not reachable by ski lifts.
The resort has upscale amenities with available lodging, spa, dining, shopping, and entertainment at the resort and in the town of Sandpoint, along with art galleries, breweries, wineries, and a movie theater.
Stats:
Summit 6400 ft., Vertical 2440 ft.
Terrain: 2900 acres, 10 lifts, 3 terrain parks, 22 kilometers of Nordic trails, longest run 2.1 miles
92 runs – 10% easy, 40% intermediate, 35% advanced, 15% expert
Annual snowfall of 300 inches
Travel – Spokane International Airport, 93 miles
Ski town: Sandpoint pop. 8,931
Highly rated – CNN, Huffington Post, Business Insider, Ski, Skier Ranker, Powder Hounds -4.5
Alyeska Resort, Alaska
Alyeska
Ranking: challenging terrain, family-friendly
The ultimate sky destination, ranked by Ski Magazine as one of the top ski resorts in the U.S. Alyeska is the largest ski resort in Alaska located in the Chugach Mountains on the outskirts of Anchorage on the Pacific Ocean coast. Conde Nast Traveler wrote “the best view of any U.S. ski resort” for its mountains, glacier, and ocean view.
Alyeska is a luxurious year-round hotel resort and spa at affordable prices. It has a homey laid back vibe offering skiing to all levels of skiers and is very family-friendly. The resort’s motto is “Steep slopes and deep snow.” It has both easy and challenging terrain that attracts many advanced skiers. The resort offers downhill, cross country, backcountry, terrain parks, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, Cat skiing, helicopter skiing, and ice skating.
The resort has lodging, dining, pubs, an indoor pool, a fitness center, a spa, shopping, and kids programs. The resort town of Girdwood is ranked as one of the best ski towns in the U.S., offering lodging, pubs, dining, breweries, shopping, art, crafts, and entertainment.
Stats:
Summit 3939 ft., Vertical 2500 ft.
Terrain: 1610 acres, 7 lifts, 2 terrain parks, longest run 1 mile
76 runs – easy 11%, intermediate 52 %, advanced 37%
Annual Snowfall of 669 inches
Travel – Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, 25 miles
Ski town: Girdwood pop. 1,742
Highly rated – Huffington Post, The Manual, Official Networks, Powder Hounds – 4, Liftopia, Skier Ranker
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