Best Resorts in the U.S. and Canada Ranked by SKI Magazine’s Readers

Winter 2024-25 will begin with most major ski resorts opening by Thanksgiving weekend. Outside Inc.

partners with SKI magazine to survey its readers each year about their favorite resorts, family-friendly features, bumpy terrain, and where to find the most enjoyable après scene.

Responses are recorded – many are listed below – and highlight the best features of each ski area.

Everyone has their favorite ski resort. There is no doubt about it. There is no doubt about it. However, if you want to decide which mountain to cross off your bucket list next, you’ll need to know other skiers’ experiences.

Visit SKI’s complete resort guide for a detailed look at how the top 50 resorts in the United States and Canada are ranked.

Though it seems inconceivable that a top ski destination would be considered a best-kept secret, that description was common in SKI’s annual Reader Resort Survey.

Located in Wasatch Back, the resort’s 3,000 acres are popular with both locals and tourists.

Several factors make Snowbasin popular with skiers: easy access to Ogden (20 miles away), fast lifts, and an average snowfall of 325 inches per year. Staff are friendly and it’s obvious they enjoy their jobs.

Guests felt it offered superior value for money, earning the resort the second-highest score in the value category. Visitors raved about everything from the variety of terrain and lack of crowds (holidays excepted). Marble-adorned bathrooms also won skiers’ hearts.

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Resorts that score top in overall satisfaction and are likely to return are doing something right. MRG is known for having the best expert terrain in the East and is a great place to progress as a skier.

MRG also received top marks for challenge and terrain variety. “I can say I can ski any mountain in the world, after learning it at Mad River Glen,” one MRG lifer said.

Families and beginners will enjoy Mad River. For locals, it runs weekly ski-school sessions, while telemarketers and out-of-towners can drop in for lessons.

Skiers zip up to beginner terrain on the Practice Slope and Birdland chairs. The ski resort’s central base area provides quick access to 115 acres of trails and 800 acres of tree skiing.

This resort is known for its Glitz. Aspen Snowmass isn’t just for the rich or one-dimensional. Skiing in this town and its four mountains is incredibly well-rounded, with terrain for all skill levels and amenities that suit most budgets.

One fan has been visiting Aspen for 60 years. Compared to other ski vacations, this is the gold standard.”

Snowmass’ family-friendly groomers, hike-to-bowl skiing at Aspen Highlands, and beginner runs at Buttermilk create a diverse experience. Continuing to grow.

Last winter, Aspen Mountain opened new terrain called Hero’s, with 153 acres of expert chutes and glades, in Snowmass.

Whether you’re a family who enjoys Disney+ at home or a powder nut who wants to churn bumps until their legs collapse, Saddleback is the place for you. High-speed quads are new, and conditions, crowds, and lifts won’t be an issue.

Ski slopeside lodgings and a revitalized base lodge, plus newly cut woods that make running laps easier. Readers still favor Casablanca Glades, however: “the best spot on any mountain in America.”

Atop Kennebago Quad, you can see western Maine’s lakes and hills, along with gnarly drops. Are you ready? East Coast trails are steep and straight.

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Banff Sunshine’s remote setting contributes to its unique atmosphere. Skiers ride an eight-person gondola to the base village in 20 minutes from the parking lot.

Only one hotel exists there, Sun Mountain Lodge’s 84 rooms, which includes a swimming pool, a hot tub, and first tracks (from $148 on Expedia).

There are no crowds at Sunshine Mountain, which means long skiing days on 3,300 acres of skiable terrain.

Skiers travel across Vermont to spend a day at this hill because of its substantial snowfall. Jay Cloud storms drop more than 350 inches a year here, and no other storm system in the East comes close.

There are 81 trails, ranging from cruisey (Ullr’s Dream, a three-mile intermediate thigh burner) to challenging, and 81 steps to test even the most technical skiers at Face Chutes.

The tram offers views of four states and Quebec on a clear day. An avid skier called it “the skier’s mountain.” Nonskiers will find indoor water parks, skating rinks, movie theaters, and spas at Jay Peak to keep them occupied.

One of the state’s largest and most popular ski areas has many colorful names. “Taos means steep!

One reader preferred the phrase ” In the challenge category, the resort topped the list, with readers examining some of the toughest inbounds skiing on the continent, particularly Highline Ridge, with its big-mountain vertical and hike-to technical terrain.

One skier said, “Every time we rode the chairlift, we pointed at steeper lines we wanted to boot up to.”.

you’re looking for that old-time resort feel, Bretton Woods is your best bet. Mount Washington Hotel (readers liked the guest services, dining, and lodging) welcomes ma’ams and sirs for a fancy dinner.

Snow quality here is excellent, from the light, fluffy flakes of the Wasatch to the sheer amount of snow — 546 inches on average per year.

It’s the most snow I’ve ever seen,” remarked one skier. Skiable terrain covers 2,614 acres, which is good.

Skiing here is the scraggiest, steepest, tightest lift-served skiing in the East. Including drops that earn oohs and aahs from riders above.

Terrain variety and challenge respectively ranked Smuggs third and fourth. There’s a reason why the Black Hole run has three diamonds.

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