If you love the snow and look forward to a winter road trip every year, consider these top domestic ski vacation destinations! Places such as Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico and Sun Valley Resort in Idaho are among American favorites.
Before heading out, be sure you are ready. At the least, ensure that you have ample protection, including cheap car insurance and proper vehicle maintenance. Checked those boxes? Great, read on and get those skis ready!
The United States offers some of the finest skiing in the world, so why wouldn’t you take advantage and plan a trip to one of the hundreds of resorts sprinkled across the country? To help you whittle down your options, here are the top 10 ski destinations.
- Vail, Colorado. With over 5,300 acres of skiable terrain, Vail Ski Resort in Colorado is number one on many skiers list. The terrain is split pretty evenly between terrain designed for expert skiers and terrain intended for beginner and intermediate levels. There are 195 trails with Riva Ridge being the longest run at 4 miles. At over 350” of snowfall annually, it’s the perfect location to ski natural powder in the majestic and always beautiful Rocky Mountains.
- Taos, New Mexico. Most people don’t associate New Mexico with good skiing, but they would be mistaken! Taos, situated in Northern New Mexico, shares a piece of the Rocky Mountains, giving skiers and snowboarders a bird’s eye view to brilliant and jaw dropping peaks. With almost 1,300 acres of skiable terrain there are 110 trails to be explored.
- Park City, Utah. If you’re looking for diversity in trails, Park City Mountain Resort has got you covered. Boasting 330 trails and 43 lifts over 7,300 acres, this ski resort is a great destination for foodies, too. The picturesque town features 50 one-of-a-kind restaurants that serve up just about everything to hungry skiers.
- Sun Valley, Idaho. At the Sun Valley Ski Resort, skiers can become acquainted with two different peaks: Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain. Both feature their own unique trails. Featuring a 3,200 foot vertical drop and 2,400 acres of terrain, there are 65 runs to accommodate every type of skier.
- Stowe, Vermont. Who says the west lays claim to all of the good American skiing? Stowe Mountain Resort is, debatably, the best ski resort in New England. Although this Mount Mansfield ski resort may offer limited skiable acres at 485, it still features a 2,360 vertical drop and 116 trails. At 315” annual snowfall every year, visitors are sure to get their fill. The Village at Spruce Peak is an amazing location for all of your winter activities, inside and out.
- Bozeman, Montana. They don’t call it Big Sky Resort for nothing. Wide-open spaces and striking mountain peaks are just the beginning of your ski adventure at Big Sky. 5,850 acres of skiable terrain await eager skiers who will be treated to North America’s most advanced lift network. There is plenty of nearby lodging, dining, and shopping for the ultimate après-ski experience.
- Teton Village, Wyoming. Another Rocky Mountain gem, the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort offers over 2,500 acres of skiable terrain and a vertical drop of 4,139 feet. The skiable area is located on Apres Vous and Rendevous Mountains, and is mainly geared for intermediate and expert level skiers, with only 10% of its terrain designated for beginners.
- Sugar Mountain, North Carolina. The Sugar Mountain Resort is a great place to visit both in the winter and summer. With 125 acres of skiable terrain, there are 20 available slopes for beginners on up to expert level skiers. Sugar Mountain is part of the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains making it an easy, midway destination for folks living near the east coast.
- South Lake Tahoe, California. Lake Tahoe in the winter is definitely worth exploring, and there might be no better reason to visit than to ski the slopes at Heavenly Ski Resort. With 4,800 skiable acres and 3,500 vertical feet, you’ll enjoy 97 trails and a resort that offers an abundance of dining options as well as gondola rides and terrain parks.
- Lake Placid, New York. As a winter sports paradise, Lake Placid is a serene location in the Adirondacks where you’ll find Whiteface Mountain, a gem among this mountain range. With 288 skiable acres and 90 trails, it also boasts the biggest vertical drop in the east. They have recently introduced two new trails and are also open to snowboarding and gondola rides.
- Why sit at home and complain about the snow and the cold? Make it a part of your life and visit one of the many amazing ski destinations in the country this winter.
