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From the iconic former Winter Olympics location Palisades Tahoe in California, to the dizzying heights of Aspen Highlands in Colorado, Outdoors.com takes you to some of the United States’ ultimate winter escapes. Prepare to up your ski and snowboarding game with these incredible resorts on mountains across the country.
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Palisades Tahoe, California
Image by Christian ter Maat
Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Palisades Tahoe, formerly known as Squaw Valley, is the definition of a winter wonderland. The resort rose to prominence in the ski world when it hosted the Winter Olympics in 1960. Today, it has an incredible 6,000+ acres of skiable terrain, 270 trails and 42 lifts. The ski season is just as impressive since the annual snowfall of almost 40 feet means riders and skiers can sometimes hit the slopes well into June. Fallen in love with the mountain? Summer on the mountain translates to hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities.
Vail, Colorado
Vail is a goldmine for skiers skilled enough to tackle ungroomed terrain in the seven Back Bowls, an area covering almost 60 percent of the resort’s sprawling 5,300 acres. For the ultimate thrill, more advanced powder hounds should experience the 1,850-foot drop of the Sun Down Bowl’s signature run Forever.
Aspen Highlands, Colorado
The picturesque Rocky Mountain retreat Aspen Highlands frequently earns a spot on the must-visit slopes for skiing enthusiasts—and rightfully so. The Highland Bowl, reaching a dizzying elevation of 12,392 feet, is viewed as a supreme challenge for those daring individuals fearless enough to trek its steep trails. Meanwhile, Oly Bowl offers abundant untouched powder, providing ideal conditions for skiing adventures.
Park City Mountain Resort, Utah
Image by Harrison Moore
Park City Mountain Resort is a standout premier skiing destination, offering the ultimate trifecta: a mix of diverse runs, amazing views, and an unbeatable après-ski scene. Jupiter Bowl offers exhilarating challenges and it’s a joy to ski the meticulously groomed lower slopes cruisers. The best part about Park City’s 3,200 acres of skiable terrain suitable for all skill levels is that it’s located right next to town so there are no long slogs back to the lodge at the end of the day.
Deer Valley Resort, Utah
Though it’s technically a part of Park City, Deer Valley Resort is a completely different destination that requires its own lift tickets. Beginners will find a number of slopes that fall on the easier side. Those who want a bit more of a secluded experience can avoid the hustle and bustle of the Park City scene carving their way down Deer Valley’s champagne-powdered groomers, glades and steeps.
Sun Valley Resort, Idaho
The consistent pitch across diverse terrain on Sun Valley’s Bald Mountain, considered the resort’s crown jewel, means it’s all downhill for skiers and riders—in the best possible way.
Bonus
The lift lines are practically non-existent. After hitting Bald Mountain’s slalom challenges and groomers, the peak’s nearby neighbor, Dollar Mountain, provides easy-to-navigate slopes.
Fun fact
This peak once boasted the very first chairlift in the world.
Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
Image by Erik Odiin
Nestled in the Sangre de Cristos and with a base elevation of 9,350 feet, Taos prides itself on being better, not bigger. For skiers and snowboarders that translates to everything from new stunning slope side lodging to a state-of-the-art learning center. Mother Nature approves, annually gifting the 1,294-acre resort with over 300 average days of sunshine and the same amount of snowfall in inches. Of the 110 trails, half are geared to beginner and intermediate skiers and half to experts.
Smuggler’s Notch, Vermont
Smuggler’s Notch in the Green Mountains is a locally-owned and operated three-mountain escape. Fondly referred to as “Smuggs” by those in the know, the resort is great for families looking for a day of varied terrain that’s off the beaten ski circuit, but still easily accessible.
Stowe, Vermont
Spruce Peak and the nearby almost 4,400-foot Mount Mansfield are connected by a gondola and make Stowe a perennial New England ski favorite. Spruce Peak is ideal for beginners, while the Coast’s steepest pitches and advanced freeride terrain for advanced skiers can be found on Mount Mansfield. Twelve lifts serve 116 trails at this resort that gets some of the best snow in the state.
Alyeska Resort, Alaska
While not a usual suspect on the ski circuit, Alyeska is located about 45 minutes outside of Anchorage. The resort’s claim to fame is the North Face, considered North America’s longest continuous double-black diamond run. There’s also top-notch heli-skiing, cat-skiing, Nordic skiing, dog sledding and snowshoeing. There’s no need to worry about snow conditions here since the steep and deep terrain gets on average nearly 700 inches of snowfall each year.
