Whether or not you’re an avid skier or snowboarder, ski resorts provide a whimsical mountain setting for an activity-filled getaway. Many operate during both the winter and summer seasons, offering exciting seasonal outdoor adventures. These resorts keep the cozy, rustic feel while providing luxury restaurants and accommodations for the ultimate relaxing getaway surrounded by nature.
We asked our readers to tell us their favorite ski resorts in 2022. While skiers may rank the best resorts based on perfectly groomed ski slopes, a variety of runs, and quick, uncrowded lift lines, non-skiers may consider a location’s beauty, quality of onsite restaurants, accommodations available, and activities offered. Both parties can agree that an exceptional après ski experience is a huge bonus. Without further ado, here are the top ten in North America.
1. Crested Butte Mountain Resort (Winner)
Crested Butte, Colorado
Crested Butte Mountain Resort is this year’s winner of the best ski resort in North America! Although the state is home to many ski towns and resorts, Crested Butte is fondly known as “Colorado’s last great ski town.” The welcoming residents embrace the historic small-town charm and have ensured the town remains free of traffic lights, chain stores, and high-rise buildings. But don’t assume that means this town is sleepy! Instead, it’s full of charming locally-owned boutiques, lodging options, and authentic restaurants.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort has 15 chairlifts, capable of handling over 200,000 people per hour, yet typically only sees 2,000 skiers daily, making it one of the least crowded resorts in the country. The town receives 234 inches of snow annually, so the slopes are constantly refreshed with fresh powder. They cover over 1,500 acres of terrain with 162 trails and two exciting terrain parks. The ski resort has six convenient restaurants onsite, both on mountain and at the base, to relax and refuel. It’s open during the summer and winter seasons, offering biking, hiking, disc golf, and more during the summer.
2022 Seasons
- Summer 2022: June 11–September 5
- Winter 2022: Late November–Early April
(Photo Credit: Taos Ski Valley)
2. Taos Ski Valley
Taos County, New Mexico
The area of Taos Ski Valley was once an old mining town, and it was brilliantly transformed into a ski resort during the 1950s. Its sister town, Taos, New Mexico, is located a quick half-hour drive away, but the landscapes are vastly different. While Taos averages only about 30 inches of snow annually, Taos Ski Valley sits in the Rocky Mountains and expects to see about 300 inches each year.
Taos Ski Valley spans almost 1,300 acres with 110 trails. The slopes are managed, in part, by a unique public-private partnership with the United States Forest Service. The area is famous for regularly seeing 300+ sunny days annually, providing an especially enjoyable ski environment. Taos Village offers cabins, hotels and condos, and boutique inns for those that prefer to stay within walking distance of the lifts.
2022 Seasons
- Summer 2022: June 17–October 9
- Winter 2022: Late November–Mid-April
(Photo Credit: Maguire, Breckenridge Ski Resort)
3. Breckenridge Ski Resort
Breckenridge, Colorado
Breckenridge Ski Resort is a beautiful five-peak resort in the Rocky Mountain town Breckenridge, Colorado. “Breck,” as those in the know fondly call it, is a cute little mountain town full of character. Sitting at a sky-scraping elevation of 9,600 feet, the town embraces its mining and ski history. Antique, boutique, and souvenir shops line Main Street, sprinkled in with local breweries and casual, yet quality, eateries. It even operates a cutesy trolley through downtown, free to hop on and off as you explore.
The ski resort is a huge draw for the area year-round. During summer, it operates the Colorado Chair lift to give visitors magnificent views of some of the Rockies’ peaks, provides a zip line adventure through the White River National Forest, and offers plenty of hiking options. However, the resort truly shines during the winter season. The area receives one of the highest annual snow totals in Colorado, keeping the nearly 3,000 skiable acres, 187 trails, and four terrain parks freshly covered. The resort attracts everyone from families to lifelong skiers with its bountiful assortment of skill-related runs.
2022 Seasons
- Summer 2022: June 17–September 5
- Winter 2022: Mid-November–Mid-May
(Photo Credit: Adam Melnyk / Shutterstock.com)
4. Whistler Blackcomb
British Columbia, Canada
Whistler Blackcomb is the first resort on our list located in our friendly country to the north: Canada. British Columbia, to be exact. When you think of skiing in Canada, the world-class, immaculately kept slopes in Whistler are probably what come to mind. The area hosted the Winter Olympics in 2010, and the skiing, bobsled, luge, and skeleton events were all held at this resort.
Aside from the Olympics notoriety, Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America. The area receives an astounding 420+ inches of snow annually, which allows for an almost 200-day ski season. The two mountains provide over 8,000 skiable acres with 200+ trails designed for beginners to Olympic-level skiers. Perhaps on par with the actual skiing, Whistler Blackcomb is also known for its dedication to après ski, or after ski, entertainment and relaxation. Whistler Village is nestled at the base between both mountains, offering resorts, restaurants, shopping, art galleries, museums, and bars.
2022 Seasons
- Summer 2022: June 29–TBD
- Winter 2022: Late November –Late May; Early June–Mid-July*
*Summer glacier skiing is available for advanced and experts only.
5. Big Bear Mountain Resort
Big Bear Lake, California
Big Bear Mountain Resort is a world-class ski resort in Southern California, comprised of both Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. Big Bear Lake is only 2 hours from the San Diego beaches, making the resort a perfect destination for those that want to enjoy some snow and sand.
Big Bear Mountain Resort is arguably as popular in the summer season as it is in the winter. Summer activities include a bike park, Bear Mountain golf course, hiking, and soaring through the San Bernardino National Forest on the Scenic Sky Chair. During winter, skiers and especially snowboarders flock to the resort. Bear Mountain offers multiple halfpipes and backcountry terrain for hardcore snowboarders to get their thrills in. Snow Summit also has its own terrain park, but it appeals more to the average skier with their 20+ runs. Don’t forget to stop by Laybacks, Bear Mountain’s outdoor bar with a 13,000-square-foot deck, to kick your feet up and enjoy a cocktail.
2022 Seasons
- Summer 2022: Early June–Early October*
- Winter 2022: Early December–Mid-April
*Activity availability may vary.
(Photo Credit: M Outdoors / Shutterstock.com)
6. Park City Mountain Resort
Park City, Utah
Park City Mountain Resort is actually two ski resorts in one, Park City Mountain and the Canyons, making it the largest ski resort in the United States. Fans of Park City come for the amazing Utah powder and the great nightlife the former mining town offers. The resort became world renowned in 2002 when it hosted Winter Olympics events, and it continues to host events where you could get a glimpse of future Olympians.
The 7,300-acre resort has over 330 trails, making it the largest in North America. It does offer something for everyone — from beginners to experts, there’s a trail for you. Unlike its neighbor Deer Valley, Park City Mountain and the Canyons do allow snowboarders. Although some long-time Park City enthusiasts claim the lines and runs have gotten too crowded, they swear the fresh powder makes it worth coming back. During the summer season, the resort opens for hiking, biking, and scenic chair lift rides. For the thrill-seekers, make sure you take a ride down the Alpine Slide or Mountain Coaster.
2022 Seasons
- Summer 2022: May 27–September 5
- Winter 2022: Mid-November–Mid-April
(Photo Credit: Killington Mountain Resort)
7. Killington Mountain Resort & Ski Area
Killington, Vermont
Killington Mountain Resort in Vermont provides the longest ski season in the east, often into the month of June. Although the area receives about 250 inches of annual snowfall, the extra long season is made possible by the 1,700 snow-producing guns. These can produce one foot of snow every 24 hours!
The resort includes seven skiable mountains, most notably Killington Peak, which is the highest point in the state, at 4,241 feet. The mountains combined provide almost 2,000 acres and over 200 trails for every skill level. Skiers can easily navigate between six of the seven mountains or take a shuttle to explore the newly acquired Pico Mountain. Killington’s additional winter adventures include snowmobiling, snow tubing, snowshoeing, and taking in the mountain views on a scenic gondola ride.
This resort also takes apres-ski seriously; don’t miss the Peak Lodge, which serves farm-fresh meals and adult beverages at the top of Killington Mountain. Discover more reasons to fall in love with Killington here.
2022 Seasons
- Summer 2022: May 28–October 10
- Winter 2022: Early November–Early June
(Photo Credit: Sun Valley Resort)
8. Sun Valley Ski Resort
Sun Valley, Idaho
When you think about Idaho, skiing may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, Sun Valley Ski Resort, which opened in 1936, is “America’s First Destination Ski Resort.” SKI Magazine has recognized it as the number 1 ski resort in North America for the past 2 years, and Powder Magazine named Sun Valley a top eight ski town. This resort is truly a hidden gem.
Sun Valley Ski Resort is comprised of two mountains: Bald Mountain (known as “Baldy) and Dollar Mountain. Together they provide 2,400 acres of downhill and cross-country skiing terrain with 121 uncrowded trails. While beginners can find plenty of manageable runs on Dollar Mountain, Baldy’s challenging slopes especially attract seasoned ski experts. Aside from skiing, Sun Valley is a great resort destination for the whole family. It has onsite luxury cottages, condos, and hotel accommodations, and multiple upscale dining options. Make sure to reserve your spot at The Roundhouse, the country’s first on-mountain restaurant, which serves world-class cuisine and cocktails while diners enjoy the panoramic views from halfway up Bald Mountain.
2022 Seasons
- Summer 2022: June 25–September 11
- Winter 2022: Late November–Mid-April
(Photo Credit: Vail Resorts)
9. Beaver Creek Resort
Beaver Creek, Colorado
Beaver Creek Resort is a luxury ski resort in the White River National Forest, just west of Vail, Colorado. The 8,100-foot base is home to four unique villages, each offering a variety of luxury ski-in, ski-out accommodations, boutiques, and world-renowned restaurants. Winter family-friendly activities include snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, and ice skating. Summer activities include mountain biking, hiking, and even high-altitude golfing.
Beaver Creek is home to almost 170 trails on over 2,000 skiable acres. The mountain town receives 310 inches of average snowfall per year, keeping the five mountains covered in fresh powder. The large variety of runs means the resort is suitable for all skill levels, but the challenging advanced- to expert-level trails have made it a regular FIS Alpine Ski World Cup host. To refuel during a day on the slopes, Beaver Creek has five on-mountain dining options, offering everything from sweet treats and ready-to-drink cocktails to deli sandwiches and soul-warming soup. Don’t forget to grab one of their famous cookies, freshly baked each afternoon!
2022 Seasons
- Summer 2022: June 18–September 25
- Winter 2022: Late November–Mid-April
(Photo Credit: Bennekom / Shutterstock.com)
10. Sunshine Village Ski Resort
Alberta, Canada
Sunshine Village Ski Resort in Banff, Alberta is home to Canada’s longest non-glacial ski season. The elevated base area sits at 7,200 feet on the Continental Divide and receives over 350 inches of “Canada’s Best Snow” annually. Additionally, the resort employs snow farming, using fencing to collect snow from the borders and snow cats to pull it back onto these immaculately groomed slopes.
Sunshine Village Resort sits in an alpine valley formed by three skiable mountains in the Canadian Rockies. The mountains collectively provide 3,300 acres of skiable terrain, including a 12-acre terrain park. The massiveness of the resort even allows skiers to cruise through both Alberta and British Columbia provinces in a single run. The village is home to Banff’s only ski-in, ski-out boutique hotel, Sunshine Mountain Lodge. The rustic mountain lodge features multiple specialty restaurants and is walkable to the area shops.
2022 Seasons
- Summer 2022: June 24–September 11
- Winter 2022: Early November–Late May
Related Reading:
- 7 Fabulous Ski Resorts Around The World For All Levels
- The Best U.S. Ski Destinations Even If You Don’t Ski
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