The 10 Best Ski Resorts in North America, 2023/24

1. Breckenridge Ski Resort

Breckenridge is one of the most popular ski resorts in Colorado with a world-renown ski town

• Opening Date: Nov 12 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
• Closing Date: May 08 2025* (Estimated close date based on historical data)

Denver Intl. Airport - 104 miles (2.5 hour drive)

If you’re looking to have the big-name ski resort experience without breaking the bank, Breckenridge is for you! With plentiful accommodation options at varied prices and endless shopping, dining and drinking spots, Breck can suit all budgets. In terms of the skiing, it’s an awesome mountain to ride with close to 200 trails for all abilities and North America’s highest lift! As an extremely popular ski destination, it’s no surprise that the resort can get frustratingly crowded. But if you can get past the long lines, you’re guaranteed to enjoy the bustling but laid-back vibe at Breckenridge!

• View Breckenridge Ski Packages

2. Whistler Blackcomb

Largest ski resort in North America with the ultimate ski village

• Opening Date: Invalid Date* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
• Closing Date: Invalid Date* (Estimated close date based on historical data)

Vancouver Intl. Airport - 85 miles (2 hour drive)

Whistler-Blackcomb, the largest ski resort in North America, ticks all the boxes for the ultimate ski holiday experience. You’ll be skiing for days exploring over 200 runs across two mountains that total 8,172 ac of skiable terrain! There’s terrain to accommodate all levels as well as inbounds backcountry, bowls, glaciers, tree trails and five terrain parks! It’s rated one of the best ski resorts in the world for a reason but with that title comes big crowds. The bustling Whistler village comes alive particularly at night, with an abundance of dining experiences, shopping boutiques and art galleries along the pedestrian-only path. Skiing at Whistler can get expensive, but there are varied accommodation options available.

• View Whistler Blackcomb Ski Packages

3. Vail Ski Resort

Vail is world-famous for its extensive terrain, legendary back bowls and top notch guest experience

• Opening Date: Nov 16 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
• Closing Date: Apr 21 2025* (Estimated close date based on historical data)

Eagle County Regional Airport - 34 miles (50 minute drive)

Denver Intl. Airport - 120 miles (2.5 hour drive)

Vail’s huge ski area and charming European style village has made it one of the most visited in the US! Its 5317 ac of skiable terrain makes it the largest in Colorado, and the separated ski areas help to spread the crowds out. The front-side of the mountain is dominated by green and blue groomers and the back bowls have glades, bumps and steeps to explore. Vail has one of the most expensive walk-up lift tickets in the country and the town can feel slightly contrived compared to authentic towns like Breckenridge. Nonetheless, its infinite dining options, lodging, apres-ski activities and heated sidewalks make it a must-visit ski destination!

• View Vail Ski Packages

4. Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort

Aspen has four distinctive ski areas on one lift ticket clustered around a famous Colorado ski town

• Opening Date: Nov 28 2024
• Closing Date: Apr 20 2025

Aspen/ Pitkin County Airport - 8 miles (15 minute drive)

Denver Intl. Airport - 220 miles (4 hour drive)

Famous for the glitz and glamour that attract celebrities here, Aspen rules the après-ski scene with endless dining and nightlife options! Its upscale reputation does come with a price tag, especially if you’re looking for ski-in/ski-out accommodation. Aside from having one of the greatest ski towns in the world, there are over 300 trails across four separate ski areas: Aspen, Snowmass, Buttermilk, and Aspen Highlands. They’re all linked by a shuttle system and are accessible with a single ticket. And if you’re one to experience altitude sickness you won’t need to worry thanks to Aspen’s low elevation!

5. Alta

Old school skiers-only mountain with access to Snowbird on the AltaBird pass

• Opening Date: Nov 23 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
• Closing Date: Apr 24 2025* (Estimated close date based on historical data)

Salt Lake City Intl. Airport - 32 miles (40 minute drive)

Traditional skiers can enjoy the mountain all to themselves, as those pesky snowboarders aren’t allowed at Alta! Despite being one of the smaller resorts on this list with only 2,200 ac of skiable terrain, experienced skiers will love the incredible steeps, chutes and tree runs. That’s not to say there aren’t plenty of runs for every skier and you can also ski neighboring Snowbird by upgrading your ticket. If you’re looking for a charming ski village this isn’t it, but Salt Lake City is just a 40 minute drive away and is a good choice for more accommodation options, nightlife and shopping.

• View Alta Ski Packages

6. Jackson Hole

Being an expert's playground nestled in the Wild West

• Opening Date: Nov 25 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
• Closing Date: Apr 09 2025* (Estimated close date based on historical data)

Jackson Hole Airport - 25 miles (1 hour drive)

An expert’s paradise, Jackson Hole is known for the most continuous vertical in the US! Recent improvements to lifts have made intermediate terrain easier to access, however the resort remains infamous for its extreme terrain and steeps. If you’re a beginner or travelling with kids, you’ll struggle to find enough beginner trails and crowds can also be an issue on the 2,500 ac of skiable terrain. Teton Village offers ski-in/ski-out accommodation and a handful of bars, but the town of Jackson is also just a 20 minute drive away with more nightlife and shopping options.

• View Jackson Hole Ski Packages

7. Telluride Ski Resort

Telluride has a well-deserved reputation for epic terrain, extraordinary views and excellent skiing facilities

• Opening Date: Nov 28 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
• Closing Date: Apr 05 2025* (Estimated close date based on historical data)

Telluride Regional Airport - 8 miles (20 minute drive)

Montrose Regional Airport - 70 miles (1.5 hour drive)

One of Colorado’s well kept secrets, Telluride is located in a western town full of character. The difficulty in accessing Telluride comes at the benefit of keeping the crowds away and being a great place for beginners to learn on the wide, uncrowded runs. But what Telluride is really known for is its exceptional advanced terrain. Experts can get their dose of adrenaline by hiking up to Palmyra Peak and taking their pick of intense chutes. The two base areas, Telluride and Mountain Village, are connected by free gondolas making it easy to get around. The Wild West town combined with extraordinary mountain scenery makes Telluride a picture-perfect ski destination!

• View Telluride Ski Packages

8. Palisades Tahoe (Squaw Valley)

Wide variety of extreme terrain, vibrant ski culture and Olympic heritage

• Opening Date: Nov 27 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
• Closing Date: Jun 03 2025* (Estimated close date based on historical data)

Reno-Tahoe Intl. Airport - 47 miles (50 minute drive)

Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows have merged to become Squaw Alpine, with a whopping 6000 ac of skiable terrain in total. Despite not being connected by lifts, you can enjoy what both resorts have to offer on one pass via a short shuttle ride. Squaw Valley is a favorite amongst the advanced, with wildly extreme terrain. The base village has tons of lodging, dining and shopping choices, but the convenient location from the Bay area draws big crowds. If you’re after powder and quieter slopes and aren’t bothered about amenities, Alpine Meadows has some great terrain too!

• View Palisades Tahoe (Squaw Valley) Ski Packages

9. Beaver Creek Resort

Beaver Creek is Vail's little sister that offers luxurious pampering

• Opening Date: Nov 23 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
• Closing Date: Apr 14 2025* (Estimated close date based on historical data)

Eagle County Regional Airport - 28 miles (30 minute drive)

Denver Intl. Airport - 130 miles (3 hour drive)

If luxury and pampering is what you’re after, look no further than Beaver Creek! As Colorado’s newest resort, visitors can enjoy expertly groomed runs and efficient lift systems. Although a lot smaller than its sister resort Vail, you can enjoy fewer crowds and short lines to maximise your time skiing the scenic trails. It’s a great resort for intermediate skiers, with plenty of blue and red runs. Off the slopes, you can relax in extravagance at the purpose-built village that’s full of restaurants, shopping and activities. The top-notch ski experience here isn’t cheap, so keep that in mind when considering Beaver Creek.

• View Beaver Creek Ski Packages

10. Steamboat Ski Resort

Steamboat is renowned for its trademark “Champagne Powder”, laid-back Colorado ski town and natural hot springs

• Opening Date: Nov 23 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
• Closing Date: Apr 14 2025* (Estimated close date based on historical data)

Yampa Valley Regional Airport - 28 miles (40 minute drive)

Denver Intl. Airport - 180 miles (3.5 hour drive)

With rustic western charm and almost no crowds, Steamboat is a must-visit amongst the larger US resorts. What makes this resort unique is having some of the best glade skiing in Colorado, and tree runs for all abilities! Steamboat’s low base elevation affects the snow quality and it's less accessible from major airports. But this means you won’t have to spend hours in line for the lifts like the other resorts on this list. Not to mention, a relaxing soak in one of the geothermal hot springs after a day on the slopes can make the travel worth it!

• View Steamboat Ski Packages