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United States · ski resorts

The best ski resorts in the US.

American skiing is a different proposition: high, cold and dry, with the light powder the Rockies and Utah are famous for and some of the longest seasons anywhere. The resorts are higher than the Alps, so the snow is a surer bet — the choice is more about the town and the terrain.

Here are the US resorts we cover, each with its altitude, season and snow reliability, and a hand-checked hotel to stay in. Open any one to plan the trip around it.

16 resorts · season & snow at a glance

Where to ski, and when.

Aspen

Colorado
Season
Late Nov – mid Apr
Best snow
Jan – Mar
Altitude
2,422–3,813 m
Snow
Very high
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Beaver Creek

Colorado
Season
Mid Nov – mid Apr
Best snow
Dec – Mar
Altitude
2,469–3,488 m
Snow
Very high
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Big Sky, Montana

Montana
Season
Late Nov – mid Apr
Best snow
Dec – Mar
Altitude
2,286–3,403 m
Snow
Very high
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Breckenridge

Colorado
Season
Mid Nov – late Apr
Best snow
Dec – Mar
Altitude
2,926–3,962 m
Snow
Very high
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Crested Butte

Colorado
Season
Late Nov – early Apr
Best snow
Jan – Mar
Altitude
2,857–3,707 m
Snow
Very high
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Deer Valley

Utah
Season
Early Dec – mid Apr
Best snow
Jan – Mar
Altitude
2,179–2,917 m
Snow
Very high
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Jackson Hole

Wyoming
Season
Late Nov – early Apr
Best snow
Jan – Mar
Altitude
1,924–3,185 m
Snow
Very high
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Mammoth Lakes

California
Season
Nov – late May
Best snow
Jan – Apr
Altitude
2,424–3,369 m
Snow
Very high
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Park City

Utah
Season
Late Nov – mid Apr
Best snow
Jan – Mar
Altitude
2,103–3,049 m
Snow
Very high
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Snowbird & Alta

Utah
Season
Late Nov – late May
Best snow
Jan – Apr
Altitude
2,365–3,353 m
Snow
Very high
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Steamboat

Colorado
Season
Late Nov – mid Apr
Best snow
Jan – Mar
Altitude
2,103–3,221 m
Snow
Very high
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Telluride

Colorado
Season
Late Nov – early Apr
Best snow
Jan – Mar
Altitude
2,659–3,831 m
Snow
Very high
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Vail

Colorado
Season
Mid Nov – mid Apr
Best snow
Dec – Mar
Altitude
2,500–3,527 m
Snow
Very high
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Lake Tahoe

California
Season
Late Nov – mid Apr
Best snow
Jan – Mar
Altitude
1,900–3,068 m
Snow
High
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Stowe & Vermont

Vermont
Season
Late Nov – mid Apr
Best snow
Jan – Mar
Altitude
475–1,339 m
Snow
High
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Sun Valley

Idaho
Season
Late Nov – mid Apr
Best snow
Jan – Mar
Altitude
1,753–2,789 m
Snow
High
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Good questions

Which US ski resort has the best snow?

Utah's Little Cottonwood (Snowbird and Alta) and Colorado's high resorts — Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge, Steamboat — get famously deep, light, dry snow. Steamboat trademarked the phrase 'Champagne Powder' for a reason. All rate very high for reliability.

When is the US ski season?

Generally mid-November to mid-April, with the highest resorts — Breckenridge, Mammoth and Snowbird — running into May. The snow is most reliable January through March. Each resort page shows its own dates.

Which US resorts are best for luxury and spas?

Deer Valley and Aspen set the standard for American ski luxury — immaculate grooming, fine dining and slope-side spa hotels — with Vail and Beaver Creek close behind. Every stay we list has a genuine spa.

Pick a resort. We'll plan the rest.

Travel, a quality-checked hotel with a real spa, and the trip assembled around your dates.

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