The following ten ski resorts have been selected based on two criteria more important than any other: consistency of good snow conditions, and quality of terrain. Building your trip around any one of these places will make for an epic days this season.

Please ski and ride safely and we’ll see you out there!

10. Kirkwood, CA

Off Tahoe’s beaten-path, Kirkwood is 45 minutes south of the lake and resorts like Heavenly and Squaw. Its location helps thin the crowds, even as Kirkwood receives the most snowfall of any Tahoe resort, averaging 600 inches a year.

When it’s not snowing, it’s probably sunny, as Kirkwood also boasts a healthy majority of bluebird days. Take Wagon Wheel or Cornice Express and slice down steeps, bowls and chutes like The Wall and Cliff Chute.

9. Big Sky, Montana

With 4,350 feet of vertical, Big Sky is one of the largest in the US. It’s also pretty huge in terms of acreage—3,812. Purchase a Big Sky-Moonlight Basin Interconnect ticket and your skiable acreage expands to 5,512, quickly making Big Sky/Moonlight the country’s largest lift-served resort area.

Ascending the mountain, you can’t help but stare at the sheer face of Lone Mountain, towering ominously in the background, inviting the willing onto its many chutes, bowls and couloirs. While the riding is huge, the crowds and lift lines are virtually non-existent—so if you miss out on any terrain, you can be sure it’s because the resort was just too damn big.

Photo from Silverton Mountain

8. Sunshine Village, AB

One of 3 Banff-area resorts, Sunshine Village is all about imposing terrain and quality powder. Delirium Dive, Wild West and Silver City are free-ride areas offering some of Canada’s most extreme terrain within resort boundaries.

In-bounds backcountry, you’d better bring a riding partner, avalanche equipment and big-time skills. Once in, expect to negotiate cliffs, cornices, steeps and variable terrain. You’ll need to have good timing—these areas are often closed due to high avalanche danger.

Not quite ready for the backcountry? Goat’s Eye Mountain offers slightly-tamer, but still demanding expert options.

7. Powder Mountain, UT

In a state that earned its reputation on snow quality, only one resort is named Powder. Receiving 500 inches of dry Utah fresh a year, Powder also has more accessible terrain than any other resort in the US— 5,500 acres. You’ve never heard it billed this way because the terrain is a combination of lift-served, snowcat and hike-to.

Powder Country offers 1200 acres of hike-to terrain, notorious for having fresh lines even weeks after a storm. A shuttle comes by regularly to carry you back to the base once you’ve hit pavement.

Cat rides run either daily or for just $12 a ride. If you feel like gravity stifles your flow, 20 bucks buys you access to snowkiting terrain via Sunrise Lift.

6. Arapahoe Basin, CO

A-Basin’s altitude at 13,050 feet allows for a lengthy season that often welcomes skiers on Fourth of July. A-Basin also has some of the gnarliest, steepest terrain in Colorado, with 60% of the mountain graded for advanced or expert riders. Last season, the resort nearly doubled its skiable terrain with the addition of Montezuma Bowl on the backside.

While there’s no lodging on the mountain, there is tailgating—a section of A-Basin’s parking lot dubbed “the Beach” is the place to pull up a lawn chair, grill some brats and enjoy like-minded company and sweet mountain views.

Photo from Powder Mountain

5. Kicking Horse, BC

The Horse’s 4,133 feet of vertical is second only to the BC untouchables of Whistler and recently-cut Revelstoke. And that’s not PR-guru spin (i.e. vertical divided among seven base areas). You can drop the full 4,133 in one continuous line, from upper mountain chutes and bowls to lower runs and on to the base.

There are only 5 lifts, so catch Golden Eagle Express Gondola or Stairway to Heaven and choose from 70 chutes, cut across several ridges. Don’t expect smooth turns all the way to the bottom, however; chutes are laden with cliffs, cornices, rocks and other expert fare.

4. Jay Peak, VT

Those who complain that Jay Peak is too cold, windy or isolated don’t come back. The rest of us have different priorities. Priorities like 350 inches of powder, 24 glades and some of the only chutes in the east— numbers that would be impressive in the Rockies; in the east they’re unheard of outside Jay’s boundaries.

For backcountry, find a shred with his thumb out on the side of VT 224; he just tracked a sweet line over Big Jay and should provide some local knowledge. When it’s time to head in, lodges like Grampa Grunt’s (more like a hostel) and Snowshoe Lodge are the closest you’ll find to the Ritz here.

Photo by McPhoto, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

3. Red Mountain, BC

If you’re in BC and looking for a “scene”, head to Whistler. If you’re looking for pure riding and no hassles, consider Red Mountain your spot. Red’s southern inland location allows for much drier powder than resorts toward the coast. It’s still BC though; Red serves big terrain including glades, cliffs and steeps.

The resort also offers easy access points to 2,500 acres of backcountry. Red has piloted The Mountain Project, a cooperative among the resort, locals and outdoor manufacturers to preserve and sustain true mountain community values and lifestyle, the essence of what we sought to capture on this list.

2. Mt. Baker, WA

If you had to describe Mt. Baker in just one word, it would undoubtedly be SNOW. Last year, Baker was crowned the unequivocal snowfall king with a lofty 641-inch average. The resort also owns the world record of 1,140 inches in a single season. That’s no misprint.

Baker’s appeal doesn’t stop at deep pow; you’ll also find some of the sickest terrain in the lower 48. With gut-churning cliffs, cornices and steeps inside boundary lines, and a generous backcountry policy, Baker will ingrain lifelong memories (and lessons).

Don’t expect any plush amenities—the nearest lodging is 17 miles away in Glacier, ensuring that people who come have but one motivation.

Adult lift tickets run just $43/weekend and $36/weekdays, probably cheaper than your local hill.

1. Silverton, CO

Silverton has taken the vision of a rider’s resort to the next level. There’s a mountain. There’s a lift. And there’s over 1,800 acres of steeps, bowls and chutes. A yurt serves as the base lodge. No grooming. No runs. All terrain is colored black.

Depending upon when you’re there, you’ll have guided or unguided options. Avalanche gear is required. Take THE lift, hike the ridgeline and drop in on the line that looks most promising. A shuttle will pick you up where you land and take you back to start again. Expect to be joined by fewer than 80 others. Epic.

Community Connection

Interested in trying out a new snow sport this year? Thinking you’re finally ready to try telemarking? Check out Chrysser’s First Timer’s Guide to Telemark Skiing.

How about the backcountry? Either way, remember that it’s all about progression and new challenges, but always staying in control.

Feature photo by ccate. Photo above by DanieVDM.

These towns are the best in the world for adventure!

Photo by LizMarie.

Valdez, Alaska

One of the premier heli-skiing locations in the world, Valdez offers access to the snow-drenched steeps and spines of the Chugach Range.

For mellower adventures, Prince William Sound offers sea kayaking and tours into surrounding glaciers. Check out Points North for heli-skiing packages.

Photo by Michael Scheltgen.

Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver’s North Shore invented freeride mountain biking. Huge drops. Crazy, winding wood bridges and planks. Sick jumps. This is the North Shore’s bread and butter.

Haven’t gotten enough? Head two hours north to Whistler and drop into backcountry via helicopter and bike your way out.

When the snow begins to fall, Vancouver offers access to many ski resorts including Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain, Mt. Seymour, just minutes from downtown, and Whistler, North America’s largest resort, to the north.

Also, check out Matador’s complete guide to heli-skiing in British Colombia.

Photo by woodleywonderworks.

Jackson, Wyoming

Jackson Hole is a name that produces an automatic tingle down the spine of anyone who’s ever ridden planks or boarded down a snow-covered slope.

Jackson is home to some of the most serious riding, both in-bounds and backcountry, in the lower 48. The town is less-known for the multitude of other sports it offers year-round, including mountain biking, backcountry hikes and paragliding.

Jackson is also a jumping off point for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, offering the most diverse wildlife viewing in the lower 48.

Photo by JasonRogers.

Moab, UT

Moab’s 4 x 4 roads, rock-strewn trails and slickrock have given it the reputation as “Mountain Biking Capital of the World.”

The rugged, high desert is a breeding ground for any off-road adventure—ATVing, dirt biking, buggying, jeeping And the hoodoos rising above the desert floor and canyons that cut through acres of red rock are ideal for climbing and canyoneering.

The Green and Colorado Rivers also offer whitewater excursions. Try a Moab multi-sport package.

Photo by uLe @ Dortmund.

Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Puerto Escondido is famous for its break off Zicatela Beach, dubbed the Mexican Pipeline. It is one of the heaviest barrels on the Pacific Coast, a classic surf destination in Mexico.

In addition, adventure-seekers can enjoy kayaking, scuba diving and eco tours into the surrounding jungles and mountains.

Turrialba, Costa Rica

With a reputation as a whitewater paradise for its local rivers, the Reventazon and Pacuare, Turrialba is also a key hub for multi-day mountain biking, hiking, and backpacking trips.

Mountain bike or raft through lush rainforests and volcanic valleys. If you’re on an adrenaline binge, bike from Turrialba to the Pacific Coast and pick up a board for some of Costa Rica’s world class surfing.

For the foot traveler, summit the Turrialba Volcano or take a look 3000 years in the past at the Guayabo National Monument. Check out costaricaadventures.net.

Photo by sancho_panza.

Arequipa, Peru

With its location in the shadow of 19er volcanic peaks such as El Misti and Chachani, Arequipa is a mountain climber’s dream town.

If climbing mountains isn’t your game, Arequipa also offers whitewater paddling through the depths of the Cotahuasi Canyon, arguably the world’s deepest gorge (over 2 miles) and mountain biking treks from high in the Andes down into the Amazon Jungle.

Check out peruadventures.com for these and other epic options.

Photo by ccate.

Futaleufu, Chile

The small town of Futaleufu in Patagonian Chile accesses the river by the same name–a river many lifelong kayakers consider the most beautiful and challenging in the wold.

This alone would earn it a place on the list, but with access to Andean Peaks and treks through Patagonia, the town is ripe for multi-sport adventures like few other locales in South America. Many companies run trips down the Futaleufu; here’s one: earthriver.com.

Grytviken, South Georgia Island

Antarctica needed to be on this list—the continent possesses elements of frontier and adventure exploration like nowhere else on earth. So although Grytviken is not a traditional town, it earns its rank.

Grytviken offers an historical look back into great Antarctic excursions of the past, housing the gravesite of British explorer Ernest Shackleton, a museum and remnants of an early 20th century whaling colony.

South Georgia is a popular stop on many Antarctic trips and is home to hundreds of thousands of penguins, several species of seal and albatross. Prepare for your Antarctic excursion.

Photo by DanieVDM.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is revered worldwide for the huge swells off its white-sand beaches. In addition to killer surfing, the waters that surround the city are great for kite surfing and sea kayaking.

If you prefer to stay dry, pick up a sandboard and head out to the white sand dunes of Atlantis, a nature reserve about 40 minutes outside of Cape Town. Or, if you’re tired of just staring at Table Mountain, climb to the top by foot or cable car and repel or mountain bike down.

Check out Cape Town’s Downhill Adventures for these and other packages.

Photo by travellingtamas.

Interlaken, Switzerland

One ski pass for the Jungfrau Top Ski Region will earn you access to over 128 miles of ski trails across 3 resorts, connected to Interlaken by mountain railway.

Not enough? Jump in a helicopter and ride a remote slice of the Alps. Also try ice climbing or glacier treks. Summertime brings sports like mountaineering, bungee jumping from gondolas, sky diving and zorbing—rolling down a hill inside a big plastic ball—to the fray.

Canyons such as Grimsel and Saxeten offer thrilling canyoning—repelling and leaping into canyons— amidst cascading waterfalls.

Find out more on your own: alpinraft.com or swissalpineguides.ch.

Photo by kennymatic.

Voss, Norway

Voss’s setting amidst the peaks and fjords of western Norway has earned it a rep as a world capital for the fringe sport of BASE jumping.

After landing, kayak or raft Class III-V rapids on the Stranda and Randaul Rivers. If you’d prefer running rapids via riverboard, try it out under close professional supervision at Voss Rafting Senter. The Center also offers repelling on the 500-foot Tvinnefossen waterfall and canyoning/cliff jumping options.

Once dry, be sure to try out para-bungee, in which you’re hoisted 600 feet into the air on a giant parasail platform to bungee 300 feet below. Oh, and Voss is also one of Norway’s largest ski towns.

Shegar, Tibet

It would be difficult to complete this list without including the most revered, infamous adventure of them all—Everest. The tiny town of Shegar, Tibet is the last stop on the northern route to Everest Base Camp.

Although Shegar may be a small, one-trick pony; the trick is pretty huge and significant. Himalayan scenery doesn’t hurt either.

Photo by showmeone.

Queenstown, New Zealand

The mountains and waters surrounding Queenstown are home to many classic outdoor sports: whitewater, heli-skiing, climbing, jet boating and mountain biking, to name a few.

Queenstown decided that its natural endowments weren’t enough and helped craft some of the world’s more insane sports. AJ Hackett, one of bungee’s pioneer jumpers and entrepreneurs, founded a bungee operation in Queenstown on the Kawarau Bridge back in the late 80’s.

Since then, bungee jumping has flourished in the city. Apparently, bungee was a little too one dimensional— Queenstown’s 359-foot Shotover Canyon Swing allows you to swing out over the canyon after dropping nearly 200 feet. Pretty sick. Check out Queenstown adventure for more information.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

For first-timer recommendations about adventure sports in the great outdoors, check out Dana Ranill’s “A First Timer’s Guide to Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding.”

For a classic profile on the pioneers of today’s gravity sports, check out David Miller’s article “Feeling Gravity’s Pull.”

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