Sunshine Village photo by Andy Bell
When it comes to choosing which mountains to ride and ski this year, remember that, “more famous” and “more popular” does not equate with “better skiing.”
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.
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40 Comments... join the discussion!
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Another Top 10 Article that only includes the US… Maybe the title should be "Top 10 American Resorts For Your 2008-2009 Ski Trip", because I don't think there aren't other good ski resorts in other places of the World.
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Good call guys. That was actually the original title. I've fixed it now.
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Actually this article is "N. American Ski Resorts" only. We missed that in the title. Thanks. We'll be publishing a bunch of stories on skiing and riding outside of N. America in the next weeks and months so stay tuned. If you have ideas for mountains we should commission articles on, please leave them in the comments. Some of my personal favorites are Verbier, Meribel/Les trois vallées, Andorra, Las Leñas, Chamonix.
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I believe it was an innocent mistake, but you do have to remember Matador has readers all over the world and it's not the first time there's "top 10 something" article that actually only has American places. As for suggestions I'm a too bad skier to leave a proper recommendation, any gentle slope will do for me, but Andorra is a good one.
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Who has been to all ten resorts? I have yet to visit Alberta, nor did I realize it was Canada's most gnarly terrain. If I could recommend a small but potent ski hill, it would be Mt. Bohemia in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It is literally in the middle of no way, but they do no grooming and it seems very Rocky Mountain-ish. Expect the size of course!
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Worth noting that these resorts weren't all American! Canada is its own country, while we're nitpicking…
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I am shocked Whistler Blackcomb did not make your top ten list. Fuck the hype and the "scene" that exists below the lifts. Once you get on a chair headed up you have it all. Trees, steeps, bowls, gullies and all on very good and consistent snow. And then there is the backcountry, the fabled land beyond the ropes. You can do a day pack and do laps in Cowboys or you could do the three day trip on the Spearhead Traverse. There are lines I've looked at for years and after I hit those I know there are countless more. I've skied Red, Powder King, Panorama, a few areas in and around Revelstoke, some stuff an Vancouver Island and there is nothing quite like WB. It has something for everyone. I'm not claiming it to be the best, but it has to crack the top ten, especially if this is only North American Ski Resorts. I'm curious what your standards are/were when judging your top ten? I mean if this is purely a personal favs list, awesome. I can't fault a man for his tastes. But I need to ask If you are taking Snow, in bounds acreage, back country access and number of lifts into account why no WB?
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I frequent Arapahoe Basin and I have to say that in the spring there is nowhere better. The east wall is amazing!!!!!! The hike to get there is pretty easy and the terrain is just incredible. Montezuma bowl was interesting but the east wall is definitely the way to go. The Pallavacini lift is also extremely fun. After even just a light snow this place is epic!!!!!!
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I live in Utah. Powder Mountain is fun, but Snowbird blows it away. It is ranked No.1 in North America by Outsider Magazine. It has 2,500 skiable acres, top elevation of 11,000 feet, a base of 7,760 feet, a vertical drop of 3,240 feet, and an average snowfall of 500". Oh, and it has 89 runs. The scenery and whole vibe to the mountain is far above Powder Mtn. in my opinion. Check it out. Great site bro. Much love. http://www.snowbird.com
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Indeed, but I could easily find my way out of this by saying I was thinking of American continent… …but I wasn't
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Thanks for the list. I live in Southern Cal and never heard of Kirkwood. I will have to check it out!
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I recognize where you're coming from. I was looking to cover lower-profile resorts that are all about skiing/riding, as opposed to the big name mountains that are on every other list. Unfortunately, my intro and title that better explained this were edited out. Obviously, Whistler is on nearly every other list out there and for good reason. However, there are a ton of sweet rider's mountains that lurk in the shadows of the big names that don't get the props. That's what I was going for here. That's also why other mountains like Jackson Hole, Snowbird, Vail, Telluride, etc. etc. weren't covered. So in addition to terrain/snow , I asked the question "Why do people come here?" If I could answer with 1 sentiment–to "ride/ski", then it made the cut. Many of them don't even have lodging or much of any village. As sweet as Whistler is there's also a ton of other reasons to visit.
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been to lots of places over 40 years- snowbird got lines while they blasted avalanches; park city had lines, too; whistler is great but awfully busy–been to Europe–St. Moritz off piste nearly killed me, Flims was great but had fog in lower valley–grew up in lines in East slopes only to find crowded slopes with scraped terrain. Jay Peak is still pure skiing/riding, not much else to do but ski/ride, eat, and sleep; just pure deep snow, mostly uncrowded except holidays and then take the singles lines–but its soul is still pure, worth the -28F if you dress for it and take breaks–snows so much, so deep, all you hear in glades is creeking branches and "whompf" as somebody drops by you and doesn't stop his line through the trees; sometimes a hoot or yell, but mostly quiet, and deep. Still Old Vermont.
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lovely collection. usually I board in Austria and I have been to Whistler once (great, but totally different from Austria). I'm really about going to the USA one day for boarding. How are the prices there compared to Europe?
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I'm actually in the reverse boat as you, never been riding in Europe. I had plans to do a Switzerland trip 2 years ago for my honeymoon, but unfortunately it fell through. So I'm not sure how prices compare but in general lift tickets at major resorts here range from $60-90 per day, with discounts on multi-day tickets. Many of the resorts on this list are lower profile so tickets will be cheaper. One of my local mountains is Powder and tickets there run around $50/day. There are also plenty of discounts available on packages that can save you a lot of money–the cheapest I've ever done ran me around $500 for 3 day lift ticket and 4 nights of lodging and the lift ticket was a special beeline ticket that allowed me to skip the main lift lines and go in a different gate. That was at Copper, Colorado. Hope that helps.
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Respect The Jay Effect!
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AMEN BROTHA!
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I think Deer Valley, Utah should be on the list. I go there almost every year since i was little. I love it there. It is beautiful and so much fun. It also has a really good children's ski school as well as a diverse terrain to ski on.
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Well, Chris by your own criteria "Why do people come here" Revelstoke is da place to ski /ride. Try 6000 vertical feet of lift service and hundreds of thousands of acres of back country and snow? yes, we have snow, truly. Sure it's new, so new that it didn't make your pick. THAT's why we love it!
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Glad to see Jay Peak on here, but what about Mammoth…
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I did consider Revelstoke, but it is just too new to tell. It certainly has the potential. I haven't gotten up there yet and don't know what the vibe is like. I can't wait to give it a ride, definitely the most resort opening since I've been riding.
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*most exciting
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SHhhh… maybe if we dont tell them we can have the whole hill to ourselves
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Jay Peak is, unquestionably, the best skier's mountain in the northeastern US. If you want luxury accommodations, gourmet dinners, exciting nightlife, or for that matter, comfortable temperatures on the mountain, go elsewhere. If you want terrain, snow, glades, and the company of a small group (never a "crowd") of skiers who appreciate the mountain as much as you, Jay Peak is where to ski.
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Nice shout-out for Powder Mountain. Great skiing and no lift lines. It's like Utah's version of Targhee, only a little bit flatter. Nice blog.
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Great listing. It's great to see Red Mountain on the list, awesome terrain and snow and the local town of Rossland has coolest vibe that cannot be found anywhere else. Well deserved recognition, but am reluctant to see this really cool hill and mountain town getting attention as it's one of the most affordable places anywhere. Whistler Blackcomb is great but been there and done that, good to see mountains that have some soul.
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It states above "consistency of good snow conditions, and quality of terrain". Thats why whistler didn't make the top ten…who likes shredding in rain!?!?!?
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Great info. This is a great time to prepare yourself for more fun too. http://www.sweatstudio.comhas cool information how to get yourself ready to enjoy in those great mountain.
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I have skied 6 of the 10 in my 40 + years of searching for the perfect place. Chris is right on if all you want is a good vibe and no glitz. Red Mountain is terrific and ranks numero uno in my book. 26 days there last season and 18 were bonafide pow days with 5 in the epic category. Jay – such a blast when you hit the bushes. Powder Mtn is a little too flat but fun. Mt. Baker – Yikes! A- Basin is A-Awesome. Kirkwood is OK but too much wind whenever I am there. Gotta to go to Sivlerton before the wheels start to drag!. Chris, I like the way you think. Glitz is a bit of a drag.
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I am shocked to see you left out Taos New MExico…let me guess though, its becuase they are not snow board friendly…however, I do want to tell you that as of 3 years ago, they have finally opened up many of the trails to snowboards… Pray for powder!
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Who the fuck says Alberta is Canada's gnarliest terrain? It's BC Ma'Fucka. Read this list and then compare it with resorts from any other state/province. It's no contest: Kicking Horse Whistler/Blackcomb Big White Silverstar Red Mt. Washington Panorama White Water I'm spacing on other resorts, but you get the idea. Also please do not compare some shitty hill (emphasis on hill) in Michigan to the fucking Rockies. Just don't
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As a lifetime Whistler skier I could not agree more
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Are you suggesting that Whistler lacks consistent good snow and quality terrain? I agree that WB is gross when it's raining, as are all other mountains. However, it rarely rains above mid-station and in the many, many times i've been to Whistler I have never had a problem with crappy snow. As for quality of terrain…well if your doubting it then your delusional.
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Skied the East and (Canadian) Rockies: Just can't afford the trip to Sunshine or SunPeaks every year, like the old days. But Jay: What a hoot! We bring our own fun and leave everything else on the hill. Always the same routine, though: 1 day of crappy wind-blown and two days of phenomenal powder. Dress warm, plan for the endless glades (always thigh-deep powder) and stay on the mountain: super cheap, compared to the rest of the East. Bonus: the roads are so bad that on the great powder days people avoid the drive and you get even more of the mountain to yourself. And believe the snowfall numbers: Last year it said two feet and I think they underestimated. After one wipe-out on a steep slope I planted my pole and it disappeared. This wasn't some drift, either.
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Chris, great list. I have four down, and one more planned for this year. Always like to have a goal to help motivate me to get around. The list fits my criteria for a low key, fun resorts that are not crawling with people. Not sure if I can drag myself all the way back to Vermont though. I am pretty spoiled by western powder and sunny days. I started skiing in the midwest at Ironwood and Mt. Ripley. These two are definitely not going to make any top 10 lists.
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You completely forgot to mention Jackson Hole, Wyoming. ANd if you haven’t been there, go, and it will make the list next time.
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Revelstoke is truly Killer and a “must do” for any serious skier
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WHERES MAMMOTH it should be number 1 and its not even in the top ten. Having been to kirkwood and jay peak, mammoth blows them both out of the water. Its like apples and oranges
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