The US Ski Resort Report

by Angelina Vodenicharova, 2 December 2025

The US has numerous ski resorts, with states like Colorado and Utah home to some of the most popular resorts. And whether for the enjoyment of winter sports or for a snowy getaway, many Americans choose to head to the mountains. Interest is surging: searches for “ski holiday” in the US are up 10% compared to last year. So, where are the best ski resorts across the country?

From beginner slopes to challenging runs, cozy villages to vibrant après-ski scenes, the US has a resort for every type of winter enthusiast. So, we created the US Ski Resort Report by analyzing the largest ski resorts, looking at cost, quality and infrastructure to reveal the best options for beginners, advanced skiers and snowboarders, party-goers, and those seeking the best value.

We also scoured Instagram to reveal the most picturesque resorts, and analyzed historical snow data to highlight where thrill-seekers have the best chances for a powder day.

The best ski resorts for beginners

Skiing is a favorite winter pastime, but if you’re new to it, choosing the right resort is key: prioritise easy runs, reasonably priced lessons, and reliable snow.

* Full day, group lesson, one adult

Dollar Mountain, nestled in Sun Valley, Idaho, has been named the best US resort for beginners. The resort scores a perfect 5/5 rating for both beginner-friendly slopes and snow reliability (meaning consistent snow that’s less prone to ice or slush). The mountain also offers plenty of space for beginners, as 70% of its slopes are classified as easy, the highest percentage in our ranking. While small compared with other resorts, it provides an ideal environment for first-timers to practice and gain confidence.

Coming in second is Sunday River in Maine. Though only 30% of its slopes are considered easy, beginners can still enjoy over 15.5 miles of runs suitable for practising skills learned in lessons. A full-day beginner lesson costs $205, offering solid value for those investing in their first ski experience. Like Dollar Mountain, Sunday River also earns a perfect 5/5 for beginner-friendly conditions and snow reliability.

Rounding out the top three is Deer Valley in Utah. Deer Valley shines for beginners, with 5/5 in both beginner-friendliness and snow reliability. While 35% of its slopes are easy, the resort’s larger size means this translates to an impressive 45 miles of beginner terrain.

The best ski resorts for advanced skiers

If you’re an experienced skier looking for steep descents, powder-packed slopes, and pure adrenaline, we’ve found the resorts built just for you. Here are the top US ski destinations for advanced skiers and snowboarders ready to push their limits.

* % of days with than six inches of fresh snow

For thrill-seekers, Beaver Creek in Colorado claims the top spot. Boasting the longest and most challenging run in our ranking, with the highest descent at 700 meters, it’s a playground for adrenaline junkies. 38% of its slopes are classified as difficult, offering plenty of terrain to test even the most seasoned skiers.

Close behind is Arapahoe, also in Colorado. Advanced skiers and snowboarders will delight in 59% of its slopes being rated difficult, which is around 19 miles of challenging ground. The resort also earns a perfect 5/5 for advanced skiing, making it a must-visit for those seeking steep runs and technical challenges. And according to historical data showing 15% of days bring over six inches of snow per year, Arapahoe offers high chances of a coveted powder day.

Rounding out the top three is Palisades Tahoe in California. Known for one of the steepest runs in our ranking, with a vertical descent of 535 meters, it scores a perfect 5/5 for advanced skiers. The resort offers a thrilling mix of terrain for those eager to push their limits on the slopes.

The best ski resorts for party goers

Après-ski, literally meaning “after ski”, refers to the post-ski activities that follow a day on the mountain. From dancing in ski boots to fireside cocktails and fine dining, these lively scenes are as much a part of ski culture as the slopes themselves. Hugely popular in Europe, après-ski has made its way to the US, with many resorts offering an impressive lineup of bars, restaurants, and mountain-view lounges. So if your idea of the perfect ski trip is good company and a drink in hand, surrounded by snow-capped peaks, here are the best destinations for you this season.

* Four people, one week

Taking the crown is Heavenly Mountain Resort, perched on the California-Nevada border. Scoring a nearly perfect 4/5 for après-ski, the resort and surrounding area offer visitors a choice of 145 pubs and bars and 296 restaurants, among the highest counts in our ranking. Enjoy a drink with a view at Tarmark Lodge’s bar overlooking the stunning Lake Tahoe, or head to California Main Lodge for their Après Special.

Despite its lively reputation, Heavenly also ranks among the most affordable in terms of accommodation: while a weekly stay costs on average $4,874 for four people, unforgettable nights in the mountains are hard to put a price on.

Next up is Deer Valley, located in Park City, Utah. The resort is not only one of the best resorts for beginners, but it is also a top pick for après-ski lovers. The resort and surrounding area boast the highest number of pubs and bars (174) and restaurants (331), making it a dream destination for anyone who loves a festive mountain atmosphere. Try the mid-mountain experience at McHenry’s Beach, known for its lively après events, or relax with a cocktail at Edgar’s, located at the top of the mountain. Deer Valley also scores highly for après-ski-related reviews (four out of five), cementing its place among the most vibrant resorts in the US.

The best-value ski resorts

Skiing is one of America’s most beloved winter sports, but it’s no secret that it can be a pricey hobby. So, for travelers who want to hit the slopes without breaking the bank, we identified the best-value ski resorts in the US, combining affordability with great quality and terrain availability. Note that in order to determine this, the ratio between the cost of a weekly pass and the length of the available slopes and the number of ski lifts was taken into account.

* Four people, one week

Topping the list is Sunday River in Maine, offering the best bang for your buck. A weekly adult pass costs just under $600 (the cheapest among all resorts analyzed), and accommodation for four averages around $4,237, with some stays available just under $2,000. For that price, skiers and snowboarders get access to more than 50 miles of slopes and 20 ski lifts, equating to some of the best price-to-quality ratios in the ranking. To top it off, Sunday River scores an impressive overall rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, proving that budget-friendly doesn’t mean compromising on experience.

Coming in second is Killington in Vermont, another top contender for great value. A weekly adult lift pass costs just under $800 and grants access to over 70 miles of slopes (one of the best ratios in our ranking), as well as 22 ski lifts, meaning less chance of lift-line traffic. While accommodation here averages around $7,261 per week for four people, more affordable options are available for savvy travelers.

Rounding out the top three is Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort in New York. While its weekly lift pass costs slightly more than the top two resorts, its accommodation prices are among the most affordable in the ranking, averaging $2,970.

The most picturesque ski resorts

If terrain and overall quality are key to a great ski holiday, breathtaking scenery can make a trip truly unforgettable. So which ski resorts deliver the most picture-perfect views?

Looking at Instagram data, Telluride, Colorado, tops the list. With over 700,000 hashtags, this mountain town is famed for its dramatic setting in a box canyon (a narrow canyon with a flat bottom and towering walls), surrounded by the steep peaks of the San Juan Mountains. The striking scenery makes it a favorite for photographers and social media enthusiasts alike.

Mammoth Mountain in California follows, boasting 466,000 hashtags. From the summit, visitors can admire panoramic views of the Long Valley Caldera and shimmering glacial lakes, a stunning backdrop turning every photo into a postcard.

The odds of getting powder days

For advanced skiers and snowboarders, there’s nothing quite like a powder day. That fresh, deep snow that gives the feeling of floating effortlessly down the mountain is a dream. Many avid skiers even aim to be the first on the slopes in the morning to get first tracks and carve through untracked snow. But which US resorts offer the best chances of scoring a powder day? To find out, we analyzed historical snowfall data, focusing on days with six inches or more, the usual benchmark for a true powder day.

* % of days with than six inches of fresh snow

Topping the list is Alta Ski Area in Utah, where 20.2% of days see over six inches of snow, representing roughly 24 powder days per season. Close behind is Brighton Resort, also in Utah, boasting around 23 powder days across the ski season, or 19.3% of days. Rounding out the top three is Grand Targhee in Wyoming, which sees six inches or more of snow on 18.9% of days, approximately 69 powder days each year.

So, whether you’re chasing powder days, perfect beginner setting, lively après-ski, or unbeatable value, the US has a ski resort for every type of winter enthusiast. Which one will you choose for your next snow escape?

Methodology

To create the US Ski Resort Report, we at Online-Casinos.com created different indexes, looking at the following metrics:

• The best ski resorts for beginners
  • Percentage of easy runs – skiresort.info
  • Reviews for “Snow reliability” (out of five stars) – skiresort.info
  • Reviews for “Beginners” (out of five stars) – skiresort.info
  • Cost of beginner ski lessons – each ski resort’s website was used to find costs
• The best ski resorts for advanced skiers
  • Percentage of difficult runs – skiresort.info
  • Reviews for “Advanced skiers, freeriders” (out of five stars) – skiresort.info
  • Length of the most difficult run and its elevation difference – skiresort.info
  • Percentage of days with more than 6 inches of snow – zrankings.com
• The best ski resorts for party-goers
  • Number of pubs and bars – restaurantguru.com
  • Number of restaurants – restaurantguru.com
  • Reviews for “Après-ski” (out of five stars) – skiresort.info
  • Price of accommodation – booking.com
• The best-value ski resorts
  • Price of accommodation – booking.com
  • Price of a ski lift pass – onthesnow.com
  • Total length of ski runs – skiresort.info
  • Number of ski lifts – skiresort.info
  • Global resort reviews (out of five stars) – skiresort.info
• The most picturesque ski resorts
  • Instagram hashtags for “#[ski resort]
• The odds of getting powder days
  • Percentage of days with more than 6 inches of snow – zrankings.com