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Loveland Ski Area, CO

Ski Resorts in United States

Thanks to numerous mountain ranges, including the Rockies and the Appalachians, there are hundreds of ski resorts scattered throughout the United States. Some ski areas are smaller and in places that rely on natural snowfall to operate, so they may not open each and every year due to weather. Therefore, the numbers always fluctuate, though there are nearly 500 of them.

Image of a skier in yellow at Alyeska Resort in Alaska

4 Alaskan Ski Resorts near Anchorage

Alaska, the largest state in the U.S., is often considered the last American frontier due to its expansive wilderness and over 665,000 square miles of land. With so much acreage to explore, it’s no wonder that Anchorage is near one of the most sought-after ski resorts in the world. Bob Ross, everyone’s favorite TV painting …

4 Alaskan Ski Resorts near AnchorageRead More

Ski Resorts by American State

Most American states have some raised topography and many of them experience four seasons, including a freezing winter. There are 37 states that boast at least one ski area. They range from tiny hills perfect for just learning the sport to world-class ski and snowboard destinations. The greatest concentration of ski areas is out west and in the northeast.

Cloudmont Ski & Golf Resort, Alabama

Ski Resorts in Alabama

Alyeska Resort, Alaska

Ski Resorts in Alaska

Arizona Snowbowl

Ski Resorts in Arizona

Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort

Ski Resorts in California

Silverton Mountain Ski Area, CO

Ski Resorts in Colorado

Ski Sundown, Connecticut

Ski Resorts in Connecticut

Bogus Basin Ski Resorts, Weather & Snow Report

Ski Resorts in Idaho

Villa Olivia Ski Area, Illinois

Ski Resorts in Illinois

Perfect North Slopes, Indiana

Ski Resorts in Indiana

Sundown Mountain Resort, Lowa, USA

Ski Resorts in Iowa

Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Resort

Ski Resorts in Maine

hero shot of wisp resort in mchenry, maryland

Ski Resorts in Maryland

Wachusett Mountain

Ski Resorts in Massachusetts

Bittersweet Ski Resort Michigan

Ski Resorts in Michigan

Lutsen Mountain Ski Hill Sunset Minnesota

Ski Resorts in Minnesota

Hidden Valley Ski Area Missouri

Ski Resorts in Missouri

Red Lodge Mountain Resort, Montana

Ski Resorts in Montana

Diamond Peak Ski Resort, Nevada

Ski Resorts in Nevada

Loon Mountain Ski Resort, New Hampshire

Ski Resorts in New Hampshire

view of a sunset and ski lifts at campgaw ski area in mahwah, new jersey

Ski Resorts in New Jersey

Angel Fire resort, New Mexico

Ski Resorts in New Mexico

wide shot of skiers on lifts at holimont ski club in ellicottville, new york

Ski Resorts in New York

a skier rides an obstacle at cataloochee ski area in maggie valley, north carolina

Ski Resorts in North Carolina

hero shot of huff hills ski area in mandan, north dakota

Ski Resorts in North Dakota

wide shot of empty resort at boston mills/brandywine resort in peninsula, ohio

Ski Resorts in Ohio

Winter Skiing on Mount Hood Oregon

Ski Resorts in Oregon

hero shot of jack frost big boulder in lake harmony, pennsylvania

Ski Resorts in Pennsylvania

wide shot of yawgoo valley ski area and water park in exeter, rhode island

Ski Resorts in Rhode Island

view from the top of terry peak ski area in lead, south dakota

Ski Resorts in South Dakota

multitude of people getting ready to take lift at ober gatlinburg in gatlinburg, tennessee

Ski Resorts in Tennessee

Image of two skiers hitting the slopes at Powder Mountain in Utah

Ski Resorts in Utah

parked skis and a wide shot of the bottom of the slope at northeast slopes inc. in east corinth, vermont

Ski Resorts in Vermont

Massanutten Ski Resort Virginia

Ski Resorts in Virginia

Skiing at Crystal Mountain, WA

Ski Resorts in Washington

night shot of snowshoe mountain resort in snowshoe, west virginia

Ski Resorts in West Virginia

hero shot of little switzerland in slinger, wisconsin

Ski Resorts in Wisconsin

two skiers looking at a snow slope at jackson hole mountain resort in teton village, wyoming

Ski Resorts in Wyoming

Visit Uncover Colorado for a list of ski resorts in Colorado, featuring all the resorts and ski areas.

Map of American States with Ski Areas

Top Ski Towns to Live by State

With outdoor recreation at your fingertips, ski towns make terrific places to reside year-round. In the winter, locals will be able to take advantage of all the fresh powder as it falls, and experience the best of the spring, summer, and fall on weekdays when the crowds are slimmer. Whether you’re looking for a quaint New England ski town or a bustling hot spot like Park City, UT, and Breckenridge, CO, there’s a place for every skier and snowboarder in the U.S.

Image of Downtown Fairbanks, Alaska in winter

5 Best Ski Towns to Live in Alaska

Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort Trail overlooking valley around Flagstaff AZ

2 Best Ski Towns to Live in Arizona

Snowy street in Big Bear Lake California

5 Best Ski Towns to Live in California

Grand Targhee Resort, Idaho

6 Best Ski Towns to Live in Idaho

Big mansion with Sunday River Ski Resort in the background, Maine

3 Best Ski Towns to Live in Maine

Downtown Great Barrington Massachusetts in winter

6 Best Ski Towns to Live in Massachusetts

Skier midway through a "540" (360 plus another 180) on a halfpipe at Boyne Mountain Michigan

5 Best Ski Towns to Live in Michigan

Image of Missoula, Montana in the winter

4 Best Ski Towns to Live in Montana

Night stars above Incline Village Nevada and Lake Tahoe

2 Best Ski Towns to Live in Nevada

Stowe Mountain Resort, Vermont

6 Best Ski Towns to Live in New England

At the foot of Agiocochook mountain and Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, Carroll New Hampshire

6 Best Ski Towns to Live in New Hampshire

View from the car windshield of downtown Ruidoso, New Mexico during wintertime with snow on the sides of the road

6 Best Ski Towns to Live in New Mexico

Image of the slopes at Holiday Ski Valley in Ellicottville in New York

5 Best Ski Towns to Live in New York

Looking out at Sugar Mountain Ski Resort near Banner Elk, North Carolina in the wintertime

3 Best Ski Towns to Live in North Carolina

Snow covered streets at night in Government Camp Oregon

4 Best Ski Towns to Live in Oregon

Shop in the Historic District Stroudsburg Pennsylvania

3 Best Ski Towns to Live in Pennsylvania

Deer Valley Resort, Park City, Utah

5 Best Ski Towns to Live in Utah

Woodstock, Vermont

5 Best Ski Towns to Live in Vermont

Winter sunset over homes in the woods in Wintergreen, Virginia

3 Best Ski Towns to Live in Virginia

Gustav's family restaurant in Leavenworth Washington with mountain in the background during winter

6 Best Ski Towns to Live in Washington

Shops and lodging in Snowshoe Village, West Virginia in the wintertime

2 Best Ski Towns to Live in West Virginia

Paraglider about to launch off the mountain at Jackson Hole Resort Wyoming in winter

2 Best Ski Towns to Live in Wyoming

Featured US Skiing and Snowboarding

North Conway, New Hampshire

9 Amazing American Ski Towns to Live In

There are plenty of ski towns across the US, but not all have something extra that…

9 Amazing American Ski Towns to Live InRead More

Aerial tram at Snowbird in Snowbird, Utah

11 US Ski Resorts with Aerial Trams

The US is home to 21 aerial trams — those giant people movers that are popular…

11 US Ski Resorts with Aerial TramsRead More

Guide to Skiing and Snowboarding in the USA

Loveland Ski Area, CO
Loveland Ski Area, CO. Photo: facebook.com/lovelandskiarea

If you don’t do it this year, you’ll be one year older when you do. [Warren Miller]

Downhill skiing has been a popular sport in the United States for more than a century, beginning with the country’s first reputed ski resort in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Today, there are approximately 460 lift-accessed ski areas operating in America in 37 states.

However, depending on snowfall, some smaller ski areas may not open each year, as they depend on bountiful natural snowfall for their base. And other resorts do close from time to time, just as new ones may periodically open. Even without fresh powder, they usually boast plenty of morning corduroy (groomed tracks), which has an exciting feel of its own and makes for an easy carving and learning experience.

Several states have massive resorts like the largest, Park City, which has 7,300 acres of skiable terrain, a 3,100-foot vertical drop, and 341 runs over six mountain peaks. Big Sky in Montana and Vail in Colorado are also among the 5000+ acre ski resorts. These

Fortunately, for beginners just looking to learn, many states also have community ski hills, some with only one or two slopes. They may have a short vertical drop and fewer than 100 skiable acres but are affordable for skiers to practice skiing and snowboarding.

Luckily, with so many options, there’s a resort for every type of skier across the country.

The Oldest Ski Area and Facilities in the US

Howelsen Hill Ski Area Colorado USA
Howelsen Hill Ski Area, Steamboat Springs, Colo. Photo by: Dino Borelli

Howelsen Hill, still operational, opened in 1915 and since then has been the training ground for around 100 Olympians. Over the past hundred years, the interest in skiing accelerated in America as resorts appeared across the country. The popularity created a lot of firsts at these ski areas.

The world’s first chair lift was introduced in Sun Valley, Idaho, in 1936. Snowmaking was first introduced in the Catskills in 1952, at the now-closed Grossinger’s Ski Area. The world’s first terrain park opened in Bear Valley, California during the 1989-90 season.

Skiing and Snowboarding East to West

Whitefish Lake Placid Ski Resort New York
Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort, Lake Placid, NY. Photo by: Marco Metzler

Although Colorado is the most visited state for skiing, New York has more ski resorts than any other state. There are approximately 50 different places to ski in New York (the number of official resorts on the internet varies from 43 to 50+)  where the Adirondack, Catskill, and Appalachian Mountain ranges pass.

Michigan is second with around 3 dozen ski resorts thanks to its hilly terrain on the Lower Peninsula and the Huron Mountains in the Upper Peninsula.

The multitude and variation of mountain ranges across the country’s topography help when it comes to skiing. The three main mountain ranges consist of the Appalachians in the east, the Rockies to the west, and the Sierra-Nevada Range along the west coast.

All three provide many opportunities for ski resorts to incorporate different types of terrain for skiers and snowboarders. These main mountain ranges encompass many smaller ranges like the Tetons or Allegheny Mountains.

Appalachian Mountains

Saddleback Ski Area Summit Maine
Summit of Saddleback Mountain, Maine. Photo by: Jack Flanagan

To the east, the Appalachian Mountains start in Alabama with one of the country’s southernmost ski resorts, Cloudmont. The mountain range extends through 13 states, past Maine and into Canada. All but one of the states is able to take advantage of skiable terrain with 177 resorts along the way.

The greatest number of ski resorts lie within the Appalachian Mountains, which include many smaller mountain regions such as the Blue Ridge, Allegheny, Poconos, and Catskills.

Rocky Mountains

Vail Ski Resort Snowboarder in Back Bowl Vail
Snowboarding Vail’s back bowls, Colorado. Photo by: Zach Dischner

West of the Appalachians, around 126 ski resorts can be found in the Rocky Mountains, which begin in New Mexico and extend north to Montana, into Canada. The Rockies are the longest mountain range in North America and the second longest in the world.

The high elevation, steep vertical drops, and consistent snow make these resorts incredibly popular, with Colorado being the most popular state for skiing in the country. Within the Rockies are many smaller ranges such as the Tetons in Idaho and Wyoming, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in New Mexico and Colorado, and the Wasatch Range in Utah.

Sierra-Nevada Range

California Heavenly Ski Resort Lake Tahoe
Overlooking Lake Tahoe from Heavenly Ski Resort, California/Nevada. Photo by: Adam Sonnett

Stretching along the west coast, the Sierra-Nevada Range begins in Nevada and then extends through California. This range is home to about 25 ski resorts.

Cascades

Mount Baker Ski Resort Washington
Mount Baker Ski Resort, Washington. Photo by: Evil Erin

Where the Sierra-Nevada ends, the Cascades begin, running from northern California, into Oregon and Washington. This section of mountains features North America’s snowiest resort, Mount Baker.

Snowfall and Ski Season

Mount Baker Snowcat Plow Washington Ski Resort
Snowcat plow at Mount Baker, WA. Photo by: Washington State DOT

The Cascades are also among the snowiest ski areas in the world. Beyond the continental United States, the Chugach Mountains in Alaska are among the snowiest places in the country.

For the most snowfall, look no further than Vermont, which has 54 days of snow each year on average. It’s no wonder that the state’s ski areas benefit from consistent powder.

Generally, the ski season in the United States begins in mid-November and ends in late March or early April, depending upon the ski resort’s location. In certain areas of Colorado, California, and Oregon, the season can stretch into the summer months and begin earlier in October.

Latest in USA Ski Resorts

Winter sunset over homes in the woods in Wintergreen, Virginia

3 Best Ski Towns to Live in Virginia

The Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia boast three ski towns, all located in the beautiful Shenandoah…

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Shop in the Historic District Stroudsburg Pennsylvania

3 Best Ski Towns to Live in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has over 20 ski areas scattered across the state, and several ski towns primarily located…

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Snow covered streets at night in Government Camp Oregon

4 Best Ski Towns to Live in Oregon

There aren’t many ski towns in Oregon, but the ones you do find in “The Beaver…

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Looking out at Sugar Mountain Ski Resort near Banner Elk, North Carolina in the wintertime

3 Best Ski Towns to Live in North Carolina

When a good snowfall covers the slopes of North Carolina’s ski resorts, skiers and snowboarders benefit…

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View more USA skiing articles

What else is the US famous for?

Clearwater beach in Florida, USA

Beaches in United States

Overlooking the Arapaho National Forest and a Boreas Travel Trailer parked on Rollins Pass summer camping in Colorado

Camping in United States

Banana slices beside a stack of pancakes with cinnamon stick on top

Food in United States

Downtown skyline of Richmond Virginia at night in background from the Potterfield Dam Walk, with 2 people walking 2 dogs on the bridge

Living and Visiting the United States

Looking up a gold sculpture in front of The Plaza Hotel New York City

Lodging in United States

Washington Monument United States Historical Site

Sightseeing in United States

Neighboring Countries with Ski Resorts

Sasquatch Mountain Resort, Canada

Ski Resorts in Canada

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