The voters have spoken! Ski Magazine asked their readers for their opinions in their annual Reader Resort Survey, then they published the top 20 resorts in the US based on their findings. After publishing, people had… thoughts. The comments on Instagram blew up with classic east vs west debates, some skiers shocked their favorite resort didn’t crack the top ten and others thrilled to see their favorite was being gate kept by locals and not advertised to the general population.
Ski Magazine’s top 20 ski resorts were:
1. Snowbasin Resort, UT
2. Mad River Glen, VT
3. Aspen Snowmass, CO
4. Smugglers Notch Resort, VT
5. Taos Ski Valley, NM
6. Sugarloaf Resort, ME
7. Alta Ski Area, UT
8. Bretton Woods, NH
9. Grand Targhee, WY
10. Killington Resort, VT
11. Telluride Ski Resort, CO
12. Sunday River, ME
13. Solitude Mountain Resort, UT
14. Cannon Mountain, NH
15. Sun Valley, ID
16. Gore Mountain, NY
17. Jackson Hole, WY
18. Jay Peak Resort, VT
19. Crested Butte, CO
20. Sugarbush Mountain Resort, VT
Everyone is looking for something different in a ski resort. Some skiers value snow quality and terrain above all else and some may want a fantastic après scene and great dining and nightlife options. Others may prize a family friendly, locally owned and operated resort above all else.
If you’re like most skiers on social media you probably had a gut reaction to the Ski Mag list. I raised an eyebrow at some resorts, Bretton Woods and Cannon Mountain? New England favorites, but best in the US? I love skiing in Vermont, Killington and Jay Peak will always be two of my favorites, and being a New Englander, I know Mad River Glen has an almost cult following. But number 2 in the US? Why is Jackson Hole so low? Where is Mammoth, Park City, Big Sky? This list is based on readers surveys so it’s important to remember that some resorts just do a better job at getting their fans to vote.
I grew up on the east coast skiing but have spent a significant amount of time skiing out west. In 2024 I spent 6 months road tripping around the US skiing all over. When ranking resorts, I am looking for great skiing which to me means varied terrain, modern lift systems, and reliable snow making and or reliable conditions for regular snow. Plus, I want great après, nightlife, and dining options! It’s about the full resort experience for me, from lodges, hotels, and value for the price. After all, this list is not the “best skiing” in the US. It is the best ski resorts in the US.
My personal top ten are all resorts I have personally skied:
1. Jackson Hole, WY
2. Aspen Snowmass, CO
3. Mammoth Mountain, CA
4. Park City, UT
5. Killington Resort, VT
6. Big Sky, MT
7. Snowbird/ Alta, UT
8. Deer Valley, UT
9. Brighton, UT
10. Jay Peak Resort, VT
Then to finish out the top 20, these are resorts I have not personally skied but hear consistently amazing things about. Their reputations have earned them a spot on my must visit list, in no particular order:
– Telluride, CO
– Steamboat, CO
– Sun Valley, ID
– Breckenridge, CO
– Grand Targhee, WY
– Palisades Tahoe, CA
– Vail, CO
– Mount Bachelor, OR
Well, it looks like I need to spend more time in Colorado! What are your personal favorite ski resorts in the US? What goes into your ranking, is it just about the skiing and the snow or do you factor in the whole resort experience?
Plus! Check out our list of top independent ski resorts in the US.
