Top 10 Places to Hit the Slopes in the U.S.A.
Hello, mountain lovers. In this quick article, I will highlight the ten best places to ski/snowboard in the United States. I will also briefly highlight the resorts near these mountains, to consider once you’ve decided where you’re going to have your next winter vacation.
Big Sky
The Big Sky is often slept on; probably because most people don’t vacation in Montana. Let’s take a few lines to appreciate this blessing in disguise. If this towering 11,000-foot mountain were anywhere else, it’d be overcrowded. It offers three terrains, very quick lift lines and 40-50 degree descents with no trees.
Book a room at Big Sky Resort. Or check out the several other lodges nestled in Big Sky.
Breckenridge
Breckenridge, Colorado established itself as a gold mining town in the 1850s. Five terrains spread across 25 acres with runs for every type of snowboarder. Hit the local taverns for some cheap drinks and happy hours after crushing the slopes.
While you’re here consider Breckenridge Ski Resort or many of the other cozy winter wonderlands.
Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole is located in Wyoming and is enormous. It runs on two mountains, and over half of its trails are for extreme badasses. Bring her A-game when you go to Jackson Hole, it is not very forgiving. Jackson Hole is riddled with obstacles like roofs, trees, and tree trunks.
Check out the very quaint Rustic Inn. Really, you cannot go wrong with these resorts.
Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth (CA) is a lava dome located within the Sierra Nevada. Mammoth feels like a Disneyland for snowboarders. Mammoth holds three half-pipes, 100 acres, and nine terrain parks! Mammoth offers free transportation throughout the city; making it extremely easy to stumble back and forth between the slopes and town life.
For only $36 you can have full access to the Davison Street Guest House. With free transportation throughout the city, you can’t go wrong with any of these fine establishments.
Northstar-at-Tahoe
Northstar rests on the California side of Lake Tahoe. It’s a pretty light ski and a great resort. It is the perfect place to polish your skills if you’re a novice in the game.
Northstar also offers a world class resort called the Northstar California Resort. For a less expensive option and an extremely fun experience, stay at Mellow Mountain Hostel. It’s right on the California/Nevada border. I once helped move a washing machine upstairs here and the lady at the front desk bought me a six-pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon.
Park City
Packed with 114 trails and 3,300 acres of skiing; you’ll be hard pressed not to be impressed with Park City. This shredder’s Graceland holds a superpipe and three terrain parks. This place is so gnarly, and it was featured in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games! The park opens up for night boarding from December 25 to March 25.
Stay at Park City Mountain Resort, it gives you easy access to over 190 runs.
Snowbird
Get this; Snowbird gets bombarded with snow. This Utah mountain sees more than 40 feet of snow a year! This is nature’s way of saying “Oh yea, come shred here.” Skiing Magazine named Alta-Snowbird the best ski resort in the country in from 2003-2005.
Book your trip to Snowbird, Utah.
Squaw Valley
Squaw Valley was featured in the 1960s Olympics, making this a legendary place to hit the slopes. The valley is known to be one of the hardest resorts in the land. You can either Airbnb or stay at the renowned The Village at Squaw Valley Hotel.
Stratton
Stratton is credited as snowboarding’s birthplace; in 1983 it was the first resort to allow it. Since this Vermont resort’s groundbreaking embracement, it has built four terrain parks and annually hosts the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships.
Book a room at Stratton Mountain Resort. Or any of these wonderful spots.
Vail
Vail has the persona for the lavish folks. However, it is still a very raw and beautiful place to board. The runs are pure, the terrain park is freaking huge, and it offers three half-pipes with twelve runs! There are over 3,000 acres of bowls behind the mountain with fresh powder.
Book a room here at Vail Mountain Resort. Or any of these great locations in this White River National Forest town.