If you have been counting down the days until ski season, this list is for you! Whether you are hoping for a family-friendly vacation or a new extreme adventure, there are plenty of amazing ski hills in North America that can fulfill your vacation dreams. Here are 7 top ski hills for you to choose from.
Whistler Blackcomb, located in British Columbia, Canada, has over 200 marked trails spread across two mountains (one called Whistler, one called Blackcomb). The longest run on both mountains is 7 miles (11 km) long, making it North America’s largest ski area and home to the 2010 Winter Olympics.
To give you an idea of its popularity, there are 37 chairlifts that can move almost 70,000 skiers per hour. When you need a break, there are 18 restaurants to choose from as part of the Whistler experience.
Lake Louise Ski Resort is located in the Canadian Rockies, which makes the scenery pretty hard to beat. In fact, the resort continuously receives awards for being one of the most scenic ski destinations in the world. On a clear day, you can see the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel in the distance.
Lake Louise Ski Resort. Photo credit Chris Moseley
Lake Louise Resort has 145 named runs across four mountain faces, with the longest being 5 miles (8 km) long. When you need a break, there are 11 restaurants and drink outlets to choose from. Don’t forget to check out Lake Louise while you are in the area.
Aspen Snowmass is actually a group of four different mountains (Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk). Snowmass is the largest mountain with 150 miles (241 km) of trails, the longest trail being 5.3 miles (8.5 km). Buttermilk is the smallest of the bunch but its claim to fame is ESPN’s Winter X Games. Combined, the Aspen Snowmass mountains are large enough that you could spend your entire trip skiing without covering the same ground twice.
Aspen Snowmass. Photo by Jeremy Swanson
For an extreme experience, hike to the top of Aspen Highland’s enormous Highland Bowl by foot and then ski all the way down. Don’t forget to check out the 360-degree views at the top.
4. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
The nickname “The Big One” represents how challenging this mountain can be for skiing, which is great for more advanced skiers and snowboarders. Peaks and picturesque lakes surround the mountain so the views are pretty spectacular on your descent.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Jackson Hole has 133 named trails and 12 lifts, including a gondola and an aerial tram. Jackson Hole is home to the legendary Corbet’s Couloir, which is essentially a vertical drop intended only for the most daring and most experienced skiers.
Mont Tremblant is the best-known ski destination in eastern Canada. It is located on one of the tallest peaks in the Laurentians and offers 96 ski trails on four distinct slopes. The longest trail is 3.7 miles (6 km). Despite the recent fussy winter weather, you never have to worry about a lack of snow because the mountain has over 1,100 snow guns as part of their sophisticated snow system!
Guests at Mont Tremblant Ski Resort
Mont Tremblant is located in a large resort area that is open all four seasons, with its own pedestrian village. You will never be lacking shopping, dining, spa, or accommodation options.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort is North America’s tallest ski hill, coming in at 5,260 feet (1,713 metres), which means it has the greatest vertical drop in North America.
There are 69 runs, with the longest being 9.5 miles (15.2 km) long, which means fewer gondola rides are required to get a full day of skiing or snowboarding. Fewer chairlift rides equals more slope time.
runs, with the longest being 9.5 miles (15.2 km) long, which means fewer gondola rides are required to get a full day of skiing or snowboarding. Fewer chairlift rides equals more slope time.
Revelstoke is the only resort worldwide to offer lift, cat, heli and backcountry skiing from one village base.
Deer Valley Resort is in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, 36 miles (58 km) east of Salt Lake City in Utah. The runs were skied by Olympians during the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Winter Games. Deer Valley has won “United States’ Best Ski Resort” several times and that has not stopped them from currently investing $8.1 million USD in improvements for the 2018-2019 season.
It should be noted that Deer Valley is a “ski only” resort, which means snowboards are not allowed.
Now that you know more about the best ski hills in North America, which idyllic spot will you visit first? ■
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