Top 10 Western Resorts with the Most Local Character (2025)
These mountains offer a side of soul with their slopes.
These mountains offer a side of soul with their slopes.
Celebrate the day and connect with your fellow skiers at these resorts, where après-ski is a key part of the vacation experience.
Whether you prefer the convenience of ski-in/ski-out digs or the hustle and bustle of staying in town, the resorts on this list have it all.
From on-slope lunch to fine dining in the village, these ski areas have all the options.
When you need to maximize your time on the snow, these ski areas are easiest to get to.
A good lift system not only zips you up the mountain quickly, but it makes navigating the slopes fun and effortless.
From the most technical chutes to mogul field with bumps the size of small cars, these ski areas cater especially well to experts looking to test their limits.
Carve trenches on groomers, bash massive moguls, or pick your line through the trees at these resorts, known for their excellent variety of terrain for all levels of skiers.
If long, wide boulevards of perfectly groomed corduroy sound dreamy, give these resorts some extra consideration this winter.
Pack your snorkel and plan a trip to one of these historically powder-laden ski areas this winter.
From ski racing to freeskiing contests, Caite Zeliff has made a name for herself as a skier who goes all out. Now, she’s learning to slow things down.
As Mikaela Shiffrin approaches her 100th World Cup win, she’s not just focused on breaking records—she’s using her platform to inspire the next generation.
They might not have the fastest lifts or the fanciest amenities, but these ski areas just make SKI readers smile.
From great skier amenities to service with a smile, these ski areas will make you feel like part of the family.
These resorts cater to the whole clan both on the slopes and off.
Skiing is expensive, these 10 resorts help you stretch your dollar.
Come for the skiing, but fall for the unique atmosphere that gives these ski areas a little something extra.
When the lifts stop spinning, the party is just beginning at these 10 ski areas.
No good ski day is complete without a proper après moment.
With a new resort at the No. 1 spot, these reader-fueled rankings aim to provide insight and intel to choose the right ski vacation for you.
Luxury slopeside digs, quaint B&Bs, funky motels, and budget beds are all on offer at these East Coast resorts.
When heat-lamp nuggets and oily pizza isn't on your menu, these ski areas fit the bill.
These are our readers' favorite places to ski that just so happen to be an easy trip from the major East Coast cities.
The lifts at these resorts are reliable, thoughtfully laid out, and keep skiers moving.
Tight trees, massive moguls, and pitches so steep that you best know how to set an edge and swing a short turn.
From learning slopes straight up to knee-knocking chutes, these resorts have terrain for every level of skier.
East Coast ski resorts know that grooming can make or break a ski day. These 10 go above and beyond, according to SKI readers.
The East Coast might not be known for feet upon feet of powder, but there good conditions are easy to find at these 10 ski areas.
Led by snowboard legend Travis Rice, the Natural Selection Ski event brings its revolutionary format to freeskiing for the first time.
The results are in! These ski areas were voted the best in the East by YOU, our readers, in SKI's Reader Resort Survey.
More routes and bigger planes will help skiers have their best winter ever.
As Mikaela Shiffrin prepares to kick off her 15th World Cup season, she shares how pasta, reminders of home, and staying grounded help her tackle the pressure of hitting 100 wins.
Here's what to expect from Mikaela Shiffrin, Paula Moltzan, River Radamus, and Tommy Ford as they take on the FIS Alpine World Cup season opener.
The collective of over 230 resorts reopens pass sales for the last time this season.
This event marks an exciting step for competitive skiing, adding a new level of visibility for freeride and slopestyle athletes as they take on Alaska’s natural terrain.
The resort’s reopening will feature the “Waterman100,” an exclusive, inheritable membership for 100 people and a limited ownership stake.
This svelte boot offers unrivaled precision and sensitivity in a featherweight package.
This is one of the stiffest women's backcountry boots we've tried—and our top choice for hard-charging ladies.
Customizable fit, a huge range of motion, and serious downhill chops made the Dynafit Ridge Pro our favorite men's AT boot of 2025.
Aspen’s battle over airport expansion mirrors challenges faced by ski towns everywhere as they grapple with growth and environmental impact.
Most people dream of visiting Antarctica once in a lifetime, but Doug Stoup is practically a local.
The last time this resort was the first to open for the season was in October of 2021.
A back-door strategy to the Alps, ski school tips for kids, and money-saving hacks to put to use this winter.
Catch the first turns of winter as fall foliage and fresh powder combine for a perfect day on the slopes.
LJ Henriquez is proving the NYC metro area might just be a ski town after all.
Don't miss out on some of the best deals happening right now on our favorite skis
SKI sat down with the resort's CEO to dig into the ski area’s unique new directive.
California winemaker Josh Phelps, owner of Grounded Wine Co., shares how to bring the perfect après-ski experience to the slopes with a glass of wine.
Learn from every line on any terrain with the new Carv 2 clip-on sensor.
Lindsey Vonn has sparked speculation about a World Cup comeback with recent Instagram posts following her knee surgery. Could the ski legend return to competitive racing, or is she just enjoying the slopes?
Discover why the Quality Ski Time Film Tour is a must-see event for skiers this season. Featuring four films, athlete appearances, giveaways, and support for Protect Our Winters, this tour celebrates skiing and the stories that unite the community.
Beat the heat and find pure awe with this guide to chasing water across the U.S.
Discover the Outside Activity Feed, a new social platform for personalized content, community engagement, and seamless activity tracking.
Two adventure hotels, a few sprawling resorts, and a backcountry base camp are new additions for the 2024-'25 season.
This is Hill's ode to himself, and the lessons he wants his children to learn from him.
FIS and the UN’s World Meteorological Organization team up in a 5-year partnership to address climate change and safeguard the future of skiing, ensuring resorts and winter sports can adapt to a warming planet.
A ski racing legend has joined forces with DPS to develop their first-ever frontside carving ski. Find out who and what inspired this unexpected collaboration.
From hand warmers to base layers, these are our favorite Prime Day deals for skiers.
It doesn't just feel good: Immersing in hot water after a rigorous ski day helps you heal and rejuvenate faster.
Testers said they don't compromise on performance, either.
Thanks to some big updates, the reimagined Corvus is looser, faster, and way more fun to ski.
The global ski resort behemoth is cutting 14 percent of its corporate staff after a tough year. But will its new business strategy affect skiers?
We put hundreds of piece of gear to the test last season to bring you our 2025 Winter Gear Guide. The skis, boots, apparel, and accessories featured on this page represent the best on the market this winter.
With these moves, you'll hit the slopes feeling strong and powerful
Bode Miller scored a big win with testers for this fast-and-furious powder ski
We challenge you to find a more playful, intuitive ladies’ powder ski
With the Yen hitting its lowest value since the mid-’80s, your dollar will take you farther than ever.
This new soft-snow tool is truly awesome at everything—and suitable for nearly everyone.
This reincarnation of the dearly departed Soul 7 is an all-mountain ski for the masses
You might not be a World Cup racer, but you can play pretend on this ski
This playful carving ski makes lapping the frontside ridiculously fun
Utah's Powder Mountain looks to evolve the skiing experience, changing the way the slopes look, feel, and sound.
This versatile frontside ski bested the competition in almost every category.
Blizzard gave this top-selling classic a serious upgrade and it's even better than it was before.
I made one crucial mistake on my first trip to Steamboat, here’s how to avoid it.
It’s technically a unisex ski, but ladies love what it does for them on and off the groomed
This versatile and accessible all-mountain tool bested the rest in the test.
You shouldn’t pay full price for kids’ ski gear but you should get durable, high-quality gear that’s kid approved.
These squat variations for skiers will improve strength, power, and stability by targeting your glutes, quads, and hamstrings.
The Savannah Bananas wow Utah with Olympic-style antics, including a ski racer hitting a home run in full ski gear—boots and all.