Resorts of the Year 2019: Editor's Choice
These spots might not be on your radar, but they still have have something awesome going on.
Skier’s Mountain: Alta, Utah
Alta claims one of the most loyal followings in all of skidom, who never fail to give this mountain high praise for its tough terrain, plentiful powder, easy access, and great value. See more info about Alta here.
Extreme Terrain—Northwest: Big Sky, Mont.
Experts naturally head straight for Lone Peak’s iconic 15-passenger tram—the closest thing to heli-skiing most skiers will ever experience—and hike-to Headwaters terrain. You can find more details about Big Sky here.
Hidden Gem: Bridger Bowl, Mont.
It’s no destination resort but that’s not to say the terrain can’t sustain a multi-day visit. Experts flock to North Bowl’s black-diamond glades and bumps, while intermediates lap the blues in South Bowl, including the groomed runs off the Pierre’s Knob triple. Find out more about Bridger Bowl here.
Next Best Places: Brundage, Idaho
This 1,921-acre ski area in central Idaho serves up killer glades, family-friendly groomers, and mellow-yet-scenic bowl skiing in Lakeview Bowl on the backside. Brundage flies way under the radar of most skiers, but that really ought to change. Read more about Brundage here.
Hidden Gem: Cannon, N.H.
Stunning views from the top of Franconia Notch and Mount Lafayette complete an idyllic Northeastern skiing experience. Is it cold sometimes? Sure. But you cannot call yourself a true skier if you don’t know how to dress for that. Read the full Cannon write up.
Top Ski Town: Crested Butte, Colo.
For decades Crested Butte locals have been trying to keep their quaint mining town and legendary steeps under wraps in hopes of preserving CB’s unique and funky spirit. But the cat’s out of the bag, and skiers far and wide are discovering that Crested Butte may actually be America’s last great ski town. Read on about Crested Butte here.
Extreme Terrain—Western Canada: Kicking Horse, B.C.
The expert and extreme terrain is out of this world, with several in-bounds, hike-to zones that will make your stomach drop just peering down from above. You come here to scare yourself, so be prepared to do just that. Check out more of Kicking Horse’s details here.
Extreme Terrain—Far West: Kirkwood, Calif.
Experts head straight up Chair 6 to The Wall, the iconic, steeply pitched ridgeline that the resort is known for, to test themselves on mandatory 20-foot airs and plentiful chutes. See our full review of Kirkwood here.
Terrain Parks: Mammoth Mountain, Calif.
We love Mammoth for its spirit: Pow-seekers come from all over Cali and the rest of the southwestern U.S. to immerse themselves in the region’s amazing 400 annual inches. The terrain parks scene goes off all season long. You like to have fun? Start here. See some of Mammoth’s nitty-gritty details here.
Top Ski Town: Park City, Utah
The largest resort in the USA surrounds the name-brand ski town of Park City proper, where they enjoy rockin’ nightlife, copious delicious dining options, and plentiful off-slope endeavors. Check out more details about Park City here.
Next Best Places: Powder Mountain, Utah
Pow Mow has both the snow and the terrain to make for a stupendous ski vacation. While the lift- served (3,000 acres) is mostly blues and mellower blacks, the snowcat and lift-accessible terrain (over 5,000 acres) is worth the price of admission. Read more about Powder Mountain here.
Next Best Place: Revelstoke, B.C.
This place has it all—over 3,000 acres of terrain, an authentic town with charm for days, a growing dining scene, and snowcat and heli-skiing—from the base area. Not too shabby. Read more about Revelstoke here.
Top Ski Towns: Stowe, Vt.
We’re happy to report that Stowe still has its soul and continues to charm visitors with great dining and lodging options, offering an all-encompassing experience to those who ski and stay at the resort. Read all about Stowe here.
Read More:
- Resorts of the Year: East
- Resorts of the Year: West
- Resorts of the Year: California / Pacific Northwest
- Resorts of the Year: Colorado
- Resorts of the Year: Montana / Idaho / Wyoming
- Resorts of the Year: New Hampshire / Maine / Québec
- Resorts of the Year: Utah
- Resorts of the Year: Vermont
- Resorts of the Year: Western Canada