Plan A Trip To One Of The Most Underrated Ski Destinations In America

There are few things worse than having your ski vacation ruined by an overly crowded mountain. Dodging oblivious skiers and snowboarders, sliding on slushy or icy slopes, and catching an edge on heavily dug ski tracks — it's not only unpleasantly stressful, but it can be downright dangerous. The most popular mountains aren't always the most pleasant, and they are often the most expensive.

If you want to escape the crowds this ski season, we suggest you take a trip to White Pine Ski Area in Wyoming. Just an hour and a half drive from Jackson Hole, regarded as one of the most popular ski resorts in America, the White Pine Ski Area goes under the radar of most tourists. It's well-manicured, reasonably priced, and visually stunning. Not to mention, it is adjacent to the charming town of Pinedale, a cozy community with an old-fashioned, Western vibe. Planning your winter ski vacation to this beloved local treasure will be a decision you won't regret.

Heading to White Pine Ski Area is a fantastic way to shred some powder while avoiding the throngs of skiers and snowboarders looking to do the same. Situated in the Wind River Mountains within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the resort is surrounded by a majestic landscape with spectacular views of the Bridger Teton National Forest and Fremont Lake.

White Pine's Fortification Mountain offers 29 downhill runs, featuring a good mix of green, blue, and black diamond runs, and typically no lift lines. If you're a beginner skier, this mountain will be right up your alley. Not only will you have more room to make mistakes with fewer people around you, but White Pine Ski Area is known to have an abundance of awesome terrain for beginner levels. On the flip side, if you're looking for a challenge, advanced skiers can navigate through fresh powder among tree-laden sections and practice their jumps at the Rock Garden terrain park.

For those more into Nordic/cross-country skiing, adjacent to the resort is a free Nordic ski terrain park featuring 20 miles of looping trails for cross-country skiing for all skill levels. The Nordic ski center features the White Pine Rental Shop where you can rent Nordic skis and snowshoes.

If you're ready to start planning your winter trip to White Pine Ski Area, you'll be pleasantly surprised by how affordable and family-friendly this resort is. Nearby airports include Jackson Hole, Rock Springs, and Salt Lake City Airport with Jackson Hole being the closest. While the White Pine Ski Resort offers luxury cabin lodging right on the mountainside of its ski slopes, you'll also find a variety of accommodation options in Pinedale, just a 10-minute drive from the mountain.

When it comes to ski passes and gear rentals, this locally owned ski company keeps it relatively reasonable. During the winter season, the lifts only operate Friday through Monday; thus on Mondays and Fridays, adult full-day passes are $50 and it's $37 for kids and seniors. Rates go up only slightly on Saturdays and Sundays with adult full-day passes priced at $60, and kids/seniors are $45. These prices are unlike anything you'll find with a corporate ski company, and if you already have season passes with Indy Pass, your lift tickets to the White Pine Ski Area are covered under that ski pass partnership. Oh, and gear rental is just as affordable — White Pine offers everything you need to ski or snowboard for just $30-$35 a day.

If you want to visit the White Pine Ski Area at its absolute best, we recommend you visit in December, when the snow footage peaks and the ski lifts open to the public. However, if you can't make it then, you'll still have until the end of March to get on the slopes before the season typically ends.