30 Popular Ski Resorts In The West

Whether your idea of an outstanding ski holiday is all about what happens on the slopes or at the after-party, there's no denying that some of the most breathtaking ski spots can be found in the Western United States. Unlike the icy East Coast, the West is known for its thick, powdery snow. And then there are the soaring mountains that dwarf their eastern counterparts and the sprawling landscape of wild, western wilderness. With literally dozens of world-class ski resorts to choose from, the only hard part is picking where to go.

What differentiates a good ski resort from a great one depends on who you're asking. For some folks, the formula is as simple as finding the nearest spot with the most snow cover for as long as nature allows. For other skiers, the best ski resorts will boast a diverse array of terrain to ski on, from winding, wooded paths to fast runs to test their limits. 

Finally, beyond the slopes, there are a range of other resort factors to consider, such as the efficiency of the ski lift system, the local nightlife, and the add-on features that make the park special for family members. To make sense of it all, we consulted Reddit's ski communities to see which resort names would keep popping up, and to help you plan your next ski trip, here's our list of the 30 best ski resorts in the West, which we compiled with input from winter sports enthusiasts.

Colorado is known for its beauty, particularly during ski season. But there are plenty of folks who think there's no lovelier spot to hit the slopes than Crested Butte. On Reddit, u/Beerquarium called it "the most beautiful spot I've ever skied." In a world full of outsized ski resorts, Crested Butte Mountain Resort is also something of a smaller destination. The community also boasts an outstanding nightlife — everything from dive bars to pizza-and-beer joints to spendier cocktail lounges. 

And it also offers some pretty challenging trails. One Redditor noted the steep terrain, while another observed that, according to Crested Butte's trail map, a high percentage of their trails are rated Double Black Diamond. While the resort offers plenty of intermediate terrain, some Crested Butte trails are considerably more advanced — even for expert-level skiers. Another skier on Reddit cautioned anyone planning a more advanced ski trip to "consider skiing with people who know the mountain well" and "be ready for these extreme doubles, because they are hard."

Telluride is one of those famed ski spots that most folks have heard of for good reason. Fans of this ski resort say it's an alternative to more crowded and touristy spots with an overall chill vibe and a great community to boot. On Reddit, u/Scheerhorn462 summed it up, "Steeper. Gnarlier. Prettier. Cooler town. Not as much of a tourist party scene (but a pretty rocking local scene)." The tree runs at Telluride are also a favorite. 

Notably, Telluride is a remote resort, but fans say that's a feature and not a bug. To get here, you'll need to drive for a few hours or fly into the nearby general aviation airport in Montrose. There's also a lot of love on Reddit for the nearby town, with fans giving special praise to local bars and food joints. As u/Scrappykop noted, Telluride "isn't one of those 'fake' mountain towns." There's a spot called Brown Dog Pizza that's apparently legendary, so be sure to check it out after you're done on the slopes.

For those who appreciate Copper Mountain, there's a sense of gratitude that it's not one of the most popular ski destinations — particularly since many Redditors cite this locale as an ideal spot for learning to ski and improving on one's existing skills. Known for its large ski areas, Copper Mountain offers a distinct advantage to learners by geographically separating its trails according to skill level. On Reddit, one Redditor observed, "the green trails are on the right, the blues are in the middle and the blacks on the left. Beginners and intermediates can enjoy the green & blue trails without the stress of expert-skiers bombing all around."

Over the past few decades, Vail Ski Resort has developed something of a reputation for being overpriced and overly corporate. On Reddit, one person described the resort as a "Disneyfied version of a European ski town" trying to "squeeze another dollar out of you." But if you can put that aside and just let yourself enjoy it, plenty of folks say Vail still has plenty to offer. Ascending Vail yields some of the finest mountain scenery you can experience on the slopes. Vail also offers a pretty varied terrain, making it a great spot for many different skill levels. And, on the flip side of Vail's status as one of the most popular ski resorts in America is all the extras you can find here — like the resort's spa, scenic gondola ride, mountain tours, and extensive range of dining and shopping options.

Sugar Bowl isn't the biggest ski resort in the West by any stretch. But it does work hard to earn its sweet name with its 500 acres of grooming and 375 acres of snowmaking. Nearly half of the resort's trails are rated intermediate (45%), with 38% advanced trails and 17% for beginners. Although the terrain is pretty standard, proponents say it's a quality ski spot with plenty of good snow, generally reasonable crowds, and a friendly staff. Fans of this resort also say Sugar Bowl is a little less spendy than some of its more corporate counterparts.

With a name like Heavenly Lake Tahoe Ski Resort, this California resort starts off setting some pretty high expectations. And that's certainly true for advanced and expert-level skiers in search of a challenge — think uneven terrain, large moguls, and steep runs. But that's not to say there isn't plenty of powder available for blue skiers. You'll just want to check the map out carefully and plan your day ahead of time, as one of the chief complaints about Heavenly is all the trekking required to get around. Heavenly is not a great spot for green skiers, though. One Reddit, one person added, "it's a waste for a beginner who cannot enjoy 90% of the mountain."

Finding a good ski resort that's not too far from a city can prove something of a challenge. But with Bogus Basin, skiers get the best of both worlds since this popular resort is located just 45 minutes from Boise City. In addition to their day skiing, Bogus offers a fairly popular night skiing option thanks to their RFID system and well-lit terrain, which includes beginner trails. You're not going to find a ton of varied terrain here, but it's a quality spot to ski if you're interested in a more laid-back experience. On Reddit, u/dregan noted, "It's a pretty decent hill, plenty of skiable terrain and it can be really nice when the snow's good."

Nestled in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, the Mt. Baker ski area is one of the Pacific Northwest's more budget-friendly spots to learn skiing. For a reasonable price of $110, guests ages 7 and up can pick up a beginner lift ticket, a two-hour lesson, and an all-day equipment rental. While the Mt. Baker ski area itself is not a full-service resort with overnight accommodations, there are plenty of great places to stay in the area. But there's a real upside to this for skiers burnt out on the corporate scene. On Reddit, one skier noted Baker's "locals only" vibe while adding, "Not everyone who comes here gets it, but those who do never want to leave."

Mission Ridge is one of those hidden gem ski spots that those in the know really do not want the rest of the world to find out about. "Mission is more of a Mom and Pop vibe," said user u/Thedingoaj on Reddit, while noting that Mission skiers are rarely forced to endure anything beyond a five or six-minute wait. While Mission Ridge doesn't get as much snow as neighboring Stevens Pass, Redditors say the snow it does get is dryer, cooler, and overall better quality. Mission is light on lifts when compared to many other resorts, but some say it's a worthwhile trade-off for the small resort vibe.

Bridger Bowl is one of Montana's most buzzed-about ski resorts — at least, on Reddit. Lift tickets are some of the most affordable you'll find at any ski resort in the U.S. While it's easy to get stuck on the numbers when comparing Bridger (2000 acres) to Big Sky (5850 acres), fans of the former say the math doesn't give the whole picture. On Reddit threads, skiers tend to praise the good terrain that Bridger packs into a smaller area, pointing out that skiers can spend much of their time at bigger resorts navigating the landscape.

Mt. Hood Meadows has a pretty sizable following on Reddit. The south side of Meadows is better for beginners, while the north side is set up for more advanced skiers. There's a lot of terrain overall, but Mt. Hood fans say it's all about the quality of that terrain across every skill level. One Reddit user called Meadow's runs "beautifully crafted," while others praised the terrain for its varied terrain. Meadows also hosts live après music almost daily at their lodge. Just be prepared to stand in some pretty long lines, which seem to be par for the course at Mt. Hood Meadows.

Tahoe has its share of ski resorts. But Mt. Rose is considered by many to be the least touristy option among them — and it has the cool local bars to prove it. With a base elevation of 8260 feet, there's plenty of quality snow on this peak. Reddit user u/-ScorpionWitch raved, "The chutes are pretty gnarly and what makes Mt. Rose so famous and cherished," noting that this ski spot gets a ton of snow. At the same time, that elevation can lead to strong winds and avalanches, so it's important to stay on the beaten path. 

For skiers in search of some of the steepest and most challenging terrain around, it doesn't get much better than Taos Ski Valley Resort, but it's not for the faint of heart. As one Reddit user summed it up, "Taos Ski Valley is a skier's mountain and with 79 of the 112 runs being expert terrain, doesn't leave a beginner many places to explore." And even though Taos isn't really the best destination for beginners, it is a good spot to pick up some new skills, as reviewers claim the resort offers some of the best ski instructors in the country. Accommodations here are on the expensive side, so expect to shell out if you're headed to Taos.

Snowbasin is a more remote Utah ski resort, but many fans of this spot say it's also one of the more underrated resorts in the region. One of the resort's biggest perks is its set of two high-speed gondolas, which Reddit user u/Rustic313 calls "an awesome luxury" on cold days. And unlike many other resorts, Snowbasin's lift lines tend to move pretty efficiently — think 20 minutes at the outside. And, according to u/ask2908, "Snowbasin has every type of terrain you can imagine, fast lifts, great facilities and no crowds." There's also something for every skill level here, even if it's not the most challenging ski resort around.

With its ample creamy and powdery snow and varied alpine terrain of Grand Teton's west side, skiing the 'Ghee is a rite of passage for many skiers. It's also a great place to work on improving those turns thanks to its wide open, steep, and long groomer faces. Reddit user u/raisintree called Targhee "basically one giant blue run," adding, "Makes for some hero laps." While there's not as much to do at Grand Targhee Resort off the slopes as you'll find around some of the bigger resorts, some Redditors note that Targhee's smaller size means a friendlier, more approachable staff. The Trap Bar is also a favorite among resort regulars, and Targhee's relatively lower price point is the icing on this buttery cake.