USA Ski Guide

Ski resorts can be found all over the US. USA ski resorts are generally much quieter than those in Europe. The ski resorts in the USA have impressive terrain and are surrounded by spectacular scenery. They also play a major part in the summer tourism as most of the resorts double up as good areas for hiking and other outdoor activities. Ski season generally runs from mid-November through to mid-May although this does vary from resort to resort.

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Ski resorts in the USA

Mount Rose

Offering the highest base elevation of any resort in Lake Tahoe at 8,260ft, this resorts gives you access to 1,200 acres of powder covered terrain and boasts 60 ski runs catering for all abilities. Beginner terrain takes up 20% of the resort, 30% is intermediate, 40% is made up of black routes for advanced skiers and the last 10% is for experts. There are 8 chair lifts serving the resort and the average annual snowfall is 350 inches which equates to 30ft.

Closest Airport: Reno-Tahoe International Airport

Northstar

One of the most-popular year round resorts in northern USA, Northstar caters for everyone and offers 93 pistes across 3,000 acres of skiable terrain. With a summit elevation of 8,610ft and a base elevation of 6,330ft, 60% of the resort caters for intermediate skiers, whilst 13% of the terrain is for beginners and 27% for advanced. Northstar resort also has a large village with many shops, a large skating rink and summer activities.

Closest Airport: Reno-Tahoe International Airport

Alpine Meadows

Enjoy the stunning views of Lake Tahoe whilst you ski the multitude of summit to base groomed slopes with the number of trails exceeding 100. There are also 7 powder bowls which prove to be popular and 14 lifts in operation. The summit elevation is 8,637ft dropping to the base elevation of 6,835ft with 2,400 acres of terrain to enjoy. The longest run here stretches for almost 3 miles. Alpine Meadows primarily caters for intermediate skiers but there are also some great pistes for beginners and experts.

Closest Airport: Reno-Tahoe International Airport

Squaw Valley

Located on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, the Squaw Valley ski resort offers 4,000 acres of skiable terrain and over 170 runs. The base elevation is 6,200ft rising to 9,050ft at the summit and you will find 33 lifts. Squaw Valley acts as a mecca for lovers of winter sports. The terrain is suitable for skiers of all abilities; beginners can enjoy the wide open trails with great views whilst more advanced skiers will be suitably challenged on the more rugged terrain.

Closest Airport: Reno-Tahoe International Airport

Kirkwood

With the highest base elevation in the area at 7,800ft, Kirkwood catches the best snowstorms which happen to head its way. Consequently, Kirkwood boasts the deepest annual snowfall too. With a skiable area of 2,300 acres, a summit elevation of 9,802ft, 65 runs and 15 lifts it is a great ski resort that everyone can enjoy. 50% of the terrain is suited to intermediate skiers, whilst 15% is assigned to beginners and 35% to advanced skiers. There are 4 terrain parks and lots of open bowls.

Closest Airport: Reno-Tahoe International Airport

Heavenly

With varied terrain and runs overlooking the beautiful Lake Tahoe on one side or views of the Nevada desert on the other, there are many choices to make here! Get exhilarated and try the tree runs, 4 terrain parks and the groomed runs. Heavenly has a summit elevation of 10,067ft and a base elevation of 6,565ft, 94 runs in total and close to 5,000 skiable acres. With a fairly even split of abilities across the runs, everyone is sure to have a great time and be suitably challenged at the Heavenly resort.

Closest Airport: Reno-Tahoe International Airport

Sierra

The Sierra resort is very much a family friendly ski resorts and benefits from wind protected slopes and receives an average annual snowfall of 480 inches which is approximately 40 ft. There are 46 runs to be skied upon here in 2,000 acres of terrain with 5 terrain parks and pipes to try. The summit elevation measures in at 8,852ft and the base elevation is 6,300ft. With an even split of beginner and advanced runs, the remaining 50% runs are suitable for intermediate skiers.

Closest airport: Reno-Tahoe International Airport

Aspen

Aspen is one of the most famous ski resorts. It attracts many celebrities but you don’t need to be famous to enjoy the skiing here. There are great après ski activities and even better times to be had on the slopes. Aspen Mountain has a base elevation of 7,945ft and a summit elevation of 11,212ft and the resort is suited to intermediate, advanced and expert skiers. There is a skiable area of 675 acres, 8 lifts and the longest run is 3 miles. Aspen Highlands offers a larger skiable area of 1,010 acres with a summit elevation of 11,678ft and a base elevation of 8,040ft. The Aspen Highlands are renowned for the Highland Bowl.

Closest Airport: Eagle County Regional Airport

Vail

Vail has over 5,000 skiable acres and a total of 31 lifts; as a result it is the largest ski resort in the USA. It reminds many of its visitors of a classic Swiss Alpine village and has a base elevation of 8,120ft rising to a peak elevation of 11,570ft. The resort offers 53% of trails for advanced skiers, 29% for intermediate, 18% for beginners and the longest run is 4 miles. You can also choose from 3 terrain parks and try the half pipe if you fancy it.

Closest Airport: Eagle County Regional Airport

Breckenridge

Breckenridge is quite a small resort. It is popular not just for the range of skiing on offer but also because of its authentic old Western atmosphere. Breckenridge has a base elevation of 9,600ft and a summit elevation of 12,998ft, a total skiable area of 2358 acres and 31 lifts which have a total capacity just short of 40,000 people per hour. There are 155 trails in total to enjoy 14% of which are beginners trails, 31% are intermediate, 19% are advanced and the remaining 36% are suitable for experts.

Closest Airport: Eagle County Regional Airport

Winter Park

Winter Park is an unpretentious laid-back resort. There are opportunities to go dog sledding, snowshoeing, sleigh rides and to visit the hot springs to ease aching muscles. are three interconnected peaks; Winter Park (base elevation of 9,000ft and summit elevation of 10,700ft), Mary Jane (base elevation of 9,486ft and summit elevation of 12,060ft) and Vasquez Ridge (base elevation of 9,450ft and summit elevation of 10,700ft). The resort receives more than 29 feet of snow on average each year and offers 3,060 acres of skiable area with a mix of trails and off-piste terrain suitable for all grades of skiers.

Closest Airport: Eagle County Regional Airport

Vermont - Killington

The Killington resort in Vermont is located in the centre of the Green Mountains. It is the biggest ski area in New England. There is plenty of terrain for everybody across its six peaks and 200 trails. The peaks include Killington Peak, Snowdon, Rams Head, Skye Peak, Bear Mountain and Sunrise Mountain, the highest of which is Killington Peak with a summit elevation of 4,241ft. There are a total of 140 trails suitable for skiing and snowboarding.

Closest Airport: Boston Airport and Montreal Airport.

Whiteface Lake Placid

Whiteface Lake Placid has twice been the venue for the Olympic Winter Games and is a hugely popular resort in the New York State, suitable for all abilities and ages. The terrain is divided into levels of ability 20% of which is suitable for beginners, 43% intermediate and the remaining 37% for advanced/experts. The summit elevation is 4,867ft and the base elevation is 1,220ft. There are 86 trails in total, the longest of which in the Wilmington Trail which runs for 2.1 miles.

Closest Airport: Burlington International Airport (Vermont) and Albany International Airport.

Belleayre Mountain

Belleayre Mountain resort is fairly small and has been open as an official resort since 1949 when the first lifts were install. The resort has since had further lifts installed and now offers 8 in total across 171 acres of skiable terrain. There are 9.2km of cross country trails, and 55 other piste trails which are divided amongst levels of ability; 22% of trails are suitable for beginners, 58% of trails are suitable for intermediate skiers and the remaining 20% are suitable for advanced/expert skiers. The summit elevation is 3,429ft and the base elevation is 2,025ft.

Closest Airport: Albany International Airport

Gore

Gore is a family ski resort located in New York and offers the most skiable acres in the state at 428. There are four peaks including Gore, Bear, Burnt Ridge and Little Gore and 14 lifts to deliver you there. The longest run is 3.7 miles and the terrain is varied for different abilities. 10% is beginner terrain, 60% is for intermediate skiers and the remaining 30% will suit experts. In addition there are three lodges offering different amenities.

Closest Airport: Albany International Airport