Best Ski Resort (2018)

The 3,081 acres of terrain at Winter Park is divided into seven distinct territories–glade skiing in Eagle Wind Territory, bowls in Parsenn Bowl, jumps and jibs in Terrain Park Territory, steeps and deeps in Cirque, the bumps of Mary Jane, black diamonds of Winter Park and the powder stashes of Vasquez Ridge. Skiers and riders have 166 named trails to choose from, accessed by 25 lifts.
Photo courtesy of Winter Park Resort

Michigan might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think skiing, but Mount Bohemia is a hidden gem for extreme mountain sports. Located on the Upper Peninsula, this resort features some of the longest runs, highest verticals and deepest powder in the Midwest, with 273 inches of average annual snowfall.
Photo courtesy of Mount Bohemia

Three time winner of the Readers' Choice award for Best Ski Resort sits between Truckee and Tahoe City, where skiers and riders enjoy some 6,000 acres of terrain, including 16 bowls, 270 trails and 42 lifts ferrying visitors to the top of the dual resorts, accessible on the same lift ticket.
Photo courtesy of Max Whittaker / Visit California

With a 2,020-foot vertical drop, Alta is famous for its powder-covered expert slopes, but there's plenty of terrain for beginners and intermediates as well–2,200 skiable acres and over 116 named runs. Snowboarding isn't allowed here, so if you're going to enjoy all Alta has to offer, you'll have to do so on skis.
Photo courtesy of Alta Ski Area

Copper Mountain offers 140 trails serviced by 23 lifts covering 2,490 acres of skiable terrain. The parks and pipes at Copper Mountain put their focus on progression, allowing newbie freestylers to move from easy features to larger, more difficult ones. March is typically the snowiest month–perfect for some spring skiing.
Photo courtesy of Copper Mountain Resort

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden, British Columbia earns rave reviews and a loyal following for its incredible verticals, champagne powder and unique range of terrain. The 3,486 acres of skiable terrain includes the fourth highest vertical drop in North America. Skiers and snowboarders have 120 named runs to choose from, with over half catering to advanced and expert skiers.
Photo courtesy of Abbydell Photography / Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

Deer Valley Resort features 2,026 ski-only acres spread across six different areas. With 103 named runs serviced by 21 lifts, Deer Valley appeals to laid-back skiers who like a hassle-free experience with plenty of groomers to choose from. More than two thirds of Deer Valley's terrain is rated for beginner or intermediate skiers, making it a great choice for families and newbies.
Photo courtesy of Deer Valley Resort

With North America's greatest vertical–5,620 feet–Revelstoke Mountain Resort offers 3,121 skiable acres, in addition to cat skiing and heli skiing, making it one of Canada's best. Combine that with the area's big powder dumps, and you have a giant playground worthy of any powder hound's bucket list. With 93 percent of the terrain rated for intermediate and advanced skiers and riders, this is certainly a resort for adrenaline junkies.
Photo courtesy of Eric Berger

Ski-only until 2008, Taos Ski Valley in Northern New Mexico now attracts both skiers and riders to its 1,294 acres of challenging terrain. The resort receives more than 300 inches annually of dry snowfall, paired with 300-plus days of Southwest sunshine, making Taos a paradise of powder and blue bird days. The ski school ranks among the best in the nation, so beginners and lower-intermediate skiers are in good hands.
Photo courtesy of Taos Ski Valley

Once Colorado's hidden gem, the secret is out about Telluride Ski Resort, where 18 lifts service more than 2,000 acres of terrain and 148 trails with a good variety in difficulty level. A 3,790-foot lift-serviced vertical drop means there are plenty of steeps, yet beginners and intermediates have lots of long groomers to enjoy.
Photo courtesy of Telluride Ski Resort