Bethel, Maine named America's best ski town

Visitors staying in Bethel enjoy easy access to Sunday River (pictured), home to some of the best snow conditions in the East. Head to the Foggy Goggle or Matterhorn for a lively après-ski scene, or try out one of the many restaurants dotting the streets of this cute New England village.
Photo courtesy of Visit Maine

Nestled within the scenic White Mountains of New Hampshire, North Conway sits within a half-hour drive of more than a dozen alpine and Nordic ski resorts. Visitors off the slopes can explore the town's pastel-hued Victorian architecture oozing New England charm. The Mount Washington Observatory Weather Discovery Center makes for an excellent rest-day diversion.
Photo courtesy of WiseguyCreative.com

With half the annual visitor count of nearby Banff, Jasper offers a decidedly laidback and unpretentious base for winter adventure. This small community got its start as a railway town. Today, it’s the gateway to Jasper National Park and a place where skiers and snowboarders come to soak in natural hot springs and eat at one of the many local restaurants.
Photo courtesy of Tourism Jasper

Taos started as a pueblo tucked within the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Northern New Mexico. Today, the vibrant ski town encompasses a thriving artists colony, trendy boutiques, posh eco-friendly resorts and plenty of restaurants serving up spicy New Mexico green chile.
Photo courtesy of iStock / MonaMakela

Ogden on the border of the Wasatch Range has access to three ski resorts – Snowbasin, Powder Mountain and Nordic Valley – all with snow that rivals the more crowded Alta, Snowbird and Park City. The friendly town offers an affordable winter base with an excellent assortment of restaurants and lively après ski scene.
Photo courtesy of Jay Dash Photography / Visit Ogden

Part working cowboy town, part ski resort, Steamboat Springs is much more down-to-earth than other resorts in the state. It's also one of the few ski resorts in the nation with a hot springs near the base, perfect for relaxing sore muscles after a long day on the slopes.
Photo courtesy of Steamboat Ski Resort/Larry Pierce

Steepled churches and clapboard houses make Stowe a quintessential New England ski town, complete with excellent options for both downhill and Nordic skiers. While there are plenty of fine dining establishments and luxury resorts catering to well-heeled travelers, there's a lively apres scene as well, especially at The Matterhorn. Rest day activities can include a tasting at the famous Ben & Jerry's ice cream factory just down the road in Waterbury.
Photo courtesy of Go Stowe

A former logging and railroad town, Truckee has 12 downhill and eight Nordic ski resorts within a 10-mile radius. But convenience isn't Truckee's only appeal; the town has a dining scene that offers everything from hearty comfort food to fine dining, as well as plenty of off-slope activities like starlight snowshoeing, dogsledding or cruising on Lake Tahoe.
Photo courtesy of Scott Thompson / Truckee

The cozy town of Sandpoint sits on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille between three different mountain ranges in the northern tip of Idaho. Natural attractions are understandably a draw throughout the year, but the town itself boasts a thriving art community, quirky shopping and a full events calendar.
Photo courtesy of iStock / SEASTOCK

Big slopes meet the Wild West in Jackson Hole, Wyoming's most popular winter resort. While the town's western heritage is still on display at places like the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and Mangy Moose, Jackson caters to luxury travelers as well with some of the country's swankiest ski accommodations. Travelers off the slopes can take a scenic sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge.
Photo courtesy of Visit Jackson Hole