Best ski resorts in the US: Chosen by freestyle skier Ryan McElmon
Who better to give us a rundown of the best ski resorts in the US than freestyle skier and freestyle skier and Dope rider Ryan McElmon? Ryan has spent over a decade on slopestyle podiums and competitive circuits and is now letting us in on his USA guide. Let’s drop in…
I’m very grateful to have skied around 70% of the USA’s best resorts. So, when Dope asked me to round up my top picks, I instantly had a few spots in mind.
A lot of resorts in the US are great for different reasons, and it really depends on what you’re looking for. To help you decide, I’ve picked the resorts I’d recommend for pure skiing, park laps, spring conditions, and different types of trips.
Ryan’s guide to US resorts
A quick rundown
US ski resorts map
Ryan’s top US ski resorts
Other resorts worth mentioning
Ryan’s trip tips
FAQs
A quick rundown
Want to cut to the chase? Drop in to this quick roundup below. That way, you’re bound to find a resort that suits how you ride:
US ski resorts map
Ryan’s US ski resort picks
These are the US resorts I’d point people toward first, depending on the trip they’re planning.
1. Snowbird, Utah
- Best for: Skiing experience
- Best time: Mid-February to late March
“Snowbird is my favorite US ski resort for that pure skiing experience. The steep terrain is unmatched, and the snow quality is world-class. There’s also a great community up there that’s hard to beat.”
Snowbird is THE place to level up your riding. The challenging terrain and mind-blowing amount of light, dry snow (over 41 feet/12.5 meters per year) make Snowbird a bucket-list-worthy resort. It’s a huge resort packed with epic groomers, even more epic sidecountry, and so many pow stashes you can still find fresh a week after a dumping.
2. Alta Ski Area, Utah
- Best for: Skiers-only, Advanced terrain
- Best time: Mid-February to late March
“Alta is for the skiing purists! Epic terrain and super deep snow make it the perfect place to push your riding.”
You’ll have to rain check this one if you snowboard, because Alta is still a skiers-only resort! For skiers, though, it’s hella-fun, with expert terrain and seemingly bottomless powder. For those who want to level up their riding on the cliffs and trees, this is the spot. No worries if you’re not so into steeps and dropping pillows, though. Alta has more than enough trails for skiers of all abilities and plenty of pow to go around.
3. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming
- Best for: Advanced terrain
- Best time: Mid-February to late March
“Jackson Hole is epic. I recommend hitting it from mid-February through to the end of March when the snow is super deep, and the natural terrain is unbeatable.”
Jackson Hole is the place of legend. Well, everyone’s heard of Corbet’s Couloir, right!? Yep, this rider’s mountain is full of legendary steeps and deeps, including Casper Bowl. But we think it's a bit of a myth that this resort just has “experts-only” terrain. Intermediates have more than enough trails and slackcountry to play with. And when you want to swap riding Jackson Hole for the watering hole, you’ll find a steady supply of restaurants and bars, such as the iconic Mangy Moose.
4. Mammoth Mountain, California
- Best for: Terrain park, Spring skiing
- Best time: Late April to end of May
“It’s a big claim, but I think Mammoth has the best spring skiing in the country! Nothing beats lapping May slush in a T-shirt.”
Mammoth in both name and size, you’ll find over 178 trails over an incredible 3,500 acres of skiable terrain at this California resort. Mammoth Mountain is one of California’s highest points, collecting so much of the white stuff that you’re able to shred well into May, and sometimes even July, making it one of the best summer skiing destinations in the US! Mammoth also has 11 terrain parks, making it an absolute mecca for slopestyle and landing huge nines, McElmon-style. Oh, and speaking of McElmon, this is where he competed in his first Slopestyle World Cup!
5. Park City Mountain Resort, Utah
- Best for: Terrain park
- Best time: March
“Park City in March is epic. You’ll usually find an insane terrain park setup and a massive snowbase for full-mountain riding.”
Home to Ryan McElmon, with 17 peaks, and over 7,300 acres of rideable terrain, Park City provides pretty much unlimited riding. There’s something for everyone at the US’s largest resort, from expert terrain to gentle groomers, and spring park laps with eight terrain parks and two halfpipes. If you can still stand, take your weary legs to après. With post-shred spots including High West, No Name Saloon, and The Cabin, it’s not only Park City’s terrain that’s legendary.
6. Copper Mountain, Colorado
- Best for: Terrain park
- Best time: January to late March
“Copper is famous for its terrain parks, and you’ve gotta go there to understand why. Their jump lines are some of the best.”
Copper Mountain might have started out as a copper mine. But today, you won’t have to dig deep to find epic riding. With some of the best terrain parks in the US, a superpipe, slopeside lodging, and more, Copper is pretty insane. Three purpose-built villages offer three different terrain options for various abilities: beginners and families have West Village, intermediate to advanced riders can cruise Center Village, and experts tackle East Village.
Other resorts worth mentioning
On top of Ryan’s picks, there are a few more US resorts worth knowing about if you’re still comparing where to go. These aren’t Ryan’s main six, but they’re strong options for families, nightlife, scenery, and bigger all-round resort trips. If you'd rather narrow things down by region, we've also rounded up the best West Coast ski resorts and the best East Coast ski resorts.
- Aspen Snowmass, Colorado
- Vail Ski Resort, Colorado
- Heavenly Ski Resort, California/Nevada
- Telluride Ski Resort, Colorado
Ryan’s trip tips
Regularly skiing US resorts means you learn a few tips and tricks along the way. These include…
- 1Buy an Epic or Ikon Pass instead of a day pass. I know over $1,000 for a season pass seems expensive, but day passes can quickly add up and surpass this number pretty quickly. Especially when they’re around $300 each!
- 2Head to Salt Lake City if you’re on a budget. You can stay in a city-priced Airbnb, hotel, or Vrbo, then rent a car, and have eight resorts within an hour’s drive, all without paying resort prices for lodging or food!
- 3Skip the Pacific Northwest if you’re after bluebirds. The PNW is awesome, but it’s known for heavy snow and inconsistent weather, so it can be a risky choice for short trips when you want clear skies and mellow snow levels.
FAQs
Now that Ryan’s let you in on his tips and tricks, the Dope Crew can answer some other burning questions…
When is the best time to ski in the US?
It depends on where you’re going, but typically, the best time to ski in the US is from mid-December to April. Of course, depending on the snow conditions, some ski resorts open earlier, such as Mammoth. And some resorts close much later in the year depending on the snow pack.
Is it expensive to ski in the US?
Yep, it is expensive to ski in the US. We aren't gonna sugarcoat it! Daily lift tickets can be pricey, and lodging, on-mountain food, gear rental, and travel all add to the cost. There are ways to save money, though. Check out Ryan’s awesome tips above on how to cut the cost without sacrificing your experience.
What are the best US ski resorts for terrain parks?
Park City, Mammoth Mountain, and Copper Mountain are Ryan’s top picks for terrain parks. It’s also worth checking out Northstar in California and Carinthia Park at Mount Snow in Vermont if you want more freestyle-focused options.
What are the best US ski resorts for advanced skiers?
Advanced skiers can really challenge themselves at Jackson Hole, Alta, or Snowbird. These are Ryan’s main picks for serious terrain, with Snowbird especially known for advanced and expert runs. However, plenty of other US resorts have advanced sections too, such as Colorado’s Keystone with double black diamonds and Montana’s Big Sky Resort with couloirs and gullies.
Time to start planning
Cheers to Ryan for his guide to what the USA has to offer. If you're ready to lock a trip in, here's how to plan the perfect ski trip. Is anyone else already looking at flights while simultaneously watching Ryan’s Third Wheel (check it out if you haven’t already!).
Have more questions about US ski resorts? Or just want to say hey? Reach out to the team at crew@dopesnow.com. They’re always stoked to hear from you.