Best

Peaks Overall

The rank-order of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming ski resorts we’ve been to based on overall mountain experience.

#1 in the Northern Rockies

Teton Village, WY

MOUNTAIN SCORE

    +   Pros

Extremely demanding terrain
Snow quality
Crowd flow on non-tram lifts
Breathtaking scenery

    –   Cons

Lack of beginner and low intermediate terrain

This Teton resort lives up to its extremely demanding reputation. Beginners need not apply.

See our review →

#2 in the Northern Rockies

Big Sky, MT

MOUNTAIN SCORE

    +   Pros

Snow quality
Size
Diverse terrain for all ability levels
Extremely demanding expert runs
Breathtaking scenery in upper mountain areas

    –   Cons

Ease of navigation
Slow or issue-prone lifts in some areas
Crowd flow under stress-case conditions
Inconvenient or impractical on-mountain facilities
Limited or difficult extreme terrain access
Tram access an extra-cost add-on

This massive resort offers one of the most well-rounded terrain experiences in North America, but a number of logistical problems persist.

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#3 in the Northern Rockies

Ketchum, ID

MOUNTAIN SCORE

    +   Pros

World-class family-oriented terrain
Stunning upper-mountain bowls
Top-of-the-line facilities
Lower crowds than other Rockies resorts
Charming slopeside town

    –   Cons

Less reliable snowfall and conditions than other Rockies resorts
Very little consistently open expert terrain
Inconvenient lift logistics in some areas
No lodging directly on-site

This Idaho mountain offers a world-class terrain experience for families, but snow and conditions are not as consistent as at other Rockies resorts. Despite a recent terrain expansion, the mountain still isn’t ideal for experts.

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#4 in the Northern Rockies

Grand Targhee

Alta, WY

MOUNTAIN SCORE

    +   Pros

Excellent snow quality
Incredible glade terrain
Consistent conditions
Limited crowds
Local feel

    –   Cons

Modest footprint and vertical drop
Perennially foggy conditions
Limited expert terrain

This Wyoming resort isn’t the largest or craziest out there, but it offers incredible snow and a distinctive, remote vibe.

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#5 in the Northern Rockies

Whitefish

Whitefish, MT

MOUNTAIN SCORE

    +   Pros

Distinctive glade terrain
Reasonable crowds
Lively nearby town
Available night skiing
Value

    –   Cons

Perennial low-visibility conditions
Modest vertical compared to other destinations
Flat terrain in certain areas
Occasional extreme cold spells

This northern Montana resort isn’t the biggest out there, but as far as independent ski resorts go, it’s hard to beat.

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#6 in the Northern Rockies

Schweitzer

Sandpoint, ID

MOUNTAIN SCORE

    +   Pros

Standout off-piste near-treeline terrain
Limited lift lines
Local feel
Value

    –   Cons

Frequent low-visibility conditions
Occasional rain spells
Extremely limited beginner terrain
Convoluted backside lift setup

Despite its remote location and modest size, this Idaho panhandle resort offers a few solid advantages for destination-goers, especially during peak times.

See our review →

#7 in the Northern Rockies

Snow King

Jackson, WY

MOUNTAIN SCORE

    +   Pros

Formidable tree and mogul terrain
Local feel
Spectacular town views
Low lift ticket prices

    –   Cons

Small footprint
Lackluster beginner and intermediate terrain
Inconsistent snow conditions on back side

This small, local Wyoming resort offers cheap lift tickets and demanding slopes—and has seen significant revitalization for the 2021-22 season. But a number of shortcomings still make the mountain less than ideal for beginner and intermediate visitors.

See our review →

#8 in the Northern Rockies

Sun Valley - Dollar Mountain

Sun Valley, ID

MOUNTAIN SCORE

    +   Pros

Beginner-oriented experience
Competitive terrain parks
High-speed lift service in most areas
Unconventional treeless topography
Lack of crowds

    –   Cons

Small footprint
Very short vertical drop
Extremely variable openings for advanced trails and Elkhorn zone

Sun Valley’s beginner zone is way too small and variable to warrant a trip to on its own. But for those in town already, its unconventional footprint may be worth stopping by.

See our review →