Best
Peaks Overall
The rank-order of Rockies ski resorts we’ve been to based on overall mountain experience.
#1 in the Rockies
AltaAlta, UT
Alta, UT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Top-tier snow quality and accumulation
- Breathtaking mountain aesthetic
- Terrain diversity
- Local feel
- Lack of reasonably-priced lodging
- Ban on snowboarders
This Utah resort prohibits snowboarding and offers limited slopeside lodging, but it receives some of the best, most consistent snow anywhere in North America.
#2 in the Rockies
Jackson HoleTeton Village, WY
Teton Village, WY
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Extremely demanding terrain
- Snow quality
- Crowd flow on non-tram lifts
- Breathtaking scenery
- Lack of beginner and low intermediate terrain
This Teton resort lives up to its extremely demanding reputation. Beginners need not apply.
#3 in the Rockies
SnowbirdSnowbird, UT
Snowbird, UT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Top-tier snow quality and accumulation
- Diverse terrain, including extremely demanding expert runs
- Innovative mountain logistics
- Limited beginner and low intermediate terrain
- Limited on-site lodging
It’s hard to beat this Utah resort’s top-tier snow quality, innovative mountain logistics, and expert terrain.
#4 in the Rockies
Banff Sunshine VillageBanff, AB
Banff, AB
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Snow preservation
- Top-tier views
- Diverse terrain for all abilities
- Extraordinarily long season
- One-of-a-kind upper-mountain village
- Value
- Occasional extreme cold spells
- Long morning lines at base gondola
- Terribly designed trail map
This absolutely striking resort has consistent snow and terrain for everyone, although frigid spells are common during the core season.
#5 in the Rockies
VailVail, CO
Vail, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Size
- Lift infrastructure
- Terrain diversity
- One-of-a-kind Back Bowl and Blue Sky Basin aesthetics
- Lack of truly extreme terrain
- Ease of navigation
With expansive, diverse terrain and modern lifts, this top-of-the-line resort competes well with the best in the country.
#6 in the Rockies
SnowmassSnowmass Village, CO
Snowmass Village, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Striking, expansive footprint
- Diverse terrain for all abilities
- Considerable lift-serviced vertical drop
- Widespread on-mountain facilities
- High-speed lifts in most areas
- Lift logistics at the main base
- Most demanding expert lines hard to find
The largest resort in the Aspen conglomerate is one of the best in Colorado, delivering a well-rounded experience worthy of the asking price.
#7 in the Rockies
SnowbasinHuntsville, UT
Huntsville, UT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Diverse terrain
- Top-of-the-line facilities
- Striking topography
- Local feel
- Clear resort signage
- No on-site lodging
- Long, slow lifts in some areas
- Lack of lift redundancies in Strawberry zone
Despite a lack of on-site lodging, this Utah resort stays competitive thanks to diverse hills, striking peaks, and top-of-the-line facilities.
#8 in the Rockies
Beaver CreekBeaver Creek, CO
Beaver Creek, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Diverse beginner and intermediate terrain
- Long, demanding advanced terrain, including a range of both groomed and ungroomed runs
- Thoroughly modern lift infrastructure
- Price
- Lack of above-treeline terrain
- Flagrantly moneyed atmosphere in some areas
Despite its family-centric reputation and lack of above-treeline terrain, Beaver Creek delivers an experience that visitors of all ability levels will enjoy. Just don’t expect anything to be cheap.
#9 in the Rockies
TellurideTelluride, CO
Telluride, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Diverse terrain for all ability levels
- Striking resort scenery
- Relatively low crowds
- Unique variety of lodging options
- Lower average snowfall than some other Colorado resorts
- Variable openings and long hikes required for some extreme terrain
- Slow lifts in some areas
Despite its modest size and reputation for extreme terrain, this beautiful, remote resort delivers an experience that can be enjoyed by everyone.
#10 in the Rockies
Lake LouiseLake Louise, AB
Lake Louise, AB
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- One-of-a-kind mountain aesthetic
- Extraordinarily long season
- Incredible advanced, expert, and freestyle terrain
- Crowd management
- Value
- Occasional extreme cold spells
- Poorly-placed upper-mountain facilities
- Slow lifts in some mountain zones
- Arduous traverses in many areas
While it sees the occasional extreme cold spell, this Banff resort’s jaw-dropping vistas and varied terrain distinguish it from competitors.
#11 in the Rockies
RevelstokeRevelstoke, BC
Revelstoke, BC
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Unparalleled vertical drop
- High-elevation snow quality
- World-class advanced and expert terrain
- Astounding views in upper-mountain areas
- Value
- Underbuilt lift network
- Half-baked beginner and intermediate experience
- Variable conditions in lower-mountain areas
- Perennial fog
- Nearby lodging in short supply
- Much more difficult to reach than other destinations
This one-of-a-kind Canadian Rockies resort should be on every expert’s bucket list, but it feels like it hasn’t been developed to its full potential.
#12 in the Rockies
Arapahoe BasinDillon, CO
Dillon, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Snow quality
- Extremely demanding expert terrain
- Lower crowds than other Colorado resorts
- Season regularly extends into June
- Slow, wind-exposed lifts
- Hiking required for some trails
- No on-site lodging
- Altitude that can be overwhelming for some
While slow lifts and a lack of on-site lodging may turn some people away, this local favorite offers some of the most extreme terrain in Colorado.
#13 in the Rockies
CopperCopper, CO
Copper, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Excellent high-alpine terrain experience
- Natural insulation for skiers of different ability levels
- Relatively local feel
- Slow, difficult-to-load lifts outside base areas
- Altitude that can be overwhelming for some
- Lack of lodges in backside areas
This Colorado favorite offers very competitive terrain, but many lifts outside base areas are slow.
#14 in the Rockies
Big SkyBig Sky, MT
Big Sky, MT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Snow quality
- Size
- Diverse terrain for all ability levels
- Extremely demanding expert runs
- Breathtaking scenery in upper mountain areas
- 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.
#15 in the Rockies
Aspen HighlandsAspen, CO
Aspen, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Snow quality
- Isolated feel
- Extensive selection of long, demanding expert terrain
- Iconic bowl skiing
- Modest footprint
- No beginner runs
- Scant single-black terrain
- Lack of lower-mountain lift redundancies
While modestly sized, this Aspen resort offers a surprisingly local feel and a diverse, demanding expert footprint.
#16 in the Rockies
Winter ParkWinter Park, CO
Winter Park, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Snow quality
- Wide variety of tree terrain
- Long, demanding mogul runs
- Available intermediate bowl terrain
- Expansive footprint
- Lack of easily accessible advanced and expert bowl terrain
- Crowd flow in some popular areas
Although it can get crowded, this conveniently located Colorado destination has a lot to offer for a wide variety of visitors.
#17 in the Rockies
BreckenridgeBreckenridge, CO
Breckenridge, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Terrain diversity
- Conveniently accessible high-alpine bowls
- Well-placed mountain facilities
- Top-notch terrain park experience
- Ease of navigation
- High wind exposure in some areas
- Altitude that can be overwhelming for some
This high-elevation resort offers diverse terrain, including conveniently accessible alpine bowls. However, the altitude and navigation logistics will be overwhelming for some.
#18 in the Rockies
Big WhiteKelowna, BC
Kelowna, BC
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Distinctive tree terrain
- Family-friendliness
- Diverse beginner and intermediate terrain
- Well-designed crowd flow
- Convenient ski-in/ski-out village
- Perennially overcast, low-visibility conditions
- Facilities hard to access from upper-mountain areas
- Inconveniently slow lifts in some areas
- Lower quantity of extreme terrain than some competitors
- Ease of travel from most U.S. cities
It may not be as tough or striking as the best in the Canadian Rockies, but this British Columbia resort still has a lot to offer.
#19 in the Rockies
Sun ValleyKetchum, ID
Ketchum, ID
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- World-class family-oriented terrain
- Stunning upper-mountain bowls
- Top-of-the-line facilities
- Lower crowds than other Rockies resorts
- Charming slopeside town
- 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.
#20 in the Rockies
Grand TargheeAlta, WY
Alta, WY
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Excellent snow quality
- Incredible glade terrain
- Consistent conditions
- Limited crowds
- Local feel
- 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.
#21 in the Rockies
Kicking HorseGolden, BC
Golden, BC
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Snow quality and preservation
- Incredible advanced and expert terrain
- World-class mountain aesthetic
- Long vertical drop
- Value
- Poorly-designed lift network
- Lackluster beginner and intermediate terrain
- Modestly-sized lift-serviced footprint
- Incredibly long laps required to ski or ride key terrain
- Much more difficult to reach than other destinations
This Interior British Columbia resort exemplifies the best natural traits of the Canadian Rockies but won’t be for everyone.
#22 in the Rockies
KeystoneKeystone, CO
Keystone, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Solid mix of groomed, mogul, and tree terrain
- Top-tier bowl isolation
- Diverse freestyle terrain
- Night skiing
- Available snowcat experiences
- Lack of direct lift access to more than half the resort, including all bowl terrain
- Long travel time to and from furthest mountain areas
- Less demanding terrain than some competing mountains
This Colorado resort offers unique, enjoyable slopes and a class-leading terrain park, but none of the resort’s expansive bowl terrain is directly lift accessible.
#23 in the Rockies
WhitefishWhitefish, MT
Whitefish, MT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Distinctive glade terrain
- Reasonable crowds
- Lively nearby town
- Available night skiing
- Value
- 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.
#24 in the Rockies
Crested ButteCrested Butte, CO
Crested Butte, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Extremely demanding expert terrain
- Iconic topography
- Isolated feel
- Natural insulation for skiers of different ability levels
- Reasonable ticket prices
- Modest, ordinary footprint for beginner-to-advanced visitors
- Lower snow totals than other Colorado resorts
- Hiking required for some expert trails
- Altitude that may be overwhelming for some
This striking Colorado resort is an expert’s paradise but falls short in terrain quantity for other demographics.
#25 in the Rockies
Park CityPark City, UT
Park City, UT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Enormous footprint
- Terrain diversity
- World-class freestyle experience
- Severely frustrating navigation logistics
- Outdated lifts in some areas
- Lack of truly extreme terrain
This uniquely expansive resort offers diverse terrain and a world-class freestyle setup. Despite recent improvements, navigation logistics are still a major sore point.
#26 in the Rockies
PanoramaPanorama, BC
Panorama, BC
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Incredible vertical drop
- Stunning surroundings
- Strong lift-served snow preservation
- Available backcountry-like snowcat experience
- Lower snowfall than other mountains
- Narrow footprint
- Small on-mountain facilities
- Difficult to lap certain areas
This remote Canadian resort brings impressive vertical and a ton of character, but it may not offer quite as well-rounded of an overall mountain experience as some competitors.
#27 in the Rockies
Deer ValleyPark City, UT
Park City, UT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Outstanding guest services
- Top-tier mountain facilities and infrastructure
- Crowd-mitigating cap on ticket sales
- Built-up, artificial mountain aesthetic
- Less diverse terrain than other Utah resorts, especially for experts
- Inconvenient navigation experience
- Ban on snowboarders
While this ski-only Utah resort gets high marks for its top-tier hospitality, the overall mountain experience is unbecoming of its expensive ticket price.
#28 in the Rockies
Sun PeaksSun Peaks, BC
Sun Peaks, BC
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Massive footprint
- Impeccable grooming
- Convenient ski-in/ski-out base village
- Modest crowds
- Ticket value
- Relatively ordinary footprint for the size
- Limited out-of-base facilities
- Grueling 21-minute ride time up Burfield Quad
- Difficult to get between Mt. Tod and Mt. Morrisey sides
- Ease of out-of-province travel
This massive Interior British Columbia resort offers impeccable grooming and a family-friendly footprint but falls short in particularly distinctive terrain.
#29 in the Rockies
SchweitzerSandpoint, ID
Sandpoint, ID
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Standout off-piste near-treeline terrain
- Limited lift lines
- Local feel
- Value
- 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.
#30 in the Rockies
Powder MountainEden, UT
Eden, UT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Incredible snow preservation
- No crowds, even on powder days
- Substantial footprint
- Available snowcat and bus-serviced skiing
- Unique upside-down layout
- Majority of terrain not serviced by lifts
- Slow, fixed-grip chairs in lift-serviced areas
- Less expert terrain than competitors
- No snowmaking
- Long journey to facilities from remote resort areas
This Utah resort’s upside-down layout, minimal lift infrastructure, and significant capacity restrictions result in one of the most unusual destination experiences out there.
#31 in the Rockies
SolitudeSolitude, UT
Solitude, UT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Excellent snow quality
- Stunning upper-mountain footprint
- Unique terrain options for experienced visitors
- Extremely demanding expert lines
- Small footprint compared to destination resorts
- Lackluster beginner and intermediate options
- Limited on-site lodging
- Less-than-ideal lift logistics
The modestly-sized Utah mountain packs a demanding footprint and excellent snow, but true beginner and intermediate terrain offerings are limited.
#32 in the Rockies
BrightonBrighton, UT
Brighton, UT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Excellent snow quality
- High-speed lifts
- Distinctive tree terrain for all abilities
- Free tickets for children under 10
- Access to lift-serviced backcountry
- Available night skiing
- Ease of navigation between mountain areas
- Lift logistics that result in major chokepoints
- Modest footprint and vertical drop
While it isn’t the biggest and can be annoying to get around, this Utah mountain offers exceptional Cottonwoods snow for a bargain—especially for families.
#33 in the Rockies
SteamboatSteamboat Springs, CO
Steamboat Springs, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Distinctive glade terrain
- Snow quality
- Lively local town
- Frustrating lift logistics, especially to and from the base
- Underwhelming bowl terrain
- Difficult-to-reach expert terrain
Unintuitive lift logistics and underwhelming bowl terrain hurt an otherwise enjoyable Colorado resort.
#34 in the Rockies
Wolf CreekPagosa Springs, CO
Pagosa Springs, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Top-tier snow quality
- Excellent glade terrain
- Unparalleled early season
- Lack of crowds
- Meager vertical drop
- No on-site lodging
- Limited or impractical beginner terrain
This local ski area offers the highest average snow totals in Colorado, although its vertical drop is short compared to the destinations.
#35 in the Rockies
Red MountainRossland, BC
Rossland, BC
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Sizable footprint
- Extremely demanding off-piste terrain
- Lack of crowds
- Local feel
- Slow lifts in every resort area
- Lower snowfall totals than some competitors
- Limited beginner and low intermediate terrain
While it lacks creature comforts that typical travelers might expect from a destination ski resort, this Western Canada resort offers a raw, authentic big mountain experience.
#36 in the Rockies
TaosTaos Ski Valley, NM
Taos Ski Valley, NM
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Superb snow quality
- Extremely demanding expert terrain
- Striking, distinctive footprint
- Intuitive layout
- Modest footprint
- Variable conditions throughout the core season
- Limited beginner and intermediate terrain
- Slow lifts in many areas
- Summit lift rarely open
This New Mexico resort is no substitute for the larger destinations, but it brings a distinct vibe that adventurous travelers will appreciate.
#37 in the Rockies
Aspen MountainAspen, CO
Aspen, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Stunning town views
- Enjoyable intermediate cruisers
- Demanding advanced and expert terrain
- Long vertical drop for the size
- Poorly designed lift system, especially for lower-mountain areas
- Modest footprint
- No beginner or above-treeline terrain
- Lack of lodges on Shadow Mountain side
The oldest Aspen ski area offers incredible views of town on a relatively compact footprint, but the resort could use logistical enhancements in lower-mountain areas.
#38 in the Rockies
FernieFernie, BC
Fernie, BC
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Incredible snow quality on good days
- Distinctive high-alpine bowl terrain
- Striking, remote footprint
- Non-existent lift lines outside holidays
- Variable conditions, especially in March
- Lackluster lift network
- Outdated facilities
- Resort summit almost never open
It’s hard not to love this remote Canadian resort on a good day, but a combination of variable weather, wide-ranging logistical shortcomings, and outdated infrastructure put it at a major disadvantage compared to its cutthroat Rockies competition.
#39 in the Rockies
LovelandDillon, CO
Dillon, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Easy access from Denver
- Heavy annual snowfall
- Wide variety of bowl skiing
- Price
- Inconsistent conditions due to wind exposure
- Slow lifts with no safety bars in many areas
- No on-site lodging
This local Colorado ski area doesn’t deliver the same well-rounded experience as destination resorts, but it’s hard to beat the quality for the price on a powder day.
#40 in the Rockies
PurgatoryDurango, CO
Durango, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Striking, remote location
- Family-friendly terrain
- Limited crowds
- Cozy base village
- Free tickets for kids 12 and under
- Modest footprint
- Lower snowfall than some other Colorado resorts
- Some terrain zones difficult to find or reach
- Poorly placed backside lodge
This San Juan resort’s local feel, stunning vistas, and decent variety of terrain make it a strong regional choice for those in the southwest.
#41 in the Rockies
SundanceSundance, UT
Sundance, UT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Stunning views
- Low crowds
- Upscale, rustic ethos
- Available night skiing
- Small skiable acreage
- Lack of long runs
- Limited parking
- Value
This modestly-sized Utah mountain boasts a striking, rustic feel, but most other competitors offer better overall values.
#42 in the Rockies
Brian HeadBrian Head, UT
Brian Head, UT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Stunning red rock topography
- Among the most affordable of Utah resorts
- Great for advanced-intermediate skiers
- Family-friendly terrain and areas
- Available night skiing
- Out of the way for a ski-only trip
- Short vertical drop
- Later daily opening time than most resorts
- Crowd flow issues during peak times
- Base elevation can be overwhelming for some
This under-the-radar southern Utah destination offers striking terrain at an affordable price.
#43 in the Rockies
Snow KingJackson, WY
Jackson, WY
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Formidable tree and mogul terrain
- Local feel
- Spectacular town views
- Low lift ticket prices
- 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.
#44 in the Rockies
Mount NorquayBanff, AB
Banff, AB
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Local feel
- Incredible views
- Lack of crowds
- Sheltered footprint
- Small footprint
- Lack of extreme and high-alpine terrain
- Limited intermediate terrain
- Less consistent late season than other nearby resorts
Banff’s town hill is way too small to be a destination in its own right, but it offers a local vibe and empty slopes.
#45 in the Rockies
ButtermilkAspen, CO
Aspen, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Top-tier terrain park experience
- High-speed lifts
- Family-friendly atmosphere
- Colorado snow
- Similar-feeling terrain with very little in the way of challenge
- No lift redundancies
- Best large terrain park features closed to public for large portions of the season
- Value
Aspen’s beginner-centric mountain offers a good learning environment and excellent terrain parks, but the area is otherwise uncompetitive and overpriced.
#46 in the Rockies
EldoraNederland, CO
Nederland, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Convenient location
- Good snow preservation
- Strong terrain park offerings
- Lower snowfall than competing mountains
- Small footprint and vertical drop
- Lackluster beginner terrain
- No on-site lodging
- Extremely limited parking
This small Colorado resort is seriously outclassed by destination competitors, but its convenient location makes it a decent day trip option.
#47 in the Rockies
MonarchSalida, CO
Salida, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Local feel
- Distinctive glades
- Continental Divide views
- Unique, hike-to Mirkwood expert zone
- Small footprint with diminutive vertical drop
- Outdated, low-capacity lift infrastructure
- No on-site lodging
- No directly-lift-accessed expert terrain
- Crowds on Saturdays
This Colorado ski area is way too small and underbuilt to be a destination mountain, but several facets make it a strong regional choice.
#48 in the Rockies
Sun Valley - Dollar MountainSun Valley, ID
Sun Valley, ID
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Beginner-oriented experience
- Competitive terrain parks
- High-speed lift service in most areas
- Unconventional treeless topography
- Lack of crowds
- 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.
#49 in the Rockies
Ski CooperLeadville, CO
Leadville, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
- Snow quality
- Lack of crowds
- Great views of multiple 14ers, and near a great mountain town
- Some of the best beginner terrain in the state
- No high-speed lifts
- Short vertical drop
- Lack of expert terrain
- Some frustrating navigation logistics
- Altitude that can be overwhelming for some
While most folks won’t want to plan a weeklong vacation here, this modestly-sized hill stands out from the destinations with an easy-to-handle footprint and lack of crowds.