One-Third Of Resorts Earn the Same Score for Mountain Aesthetic. It’s Time for a Splitter.
Background
Nineteen resorts—exactly one-third of the resorts we’ve reviewed—currently earn an 8 for Mountain Aesthetic in our PeakRankings Mountain Score scoring system (and several other mountains we’re currently reviewing could easily boast this rating too once all is said and done). All of these mountains offer distinctive on-mountain experiences, but this category tier is substantially more packed than we originally envisioned. There are clear divides between these mountains that our current score system does not account for, and with today’s updates, we’re aiming to remedy this deficiency.
Category Recalibration
To better tune the category, we’ve effectively split the 8/10 Mountain Aesthetic score into two. From now on, 8/10 resorts must not only boast genuinely unique atmospheres, but must also be class-leading in either terrain distinctiveness, views, or isolation (mountains that earn a 9/10 are typically class-leading in all three regards). Mountains that feel unique but don’t clearly distinguish themselves in one of the above attributes—or are not consistent in doing so (i.e. mountains with striking footprints but perennially low-visibility conditions)—will now just receive a 7/10 in this category. The distinction is minute but clear; the resorts that retain an 8 with this recalibration are more likely to drive a “wow” from new visitors, while those that fall to a 7 will still impress but presumably not to that same degree.
Of the nineteen resorts currently receiving a 8 for Mountain Aesthetic, nine will keep that score. Class-leading views earn Alpine Meadows, Loveland, and Diamond Peak the right to retain their 8/10s, while striking, consistently-clear footprints afford the same right for Snowbasin, Crested Butte, and Sun Valley. First-rate isolation allows Copper and Keystone to keep their current scores. The ten others—including Aspen Mountain, Crystal, Sugarbush, Solitude, Park City, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Winter Park, Snow King, Mount Hood Meadows, and Timberline Lodge—drop to 7/10s. Mount Hood Meadows, Timberline, and Crystal are quite striking when clear, but the best vistas are rarely visible due to weather conditions.
The Mountain Aesthetic score’s 1/10 and 2/10 tiers, which were effectively the same and didn’t actually split any resorts, will be combined into a new 1/10 score; all other category thresholds above that will effectively drop by a point. This means that all resorts currently earning a 7 or below for Mountain Aesthetic will now receive one less point in this category. However, we want to make clear that with these tweaks, we are not asserting that any of these resorts (with one exception detailed below) have become any less beautiful or unique; instead, we are just tweaking our criteria to better reflect the information you’ll need when planning a major ski vacation.
We are also making two ad hoc Mountain Aesthetic shifts to better reflect the principles of the category. First, we’re knocking Snowmass down from a 9 to an 8 in this category; the resort boasts an incredibly distinctive footprint, but we’ve come to the conclusion that the mountain feels a bit too ritzy and built-up to stay at its current score. Finally, we’re knocking Kirkwood down from a 10 to a 9; we initially gave this remote California mountain a perfect score in this category thanks to its truly incredible natural beauty, but after visiting the Canadian Rockies this winter, we’ve discovered the resort faces stiffer competition than we previously accounted for.
Experience Changes
On top of the formal restructuring of this category—which does not account for changes in overall mountain experience—we have docked one resort for an actual shift in its on-mountain vibe: Vermont’s Okemo. In all honesty, the seeds for this update have been sown for a few years now, and the resort’s atmosphere has gradually slipped since Vail Resorts bought it in 2018. The larger crowds, dressed-up facilities, and management shifts have robbed some of the local feel that previously made Okemo so unique for a south-central Vermont mountain, resulting in our decision to knock an extra point from this resort’s Mountain Aesthetic score.
Below, we’ve listed out our new Mountain Aesthetic score thresholds as well as the old ones for reference.
New Mountain Aesthetic Ratings
10
The resort offers one-of-a-kind views, terrain, isolation, and vibes. You probably won't find a resort that feels like this again in your lifetime.
9
The resort offers unique terrain, views, and isolation that you'll rarely find anywhere else.
8
The resort clearly distinguishes itself with class-leading views, terrain, and isolation.
7
The resort feels unique, with high-quality views, terrain, and isolation across the footprint.
6
The resort doesn't boast the same unique terrain as some competing resorts but offers excellent views and isolation in many areas.
5
The resort offers some cool terrain and great views and isolation in some areas. Some areas may feel commercialized or built-up.
4
The resort offers decently cool terrain, nice views, or pockets of isolation in places. Major areas may feel commercialized or built-up.
3
The resort either feels commercialized or built-up around more than half the resort or offers only moderately interesting terrain, views and isolation.
2
The resort either feels commercialized or built-up in most areas or offers only mildly interesting terrain, views or isolation.
1
The resort barely feels like a mountain, with intense commercialization and very little in the way of views, terrain, or isolation.
0
The resort is completely flat or indoors.
Old Mountain Aesthetic Ratings
10
The resort offers one-of-a-kind views, terrain, isolation, and vibes. You probably won't find a resort that feels like this again in your lifetime.
9
The resort offers unique terrain, views, and isolation that you'll rarely find anywhere else.
8
The resort feels unique, with high-quality if not class-leading views, terrain, and isolation.
7
The resort doesn't boast the same unique terrain as some competing resorts but offers excellent views and isolation in many areas.
6
The resort offers some cool terrain and great views and isolation in some areas. Some areas may feel commercialized or built-up.
5
The resort offers decently cool terrain, nice views, or pockets of isolation in places. Major areas may feel commercialized or built-up.
4
The resort either feels commercialized or built-up around more than half the resort or offers only moderately interesting terrain, views and isolation.
3
The resort either feels commercialized or built-up in most areas or offers only mildly interesting terrain, views or isolation.
2
The resort either feels commercialized or built-up in most areas or offers only mildly interesting terrain, views or isolation.
1
The resort barely feels like a mountain, with intense commercialization and very little in the way of views, terrain, or isolation.
0
The resort is completely flat or indoors.
