Best
Peaks Overall
The rank-order of Pacific Northwest ski resorts we’ve been to based on overall mountain experience.
#1 in the Pacific Northwest
Whistler BlackcombWhistler, BC
Whistler, BC
MOUNTAIN SCORE
82
- Size
- Diverse terrain for all ability levels
- Extremely demanding expert runs
- Lift infrastructure
- One-of-a-kind aesthetic
- Relatively variable conditions, especially in lower mountain areas
- Crowd flow during peak times
Despite somewhat variable snow conditions, this massive resort delivers one of the most well-rounded experiences we’ve seen anywhere.
#2 in the Pacific Northwest
Mount BachelorBend, OR
Bend, OR
MOUNTAIN SCORE
69
- One-of-a-kind 360-degree footprint
- Substantial acreage
- High-speed lift service across all areas
- Distinctive freestyle experience
- Easy to get between front-facing mountain areas
- Proximity to town of Bend
- Extremely inconsistent openings for upper mountain, backside, and expert terrain
- No on-site lodging
- Variable conditions across different mountain areas
- Arduous hikes or runouts from backside terrain
- So-so facilities
- Annual snow totals have decreased considerably in recent years
Inconsistent openings for its most unique terrain seriously hurt this massive Oregon resort’s practicality as a destination ski area.
#3 in the Pacific Northwest
CrystalCrystal Mountain, WA
Crystal Mountain, WA
MOUNTAIN SCORE
66
- Remarkable annual snowfall
- Wide variety of demanding expert terrain
- Available on-site lodging
- Sizable footprint for Washington state
- Striking surrounding scenery
- Wet, inconsistent snow
- Poorly designed crowd flow logistics
- Low-visibility conditions throughout winter months
- Hiking required to reach several expert areas
- Limited or impractical on-mountain facilities in some areas
Despite some notable lift capacity shortcomings, this decently-sized resort offers one of the most well-rounded experiences in Washington state.
#4 in the Pacific Northwest
Mount BakerDeming, WA
Deming, WA
MOUNTAIN SCORE
65
- Top-tier snowfall
- Remote, local feel
- Extraordinary surrounding scenery
- Truly demanding in-bounds terrain
- Easy sidecountry access
- Very limited groomed terrain
- No lodging within 30 miles of the area
- Heavier powder than some other resorts
- Somewhat variable early-season conditions
- Terrain, lifts, and base facilities partially closed on weekdays
- Overcast skies most days
While it doesn’t even try to offer a true resort experience, this remote Washington area receives truly astounding snowfall totals each season and offers some of the most extreme terrain in the state.
#5 in the Pacific Northwest
Mount Hood MeadowsMt Hood, OR
Mt Hood, OR
MOUNTAIN SCORE
61
- Unique high-alpine terrain for all ability levels
- High-speed lift service
- Progressive freestyle setup
- Extremely challenging expert footprint
- Striking mountain vistas
- Available night skiing
- Windswept, icy conditions at times
- Extremely inconsistent openings for high-alpine terrain
- Large crowds, especially when high-alpine areas are closed
- Extensive hiking required to reach some terrain
- Arduous catwalk out of expert Private Reserve area
Mount Hood’s largest ski resort boasts diverse terrain and a reasonably large footprint. High-alpine areas are subject to extremely variable openings.
#6 in the Pacific Northwest
49 Degrees NorthChewelah, WA
Chewelah, WA
MOUNTAIN SCORE
60
- Local feel
- Low crowds
- Lighter snow than Washington resorts further west
- Modest vertical drop
- Limited true beginner terrain
- Slow lifts in most areas
Despite its dated lift infrastructure and rural setting, this Northeast Washington resort offers impressive intermediate and advanced terrain at a reasonable price.
#7 in the Pacific Northwest
Stevens PassSkykomish, WA
Skykomish, WA
MOUNTAIN SCORE
59
- Generous snow accumulation
- Diverse advanced and expert terrain
- Competitive terrain park experience
- Available night skiing
- Local feel
- Perennial foggy, low-visibility conditions
- No on-site lodging
- Limited parking and inconvenient overflow lots
- Short vertical drop
- Very little beginner terrain
- Limited on-mountain facilities outside base area
Despite limited parking and a short vertical drop, this modestly-sized Washington ski area punches above its weight thanks to generous accumulation and demanding terrain. Clear skies are rare due to perennial fog.
#8 in the Pacific Northwest
Timberline LodgeGovernment Camp, OR
Government Camp, OR
MOUNTAIN SCORE
58
- Year-round ski season
- World-class terrain parks
- Distinctive high-alpine snowfields
- Rustic, historic lodge
- High-speed lifts
- Available night skiing
- Resort never spins 100% of lifts, with high-alpine areas closed during the winter and lower elevations closed during summer
- Inconsistent conditions during winter months
- Very little true advanced and expert terrain
- Lift logistics that result in chokepoints and long lines
North America’s only four-season outdoor ski resort provides a one-of-a-kind summer experience but fails to stand out during the core winter season.
#9 in the Pacific Northwest
AlpentalSnoqualmie Pass, WA
Snoqualmie Pass, WA
MOUNTAIN SCORE
54
- High annual snowfall
- Convenient location from Seattle
- Incredible advanced and expert terrain
- Striking on-mountain scenery
- Limited lower-mountain night-skiing
- Small footprint
- Extremely limited beginner and intermediate terrain
- No lift redundancies, leading to horrendous weekend and holiday crowds
- Limited, capacity-constrained facilities
- Wet, inconsistent snow quality
- Perennial fog during peak winter months
This small resort offers incredible advanced and expert terrain close to Seattle. However, weekend crowds are a major problem.
#10 in the Pacific Northwest
Mount AshlandAshland, OR
Ashland, OR
MOUNTAIN SCORE
52
- Surprisingly extensive advanced and expert terrain
- Local feel, both on the mountain and at the base lodge
- Great views of surrounding area
- Ease of access from Ashland
- Tiny size
- Comparatively small annual snowfall for region
- Difficult progression from beginner to intermediate slopes
This southern Oregon resort suffers from its tiny size and dated infrastructure, though surprisingly extensive advanced terrain and great views help it stand out among local resorts.
#11 in the Pacific Northwest
Mount Hood SkibowlGovernment Camp, OR
Government Camp, OR
MOUNTAIN SCORE
51
- Local feel
- Low crowds
- Extensive night-skiing footprint
- Advanced bowl terrain
- Beginner terrain off every lift
- Ancient, difficult-to-load chairlifts
- No daytime operations on weekdays
- Limited acreage and vertical drop
- Lower-quality snow than higher-elevation Hood resorts
- Variable openings for expert Outback area
This small, no-frills mountain offers less crowded slopes and extensive night skiing close to Portland.
#12 in the Pacific Northwest
Summit at SnoqualmieSnoqualmie Pass, WA
Snoqualmie Pass, WA
MOUNTAIN SCORE
50
- High annual snowfall
- Convenient location from Seattle
- Extensive selection of bunny hills
- Available night skiing
- Wet, heavy snow
- Meager vertical drop
- Slow lifts with no safety bars in many areas
- I-90 highway background noise
- Summit East closed on weekdays
Really more of a large hill than a mountain, this area offers a solid learning environment for Seattle-area residents. Destination-goers should look elsewhere.