Admittedly, choosing the best ski town is a subjective affair. Some people only care about the town with the deepest powder, while others might prefer the town with the best microbreweries and spas.
According to Michael Levine — a skier of nearly 60 years who has skied at almost 100 resorts around the world — the mountain itself is the most important factor to consider when selecting a ski town.
“You can have a really awesome town, but if the skiing sucks, it’s not a great ski town,” Levine said. “I would rather have a sleeping bag in the back of a truck next to a great mountain than a great hotel next to a bad mountain.”
However, for those of us who might not be as diehard as Levine when it comes to snow sports, you can’t underestimate the apres ski scene, at least in most years.
That’s why, to choose the top ski spots in the nation, we looked for mountain towns that offer a little something for everyone.
From quaint New England villages to old Gold Rush towns, stalwart favorites to unsung destinations, and resorts with masterful kids’ programming to hardcore backcountry zones, these are 17 of the best places to hang up your skis this winter.
Related: Everything you need to know about the 2023-24 ski season
Crested Butte, Colorado
Crested Butte may not be the most visited ski town in Colorado, but its small-town feel and distance from the traffic and crowds of Summit County make it a worthy underdog.
An old coal mining town-turned-ski destination, Crested Butte receives an average of 236 inches of snow annually on more than 1,500 skiable acres, where 15 lifts serve over 120 trails.
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The town, which sits just minutes from the base area, has streets lined with boutiques, cafes and restaurants. The Sunflower Communal Kitchen, which emphasizes organic ingredients and wine pairings, is a great place to grab dinner. The Lodge at Mountaineer Square (rates from $299), in the Crested Butte Mountain Resort base area, is an upscale property within walking distance of the lifts. It even offers suites for families and groups.
The Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC) is just 40 minutes from the resort. It offers service to and from a few select airline hub cities, as well as from Denver (228 miles away), allowing travelers to avoid spending a day in traffic to get there.
North Conway, New Hampshire
Often referred to as the birthplace of skiing in North America, North Conway’s deep ski history is reason enough to consider it one of the best ski towns in the U.S.
Not to mention, it offers six downhill ski resorts within a half-hour drive; the tallest peak in the northeast (Mount Washington at 6,288 feet); an array of restaurants and cafes such as the Thompson House Eatery and Frontside Coffee Roasters; and plenty of lodging options, including the high-end Glen House in Pinkham Notch (rates from $135). In other words, this one is a no-brainer.
Thanks to an organization called Granite Backcountry Alliance, which has been hard at work creating a network of backcountry ski zones around the state, those who prefer to get off-piste to earn their turns will find no shortage of options.
Taos, New Mexico
In addition to a world-class ski resort, Taos is home to a World Heritage Site (Taos Pueblo), distinctive cuisine and an art culture deeply rooted in the history of the Southwest.
After a day of Rocky Mountain powder without the crowds of Vail and Aspen, stroll the walkable downtown and admire the adobe architecture that sets this ski town apart. When your legs need a rest, head to the Edelweiss Lodge and Spa (rates from $392), which is a ski-in, ski-out property.
Before you call it a night, visit La Cueva Cafe for chipotle shrimp tacos.
Vail, Colorado
Vail deserves a spot on every skier’s list, whether you’re looking for a hill with steep and deep lines or a town with plenty of cocktails and places to shop.
After all, everyone needs a rest day (or two) following a few consecutive days of skiing over 5,200 acres of terrain and 3,450 vertical feet. When that day comes, keep yourself in the skiing mindset by visiting the Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame.
Related: Best ski resorts in Colorado for everyone from beginners to experts
There’s also a European bakery and restaurant, appropriately named Alpenrose, in the heart of Vail Village, offering Austrian and German cuisine in a rustic dining room.
If you want to stick to the European theme, spend the night at Sonnenalp (rates from $319), a German-style hotel that combines elements of the Old West with a traditional European ski town.
Bellingham, Washington
Though the Pacific Northwest is infamous for its long, gloomy winters and persistent precipitation, skiers and snowboarders can head to the mountains, where that rain is transformed into snowfall. That’s why Mount Baker — Bellingham’s local ski hill — has so many deep days.
While the town of Bellingham is more than an hour away from the mountain, it still works as a perfect base for exploring Baker’s slopes, thanks to its breadth of lodging and dining venues.
Stop by Lettered Streets Coffeehouse for a cup of locally roasted coffee and a pastry before heading out to the mountain for the day. Hotel Bellwether (rates from $228) is a great high-end property directly on Bellingham Bay.
Ogden, Utah
I’m going to be controversial for a minute and sing Ogden’s praises this ski season.
After all, the mountain destination is the gateway to three resorts totaling 11,600 skiable acres with 500 inches of snowfall. This, in itself, makes Ogden an underrated alternative to Park City and Alta.
Ogden is also the oldest city in Utah, and it’s the jumping-off point for Powder Mountain (the largest ski resort by acreage in the U.S.), Nordic Valley and Snowbasin Resort, which has a newly renovated base lodge (Earl’s Lodge).
All three ski areas are accessible from downtown via public transportation, so you won’t have to waste precious vacation time driving. While you’re there, spend your nights at the stylish 15-room Compass Rose Lodge (rates from $289 per night) at Snowbasin, which opened in January 2019.
Jackson, Wyoming
Home to three ski areas, Jackson is known for its deep snowpack and extensive side and backcountry terrain. Of the three — Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King Mountain and Grand Targhee Resort — Jackson Hole is rightfully the most popular.
The mountain’s 2,500 skiable acres ascend over 4,100 vertical feet. However, if you’re looking to avoid crowds, consider Snow King or Grand Targhee instead.
Spend your nights at the 96-room Cloudveil, a Marriott Autograph Collection Property (from $462 or 70,000 Bonvoy points), which debuted in 2021. It provides the perfect mix of rustic cabin feel (think birch tree room dividers and animal footprint carpets) with upscale, modern amenities.
When you’re not skiing, explore downtown Jackson’s cafes, restaurants, bars, boutiques and art galleries. When evening rolls around, head to the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, where you can sip beverages atop horse saddles.
Telluride, Colorado
Nestled between a number of 13,000- and 14,000-foot peaks in the San Juan Mountains, the central area of this old Victorian mining town is a National Historic Landmark District.
Now, Telluride’s historic streets and buildings are filled with gourmet restaurants, boutiques and art galleries, making it a perfect place to stay for a ski vacation.
While the town is great for retail therapy, the resort’s high quality will have you more focused on powder turns than buying a new jacket.
Before heading out for a day on the slopes, fuel up at the locally owned Butcher and Baker Cafe. Spend the night at the historic New Sheridan Hotel, a few blocks from the mountain’s gondola, for a stay with some history. Or, check out the hospitality at the well-appointed Dunton Town House.
Related: Best credit cards to use on ski trips
Bend, Oregon
Bend’s location in Oregon’s high desert makes it the perfect place to enjoy a few hours of powder, world-class rock climbing and a golf game all in the same day.
While it is just a few miles from Mount Bachelor, which receives more than 400 inches of snow annually, the city tends to experience much less precipitation.
Beer lovers will be thrilled to find that Bend is known as “Beer City USA” and boasts a diverse range of breweries, such as the Crux Fermentation Project and Deschutes Brewery.
Waitsfield, Vermont
Waitsfield, in the Mad River Valley, is a good alternative to the state’s more crowded ski areas, such as Killington and Stowe. For those who want to ditch the car for the weekend, the Mad Bus typically offers free service around the region during the winter.
Sugarbush and the other nearby resort, Mad River Glen, both receive a notable amount of annual snowfall by East Coast standards.
Related: 9 best ski resorts on the East Coast
Book a room at the Sugarbush Inn (rates from $439), which has a prime location at the base of Sugarbush and is just minutes from town. Down the road in Warren, The Pitcher Inn (rates from $600) is a luxury inn that makes for another great lodging option.
For a bite to eat, check out Blue Stone for pizza and local brews or the Mad Taco for Mexican. Of course, a trip to Vermont isn’t complete without a stop at a local brewery or taproom, like Lawson’s Finest Liquids, which opened its Waitsfield location in 2018 and is renowned for its New England-style IPAs.
Durango, Colorado
Durango is a small town north of the New Mexico border, which means it often gets overshadowed by resorts closer to Denver. The town is a great jumping-off point for Purgatory, a smaller, family-friendly resort with great beginner trails and plenty of challenging terrain for more experienced skiers. On average, Purgatory receives 260 inches of snow each season across 1,600 acres of terrain serviced by 12 lifts.
Related: The best family-friendly ski resorts
Durango is also home to a handful of breweries, such as Carver Brewing Company and Ska Brewing Company, and it has a number of places to lay your head. Travelers should visit now before Durango goes the way of some of the more touristy ski towns.
Truckee, California
With an average of 275 days of sunshine, 400 inches of annual snowfall and 12 downhill resorts (including the world-class Palisades Tahoe) within a 10-mile radius, it’s no wonder that skiers from across the country choose Truckee and the Lake Tahoe area for their annual family ski trip.
Beer and pizza fans should head to Old Town Tap to try the mushroom pie and a local brew, while wine lovers will appreciate the selection at Uncorked.
Related: From hidden gems to big names: Here are 11 of California’s best ski resorts
The historic Truckee Hotel is centrally located within walking distance of many shops and restaurants, allowing you to ditch the car for the night.
Another top contender is the Mammoth Mountain ski area, which travelers can experience long after winter ends, thanks to its northern-facing slopes and high summit elevation. Also, Truckee is just a short drive from a high concentration of downhill resorts.
Stowe, Vermont
Many think of this classic New England ski town as “the ski capital of the East.”
In addition to the 314 inches of snow dumped onto 485 skiable acres annually, the town is home to one of the best microbreweries in the country, The Alchemist.
Treat yourself to a spa day at the Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa (rates from $112), and then sample some of Vermont’s finest beers at Doc Ponds. If you’re hungry after a day of skiing, grab a housemade beer and a burger at Idyltime Brewing Company, which is minutes from the village center.
If you want to explore new terrain after a few days on the mountain, head over to Smugglers’ Notch, just an hour’s drive away.
Breckenridge, Colorado
Another Colorado mining town, Breckenridge Ski Resort (or Breck, as the locals call it) is home to the highest chairlift in North America. The town is filled with local restaurants, distilleries, galleries and breweries, so you don’t have to feel bad about taking a rest day.
The Mountain Thunder Lodge (rates from $162) is a great property for travelers who want the convenience of a ski-in, gondola-out resort in a secluded setting.
While on vacation, stop by the Breckenridge Distillery, which claims to be the highest distillery on Earth, and explore a few of the area’s other mountains. The Summit Stage bus offers free service to Copper Mountain and Keystone, for example. The latter is one of the best ski resorts for families in the country.
Related: What’s the best ski pass this season? Comparing Epic, Ikon, Mountain Collective and Indy passes
Whitefish, Montana
At the edge of Glacier National Park, Whitefish is a bustling small town in a wild, untamed setting. Originally settled in the early 20th century thanks to the Great Northern Railway, the town continues to flourish with help from the 3,000-acre Whitefish Mountain Resort.
While Big Sky Mountain Resort’s 5,800 acres get all the attention, Whitefish deserves recognition for being a modest, unflashy destination with excellent terrain. The resort is continuing almost a decade of steady improvements, including new glading projects and new groomers.
The streets are lined with fine dining establishments, ski shops, cafes, distilleries and breweries. Before starting your day, grab a cup of coffee at one of two Montana Coffee Traders locations in town. Spend your nights at the Grouse Mountain Lodge (rates from $99), which offers upscale accommodations just a mile from downtown.
Killington, Vermont
Typically known for its vibrant nightlife and apres scene, Killington is also the largest ski resort east of the Mississippi. Rightfully known as “The Beast of the East,” Killington has a 3,050-foot vertical drop and more than 1,500 acres of skiable terrain.
The mountain is often the first to open and the last to close on the East Coast. The resort opened for the 2023-24 season on Nov. 3. For a Killington staple, head to the Wobbly Barn Steakhouse and Nightclub, which often hosts live music events and parties, ensuring your Killington experience extends long into the night.
Aspen, Colorado
Aspen’s reputation may seem inflated, but this 20th-century mining town continues to reinvent itself.
Aspen Skiing Company’s four resorts — Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk and Aspen Snowmass — offer plenty of varied terrains, and several are standouts for children still mastering their pizzas and french fries. The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is just a few miles from town, making Aspen easily accessible for travelers (at least when the weather cooperates).
Travelers should book a room (or at least check out the scene) at the W Aspen (rates from $899 or 75,000 points), which opened in August 2019 on the site of the former Sky Hotel. There’s also The Little Nell (rates from $1,009), which boasts the only ski-in/ski-out access in Aspen. The recently opened Mollie Aspen (rates from $769) is a great option for those looking for a quieter, simple boutique hotel in the center of town.
After a day on the slopes, try the Pan-American and French fusion menu at Betula. Believe it or not, it is possible to visit Aspen on a budget — so enjoy the terrain and powder without blowing your whole wallet.
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