The Most Popular Ski Resort in the United States: Ranking the Top Pick

Voting rules: Choose the resort you think is the most popular!

Updated on Sep 1, 2023 10:48

Welcome to the ultimate showdown of America's most popular ski resorts! Here at StrawPoll, we're hosting a thrilling ranking of the top destinations for snow enthusiasts from all over the nation. With thousands of votes pouring in, it's time to join the action and help decide which ski resort reigns supreme in the United States. From the powdery peaks of Aspen to the breathtaking slopes of Vail, we've got every winter wonderland covered. And if you feel like we've missed a hidden gem, don't worry – you can suggest your favorite resort and watch it climb the ranks! So, grab your ski poles and strap on your snowboard, because it's time to hit the virtual slopes and cast your vote for the ultimate ski resort experience!

What Is the Most Popular Ski Resort in the United States? (September 2023)

1

54
votes
Rudi Riet from Washington, DC, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0

Vail Ski Resort, Colorado

Pete Seibert and Earl Eaton

Vail is often regarded as the premier ski resort in the United States. With over 5,000 skiable acres, it has something for everyone, from beginner slopes to challenging expert terrain. It's also known for its luxurious accommodations and apres-ski scene.
Description

Vail Ski Resort, located in Vail, Colorado, is one of the most popular ski resorts in the United States. Known for its expansive terrain and luxurious amenities, Vail offers a world-class skiing experience for all skill levels. With stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and an average annual snowfall of over 350 inches, it attracts skiers and snowboarders from around the world.

Location: Vail, Colorado

Size: 5,289 acres

Elevation: 8,150 to 11,570 feet

Number of Trails: 195

Longest Run: 4 miles
2

28
votes
Breckenridge Ski Resort, Colorado

Group of businessmen

Breckenridge is a popular ski resort known for its historic town, diverse terrain, and easy access from Denver. It's one of the most visited ski resorts in the country and offers over 2,900 acres of skiable terrain.
Description

Breckenridge Ski Resort is a renowned ski destination in the United States, located in Breckenridge, Colorado. It was created as a ski resort by a group of businessmen in the mid-1960s. The resort offers breathtaking mountain views, excellent snow conditions, and a wide range of amenities for all skill levels and interests.

Location: Breckenridge, Colorado

Opening Year: 1961

Size: 2,908 acres

Elevation: 9,600 - 12,998 feet

Trails: 187
3

17
votes
Rudi Riet from Washington, DC, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0

Park City Mountain Resort, Utah

Park City is the largest ski resort in the United States, with over 7,300 acres of skiable terrain. It's also home to the Sundance Film Festival and has a charming, historic town.
Description

Park City Mountain Resort is a renowned ski resort located in the town of Park City, Utah. It is considered one of the most popular ski destinations in the United States, offering a wide range of activities and amenities for winter sports enthusiasts.

Location: Park City, Utah

Size: 7,300 acres

Vertical Rise: 3,200 feet

Number of Trails: 348

Longest Run: 6.1 miles
4

16
votes
Keystone Ski Resort, Colorado

Keystone Resort

Keystone is a family-friendly ski resort with over 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, including night skiing. It's also known for its award-winning terrain parks and tubing hill.
Description

The Keystone Ski Resort, located in Colorado, is one of the most popular and beloved ski destinations in the United States. It offers a wide variety of activities and amenities for both beginner and experienced skiers alike. With its breathtaking mountain views and extensive trail systems, Keystone attracts ski enthusiasts from all over the country.

Location: Colorado, United States

Elevation: 9,280 to 12,408 feet (2,829 to 3,782 meters)

Total Skiable Area: 3,148 acres (12.73 square kilometers)

Number of Lifts: 20

Trails: 131
5

19
votes
Beaver Creek Resort, Colorado

Beaver Creek is a luxurious ski resort that's known for its impeccable service and high-end amenities. It offers over 1,800 acres of skiable terrain and is home to the annual Birds of Prey World Cup downhill race.
Description

Beaver Creek Resort is a premier ski destination located in the beautiful state of Colorado, USA. Nestled in the picturesque Rocky Mountains, it offers a luxurious and unforgettable alpine experience for skiers of all skill levels. With its charming village, world-class slopes, and exceptional amenities, Beaver Creek Resort is a top choice for winter sports enthusiasts.

Location: Colorado, USA

Elevation: 8,100 to 11,440 feet (2,470 to 3,488 meters)

Ski Acres: 1,832 acres (741 hectares)

Ski Runs: 150+

Longest Run: 2.75 miles (4.4 kilometers)
6

9
votes
The original uploader was ChrisRuvolo at English Wikipedia. · CC BY 2.0

Heavenly Ski Resort, California/Nevada

Harrah's Entertainment

Heavenly is a unique ski resort that straddles the border of California and Nevada. It offers over 4,800 acres of skiable terrain and stunning views of Lake Tahoe. It's also known for its lively apres-ski scene.
Description

Heavenly Ski Resort is a renowned ski resort located on the border of California and Nevada in the United States. Nestled in the breathtaking Sierra Nevada mountains, it offers visitors an unforgettable skiing and snowboarding experience with stunning views of Lake Tahoe. With its extensive terrain, diverse trails, and world-class amenities, Heavenly Ski Resort has become one of the most popular destinations for winter sports enthusiasts.

Amenities: Lodging, dining, entertainment, ski school, and more

Location: California/Nevada border

Elevation: 6,540 ft (1,993 m) to 10,067 ft (3,068 m)

Terrain: 4,800 acres (19.4 km²)

Trails: 97 trails
7

13
votes
Enricokamasa · Public domain

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming

Jackson Hole is a world-renowned ski resort that's known for its challenging expert terrain and stunning scenery. It offers over 2,500 acres of skiable terrain and is located in the heart of the Teton Mountains.
Description

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, located in Teton Village, Wyoming, is widely regarded as one of the premier ski resorts in the United States. With its stunning natural beauty, challenging slopes, and world-class amenities, it offers an unforgettable skiing and snowboarding experience for visitors of all skill levels.

Elevation: 10,450 feet (3,185 meters)

Vertical drop: 4,139 feet (1,262 meters)

Number of trails: 133

Terrain type: 40% expert, 40% intermediate, 20% beginner

Longest trail: 4.5 miles (7.2 kilometers)
8

3
votes
Telluride Ski Resort, Colorado

Joseph T. Zoline

Telluride is a picturesque ski resort that's known for its charming town, diverse terrain, and lack of crowds. It offers over 2,000 acres of skiable terrain and is located in the San Juan Mountains.
Description

Telluride Ski Resort is a premier ski resort located in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. It offers unparalleled skiing and snowboarding experiences with stunning scenery and a wide range of terrain. The resort is known for its challenging slopes, but also caters to beginners and intermediate skiers. The charming mountain town of Telluride is just steps away, providing a unique blend of world-class skiing and a vibrant arts and culture scene.

Location: San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Elevation: 8,725 ft (2,659 m) to 13,150 ft (4,008 m)

Vertical Drop: 4,425 ft (1,349 m)

Skiable Area: 2,000+ acres (810+ hectares)

Number of Lifts: 18
9

8
votes
Snowmass Ski Resort, Colorado

Snowmass Ski Area

Snowmass is a massive ski resort that's known for its wide-open groomers and family-friendly atmosphere. It offers over 3,300 acres of skiable terrain and is located near Aspen.
Description

Snowmass Ski Resort is a famous ski destination located in Colorado, United States. It is renowned for its vast terrain and diverse options for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. The resort offers breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains, making it a prime choice for nature lovers. With excellent snow conditions and a wide range of amenities, Snowmass offers an exceptional winter getaway for both beginners and advanced skiers.

Location: Colorado, United States

Terrain: Vast and diverse

Mountain Range: Rocky Mountains

Snow Conditions: Excellent

Suitable for: Beginners and advanced skiers
10

0
votes
Karissa Kunihira · CC BY 3.0

Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort, California

Dave McCoy

Mammoth Mountain is a popular ski resort that's known for its long season, diverse terrain, and stunning scenery. It offers over 3,500 acres of skiable terrain and is located in the Eastern Sierra Mountains.
Description

Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort is a premier ski destination located in California. It offers breathtaking alpine scenery and a wide variety of terrain for all skill levels. The resort is known for its extensive trails, abundant snowfall, and state-of-the-art facilities.

Location: Mammoth Lakes, California

Elevation: 11,053 feet (3,369 meters)

Vertical Drop: 3,100 feet (945 meters)

Skiable Area: 3,500 acres (1,416 hectares)

Number of Trails: 150

Missing your favorite resort?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular ski resort

Terrain and skiing conditions

The variety and difficulty of the terrain, as well as the overall skiing and snowboarding conditions at the resort, are also important factors. Resorts with a range of trails and features to suit all levels of skiers and snowboarders are often more popular.
Facilities and amenities

Ski resorts with top-notch facilities, such as well-maintained lifts, ski schools, lodging options, and dining options, tend to be more popular.
Accessibility

Resorts that are easy to get to, with good transportation options and proximity to major cities or airports, may be more popular.
Overall experience

The overall experience of skiing at a particular resort, including the natural beauty and ambiance of the area, can also be a key factor in popularity.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular ski resort in the United States. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or your favorite resort is missing from the list, feel free to help us improve the ranking.

Statistics

1647 views
167 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each resort once every 24 hours. The rank of each resort is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular ski resort in the united states

Skiing is a beloved winter sport enjoyed by many across the United States, and the country boasts some of the world's best ski resorts. With hundreds of ski resorts to choose from, it can be hard to decide which one to visit. To help you plan your next ski trip, we've gathered data from thousands of StrawPoll users to determine the most popular ski resort in the United States. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced skier, our findings will help you choose the best ski resort for your next winter adventure.

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