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Best Ski Resort 2027

By Readers' Choice On 11/4/26 at 12:00 PM EST

From challenging terrain and expansive trail networks to modern lifts and mountain amenities, ski resorts offer experiences for skiers and snowboarders of every ability level. Vote for your favorite by clicking below. Voting ends December 2, 2026. Winners will be announced December 16, 2026.

VOTE NOW

Alta Ski Area - Utah

Resort 3

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Alta Ski Area has been a fixture of American skiing since opening in 1938, earning a reputation for deep powder, challenging terrain and a traditional approach to mountain operations. Located at the head of Little Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasatch Mountains, the resort encompasses 2,614 acres, with steep chutes, open bowls, tree-lined runs and groomed beginner and intermediate slopes. Its north-facing terrain and average annual snowfall of more than 500 inches help preserve light, dry snow throughout the season. Alta's history is closely tied to ski pioneer Alf Engen and its early chairlift development. It also maintains a distinctive skier-only policy, prohibiting snowboarding.

Big Sky Resort - Montana

Big Sky Resort

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Big Sky Resort is known for its expansive terrain, substantial vertical drop and access to challenging high-alpine skiing. Centered on 11,166-foot Lone Peak, the Montana resort offers 5,850 acres of skiable terrain, with long groomers, open bowls, glades and steep expert runs. Its Lone Peak Tram, first introduced in 1995 and replaced in 2023, provides access to some of the mountain's most demanding terrain. Since opening in 1973, Big Sky has built its reputation around uncrowded slopes, consistent snowfall and a broad range of ability levels. Its 2013 acquisition of Moonlight Basin significantly expanded its connected terrain.

Gore Mountain - New York

Resort 1

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Gore Mountain has a long-standing reputation as one of the Adirondacks' leading ski destinations, with varied terrain spread across four interconnected mountain areas. Its trail network includes beginner-friendly cruisers, steep expert runs and extensive glades, providing options for all skiing abilities. The resort's history dates to 1934, when the first snow train brought winter visitors to North Creek. Gore developed into a major regional ski area in 1964 and introduced New York's first gondola in 1967. Its combination of substantial vertical, varied tree skiing and a long connection to Eastern ski culture has helped sustain its appeal to Northeast skiers.

Grand Targhee Resort - Wyoming

Resort 3

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Located on the western side of the Teton Range, Grand Targhee is renowned for its dependable snowfall, tree skiing and a relaxed mountain atmosphere. The resort receives an average of more than 500 inches of snow annually, supporting 2,602 acres of terrain across Fred's Mountain, Peaked Mountain and surrounding areas. Skiers will find open bowls, groomed runs, glades and hike-accessed expert terrain. Since opening in 1969, Grand Targhee has remained a popular alternative to busier destinations in the region. Its combination of deep powder, accessible terrain and views of the Tetons has helped establish its standing among Western powder enthusiasts.

Northstar California - California

Resort 2

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Northstar California is particularly well-known for its groomed intermediate runs, extensive tree skiing and family-oriented mountain experience. Situated in the Martis Valley near Lake Tahoe, the resort encompasses 3,170 acres, with 100 trails and terrain parks catering to different ability levels. Its mountain layout favors long, consistent cruisers, while woorended sections offer opportunities for skiers seeking more technical routes. Established in 1972 on land previously used as a tree farm, Northstar has evolved into a major Tahoe destination. Its reputation has been shaped by reliable snowfall, well-maintained pistes, accessible learning terrain and a base village that provides dining and apres-ski options.

Palisades Tahoe - California

Resort 1

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Palisades Tahoe has a significant place in American ski history, having hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics and developed a reputation for challenging terrain and a long spring skiing season. The resort spans approximately 6,000 acres across Palisades and Alpine, with steep chutes, exposed bowls, groomed trails and extensive intermediate terrain. Its KT-22 area is well-known among experienced skiers for its sustained pitches and varied lines. The mountain has also produced numerous Olympic and World Cup athletes, reinforcing its standing as a destination for technically accomplished skiers. Historically, substantial snowfall and high-elevation terrain have helped extend its season beyond many neighboring resorts.

Park City Mountain - Utah

Resort 3

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Park City Mountain combines a large trail network with direct access to one of Utah's best-known mountain towns. Its 7,300 acres include more than 330 trails, with groomed cruisers, tree-lined runs, open bowls and dedicated terrain parks. The resort's two former ski areas, Park City Mountain and Canyons, were connected in 2015-2016, creating the largest single ski area in the United States. The original mountain opened in 1963 as Treasure Mountain, part of a broader effort to transform the former mining town into a year-round destination. Its combination of extensive terrain, modern lift infrastructure and access to historic downtown Park City has sustained its appeal.

Schweitzer - Idaho

Schweitzer 1

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Set in Idaho's Selkirk Mountains above Sandpoint, Schweitzer is known for its tree skiing, open bowls and views across Lake Pend Oreille. The resort covers approximately 2,900 acres, with 92 trails, 2,400 feet of vertical drop and terrain ranging from beginner slopes to challenging expert runs. Its two main bowls provide opportunities for open-slope skiing, while wooded areas are a particular draw after fresh snowfall. Schweitzer has built a strong regional reputation around its varied terrain and relatively accessible mountain experience. Its combination of substantial snowfall, family-friendly facilities and extensive Nordic trail network has helped make it a long-standing winter destination in the Pacific Northwest.

Smugglers' Notch Resort - Vermont

Smugglers' Notch Resort

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Smugglers' Notch has built its reputation around family skiing, varied terrain and a distinctly Vermont mountain setting. The resort encompasses three mountains — Morse, Sterling and Madonna — offering a mix of gentle learning slopes, intermediate cruisers, wooded trails and challenging expert terrain. Madonna Mountain is notable for its steeper runs and natural features, while Morse Mountain is more accessible for beginners and families. Established in 1956, the resort expanded with the addition of Morse Mountain in 1967. Its emphasis on ski instruction, children's programs and multigenerational recreation has helped distinguish it within the Northeast ski market.

Snow King Mountain Resort - Wyoming

Resort 3

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Snow King Mountain occupies a distinctive place in Jackson's skiing history as Wyoming's first ski area, opening in 1939 with a single rope tow. Located just outside downtown Jackson, the resort combines convenient access with terrain that includes groomed beginner and intermediate runs, steeper pitches and night skiing. Often called the Town Hill, Snow King has long served as a training ground for local skiers and young racers, helping establish its connection to the area's skiing community. Its relatively compact footprint offers a different experience from the larger nearby destination resorts. The mountain's history, accessibility and local character remain central to its charm.

Snowmass - Colorado

Resort 2

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Snowmass is the largest of the four Aspen Snowmass ski areas, with 3,342 acres of terrain and a vertical drop of 4,406 feet. Its varied mountain layout includes long groomed cruisers, wooded runs, steep powder fields and above-treeline bowls, including the Cirque and Hanging Valley. The resort opened in December 1967 under the direction of former Olympic ski racer Bill Janss, with ski legend Stein Eriksen serving as its first director of skiing. Its early reputation was built on extensive terrain, substantial vertical and access to deep powder. Today, its combination of challenging upper-mountain skiing, beginner areas and family-oriented facilities continues that tradition.

Snowshoe Mountain Resort - West Virginia

Resort 1

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Snowshoe Mountain is a prominent mid-Atlantic ski destination, distinguished by its mountaintop village and terrain spread across Cheat Mountain's ridgelines. Its three main skiing areas — Snowshoe Basin, Silver Creek and Western Territory — offer a combination of beginner slopes, intermediate cruisers, terrain parks and steeper expert runs. Western Territory is particularly noteworthy for Cupp Run and Shay's Revenge, two challenging trails with substantial vertical. Founded by Thomas Brigham in 1974, Snowshoe was developed to take advantage of the mountain's relatively high elevation and snowfall. Its extensive snowmaking infrastructure and late-season reliability have helped establish it as a regional skiing mainstay.

Sunday River Resort - Maine

Resort 3

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Sunday River has established its reputation through extensive snowmaking, consistent grooming and a trail network spanning eight interconnected peaks in western Maine. Its 884 acres of skiable terrain include wide cruisers, wooded glades, beginner slopes and challenging runs, providing variety across the mountain. The resort is recognized for its snowmaking infrastructure, which helps maintain skiing conditions during periods of limited natural snowfall. Sunday River opened in 1959 and expanded steadily through the following decades, adding new peaks and lift connections. Its investment in snowmaking technology and mountain operations has made it a long-standing choice for skiers seeking dependable conditions in New England.

Taos Ski Valley - New Mexico

Taos Ski Valley

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Taos Ski Valley is known for its steep terrain, high elevation and emphasis on technical skiing. Set in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the resort covers 1,294 acres, with more than half its trails classified as expert terrain. Its upper mountain features challenging chutes, steep bowls and exposed alpine slopes, while lower sections provide groomed runs and learning areas. Kachina Peak is a notable destination for experienced skiers seeking high-alpine terrain. Founded in 1955 by Swiss-German ski pioneer Ernie Blake, Taos developed a reputation around demanding slopes and a respected ski school. Its distinctive blend of European ski traditions and New Mexican culture remains central to its identity.

Telluride Ski Resort - Colorado

Resort 1

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Telluride Ski Resort is well known for its dramatic San Juan Mountain setting, substantial vertical drop and challenging upper-mountain terrain. The resort offers more than 2,000 acres of skiable terrain, with long groomed runs, tree skiing, open bowls and steep chutes. Advanced skiers are drawn to areas such as Revelation Bowl, Black Iron Bowl and the Gold Hill Chutes, while intermediate and beginner terrain provides options across the mountain. Telluride opened in 1972, transforming a former mining community into a major ski destination. Its combination of high-alpine skiing, historic town character and access between Telluride and Mountain Village via a free gondola has helped define its long-standing appeal.

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Our Featured Panelists

Julie Bielenberg

Julie Bielenberg is a Colorado-based writer producing over 75 pieces a year for outlets such as AAA, Family Vacationist, Rachel Ray in Season, Spoke + Blossom, USA Today, Vail Daily and numerous others. She has been the State's #1 agritourism for ten consecutive years and is always in search of field, farm, forest and forage. Julie has three children and two pandemic pooches and is married to an avid outdoorsman. Follow her on Instagram.

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Gavin Booth of coupleinthekitchen.com specializes in recipe development, all things grilling, food- and wine-based travel and romantic destinations of the world. He has extensive travel experience, visiting all 50 U.S. states and over 40 countries. He's a full-time recipe developer, photographer, videographer and writer.

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Chez Chesak

Chez Chesak is an award-winning adventure travel writer, 29-year veteran of the outdoor industry, Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America and President of The Society of American Travel Writers' Central States Chapter. Learn more about him at www.chezconnects.com.

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Marla Cimini is an award-winning writer and content creator who is passionate about travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures. An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), European getaways and incredible domestic and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Residing in New Jersey (Philadelphia area), Marla is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California and covers those destinations often. Follow her adventures at marlacimini.com.

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Laurie Jo Miller Farr

An award-winning contributor to luxury lifestyle and travel magazines, Laurie Jo Miller Farr specializes in deluxe hotels and destination marketing. Based in New York City, she is a dual U.S./U.K. citizen, having spent half a lifetime in London. Formerly serving as the tourism promotion director for the city's official tourism boards in both NYC and Boston, she recently relocated from San Francisco, where she edited a weekly travel newsletter and co-hosted a podcast. Follow her @lauriejmfarr.

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Amy Piper is a freelance travel writer, blogger, photographer and author specializing in luxury and multigenerational travel. She is a native Michigander who travels through the lens of a food lover and has been to 45 states and 41 countries around the world. From getting chased by bomb-sniffing dogs in the middle of the night in Bogotá to being boarding on her plane from Buenos Aires to Paraguay due to the wrong visa, Amy always has an exciting adventure to tell her readers and community of travel enthusiasts. Learn more at followthepiper.com.

Jacky Runice

When Jacky took her first flight at age 17 to Spain, she hadn't stepped a foot outside of Chicago. As a broadcast journalist for 20 years, she always managed to bring her travels back to her Chicago audience with radio documentaries about the culture and characters of places she visited. She transitioned to print journalism (syndicated travel column via Tribune Media Services and Travel Columnist for the Daily Herald Chicago) and then to the web where she has written for numerous outlets such as CBS, LuxuryHotels.com, Examiner.com, AOL, USA Today and others. Follow her on Facebook.

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Jamie Davis Smith

Jamie Davis Smith is a writer and attorney from Philadelphia who now calls Washington, D.C. home. She's traveled to more than 90 countries, often bringing her children along on her adventures. Her work can be found in The Washington Post, National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, Afar, The Huffington Post, USA Today and many other publications. Jamie can be contacted at byjamiesmith@gmail.com, and posts about her travels on Instagram.

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Aly Walansky writes regularly about food news and trends. She has been a food journalist for over twenty years and has covered everything from budget shopping to recipes to culinary travel content for national publications that include the Food Network, Southern Living, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, The Kitchn and more. She was ranked among top 10 journalists of 2023 and top 10 freelance journalists in 2024, as well as #1 food journalist of 2022, by Muck Rack. Follow her at alywalansky.substack.com.

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Nancy Zaffaro

Nancy Zaffaro is a writer, editor and photographer. She covers arts, culture, travel and the outdoors and also writes fiction. She is the Editor of ConfettiTravelCafe.com, and her work has appeared in print and online for numerous publications and media outlets. She travels locally throughout the Pacific Northwest, nationally and to far-flung international locales. When not traveling, she's active in her community and enjoys hiking, kayaking, yoga and spending time with friends and family. Originally from Chicago, she's also lived in Vancouver, British Columbia and Bellingham, Washington. She's currently based in Portland, Oregon.

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