Lists are inherently wrong, no matter how you look at them. There will almost always be something to argue about. So why make them at all? Well… I love a good debate.
There are no set factors that I decided to rate each resort on. The majority of this list are resorts that I have had experience skiing, and I ranked them based on “general feel.” You might also be asking yourself what I mean exactly by “Big Mountain Skiing.” For starters, it does not necessarily mean resorts with large expanses of terrain or high verticals. Think of the Freeride World Tour (If you have not seen the tour, check it out here). It is a style of freestyle skiing that encompasses skiing steep and technical faces while also showing off-air and style.
Here is my list of the best big-mountain resorts in the United States. Let me know if you agree or disagree with it.
1: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming (AKA The Big One)
This was the easiest decision on the list. Jackson Hole is hands down my favorite big mountain resort in the United States. The terrain within the resort is unmatched almost anywhere else in the world. Notable areas in the resort include Corbet’s Couloir, Casper Bowl, The Hobacks, and Expert Chutes. Skiing there felt as if there was a never-ending supply of big mountain terrain to get funky with (and that’s not even including the expansive side-country access). There can be some extensive crowds to deal with but there are plenty of days in which Jackson Hole feels like a ghost town.
2: Palisades Tahoe, California
Palisades Tahoe is the Hollywood of big mountain skiing. If you have ever skied there, you understand how close lifts get to some major lines. The KT-22 chairlift goes up the heart of some of the most famous in-resort lines. The position of this chair creates a noticeable atmosphere for everyone skiing down. There is a sense that you need to push yourself a little harder to give everyone on the chair a show. Notable areas in the resort include The Fingers, Headwall, Eagle’s Nest, Granite Chief, Mainline Pocket, and The Palisades. Just like Jackson Hole, Palisades Tahoe seems like there is never-ending terrain to get airborne off of. There is a lot to like, so I have it as the second-best big mountain resort on this list.
3. Silverton, Colorado
I almost didn’t put Silverton on this list. The resort does not feel like a typical ski resort, which makes me feel as if it should be in a category of its own. I have decided to put it in, so let’s break it down. Silverton is a backcountry-style resort with only one lift and the ability to heli-ski. Notable areas in the resort include The Billboard, Hell’s Gate, Fat Guy, Storm Peak, Gnar Couloir, and The Grande. A lot… and I mean most of the resort requires hiking to access. This is one of the few resorts I have not enjoyed visiting, but it has been on my bucket list for a long time. Silverton is not your average resort, but it is very much above average if you like cliffs, steeps, and mind-numbing exposure. For these reasons, I have slotted Silverton at #3 on my list.
4. Alta/Snowbird, Utah
Hold up, hold up, hold up! Ryan, are these not two separate resorts? Yeah, they are, but for the sake of my list, I combined them as I see them as a single area with very similar terrain. Alta/Snowbird and Little Cottonwood Canyon are a paradise for big mountain skiers. Only a short drive from Salt Lake City, both resorts do see big crowds at times, but that does not diminish its advanced terrain. Some notable areas in both resorts include Mt. Baldy, Eagle’s Nest, Cecret Chutes, and East Castle. One of my favorite parts of Utah’s most advanced resorts is the jumps. There is a great culture of building natural hips around the two resorts. Almost every chairlift allows riders to jump backcountry-style hits that you mostly see in movies and not in resorts. Alta and Snowbird combine easy in-resort access with advanced backcountry-like terrain, making it an easy pick to place at number 4 on my list.
5. Bridger Bowl, Montana
Bridger Bowl is one of a few ski resorts that made me say to myself, “Wow…I suck at skiing.” Everything about the upper mountain will make most skiers question their ability. Some notable zones I like include Mundy’s Bowl, Fingers, and Exit Chute. If you plan to travel to Bridger Bowl, bring avalanche gear, as the upper ridge requires riders to carry it. Additionally, Bridger rarely has crowds. I have never waited more than a few minutes to catch my next chair ride. Small lines make it impressive when you realize the mountain has no high-speed lifts. That is part of what gives Bridger such a great atmosphere. People go there for great skiing and nothing else, which is why I love Bridger Bowl.
6. Kirkwood, California (AKA The Wood)
My hometown mountain. The Wood holds a very special place in my heart, and part of me wanted to be selfish and put it as #1 while making this list. Kirkwood posts an impressive annual snowfall in America, and over 600 inches of fluffy goodness have been seen in some years. My favorite part about my home mountain is that cliffs and rock features change drastically over the season. Many of my favorite features might get completely buried on a good snow year. The great thing is that depending on how deep the snowpack is, there is always something that has the perfect amount of snow to huck your meat off of. My favorite zones include Norm’s Nose, The Sister Chutes, Devil’s Corral, and Chamoix. Kirkwood also has a long history of big mountain skiing, including a Freeride World Tour Stop in 2013.
7. Telluride, Colorado (AKA T-Ride)
I bet a lot of people will read this and think I am insane for even putting Telluride on this list. For me, it is one of the best big mountain resorts in the United States. A lot of the mountain lacks cliffs, but a couple of chairs give access to vast expanses of pristine steeps, chutes, and cliffs. The hike up to Palmyra Peak gives riders a variety of options to choose from. My favorite zones include Apex Chair, Gold Hill Chutes, Palmyra Peak, Bald Mountain, and Black Iron Bowl. You must do some sort of hiking for many of the big mountain terrain, but that is why I think Telluride is a gem. Most of my favorite runs are sparsely ridden, and you will find untouched powder days or weeks after major storms. Also, ski patrol understands freeskiing culture. Building jumps around the resort is okay as long as you are smart about it. I still remember building a line off of Apex Chair when a ski patrol approached my group and said, “That looks awesome! Keep at it, boys, ’cause I want to jump that!”. It builds an atmosphere where ski patrol and skiers respect each other, which is not always a given these days. For me, Telluride firmly belongs on this list.
8. Crested Butte, Colorado (AKA The Crusty Butt)
Crested Butte can be an unassuming mountain when you first pull into the parking lot. The first time that I skied the Crusty Butt, I asked myself how my big mountain competition could be held here. To the defense of CB, I changed my mind almost as soon as I reached the upper mountain. My favorite mountain areas include Headwall, Teocalli Bowl, Staircase, and Tower 11 Chutes. All of these can be accessed from the only two lifts that I ride at Crested Butte: High Lift and North Face Lift. These two surface lifts give access to many steeps and cliffs. While the lift layout is not great, the terrain makes up for the multiple lifts to get back. Additionally, most of the advanced terrain flows well with multiple hips to jump off of. For these reasons, I have put CB at #8 on my list.
9. Big Sky, Montana
Unlike Crested Butte, it was obvious that Big Sky was a true big mountain resort. It is nearly impossible for your eyes not to fixate on Lone Mountain. Some notable zones include Lone Mountain, Big Couloir, Still Water Bowl, The Gullies, and Deepwater Bowl. All of this terrain comes off of Lone Mountain, but there is a lot of terrain up there. You can ski roughly 270 degrees off the summit, opening up a lot of extremely steep runs.
10. Taos, New Mexico (AKA A 4 Letter Word For Steep)
Taos is a big mountain paradise in a place that some people don’t even know there are ski resorts. New Mexico does have skiing, and Taos is, in my opinion, its crown jewel. My favorite zones include West Basin, Kachina Peak, Highline Ridge, and Twin Trees Chute. A great benefit of New Mexico skiing is the consistently sunny days. I frequently refer to Taos as “Cabo San Taos,” and I often stupidly forget to wear sunscreen. Besides the weather, there is a huge amount of terrain that makes my confidence crack every time I look down at it. Taos is also really, really, really steep. Big cliffs on consistently steep faces are why Taos deserves to be on my list.
11. Alyeska, Alaska
I have never had the chance to ski in Alaska, but there has been enough talk about Alyeska that it warranted a spot on my list. The only Alaskan resort on this list is not one to scoff at. Looking at Alyeska’s pictures and videos made me realize it needs to get some recognition. The upper mountain is fully above treeline, making its terrain extremely playful. The hype has made Alyeska one of my top bucket list ski resorts.
Honorable Mentions:
These are mountains that I think have amazing big mountain terrain, but I could not fit into my 11 resort list. Every list has missed resorts (I missed some great ones). These are my five honorable mentions:
- Mad River Glen, VT
- Crystal Mountain, WA
- Mammoth, CA
- Aspen Mountains, CO
- Grand Targhee, WY
That’s my list. You might not agree with me (most of you probably disagree), but that’s the point. Let me know what you think I got right and wrong. I love debate, especially about skiing.
Yessir so much respect for putting Bridger! In my opinion it has THE most difficult terrain in the country! But I’d also swap out crested Butte for A basin
Hey Jakob! Thanks for reading and your thoughts! Only reason I put Alyeska at 11 is because I have not been and I could not easily place it above the others. Silverton, the other resort listed I haven’t skied, is 3 because I’ve at least seen the mountain in summer and its my clear dream resort to experience. Regardless, from just pictures/videos/friends Alyeska is a true hidden gem no doubt. Wish it was easier to get to; guess remoteness only makes being there better ;). I’ll have to visit to see where it would land cause I’m sure it would not be 11.
P.S. – Top 11 Small Mountain Resorts got my brain thinking, keep your eyes peeled 😉
Hey Linda! Thanks for reading and commenting your thoughts! Snowmass was in the conversation for me when making the list! The main reason it was not included, I have not skied it. Funny enough I have skied Ajax, Highlands and Buttermilk (only for a ski cross event haha) but have yet to find myself at Snowmass. I only included Silverton and Alyeska for resorts I have yet to visit and felt I should limit that category to that. Tried to keep the list as true to my experiences as possible. Might have to redo this list as a top 20 or something haha. Cheers
Hey Gary thanks for the comment! You are definitely right on resort vs ski area. Did not intend to have it read like that. I generally just use resort as a word for any ski area regardless and didn’t think about that when putting this together. As described Bridger as a resort which it is not by a large margin as well haha. Didn’t mean to confuse or anger, just my way of talking and something I’ll keep in mind! Cheers
Hey Matthew thanks for reading! Sun Valley was a hard one for me to judge for sure and it was in the mix. My problem was I’ve only been there in the summer, so I know little about the mountain outside of what I hear. I tried to the list to resorts I’ve skied outside of a couple at the top of my bucket list for a true personal piece. I’m sure a Sun Valley trip is in my near future given what I’ve heard. If it’s anywhere close to my summer experiences SV would be a lock for this list!
Great list. I’ve skied most and enjoyed my experiences at Snowmass the most (not on your list but maybe should be). I live in Colorado and am prejudiced of course. I live about 40 miles from both T-ride and Silverton.
Ryan Flinn. your third on the list, Silverton, is a SKI AREA such as Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Colorado. A ski area HAS NO HOTELS, AND LODGES. A SKI RESORT such as Keystone Ski Resort has HOTELS, LODGES, and for them CONDOS. An analogy to what you wrote is all vehicles are cars. No, a pickup truck is a pickup truck and not a car. In Arapahoe Basin situation, there’s no room to put in hotels or lodges in that Valley there.
Super late but you gotta go to sun valley if you’ve never been. It’s like a mix of Jackson hole and big sky. Both of those are great resorts but sun valley is its own world
Hey brotha! Late to the party haha…revisiting my old posts and saw your comment. Canada would really shake this up for me. Resorts right off the top that would make my top 11 would be Revelstoke, Banff, Kicking Horse. Again trying to keep it mostly to resorts i’ve been to. Others that def would be considered: Whistler, Red Mountain, and Fernie. Probably need a top 15 to make room for Canada or else i’d go crazy putting the list together. – Ryan Flynn
It’s a great list, and I skied Alyeska for a couple years and it is top notch, probably should be higher. In fact, they used to have the extreme skiing worlds there (still do some years) and in the beginning they let people do it on the wall of shadows, but people got hurt and so they frown on even pro skiers skiing it, it is that steep, 60 degrees plus for over a 1000 feet easy. Like anything it is in the eye of the beholder, I like how the author makes that abundantly clear. One thing I would like to say is it would be cool to have a top 11 list of small mountain ski resorts for areas that are tiny. Shout out to Williamette Pass, Oregon. I feel it is the best small resort and it has steeps as steep as anything on that list. Honorable mention Ski Bowl, OR. Thanks for the fun article!
Great list. I have skied them all except AK. The surprise was Bridger. It has been 20+ years so maybe I need to revisit that one! If you expand this to North America, then Whistler and Kicking Horse need added.
Inclusion of TRide shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody who has skied its best stuff. The couloir that covers 2,000 vertical coming off of the 13,300-foot Palmyra Peak (pictured in the article) is *in-bounds*. There’s nothing else like it in-bounds in North America. And it sees very few skiers as it requires a 1,300-foot boot pack, all of it above 12,000 feet. And that’s to say nothing of the steep terrain off of 14, 15, and 9. A true skier’s mountain that, unlike almost everywhere else in Colorado, is never crowded.
Did anyone else go the X games when it was in Crusted Butt in the 90’s? I always say that town is the coldest place I have ever been. We used to snowmobile there more than we would ski there. Steamboat was the same way, we always did more snowmobiling than skiing there. I love steamboat in the fall when the leaves change! It’s beautiful. BTW IMO Breck is the best ski town in America. The town is amazing!
Love this list, so much nostalgia for people like me who grew up skiing nonstop; Buddy Warner!!! And the fact that you included your home mountain is awesome. I grew up in Leadville, CO & my home mountain was Ski Cooper even though Vail, The Beav, Copper, Breck where all very, very close, Cooper was a our home turf. Multiple kids I grew up with went on to the olympics. In college at Fort Collins, my group of guy friends were are all awesome skiers, most native.
Great list! I have skied them all except Silverton and Crusty Butt. Love to see 2 great MT resorts on the list being I grew up at Showdown, went to college at Bridger, and patrolled at Big Sky.
Dad
Crusted Butt is the coldest place I have ever been & I grew up above 10,000 feet. We used to go there to snowmobile a lot and I even went to the X Games when it was there in the 90’s.
I love that the writers dad commented! That’s awesome.
When you make it to Alyeska, make sure you check out Christmas Chute. Highly recommend!
Wolf Creek Ski Area. Most snowfall in Colorado. On the Continental Divide. You can access a lot of other terrain if you want to hike a bit.
Arapahoe Basin. Small, but good terrain.
Yes!!!! Spring skiing at the Basin is the best. One year in college we were all skimming a big pond that opened up at the top. It was the first weekend of May, the US Ski Team was literally practicing jumps at the top on a huge kick, the “beach” was a raging party with hot tubs on trailers & live music! It was one of the best days I can ever remember at the Basin.
And you mentioned Wolf Creek. You have to be from CO. When I was a kid In the summer my grandparents used to take us mushroom hunting below wolf creek pass and we used to go to “Fun Valley” For camping trips, they call it “Glamping” now. I hate Wolf Creek pass in the winter.
I’m with you on Wolf Creek Pass. Heard a lot of hype about the place before I went there. Skied it on a powder day and was pretty disappointed. In a nutshell, the terrain sucks.
Solid list. Silverton will be a disappointment if you have skied Jackson, and Squaw. Sugar Bowl deserves honorable mention imho.
Dang, I cannot believe I missed Sugar Bowl! In all honesty, I probably would have made it an honorable mention but still what a mountain!
Good list-skied all but Alyeska, but Kirkwood is just baby Mammoth.
Solid list broski, I appreciate the T-Ride mention. I think you overlooked the true potential of powder mountain out in Utah, but more season to shred it in the future!
What a basic list. You’re to early bud. Wait till September…
Hate, hate, hate! What would you add in place of another?
Pretty solid list IMO, love all of the ones on here that I’ve hit. Now I’m just curious what the list would look like if he included Canada.
Great list! I’ve got 6 out of 11 so far, and every single one ranks among my favorite mountains (even as a somewhat conservative shredder of the gnar).