These days more and more skiers and snowboarders are ditching the crowds and lift lines and taking their riding outside the traditional ski resort and into the backcountry. The allure of untracked powder and adventure is hard to resist for the most venturesome enthusiasts.

One of the most convenient ways to access this wild playground is by using a ski lift to help with the initial ascent, and thankfully more and more ski resorts are embracing this idea. Below we will explore some of the best lift-accessed backcountry ski resorts in the U.S. that offer the perfect blend of accessibility and wilderness, providing thrilling descents beyond the reach of traditional groomed trails and resort boundaries.

#9 Telluride, CO

Telluride has multiple backcountry access gates from the resort and the terrain is some of the best off-piste skiing in North America. With its high elevation and ample snowfall, Telluride ensures a season-long adventure for those eager to push their limits and carve their own path through the pristine backcountry wilderness. It is important to note that the Northwest San Juan region around Telluride is particularly notorious for avalanche fatalities, so make sure you know what you’re doing or hire a guide. Skiers and riders can enjoy extreme terrain off Palmyra Peak, Bald Mountain, and more.

#8 Stowe, VT

Stowe Resort is located on Mount Mansfield, which is Vermont’s tallest peak, and is one of the best backcountry areas in all of New England. When you can hit the weather pattern just right, there are plenty of steeps, chutes, and endless tree runs to enjoy. It might not be the destination spot like many out west, but it is one of the most fabled ski resorts in the East, and if you’re in the area don’t underestimate what is on the other side of the ropes.

#7-#4 (TIE) Solitude, Brighton, Alta, & Snowbird, UT

These four resorts all lie in the famous Wasatch Range of Utah. Both Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons have some incredible backcountry terrain, and all of these resorts offer gates to access it. Both short hikes and longer tours drop you into a world of unlimited possibility. Sometimes access back to the resorts can be tricky, so know what you’re doing and have a local friend or a guide to help.

#3 Sugar Bowl, CA

Sugar Bowl is located at the top of Donner Pass, California, which already offers some of the best backcountry options anywhere. Getting some assistance from the lifts at Sugar Bowl really opens up the possibilities. The resort even offers an “Up-and-Out” ticket specifically for those who want just one or two rides on the lift before accessing any of the eight backcountry gates.

#2 Mt. Baker, WA

Mt. Baker is legendary for receiving ridiculous amounts of snowfall and having advanced terrain. However, locals know it is one of the best and easiest places for lift-accessed backcountry riding. A short hike from the top of Chair 8 gives you options that make you think the resort was built to get you out of bounds. The most popular and well-known area is the Shuksan Arm, but in the opposite direction is the Hemispheres zone which loops you right back into the middle of the resort. There’s even much more terrain if you’re willing to explore further.

#1 Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY

The terrain at Jackson Hole (JHMR) is pretty amazing, but when that’s not enough, there is even more incredible terrain that surrounds the resort. The Bridger-Teton National Forest is an expanse of wildland south of the resort that is approximately the size of Connecticut, offering a lifetime of classic lines. To start, take the Aerial Tram to the top of Rendezvous Mountain and hit the uppermost gate to get into Cody Bowl. Or from the other side of the resort, take the Teton lift and venture into Grand Teton National Park.

If you choose to venture through a gate into the backcountry, it is important to remember that just because the terrain is close to the ski resort, does not mean it is safe. There is no ski patrol, no avalanche reduction, and if a rescue is needed, it may not be available or timely. Always double-check the resort’s current uphill and backcountry access policies before heading out. Also, be sure to have all the required education and equipment before leaving the resort. Have a partner and a plan and if you don’t know, don’t go.

Honorable Mentions

• Snowbasin, UT
• Bridger Bowl, MT
• Steven’s Pass, WA
• Silverton, CO
• Alpental, WA
• Crystal Mountain, WA
• Tamarack Resort, ID