What are the 9 Prettiest Ski Areas in North America?

Dominic Gawel | | Post Tag for BrainsBrains
Prettiest ski resorts in North America collage
Credit: Discover Big Sky, Visit Rainier, Ski Big 3, Powder Magazine, Wallpaper Access

North America is home to some of the prettiest ski resorts, from the Appalachians to the Chugach Range in Alaska. Each range is unique with distinguishing characteristics that make them all beautiful in their own way. There are countless ski areas with gorgeous views and we all have our own opinions about which is the prettiest. Many more resorts could arguably make the list. What resorts did we miss and did your home mountain make the cut?

Prettiest Ski Resorts: #9 Big Sky, Montana

Big Sky Montana scenic ski resort
Credit: Discover Big Sky

Mountain Statistics: 

  • Closest Town: Gallatin Gateway, MT
  • Mountain Range: Madison Range
  • Average Annual Snowfall: 400+ inches
  • Acres: 5,850
  • Chairlifts: 38
  • Vertical Feet: 4,350′

#8: Stowe, Vermont

Crystal Mountain Washington scenic ski area
Credit: Winter Weekend Getaways

Mountain Statistics: 

  • Closest Town: Stowe, Vermont
  • Mountain Range: Green Mountains
  • Average Annual Snowfall: 314″
  • Acres: 485
  • Chairlifts: 12
  • Vertical Feet: 2,360′

#7: Crystal Mountain, Washington

Crystal Mountain Washington scenic ski area
Credit: Visit Rainier

Mountain Statistics: 

  • Closest Town: Enumclaw, WA
  • Mountain Range: Cascade Range
  • Average Annual Snowfall: 486″
  • Acres: 2,600
  • Chairlifts: 11
  • Vertical Feet: 3,100′

#6: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Jackson Hole Wyoming mountain views
Credit: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Mountain Statistics: 

  • Closest Town: Teton Village, WY
  • Mountain Range: Teton Mountain Range
  • Average Annual Snowfall: 459″
  • Acres: 2,500
  • Chairlifts: 16
  • Vertical Feet: 4,139′

#5: Mammoth Mountain, California

Banff Sunshine Village scenic ski resort
Credit: Wallpaper Access

Mountain Statistics: 

  • Closest Town: Mammoth Lakes, CA
  • Mountain Range: Eastern Sierra Nevada
  • Average Annual Snowfall: 400″
  • Acres: 3,500+
  • Chairlifts: 25
  • Vertical Feet: 3,100′

#4: Alyeska, Alaska

Credit: Powder Magazine

Mountain Statistics: 

  • Closest Town: Girdwood, AK
  • Mountain Range: Chugach Range
  • Average Annual Snowfall: 512″
  • Acres: 1,610
  • Chairlifts: 7
  • Vertical Feet: 2,500′

#3: Crested Butte, Colorado

It is pretty hard to take a bad photo in Crested Butte! Photo: Erikson Hirn

Mountain Statistics: 

  • Closest Town: Mount Crested Butte, CO
  • Mountain Range: Elk Mountains
  • Average Annual Snowfall: 234″
  • Acres: 1,547
  • Chairlifts: 15
  • Vertical Feet: 3,062′

#2: Banff Sunshine Village, Alberta

Banff Sunshine Village scenic ski resort
Credit: Ski Big 3

Mountain Statistics: 

  • Closest Town: Banff, Alberta
  • Mountain Range: Canadian Rockies
  • Average Annual Snowfall: 360″
  • Acres: 3,358
  • Chairlifts: 12
  • Vertical Feet: 3,514′

#1: Grand Targhee, Wyoming

Grand Targhee Wyoming mountain views
Stunner views brought to you by Grand Targhee Resort. Credit: Grand Targhee Resort

Mountain Statistics: 

  • Closest Town: Driggs, ID
  • Mountain Range: Teton Range, WY
  • Average Annual Snowfall: 500 + inches
  • Acres: 2,602
  • Chairlifts: 5
  • Vertical Feet: 2,270′

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6 thoughts on “What are the 9 Prettiest Ski Areas in North America?

  1. No Whistler-Blackcomb? I think it’s prettier than Stowe but I guess that would take the East Coast out of the list.

  2. You need to make a correction to the Jackson Hole, WY location/post. The ski area is called ‘Snow King’ and the nearest town is Jackson (Hole).

    1. Wrong. Snow King is a small hill in the middle of Jackson. Jackson Hole is located in Teton Village and is actually called..wait for it..Jackson Hole.

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