Brains
Skiing has always come with a little storytelling baked in. The kind that comes out on the drive home or over a beer later. The heli day in Revelstoke. The perfectly timed rope drop that turned into chest deep turns. The storm you somehow hit just right.
But here’s one you don’t hear often. Skiing in two states without ever taking your skis off. Crossing a state line mid run, just by linking turns.
It’s rare. There are only a handful of resorts in the U.S. where that’s even possible, which makes it just obscure enough to be worth chasing.
If you’re looking for a different kind of story, these are the spots where you can check off two states in a single day.
Lookout Pass, ID/MT
Lookout Pass is a destination with easy access, affordable prices, and some of the best snow in the area. Located on Interstate 90 between Idaho and Montana, it averages over 400 inches of snow a year. Most slopes face north or northeast, too. The area is quite historic as well with the original lodge being the second oldest ski lodge in the Northwest. They have also announced they are expanding their terrain.
Being in two states also means that there are two different time zones. Pacific time on the Idaho side and Mountain time on the Montana side. To avoid confusion, the resort operates on Pacific time, but adjust your plans accordingly if you want to make it back in time for dinner in Montana.
Mountain Stats
Vertical: 1,650 feet currently
Skiable acres: 1,023
Average snowfall: 400 inches
Lost Trail Ski Area, ID/MT
Another Idaho-Montana border area, Lost Trail Ski Area, is the place to carve through incredible trails with stunning views. It defies all the likeness of corporate, destination ski areas. It has been in business for over 80 years and brings great snow, affordable skiing, and family-friendly slopes for all who choose to visit. The ski area is located immediately west of US-93, which descends northward into Montana.
Mountain Stats
Vertical: 1,800 feet
Skiable acres: 900
Average snowfall: 325 inches
Catamount Mountain Resort, NY/MA
Catamount Mountain Resort offers the most varied terrain in southern New England with something for everyone. Spectacular views of both New York and Massachusetts can be seen from nearly every run. The resort is working on two new lifts and a snow tubing park with hopes to open these new additions soon. The Red Sox and Yankees may be rivals, but that doesn’t seem to divide the visitors here.
Mountain Stats
Vertical: 1,000 feet
Skiable acres: 119
Average snowfall: unknown
Heavenly Resort, CA/NV
Heavenly is by far the largest and most impressive of all these resorts. At nearly 5,000 acres, it easily expands into both California and Nevada. It is the biggest resort in the Tahoe area and also boasts the most vertical and highest elevation. The resort is also one of the most visited.
With some of the best views of Lake Tahoe, 360 inches of annual snowfall, and 300 days of sun, you are bound to have a good time. If you want to try your luck at gambling, South Lake Tahoe has casinos. What else would you expect from a resort that is half in Nevada?
Mountain Stats
Vertical: 3,500 feet
Skiable acres: 4,800
Average snowfall: 360 inches
At the end of the day, skiing two states isn’t about checking a box, it’s about adding a small twist to something you already love. Whether it’s cruising the quiet slopes at Lookout Pass Ski Area, soaking in the old school feel of Lost Trail Ski Area, catching views across state lines at Catamount Mountain Resort, or racking up vertical at Heavenly Mountain Resort, each one gives you a story that stands out just a little more. And when you’re back telling it later, you can casually mention that somewhere in those turns, you crossed a state line without even noticing.
I’m pretty sure Mt Wilmot which is 97% in Wisconsin has one trail called Stateline which crosses into Illinois. Other than that I think this list is complete
Not nearly as interesting as skiing two different countries as in Europe. No passport checking all day long! Love the Matterhorn (Italy and Switzerland) and Mount Blanc (Italy and France) with 9000feet of vertical!
Interesting! I’ve zigzagged the WI/IL and CA/NV state lines on skis, and I knew about Lookout Pass, but haven’t been there yet. But, I didn’t know Idaho had another one and I didn’t know about Catamount either. I’ll have to consider adding the two in Idaho and possibly Catamount to my someday bucket list, if I’m ever anywhere nearby.
I suspect the reason Wilmot (WI) and Gander (IL) weren’t mentioned, despite sharing a state border, is because Gander is a ghost ski area now, separated from Wilmot by a strand of twine.
Jwilly1111, it’s a State of Consciousness. Alpine Meadows is your laid back, gluten free, granola eating, pot smoking, 3-pin binding type and Squaw Valley is the I’m better than you, check out how cool I am, Red Bull & GoPro sponsored check pro athlete who will eventually die making videos of their extreme lifestyle. It really is like being in another state when skiing Squaw Valley, only issue currently is crossing the boarder is illegal. I wish the dude who owns White Wolf would shoot the Squaw Valley poachers, when they ski over to our Promised Land!
Squaw/Alpine doesn’t cross into 2 states it’s all in California.
Honorable mention to Banff Sunshine. Provinces are kind of like states.
Heavenly is biggest depending on how you count Squaw/Alpine now*
That’s a technicality though, great article. Quality on here has been up a ton recently, keep it up SB writers.
Isn’t it interesting how the American Fire in 2013 and King Fire from 2014 are helping get the Mosquito Fire under control?
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/photos/CATNF/2022-09-07-0815-Mosquito-Fire/picts/2022_09_26-13.15.20.022-CDT.png
Does fuel management work?