At the Aspen Highlands in Colorado. Dan Koday I’ve gone on ski trips regularly throughout the Western US for over a decade. The mountains in this region are massive, scenic, and some of my favorite places to ski in the country.
Here are the resorts I recommend checking out for your next ski trip, from Montana to California. Over the past 12 years, I’ve made multiple trips out West each season to various mountain ranges for big mountain skiing. Skiing at Aspen Highlands in Colorado.
Dan KodayAs a US-based skier, I think summiting the top of a mountain in the West, and taking in incredible views of the Rockies or Sierra Nevada, is a right of passage. The western US has become one of my favorite places to ski for its quality of snow and varied terrain. While I personally learned to ski on the East coast, skiing in the western US in states like Colorado, Utah, and Montana made me appreciate the sport even more, thanks to all the skiing I enjoyed in these places.
The West also happened to be where I learned about other fun winter sports like tubing, snowcat rides, and even bobsledding, which I had never tried before. Beyond partaking in winter sports and skiing, I enjoy that many ski destinations in this region also have excellent infrastructure and access to luxury hotels and gourmet dining, just like many of the best resorts out East. Plus, I’ve found the region has a lot of off-mountain experiences — some incredibly luxe, others more casual, and even those with charms of the old Wild West.
For those reasons, these are some of the best ski resorts in the western US that I return to time and time again. When I want a quality ski weekend that’s budget-conscious for all of my friends, I go to Copper Mountain in Colorado. Sunrise at Copper Mountain in Colorado.
Dan KodayColorado has a lot of options for luxury ski experiences Vail and Aspen. But I consider Copper Mountain to be one of my favorite places to ski in this state, amid a variety of great options, for its great ambience and quality powder. Wedged between the popular Colorado resorts of Breckenridge and Vail, I’ve found that Copper Mountain known more as a local’s mountain because it’s more affordable than other nearby resorts and considered more family-friendly.
There are group family and youth ski lessons, and kids age 4 and under ski for free. This resort has a relaxed mountain atmosphere and feels down-to-earth and friendly, in my experience. I also think it’s convenient for larger groups since it has condo-style accommodations at the mountain base, which not every resort I’ve been to has.
There are 24 chair lifts, which I’ve found help keep lines short heading up Copper’s slopes. The lifts service 140 trails, which are covered in an average of 222 inches of annual snowfall. A few of my favorite runs among Copper’s 2,507 skiable acres include Union Peak for the mountain views and American Flyer, which is accessible from a heated bubble chair lift, which is a chair lift that has a protective covering over the riders.
I also enjoy taking the Three Bears chairlift to access more challenging, expert terrain and black-diamond runs on Tucker Mountain. I’ve also seen tubing lanes for the non-skiers, ice skating, and an adventure and indoor recreation park, Woodward Barn, at Copper Mountain. Other standout amenities at Copper, in my opinion, include the gym facilities at the Copper Mountain Athletic Club, which are accessible for an additional day fee, and underground parking to keep you warm before and after skiing.
I don’t expect to see the same upscale restaurants like those in neighboring, luxurious Vail when I’m in more laidback Copper, but I’ve found the restaurants here have great comfort favorites. I like to get pizza and brews at Sawmill Pizza & Taphouse, and fall-off-the-bone ribs from one of my go-to après-ski spots, The Eagle BBQ. When I’m chasing a sunny day, I head to Sun Valley, Idaho, where stargazing at night is another perk.
The lift at Sun Valley Resort in Idaho. Dan KodayRegularly sunny slopes draw visitors like me to Sun Valley Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho. Situated in the Rockies of the central part of the state, the Sun Valley Resort has two mountains.
One is the massive Bald Mountain that has a 3,400 foot vertical drop and challenging runs, which I think are ideal for expert shredders. The more gentle Dollar Mountain has more gradual trails that, in my opinion, are perfect for beginners or for cruising around on a quick morning or afternoon ski session. Both mountains are a 10-minute drive from one another.
I also find that Sun Valley is very easy to get around with fast and efficient free buses and parking shuttles. Sun Valley is dependable for good skiing weather due, in my experience, as the region gets an average of more than 180 days of sunshine throughout the year. And a a nightime perk, area surrounding Sun Valley has a Dark Sky Reserve designation, which is an accolade identifying that a place has exceptionally dark skies at night and that it’s easy to see stars there, since there’s very little light pollution.
For visitors who appreciate the night sky’s beauty, I think it makes for an amazing destination to admire the stars. During a ski trip to Sun Valley with my friends, we drove outside of town to Trail Creek Road so we could take in the starry night views. It was quite a special experience.
The neighboring towns of Ketchum almost blends together with Sun Valley because they’re so close, and have lots of off-mountain activities, including what I consider great vintage and thrift shopping and gourmet dining. Warfield Distillery & Brewery is always a highlight for me, in part due to the space, which has copper pot stills on display, plus its variety of cocktails and comfort foods like brisket and poutine. While most lodging options are upscale in Sun Valley, that doesn’t make them stuffy, in my experience.
I’m a fan of Limelight Ketchum as I think it blends a laid-back vibe and luxury with outdoor hot tubs, and it’s pet-friendly. I like unwinding in the hotel’s modern rooms and prepping for a day on the slopes at the complimentary breakfast buffet. When I went, the buffet was full of sweet pastries and other hearty options like eggs and steel cut oats.
For R&R after skiing, I recommend heading to the Spa at Sun Valley. The spa has massages, facials, and other therapies like infrared heat therapy and acupuncture. When I want to feel like I’m in the Old West, I head to Big Sky Resort in Montana.
The author and friends at Big Sky Resort in Montana. Dan KodayFramed by the Spanish Peaks mountain range and just a 45-minute drive from Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky is one of the most iconic ski resorts in all of Montana, in my opinion, as it’s the second largest in the entire US. But despite its popularity, in my experience, the mountain never feels crowded, thanks to its impressive 5,850 acres of skiable terrain and 300 runs ranging in difficulty from beginner to expert.
And when the slopes empty out as the sun goes down, there’s a guided headlamp night skiing experience. Here, I’ve stayed at the Summit Hotel, which I think can’t be beat with its mid-mountain location. For me, the hotel had good service and was a comfortable experience, even prior to recent renovations that modernized the rooms.
Montage Big Sky is another lodging option that I think is convenient for its ski-in/ski-out privileges. This resort is more luxurious with rooms that have marble bathtubs and stocked minibars, plus a full-service spa. Whenever I get hungry at Big Sky, there’s an abundance of dining options.
One great experience I had was riding the Ramcharger 8 chair lift up the mountain to Everett’s 8800, an on-mountain restaurant that’s only accessible by the lift, for tasty steaks. Everett’s 8800 was named by Architectural Digest as Montana’s “Most Beautifully Designed Bar,” and in my opinion, it did not disappoint. But one of the best and most special dining experiences I’ve ever had involved a sleigh ride at Lone Mountain Ranch.
It was a horse-drawn sleigh ride to an isolated cabin, where I had a delicious prime rib while enjoying cowboy singer-storyteller entertainment. I initially thought it would be kitsch, but it was just the authentic dose of Old West charm needed to round out my trip to Big Sky. I return to Deer Valley, Utah, as much as I can for the excellent skiing, gourmet food, and luxury atmosphere.
The view from the Empire Residences lodgings in Deer Valley. Dan KodayDeer Valley takes ski hospitality to the next level, in my opinion. The mountain is a favorite of mine for its ski valets who help unload the equipment from your car, complimentary storage while you’re skiing, and limited lift ticket sales so you don’t have to experience long wait times.
There are 103 trails spread over 2,026 skiable acres, and 21 chair lifts. I think there’s plenty to challenge visitors of all ability levels, from gentle bunny slopes to mogul runs. Day passes are a little steeper at $189 compared to other resorts in Utah like Eagle Point and Cherry Peak.
But if you’re an advanced skier like me, I think it’s worth it for the opportunity to take the Empire Express chair to ski the steep Daly Chutes and challenging Empire Bowl. Some of my other favorite runs on this mountain include the Solace run and Stein’s Way, a black-diamond run. I also like to take the Wasatch Express chair lift to some of the other fun and challenging black-diamond runs.
As a bit of a foodie, I’ve been impressed with Deer Valley’s food scene. I always try to make a reservation in advance for Fireside Dining, where alpine-inspired menus and fondue are served from stone fireplaces. I also like Yama Sushi located at the Montage hotel, and the cozy, climate-controlled igloos at Stein Eriksen Lodge, which have panoramic views of the mountain.
After a long day on the slopes, I save time to recharge at Stein Eriksen Lodge’s spa, which has treatments like body scrubs, massages, and facials. For accommodations, I like the Empire Residences, which has ski in/ski out access. The rooms here have spacious decks with hot tubs, and the property also has outdoor fire pits and an après-ski fireside lounge and pub.
Goldener Hirsch, Auberge Resorts Collection is another favorite place I’ve stayed in Deer Valley. The hotel is split into two parts, an older inn and newer condo-style residences where the rooms have stone fireplaces. It has a rooftop pool and hot tub, and I think the property is both elegant and modern, but one of my favorite things to do at Goldener Hirsch is to sit by the fire in the older inn’s restaurant.
It was designed to resemble a traditional Austrian restaurant, and each morning, there is a hearty à la carte breakfast, which I think is perfect to fuel up for a day of skiing. When I’m looking to challenge myself with a hike at one of my favorite ski bowls, I travel to Aspen Highlands in Colorado. At the top of the Highland Bowl in the Aspen Highlands.
Dan KodayAspen Highlands has some of the most challenging trails, alpine ski glades, and bowls, which are wide bowl-shaped slopes on the mountainside, that I’ve been to in the western US. This isn’t a place I’d recommend for true beginners, as in my experience, obstacles are abundant in the form of cliffs, rocks, and tree stumps. The runs can also be lengthy, requiring some additional endurance to make it down the mountain.
The four surrounding mountains are Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk. Day passes start at $159 at Aspen Highlands, and you can ski all four mountains on the same lift ticket. One of my favorite places to ski here is the Highland Bowl because it’s one of the steepest slopes in the state.
A snowcat takes you halfway up the mountain to reach the bowl, but you’ve got to carry your skis and hike the rest of the way up to the more advanced ski terrain. The first time I reached the summit that way, which tops off almost 12,400 feet, it felt exhilarating because of the stunning panoramic mountain views, but also because I’d accomplished something physical that pushed my limits. Up at the top of the Highland Bowl, there is an area where skiers celebrate their victory by taking photos next to the Highland Peak sign or by leaving a sticker on the weather antenna there.
I also recommend taking the Cloud Nine chair lift to ski into the Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro, a rowdy, popular après-ski spot. Just make sure you don’t get over served because you need to be able to ski your way out of it, too. Here you’ll be close to the Olympic Bowl too, and some of my favorite runs, affectionately titled “Why” and “Why Not.
“I often stay at Limelight Aspen in town, where I appreciate the mix of chalet chic and laid-back comfort. The hotel has scenic rooftop terraces with views of the surrounding mountains, and I think the on-site Limelight Lounge restaurant is a warm place to eat wood-fired pizzas with live music. Overall, I think Limelight is one of the best value hotels in the otherwise expensive town of Aspen, but if you’re able to splurge, I recommend St.
Regis Aspen, where I’ve been lucky enough to stay a few times with my husband. It’s a five-star luxury hotel at the base of the mountain, and every suite has spacious marble bathrooms and is outfitted in what we, two gay guys from New York, appreciate about it most — custom Ralph Lauren furnishings. For luxury and a see-and-be-seen crowd, there’s nothing better in my mind than hobnobbing on and off the slopes in Vail, Colorado.
In front of the Four Seasons Vail in Colorado. Dan KodayVail Resort has been considered a legendary ski and snowboarding destination for over half a century, and when I visited for the first time in 2014, I thought it was easy to see why. With nearly 200 trails covering 5,317 acres of varied terrain, it’s the fourth largest ski resort in the US.
There are the seven Back Bowls, flawlessly groomed runs, and an unparalleled après-ski scene, in my opinion. For me, these attractions mean the resort is nothing short of a skier’s paradise. I do think it can be an incredibly expensive destination.
For example, overnight public parking in Vail costs $60 a night, and one-day lift tickets usually cost over $200, so I always tell my friends visiting Vail for the first time to save up beforehand. Off the mountain, I can generally spend a whole day on the heated cobblestone streets of Vail Village, which is a walkable, car-free ski village with European alps-inspired architecture. When I’ve been, it’s always buzzing with energy, full of cafes, shops, and restaurants.
When I’m in need of R&R, I like the Hythe Hotel for its ski-in/ski-out privileges as well as its spa and altitude-combatting oxygen bar, which can be helpful for combatting altitude sickness since Vail sits at 8,000 feet elevation. I also appreciate the hotel’s elegant design with black stone walls, carved wood decor, and a fireplace in the lobby. I’ve also stayed at the Four Seasons Vail, which has large guest rooms with firepalces and lounging areas.
This resort has a prime location in a lovely part of Vail Village, right in front of an ice skating rink. It’s a slightly further walk to the gondola than some other hotels, but the resort also has a separate ski concierge building right near the gondola. There, you can store your skis, which I think is convenient to avoid hauling them back and forth from the hotel, and you can also have your skis waxed.
When I’m hungry in Vail, I head to Margie’s Haas restaurant for European alps-inspired cuisine like fondue. Another of my go-to’s is the breakfast buffet at Ludwig’s in the Sonnenalp Hotel, which has tasty options like smoked salmon and eggs benedict. The Stuberl at Ludwig’s for dinner is another great option, in my opinion, for fine dining with a long wine list.
The last time I went here, I enjoyed a delicious arctic char. Also located at the Sonnenalp hotel is The Swiss Chalet, another restaurant I think is great for a cozy mountain meal, which serves raclette, fondues, and a schnitzel that I thought was incredible. When I want to tackle steep slopes or see a mountain with a well-versed guide, I go to Palisades Tahoe in California.
On the slopes at Palisades Tahoe in California. Dan KodayThere are many resorts to choose from in the Lake Tahoe region of California, but Palisades Tahoe is my favorite by far for its extreme skiing zones and steep cliffs. I first visited this resort in February 2020, just before the pandemic started.
The resort was home to the 1960 Winter Olympics, and was previously known as Squaw before changing its name in 2021. Palisades Tahoe is revered among people like me in the ski community for extreme skiing zones like KT-22, Emigrant, and Granite Chief, each with summits surpassing 8,000 feet. Steeps and cliffs here are some of the best I’ve found, and over half of Palisades has beginner and intermediate terrain, so both advanced and beginner skiers can enjoy the resort.
The resort has more than 6,000 skiable acres across two mountains, with 170 trails serviced by several dozen ski lifts. This year, there’s also a new Base to Base Gondola that connects Palisades Tahoe to the neighboring Alpine Meadows, where access is included in the same day pass, which starts at $119. I’ve practiced some low-level tricks at the resort’s terrain parks, but my favorite ski experience here was skiing with a North Face Mountain Guide, Billy, who gave me insider tips on the best slopes and even showed me some hidden trails.
This is a half- or full-day tour service visitors can book for an additional cost. Another aspect I appreciate about Palisades Tahoe is that it has one of the only on-mountain, ski in/ski-out Starbucks locations I’ve seen. Many mountains have the coffee chain at the base, but I like that I can get a quick jolt of caffeine without going all the way down the mountain.
For slope-side lodging, I stayed at the Village at Palisades Tahoe, which can’t be beat for its location, in my opinion. I thought the alpine-style rooms were comfortable, and the wood accents and leather furnishings created a cozy ambiance. Many of the rooms have private balconies and in-room fireplaces, and the lodge also has outdoor hot tubs and free parking.
When I’m looking for a mountain that will please all skiers in my group, I head directly to Colorado’s Aspen Snowmass. The view from Snowmass Mountain in Colorado. Dan KodayOf the four mountains that make up Aspen Snowmass in Colorado, I think Snowmass has a great all-around ski experience, mostly for its varied terrain suitable for experts, but also because it’s a great family mountain since kids 6 and under ski free.
In the multiple times I’ve visited, the mountain has never been crowded, so I’ve always fit in a very full day of exploring. The resort has 21 lifts that whisk visitors around to 98 trails, covering 3,342 skiable acres. The Snowmass Base Village was expanded over the last few years and has an ice skating rink, retail shops, and restaurants, which I think are great for a break from the slopes.
I like to put my slope-carving skills to the test on the NASTAR racing course, which is open all season long. I also recommend taking the Elk Camp chair up to the epic Long Shot, which is an intermediate, five-mile long trail that coasts down the entirety of the mountain. I also love Cassidy’s and Willy’s trails, and think the Wildcat and Bearclaw runs are a lot of fun.
Aside from winter sports, I’ve found the Aspen area has a diverse culinary scene, with plenty of bars and restaurants in town, as well as options on-mountain and at Snowmass’s base village. Elk Camp is my favorite, more casual spot for its hand-tossed pizzas and warming soups. The only time I stayed overnight at Snowmass was at the Viceroy Snowmass resort, where my room had a mix of dark marble, wood, and neutral decor.
The property was a treat for me with its ski-in/ski-out privileges, wellness spa, and outdoor dining at the on-site NEST Bar and Grill — the buffalo chicken wings there were a favorite of my buddies. Though I haven’t had the chance to personally stay there yet, I have walked through the lobby at the Limelight Hotel Snowmass, which I thought was handsome. This hotel opened in 2019 and is located at the heart of Snowmass Base Village, which I think makes it a good choice for visitors wanting easy gondola access.
Read more from Insider’s guide to ski season: → 12 beginner mistakes new skiers make and how to avoid them, according to a lifelong skier→ I ski in the US every winter. Here’s how I pick the right ski resort for my budget, plus 13 tips that will help save money. → I’ve been skiing for 20 years.
Here are 9 items I always pack when I go on ski trips. → I’m an advanced skier who’s shredded mountains all over the Northeast. These 9 resorts are my favorites in the region for all budgets and ability levels.
→ I lived in Park City, Utah, for over 12 years. Here are 8 of my favorite things to do and see in town, both on and off the slopes. Read the original article on Insider.
From: insider
URL: https://www.insider.com/best-ski-resorts-in-western-us-colorado-utah-california-2022-12
