PeakRankings [Year]
The rank-order of ski resorts we’ve been to based on overall mountain experience.
Updated:
November 25, 2024
100+ ski resorts independently reviewed
Expert team with firsthand experience
Comprehensive, transparent Mountain Score
PeakRankings is your trusted source for unbiased, in-depth reviews of ski resorts across North America. We evaluate every aspect of a resort, from snow conditions to crowd management, giving you clear and reliable information for planning the perfect ski trip.
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Force Rank
10
Beaver Creek
76
PeakRankings Score
How it works
To give each resort a Mountain Score, we assess 10 equally weighted categories that paint an overall picture of the typical mountain experience.
Each category is rated on a 10-point scale, with a score of 1 indicating profound flaws and a 10 demonstrating an impeccable experience in that category. Check all the scores here
Beaver Creek
Rockies
#
10
in
Overall Rankings
#
8
in
United States
#
4
in
Colorado
Nearest City:
NA
Denver (3 hrs)
City Name
City Name With Time
Aprés-ski:
Moderate
On-site Lodging:
Yes
Pass Affiliation:
Epic Pass
Epic
Ikon
Mountain Collective
Other
Recommended Ability:
From
Beginner
To
Expert
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Extreme
Despite its family-centric reputation and lack of above-treeline terrain, Beaver Creek delivers an experience that visitors of all ability levels will enjoy. Just don’t expect anything to be cheap.
Pros
- Diverse below and near-treeline terrain
- Exceptional longevity of certain expert runs
- Modern lift infrastructure
- Thoughtfully-designed on-mountain facilities
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Cons
- Price
- Lack of true above-treeline terrain
- Flagrantly moneyed atmosphere in some areas
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Force Rank
9
Snowbasin
76
PeakRankings Score
How it works
To give each resort a Mountain Score, we assess 10 equally weighted categories that paint an overall picture of the typical mountain experience.
Each category is rated on a 10-point scale, with a score of 1 indicating profound flaws and a 10 demonstrating an impeccable experience in that category. Check all the scores here
Huntsville
Rockies
#
9
in
Overall Rankings
#
7
in
United States
#
3
in
Utah
Nearest City:
NA
Salt Lake City (1 hr)
City Name
City Name With Time
Aprés-ski:
Limited
On-site Lodging:
No
Pass Affiliation:
Ikon (excl. base pass), Mountain Collective
Epic
Ikon
Mountain Collective
Other
Recommended Ability:
From
Intermediate
To
Expert
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Extreme
Despite a lack of on-site lodging, this Utah resort stays competitive thanks to diverse hills, striking peaks, and top-of-the-line facilities.
Pros
- Top-of-the-line facilities
- Striking topography
- Diverse intermediate and advanced terrain
- Crowd flow
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Cons
- No on-site lodging
- Long, slow lifts in some areas
- Less extreme terrain than some competitors
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Force Rank
6
Vail
78
PeakRankings Score
How it works
To give each resort a Mountain Score, we assess 10 equally weighted categories that paint an overall picture of the typical mountain experience.
Each category is rated on a 10-point scale, with a score of 1 indicating profound flaws and a 10 demonstrating an impeccable experience in that category. Check all the scores here
Vail
Rockies
#
6
in
Overall Rankings
#
4
in
United States
#
1
in
Colorado
Nearest City:
NA
Denver (2.5 hrs)
City Name
City Name With Time
Aprés-ski:
Extensive
On-site Lodging:
Yes
Pass Affiliation:
Epic Pass
Epic
Ikon
Mountain Collective
Other
Recommended Ability:
From
Intermediate
To
Expert
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Extreme
With expansive, diverse terrain and modern lifts, this top-of-the-line resort competes well with the best in the country.
Pros
- Size
- Lift infrastructure
- Terrain diversity
- One-of-a-kind Back Bowl and Blue Sky Basin aesthetics
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Cons
- Lack of truly extreme terrain
- Ease of navigation
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Force Rank
4
Snowbird
79
PeakRankings Score
How it works
To give each resort a Mountain Score, we assess 10 equally weighted categories that paint an overall picture of the typical mountain experience.
Each category is rated on a 10-point scale, with a score of 1 indicating profound flaws and a 10 demonstrating an impeccable experience in that category. Check all the scores here
Snowbird
Rockies
#
4
in
Overall Rankings
#
3
in
United States
#
2
in
Utah
Nearest City:
NA
Salt Lake City (40 mins)
City Name
City Name With Time
Aprés-ski:
Limited
On-site Lodging:
Limited
Pass Affiliation:
Ikon Pass
Epic
Ikon
Mountain Collective
Other
Recommended Ability:
From
Intermediate
To
Extreme
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Extreme
It’s hard to beat this Utah resort’s top-tier snow quality, innovative mountain logistics, and expert terrain.
Pros
- Top-tier snow quality and accumulation
- Diverse terrain, including extremely demanding expert runs
- Innovative mountain logistics
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Cons
- Limited beginner and low intermediate terrain
- Limited on-site lodging
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Force Rank
101
Holiday Valley
46
PeakRankings Score
How it works
To give each resort a Mountain Score, we assess 10 equally weighted categories that paint an overall picture of the typical mountain experience.
Each category is rated on a 10-point scale, with a score of 1 indicating profound flaws and a 10 demonstrating an impeccable experience in that category. Check all the scores here
Ellicottville
East Coast
#
101
in
Overall Rankings
#
89
in
United States
#
3
in
New York
Nearest City:
NA
Buffalo (1 hr), Rochester (2 hrs), Cleveland (3 hrs)
City Name
City Name With Time
Aprés-ski:
Moderate
On-site Lodging:
Yes
Pass Affiliation:
None
Epic
Ikon
Mountain Collective
Other
Recommended Ability:
From
Beginner
To
Advanced
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Extreme
Strong natural snowfall and varied terrain make this Western New York resort a strong local option, but a short vertical drop and complicated layout prevent it from competing with bigger East Coast destinations.
Pros
- Strong snow totals and snowmaking
- Diverse layout for the size
- Value
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Cons
- Short vertical drop
- Some crowd flow and navigational issues
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Force Rank
92
Mount Ashland
52
PeakRankings Score
How it works
To give each resort a Mountain Score, we assess 10 equally weighted categories that paint an overall picture of the typical mountain experience.
Each category is rated on a 10-point scale, with a score of 1 indicating profound flaws and a 10 demonstrating an impeccable experience in that category. Check all the scores here
Ashland
Chile
#
92
in
Overall Rankings
#
79
in
United States
#
4
in
Oregon
Nearest City:
NA
Medford (1.2 hr), Redding (2.5 hrs), Eugene (3.5 hrs)
City Name
City Name With Time
Aprés-ski:
Limited
On-site Lodging:
No
Pass Affiliation:
Freedom Pass
Epic
Ikon
Mountain Collective
Other
Recommended Ability:
From
Advanced
To
Advanced
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Extreme
This southern Oregon resort suffers from its tiny size and dated infrastructure, though surprisingly extensive advanced terrain and great views help it stand out among local resorts.
Pros
- Surprisingly extensive advanced and expert terrain
- Local feel, both on the mountain and at the base lodge
- Great views of surrounding area
- Ease of access from Ashland
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Cons
- Tiny size
- Comparatively small annual snowfall for region
- Difficult progression from beginner to intermediate slopes
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Force Rank
107
Peek'n Peak
39
PeakRankings Score
How it works
To give each resort a Mountain Score, we assess 10 equally weighted categories that paint an overall picture of the typical mountain experience.
Each category is rated on a 10-point scale, with a score of 1 indicating profound flaws and a 10 demonstrating an impeccable experience in that category. Check all the scores here
Clymer
East Coast
#
107
in
Overall Rankings
#
95
in
United States
#
7
in
New York
Nearest City:
NA
Buffalo (1.5 hrs), Cleveland (2 hrs), Pittsburgh (2 hrs)
City Name
City Name With Time
Aprés-ski:
Limited
On-site Lodging:
Yes
Pass Affiliation:
Indy Pass
Epic
Ikon
Mountain Collective
Other
Recommended Ability:
From
Beginner
To
Beginner
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Extreme
This Western New York ski resort offers a good value for beginners, but the mountain lacks the challenge or aesthetic to compete with many other East Coast resorts.
Pros
- Impressive snow totals and snowmaking
- Charming, Tudor-style hotel and facilities
- Available night skiing
- Strong lift redundancies
- Value
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Cons
- Small footprint and short vertical drop
- Undistinguished slopes
- Lack of even remotely challenging terrain
- Aging lifts in need of a refresh
- For such a small resort, requires a surprising number of lifts to traverse from end to end
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Force Rank
61
49 Degrees North
60
PeakRankings Score
How it works
To give each resort a Mountain Score, we assess 10 equally weighted categories that paint an overall picture of the typical mountain experience.
Each category is rated on a 10-point scale, with a score of 1 indicating profound flaws and a 10 demonstrating an impeccable experience in that category. Check all the scores here
Chewelah
West Coast
#
61
in
Overall Rankings
#
50
in
United States
#
3
in
Washington
Nearest City:
NA
Spokane (1.5 hrs)
City Name
City Name With Time
Aprés-ski:
Limited
On-site Lodging:
No
Pass Affiliation:
Indy Pass
Epic
Ikon
Mountain Collective
Other
Recommended Ability:
From
Intermediate
To
Advanced
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Extreme
Despite its dated lift infrastructure and rural setting, this Northeast Washington resort offers impressive intermediate and advanced terrain at a reasonable price.
Pros
- Local feel
- Low crowds
- Lighter snow than Washington resorts further west
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Cons
- Modest vertical drop
- Limited true beginner terrain
- Slow lifts in most areas
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Force Rank
97
Mad River Glen
49
PeakRankings Score
How it works
To give each resort a Mountain Score, we assess 10 equally weighted categories that paint an overall picture of the typical mountain experience.
Each category is rated on a 10-point scale, with a score of 1 indicating profound flaws and a 10 demonstrating an impeccable experience in that category. Check all the scores here
Waitsfield
East Coast
#
97
in
Overall Rankings
#
82
in
United States
#
10
in
Vermont
Nearest City:
NA
Montreal (3 hrs), Boston (3.5 hrs), New York (5.5 hrs)
City Name
City Name With Time
Aprés-ski:
Limited
On-site Lodging:
Yes
Pass Affiliation:
None
Epic
Ikon
Mountain Collective
Other
Recommended Ability:
From
Advanced
To
Extreme
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Extreme
With very limited snowmaking and a ban on snowboarders, this small Vermont mountain is about as raw as it gets for the Northeast.
Pros
- Extremely demanding expert terrain
- Local, uncommercialized feel
- One-of-a-kind single chair
‚Äç
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Cons
- Small footprint
- Extremely limited snowmaking, leading to large terrain closures throughout the season
- Slow, low-capacity lifts
- Ban on snowboarders
‚Äç
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Force Rank
16
Copper
73
PeakRankings Score
How it works
To give each resort a Mountain Score, we assess 10 equally weighted categories that paint an overall picture of the typical mountain experience.
Each category is rated on a 10-point scale, with a score of 1 indicating profound flaws and a 10 demonstrating an impeccable experience in that category. Check all the scores here
Copper
Rockies
#
16
in
Overall Rankings
#
12
in
United States
#
7
in
Colorado
Nearest City:
NA
Denver (2 hrs)
City Name
City Name With Time
Aprés-ski:
Moderate
On-site Lodging:
Yes
Pass Affiliation:
Ikon Pass
Epic
Ikon
Mountain Collective
Other
Recommended Ability:
From
Beginner
To
Expert
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Extreme
This Colorado favorite offers very competitive terrain, but many lifts outside base areas are slow.
Pros
- Excellent high-alpine terrain experience
- Natural insulation for skiers of different ability levels
- Relatively local feel
‚Äç
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Cons
- Slow, difficult-to-load lifts outside base areas
- Altitude that can be overwhelming for some
- Lack of lodges in backside areas
‚Äç
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Force Rank
2
Alta
80
PeakRankings Score
How it works
To give each resort a Mountain Score, we assess 10 equally weighted categories that paint an overall picture of the typical mountain experience.
Each category is rated on a 10-point scale, with a score of 1 indicating profound flaws and a 10 demonstrating an impeccable experience in that category. Check all the scores here
Alta
Rockies
#
2
in
Overall Rankings
#
1
in
United States
#
1
in
Utah
Nearest City:
NA
Salt Lake City (45 mins)
City Name
City Name With Time
Aprés-ski:
Limited
On-site Lodging:
Limited
Pass Affiliation:
Ikon (excl. base pass), Mountain Collective
Epic
Ikon
Mountain Collective
Other
Recommended Ability:
From
Intermediate
To
Expert
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Extreme
This Utah resort prohibits snowboarding and offers limited slopeside lodging, but it receives some of the best, most consistent snow anywhere in North America.
Pros
‚Äç
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Cons
‚Äç
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Force Rank
1
Whistler Blackcomb
82
PeakRankings Score
How it works
To give each resort a Mountain Score, we assess 10 equally weighted categories that paint an overall picture of the typical mountain experience.
Each category is rated on a 10-point scale, with a score of 1 indicating profound flaws and a 10 demonstrating an impeccable experience in that category. Check all the scores here
Whistler
West Coast
#
1
in
Overall Rankings
#
1
in
Canada
#
1
in
British Columbia
Nearest City:
NA
Vancouver (2.5 hrs), Seattle (5 hrs)
City Name
City Name With Time
Aprés-ski:
Extensive
On-site Lodging:
Yes
Pass Affiliation:
Epic Pass
Epic
Ikon
Mountain Collective
Other
Recommended Ability:
From
Beginner
To
Extreme
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Extreme
Despite somewhat variable snow conditions, this massive resort delivers one of the most well-rounded experiences we’ve seen anywhere.
Pros
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Cons
Pro Con Item [Backend]
