Rockies

(Expired) Limited $108 Silverton Season Passes ($206 with Partner Resort Days)

Silverton Mountain has announced that they’re selling a very limited number of significantly discounted 2021 unguided season passes. This unpatrolled resort, which only has one chairlift and requires avalanche gear, is offering base passes for just $107.95 ($99 + $8.95 shipping).

Arapahoe Basin to Proceed with Lift Replacements Next Season

According to Arapahoe Basin COO Al Henceroth, the resort is moving forward with replacing the Molly Hogan and Pallavicini chairlifts despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Arapahoe Basin Announces Discounted 20/21 Pass Renewals And Deferment Policy

Right on the heels of fellow local mountain Sierra-at-Tahoe, Arapahoe Basin announced discounted season pass renewals today.

Arapahoe Basin Reopening May 27 with Limited Operations (Update: Resort Closing June 7)

This afternoon, Arapahoe Basin announced the resumption of limiting skiing and riding operations starting May 27. Visitors will need to pre-book reservations online and bring confirmation statements to the resort.

Why Telluride Closed Gold Hill Chutes 3, 4, and 5

A look online didn’t turn up any information on why Telluride closed three of its ten Gold Hill Chutes. We did some digging through other channels to find the answer.

(Expired) $249 Cooper Season Pass with Partner Days

Colorado’s Cooper Ski Area has announced heavily discounted early-bird 2020-21 season pass prices. But for those primarily interested in the cheap access to partner resorts, the pass’s assurance policy is risky.

Buttermilk

Aspen’s beginner-centric mountain offers a good learning environment and excellent terrain parks, but the area is otherwise uncompetitive and overpriced.

Eagle Point

Utah’s most remote ski area is also arguably its quirkiest, with some frustrating logistics but a unique, local feel that’s hard not to appreciate.

Ski Cooper

While most folks won’t want to plan a weeklong vacation here, this modestly-sized hill stands out from the destinations with an easy-to-handle footprint and lack of crowds.

Monarch

This Colorado ski area is way too small and underbuilt to be a destination mountain, but several facets make it a strong regional choice.

Sun Valley - Dollar Mountain

Sun Valley’s beginner zone is way too small and variable to warrant a trip to on its own. But for those in town already, its unconventional footprint may be worth stopping by.

Nakiska

This Alberta resort offers convenient slopes close to Calgary and higher-quality terrain than a typical local hill, but it’s no match for nearby destinations further west in the Canadian Rockies.

Eldora

This small Colorado resort is seriously outclassed by destination competitors, but its convenient location makes it a decent day trip option.

Mount Norquay

Banff’s town hill is way too small to be a destination in its own right, but it offers a local vibe and empty slopes.

Fernie

It’s hard not to love this remote Canadian resort on a good day, but a combination of variable weather, wide-ranging logistical shortcomings, and outdated infrastructure put it at a major disadvantage compared to its cutthroat Rockies competition.

Whitefish

This northern Montana resort isn’t the biggest out there, but as far as independent ski resorts go, it’s hard to beat.

Snow King

This small, local Wyoming resort offers cheap lift tickets and demanding slopes—and has seen significant revitalization for the 2021-22 season. But a number of shortcomings still make the mountain less than ideal for beginner and intermediate visitors.

Breckenridge

This high-elevation resort offers diverse terrain, including conveniently accessible alpine bowls. However, the altitude and navigation logistics will be overwhelming for some.

Kimberley

This Western Canada resort doesn’t have the footprint or snow totals to compete with the best destinations, but it offers a great value and family-friendly setup.

Brian Head

This under-the-radar southern Utah destination offers striking terrain at an affordable price.

Sundance

This modestly-sized Utah mountain boasts a striking, rustic feel, but most other competitors offer better overall values.

Loveland

This local Colorado ski area doesn’t deliver the same well-rounded experience as destination resorts, but it’s hard to beat the quality for the price on a powder day.

Purgatory

This San Juan resort’s local feel, stunning vistas, and decent variety of terrain make it a strong regional choice for those in the southwest.

Taos

This New Mexico resort is no substitute for the larger destinations, but it brings a distinct vibe that adventurous travelers will appreciate.

Red Mountain

While it lacks creature comforts that typical travelers might expect from a destination ski resort, this Western Canada resort offers a raw, authentic big mountain experience.

Wolf Creek

This local ski area offers the highest average snow totals in Colorado, although its vertical drop is short compared to the destinations.

Silver Star

While it doesn’t offer the same terrain distinctiveness as several competitors, this Western Canada resort stands out with one of the most accessible ski-in/ski-out setups on the continent.

Brighton

While it isn’t the biggest and can be annoying to get around, this Utah mountain offers exceptional Cottonwoods snow for a bargain—especially for families.

Aspen Mountain

The oldest Aspen ski area offers incredible views of town on a relatively compact footprint, but the resort could use logistical enhancements in lower-mountain areas.

Solitude

The modestly-sized Utah mountain packs a demanding footprint and excellent snow, but true beginner and intermediate terrain offerings are limited.

Snowmass

The largest resort in the Aspen conglomerate is one of the best in Colorado, delivering a well-rounded experience worthy of the asking price.

Powder Mountain

This Utah resort’s upside-down layout, minimal lift infrastructure, and significant capacity restrictions result in one of the most unusual destination experiences out there.

Sun Peaks

This massive Interior British Columbia resort offers impeccable grooming and a family-friendly footprint but falls short in particularly distinctive terrain.

Schweitzer

Despite its remote location and modest size, this Idaho panhandle resort offers a few solid advantages for destination-goers, especially during peak times.

Panorama

This remote Canadian resort brings impressive vertical and a ton of character, but it may not offer quite as well-rounded of an overall mountain experience as some competitors.

Crested Butte

This striking Colorado resort is an expert’s paradise. Reasonable ticket prices counterbalance limited terrain offerings for other demographics.

Park City

This uniquely expansive resort offers diverse terrain and a world-class freestyle setup. Despite recent improvements, navigation logistics are still a major sore point.

Deer Valley

While this ski-only Utah resort gets high marks for its top-tier hospitality, the overall mountain experience is unbecoming of its expensive ticket price.

Kicking Horse

It may not be as tough or striking as the best in the Canadian Rockies, but this British Columbia resort still has a lot to offer.

Grand Targhee

This Wyoming resort isn’t the largest or craziest out there, but it offers incredible snow and a distinctive, remote vibe.

Big White

It may not be as tough or striking as the best in the Canadian Rockies, but this British Columbia resort still has a lot to offer.

Steamboat

While it’s not the most striking ski resort in the world, standout tree terrain and significant recent lift and terrain improvements help this northern Colorado resort hold its own against the other destinations.

Sun Valley

This Idaho mountain offers a world-class terrain experience for families, but snow and conditions are not as consistent as at other Rockies resorts. Despite a recent terrain expansion, the mountain still isn’t ideal for experts.

Winter Park

Although it can get crowded, this conveniently located Colorado destination has a lot to offer for a wide variety of visitors.

Keystone

This Colorado resort offers unique, enjoyable slopes and finally boasts lift-serviced high-alpine bowls, but it still falls somewhat short in its lift-served footprint size and expert terrain.

Arapahoe Basin

While slow lifts and a lack of on-site lodging may turn some people away, this local favorite offers some of the most extreme terrain in Colorado.

Aspen Highlands

While modestly sized, this Aspen resort offers a surprisingly local feel and a diverse, demanding expert footprint.

Revelstoke

This one-of-a-kind Canadian Rockies resort should be on every expert’s bucket list, but it feels like it hasn’t been developed to its full potential.

Banff Sunshine Village

This absolutely striking resort has consistent snow and terrain for everyone, although frigid spells are common during the core season.

Big Sky (With Tram Add-On)

This massive resort offers one of the most well-rounded terrain experiences in North America, but a number of logistical problems persist.

Lake Louise

While it sees the occasional extreme cold spell, this Banff resort’s jaw-dropping vistas and varied terrain distinguish it from competitors.

Big Sky

This massive resort offers one of the most well-rounded terrain experiences in North America, but a number of logistical problems persist.

Jackson Hole

This Teton resort lives up to its extremely demanding reputation. Beginners need not apply.

Telluride

Despite its modest size and reputation for extreme terrain, this beautiful, remote resort delivers an experience that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Beaver Creek

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.

Snowbasin

Despite a lack of on-site lodging, this Utah resort stays competitive thanks to diverse hills, striking peaks, and top-of-the-line facilities.

Vail

With expansive, diverse terrain and modern lifts, this top-of-the-line resort competes well with the best in the country.

Snowbird

It’s hard to beat this Utah resort’s top-tier snow quality, innovative mountain logistics, and expert terrain.

Copper

This Colorado favorite offers very competitive terrain, but many lifts outside base areas are slow.

Alta

This Utah resort prohibits snowboarding and offers limited slopeside lodging, but it receives some of the best, most consistent snow anywhere in North America.

Whistler Blackcomb

Despite somewhat variable snow conditions, this massive resort delivers one of the most well-rounded experiences we’ve seen anywhere.