Rockies

Killington and Mount Snow Delay 2020-21 Openings, Loveland to Open Tomorrow

Abnormally warm temperatures have forced both Vermont resorts to push back their expected November 14 openings, while Loveland plans to open with one lift servicing three trails.

Multiple North American Resorts Opening Tomorrow, November 20

Vail, Heavenly, Northstar, Park City, and Killington are set to open for the 2020-21 season tomorrow, November 20. We’ve detailed the opening-week access details for each of these mountains here.

Squaw/Alpine Opens A Day Early, Several Other North American Resorts Open This Week

Multiple North American resorts open for the 2020-21 season this week. We’ve detailed the opening-week access details for each of these mountains here.

Jackson Hole Offering 50% off Lift Tickets for Season Passholders to Other Resorts

From November 26, 2020 to December 18, 2020—and again from March 15, 2021 to April 18, 2021—Wyoming’s Jackson Hole is offering 50% off lift tickets for anyone with a valid 2020-21 ski resort season pass from anywhere in the world.

Many Holdout North American Destination Resorts to Open This Week, Parking Reservations at Copper and Snowbird Already Filling Up

By the end of this week, most of the resorts we’ve reviewed will be open for the 2020-21 season. With COVID-19 still a factor, we’ve detailed the access information for each of these mountains here.

California Bars Day-of Ticket Sales at Ski Resorts This Season

To limit mountain capacity and discourage last-minute traveling, California will no longer allow resorts to sell day-of lift tickets this season. Resorts are also asked to limit parking to ticket and pass holders only.

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.