Generally speaking, mid- to late-November is considered the start of the North America ski season. Ski resorts have begun to open, though typically with limited terrain. So while Thanksgiving weekend doesn’t boast the skiing and riding you’ll find during the heart of winter, it makes for a great way to ring in the ski season. Your legs could use the warm-up anyways. It’s these first few weeks of the ski season when you’re also likely to see some of the biggest discounts on lift tickets and lodging. Bonus: Mother Nature can sometimes bring Thanksgiving surprises to the mountains.

Note: Meteorologist Chris Tomer will be back in mid-November for twice-weekly snow forecasts. Check the Thanksgiving forecast ahead of your ski trip here. 

Here are some good choices for skiing Thanksgiving weekend.

Where To Ski Thanksgiving Weekend

Lake Louise and Sunshine Village

Head north to Banff for early holiday snow, where it’s business as usual, since Canada celebrates their Thanksgiving in October. Lake Louise and Sunshine should be open and waiting for you in early November. Lake Louise gives skiers and riders access to 4,200 skiable acres and 3,251 vertical feet of drop, while Sunshine Village is Canada’s highest elevation resort, with Sunshine Mountain Lodge located at 7,200 feet. It boasts 3,300 skiable acres and 3,510 feet of vertical.

Off the snow, soak in hot springs, twirl on ice skates, take in the views on the Banff Gondola, and go holiday shopping in downtown Banff. Bonus: You’ll find a lot of great restaurants in Banff to satisfy your cravings for a hearty holiday meal.

» View Lake Louise Lodging Options & Sunshine Village Lodging Options

Sun Valley, Idaho

Sun Valley plans to open for skiing and riding on Thanksgiving Day, making it a great choice for ringing in the ski season. America’s first destination ski resort, Sun Valley is known for its Western flair and European style, while boasting 2,054 skiable acres and 3,400 feet of vertical drop. Off the slopes, stroll through galleries rich in artistic ambiance, catch a movie, hit the bowling alley, or play virtual golf at the nordic center. For a true holiday feast, the Limelight room at Sun Valley Resort will host a full Thanksgiving Buffet from 3-9 p.m. — reservations required. Good bets for other dinner options (with a reservation) are at The Ram, Galena Lodge, and Grill at Nob Hill, many of which have special Thanksgiving menus.

» View Sun Valley Lodging Options

Big Sky, Montana

There’s so much room, 5,800 acres, at Big Sky that even with modest terrain for Thanksgiving weekend, there will be plenty of snow-covered slopes for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy. Big Sky has historically opened on Thanksgiving Day, but more recently has started opening on the day prior. For a great Thanksgiving Day dinner, look no further than the Horn & Cattle on Lone Mountain Ranch. Other fine dining choices include WOM (Word of Mouth) and Olive B’s Big Sky Bistro. Remember those reservations.

» View Big Sky Lodging Options

Copper Mountain, Colorado

Copper Mountain, which is expected to open in early November, should have quite a bit of its base level 2,500-plus acres of terrain open by Thanksgiving. There will be a host of family-friendly activities to enjoy across Copper Mountain over Thanksgiving weekend. Enjoy free hot chocolate, a live DJ, and the first fireworks show of the season at the Eagle’s Landing in Center Village. In the giving spirit, Copper also organizes a food and coat drive to benefit local areas in need. Guests who donate more than three items will receive a ceramic Copper mug as a token of appreciation.

» View Copper Mountain Lodging Options

Crystal Mountain, Washington

The Pacific Northwest is often a good bet for early-season turns, and few resorts are a better choice than Crystal Mountain, which is Washington state’s largest ski area. While the entire 2,200 acres of Crystal Mountain won’t be accessible, there’s plenty of terrain to warm up your legs for the ski season. For a great meal, with equally great views, take the Mount Rainier Gondola up 2,500 feet to the Summit House Restaurant to dine above the clouds at 6,872 feet. If you’re lucky, and it’s a clear day, you can enjoy expansive views of the Cascade Range and Mount Rainier.

» View Crystal Mountain Lodging Options

Stratton, Vermont

Scheduled to open the day before Thanksgiving, Stratton Resort is the perfect family-friendly spot to enjoy the holiday away from home. Stratton will have a host of opening day festivities that you won’t just find at any ski destination, like the annual Gobble Gobble Wobble 5K run, held every year in the Stratton Village on Thanksgiving morning. Advanced registration is required, while families can sign up as a group to get the whole crew moving before the big evening feast. Prizes will be awarded for the best costume and to the youngest and oldest runners. Guests can settle in for a traditional dinner at Table 43.1 after finishing the 5K. Reservations are required for the 4 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. seating.

» View Stratton Lodging Options

Killington, Vermont

Killington, the aptly named Beast of the East, likes to muse that “winter is here when we say so.” Nightly temperatures are often dipping down to the 30s around mid-October at Killington to allow for snowmaking while some parts of the country are still seeing summer-like weather. This year Killington is planning on a mid-November start to welcome skiers and riders. Ski racing fans can enjoy the event of the season as The Stifel Killington Cup returns for another year. The Killington Cup races include a Giant Slalom that will be held over Thanksgiving Weekend, Nov. 30 to Dec. 1. The races draw between 30,000-40,000 fans to Vermont. Killington will also host its 13th annual Turkey Trot starting at 9:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day at the Pickle Barrel.

» View Killington Lodging Options

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia

Thanksgiving has already come and gone in Canada when Americans get around to it, but Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia has you covered as it plans to open for skiing and riding over Thanksgiving weekend. Enjoy traditional Thanksgiving dining, a plethora of activities, family-friendly entertainment, and shopping on the Village Stroll. For a fine dining Thanksgiving dinner at its best, make your reservations at Araxi’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar. Elsewhere, the Braidwood Tavern serves up brunch, lunch, dinner, and turkey to go.

» View Whistler Blackcomb Lodging Options

U.S. Resort Projected Opening Dates

Header: ©Sun Valley Resort

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The Best Wine Bars in Ski Towns

Ridge Street Wine, Breckenridge, Colorado 

Part wine shop, part bar, Ridge Street Wine is tucked away off Breckenridge’s Main Street. Owners Kenny and Ann are longtime skiers, with Ann beginning her career as a U.S. Ski Team and World Champion Team athlete in the mid-90s. After retiring from ski racing, she moved to Colorado and started pursuing her passion for wine. Ridge Street Wine’s team members hand-pick their wines, which guests can purchase by the bottle downstairs in their shop or by the glass upstairs at their tasting bar. Pair a bottle of wine with a selection of artisanal cheeses, chocolates, and paninis. Ridge Street Wine is the perfect aprés-ski stop for wine lovers after a day of skiing at Breckenridge Ski Resort.

Continental Divide Winery, Breckenridge, Colorado 

Continental Divide Winery is another tasting room on Breckenridge’s Main Street. Dubbed the “world’s highest altitude winery,” Continental Divide Winery has been awarded several accolades including the “Best Colorado Winery Experience” by LUXLife Magazine. They produce all of their wines in a state-of-the-art winemaking facility in nearby Fairplay, where they also have a tasting room, at an elevation of more than 10,000 feet. Continental Divide Winery offers tasting flights and wines for purchase by the glass or bottle, while there are also a number of fun experiences, like a wine blending experience, which invites guests to create their own red wine blend to take home. 

Root & Flower, Vail, Colorado 

Root & Flower prides itself on an “approachable elegance” to welcome both seasoned wine drinkers and new wine lovers. They have more than 20 hand-picked wines and a varied, fun menu, which includes truffle popcorn and lobster-stuffed deviled eggs. The wine list is a showstopper, featuring rare, iconic wines like a 2008 Château Pavie Premier Grand Cru Classé Saint-Émilion and a 2005 Araujo Eisele Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Take in their bright and floral atmosphere while sipping your favorite varietal after a day of riding, or level up aprés-ski by enjoying a wine tasting or taking one of their cocktail making classes. 

Element 47, Aspen, Colorado 

Element 47, a Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant, led by Executive Chef Matt Zubrod, blends luxury dining with an Aspen-casual dress code to create a must-visit destination. The restaurant’s name pays homage to the element silver, number 47, on the periodic table. It’s a fitting homage since silver is what helped put Aspen on the map. Located inside Aspen’s 5-star hotel, The Little Nell, Element 47 has nearly 20,000 bottles of wine in its cellar, helping it earn a Grand Award every year since 1997. The Aspen wine bar is open for après-ski with a full list of wine by the glass that can be paired with the bar menu. Element 47 is the perfect way to round out a ski day, especially since it’s just steps from the Silver Queen Gondola. 

Old Town Cellars, Park City, Utah 

Old Town Cellars blends the rich history of winemaking with an authentic mountain town ambiance to create a Park City après-ski experience like none other. Located in the heart of Park City, this 19th-century silver mining lounge features a sommelier-crafted wine list, along with local craft beer. Old Town Cellars boasts a selection of uniquely crafted in-house blends, including an après series that features their Mountain Town Red, Mountain Town White, and the Townie Rosé. Enjoy wine tasting flights and thoughtfully paired wines with small bites. Old Town Cellars also hosts private events, tastings, and other unique experiences. 

Corner Office Natural Wine, Taos, New Mexico

Corner Office Natural Wine Bar is a casual Taos wine bar that features an expansive selection of wines from around the world. Their wine menu focuses on natural wine, which in short means that the grapes have been grown organically, no chemicals or preservatives have been added, and there’s minimal intervention during the fermentation phase. (Learn more about natural wines from their write-up about them here.)

Corner Office’s food menu is the headliner with items like escargot, steak tartar, and Japanese charcoal grilled branzino. Renowned publications have taken note, as Corner Office was featured on Esquire’s ‘Best New Restaurants of 2023’ list. Taos Ski Valley is 30 minutes from this wine bar, making it the perfect stop after a day on the hill. Note that Corner Office Natural Wine Bar is walk-in only except for groups of six or more.

The Idle Hour, South Lake Tahoe, California 

Lake Tahoe’s location in Northern California puts it close to many great wine regions like Sonoma and Napa, while even closer are more than 70 wineries in El Dorado County. Wine lovers will find a number of great places to enjoy a glass of local and regional wine near ski resorts, including The Idle Hour in South Lake Tahoe, which is just minutes from Heavenly Ski Resort. Owner and founder Karen Walsh spent years turning this old office with a view into a stunning, multi-floor, lakefront après-ski dream that feels like home. Pair the stunning lake view with wines from California and beyond. The Idle Hour serves small bites, fondue, pizza, charcuterie, and more that guests can enjoy while sipping any number of wines from their 200-bottle wine list. 

Glasses Wine Bar, North Lake Tahoe, California 

On the other side of Lake Tahoe, in Incline Village, guests can combine their love for sipping and reading for a one-of-a-kind après-ski experience at Glasses Wine Bar. This fun North Lake Tahoe wine bar was brought to life by owners, Kathleen and Rob, who after retiring, wanted to create the type of local wine bar that they’d want to hang out in. Glasses Wine Bar serves 26 wines by the glass, and has a small offering of snacks available for purchase. Guests can also bring in their own food.

Glasses Wine Bar has a variety of books and games for guests to enjoy, with everything from popular magazines to romance novels to fun games like Cards Against Humanity. You can even bring in your own games. Grab a seat on one of their cozy couches and curl up with a good book and a glass of vino. Glasses Wine Bar also hosts a Wine Club and has weekly literary-inspired events and happy hours.  

Sun Valley Wine Company, Ketchum, Idaho

At the center of Sun Valley Wine Company‘s tasting room is a roaring fireplace surrounded by cozy couches that invites skiers and non-skiers alike to relax, unwind, and connect. It’s a reflection of the family-owned company itself, which brought together their family’s love for Sun Valley skiing and wine to a community-oriented space. The Ketchum wine bar boasts an astonishing 1,000 different bottles of wine, and has a wide-range of food offerings for guests to pair it with, including meat and cheese boards, wings, ribs, and more. Sun Valley Wine Company is always adding new events for guests like live music, special tastings, conversations with winemakers, and paint and sip classes.

Stoller Wine Bar, Bend, Oregon

Stroller Wine Bar has made a name for itself in Oregon, and beyond, as it was recently named one of the 10 best tasting rooms by USA Today readers. While we’re highlighting their Box Factory location in Bend, their wine can also be enjoyed at the Stoller Family Estate in Dayton and the Chehalem Winery in Newberg Oregon. Stoller Wine Bar in Bend is described as a “blend of small-town hospitality and urban style.” They offer unique flights comprised of locally made wine, including the Stoller Single Acre Riesling, Stoller Estate Pinot Noir, and the Stoller Winemaker’s Series Heritage Clones Pinot Noir. Pair these with delicious items from their food menu like sashimi grade tuna tartare or a strawberry and feta flatbread.

Stoller hosts fun events like Trivia with Terrance on the first Tuesday of every month. The winning team receives a Box Factory Basket that’s filled with products from local establishments.

Seven Birches Winery, Lincoln, New Hampshire 

Seven Birches Winery shares that they embrace the “spirit of New Hampshire.” This is evident in many of its products, including wines using locally grown grapes, and their Rhythm Cider brand that uses New England apples. Located at the gorgeous RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain, their tasting room and winery adds a level of luxury and elegance to Lincoln. Established in 2010, and moving to Loon Mountain in 2016, Seven Birches Winery features a beautiful space for guests to sample wine. They also host fun events you won’t just find at any ski town wine bar, including winery tours and ‘Meet the Winemakers’ events on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The ciders from Seven Birches’ cider brand can be sampled in the tasting room and at RiverWalk’s Rhythm Tap & Grille. Join their Wine Club for extra perks and deals on events and new wine releases.

Cork Restaurant & Natural Wine Shop, Stowe, Vermont 

Founded by native Stowe sisters, Danielle & Katie Nichols, Cork is the first and only natural wine shop and restaurant in Vermont. Daniell and Katie hand-pick wines from organic or biodynamic vineyards that don’t use pesticides, chemicals, and fertilizers. Those who love their natural wines can join Cork’s wine club, which is particularly convenient for locals and those who visit Stowe frequently. Cork’s restaurant uses fresh, local ingredients for its dishes, which includes yummy apps, pastas, steak, seafood, and more. The Stowe wine shop often hosts free wine tastings and live music nights. Check Cork’s website for the latest events. 

Header image: ©Dan Campbell / Park City / Vail Resorts

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So how do North America ski resorts stack up historically for snowfall? Read on as we explore some of North America’s snowiest ski resorts, and read Meteorologist Chris Tomer’s long-range forecast for insight into this season.

Download OnTheSnow’s app, or go to onthesnow.com/skireport, for the latest snow reports and ski conditions.

The Snowiest Ski Resorts In North America

The snowiest ski area in North America is Alyeska, Alaska, where the annual snow dump on the ski slopes averages around 650 inches of snowfall. It has jumped as high as 848 inches, and surpassed 700 inches during the 2024 ski season, but that’s not the norm. Nonetheless, most seasons see well over 400 inches of snow. So if your decision is based on whether you can guarantee you will find natural snow during your winter vacation, head to the Great Land (which is what Alyeska means in Aleut). Alyeska is located just 30 miles from Anchorage in Girdwood and offers 1,600 skiable acres, with plenty of steep and deep. If that’s not enough, Girdwood is the gateway to Alaska’s incredible Chugach Mountains, home to more than 700,000 acres of backcountry skiing.

» View Alyeska Lodging Options

Fittingly, we head to Canada next, where British Columbia is no slouch in the snow department. Whistler Blackcomb logs in with an average snowfall of 408 inches, while Revelstoke receives an impressive 400-500 inches of snow on average. Revelstoke continues to hold the Canadian record for the most snow dropped in a single season, recording an astonishing 80 feet of snow during the 1971-1972 ski season. British Columbia is the snowiest Canadian province, by far. The SkiBig3 resorts, over in Alberta, get about half the snowfall of British Columbia’s snowiest resorts.

» View Whistler Lodging Options or Revelstoke Lodging Options.

The Snowiest Ski Resorts In the U.S.

Can the ski resorts in the Lower 48 compete? Yes, many can. In fact, Mt. Baker in the North Cascades of Washington is considered one of the snowiest ski areas in the world, where it averages a whopping average annual snowfall of 650-700 inches. Need more proof? Mt. Baker broke the world record for snowfall in a single season: 1,140 inches, or 95 feet, in the 1998-99 season. The ski area’s summit elevation is 5,089 feet, which shows you that mountains don’t have to reach the sky to generate a lot of snow.

Few other U.S. ski resorts come that close. However, Utah did during the 2022-23 season, with multiple resorts breaking their all-time snowfall records. Little Cottonwood Canyon is where Utah ski resorts like Alta and Snowbird collect snow by the meter. Alta averages 548 inches each season, while next door neighbor Snowbird accumulates more than 500 inches. Alta closed the 2022-23 ski season at a whopping 903″ of snow, while Snowbird broke its record with 838”.

Do those numbers hold up across Utah? Not exactly. The resorts in Summit Country – Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley – get about 200 inches less than those in Little Cottonwood Canyon. This is due in part to a difference of about 1,500 feet in altitude. Both Park City and Deer Valley average 300-350 inches of snowfall annually. No matter how you cut through it, there is indeed truth to Utah’s claim of having “The Greatest Snow On Earth.”

» View Park City Lodging Options and Deer Valley Lodging Options 

Over in the popular ski state of Colorado, Wolf Creek, near Pagosa Springs, reigns supreme, averaging 400-plus inches of snow each winter. Crested Butte near Gunnison averages 200-plus inches. Winter Park – the Denver favorite – is a sure bet for good snow averaging 300-plus inches, while early-to-open Loveland on I-70 picks up 400-plus inches on average. Vail, Aspen, and Steamboat all average around 300 inches of snow annually.

» View Colorado Lodging Options

And what about California? Mammoth Mountain on average receives 400 inches of snow. It doubled that by the end of the 2022-23 season, with 700″ at the Main Lodge and nearly 900″ at the summit. Further north, Palisades Tahoe also saw more than 700 inches of snow. Like Mammoth, Palisades Tahoe receives 400 inches of snow on average.

» View Mammoth Lodging Options and Palisades Tahoe Lodging Options

Snowmaking Rules The East and Midwest

You won’t find many record breakers in the Midwest, but the temperatures often make for good snowmaking at Midwest ski areas when the snow isn’t flying. Still, Michigan’s Mt. Bohemia averages some 270 inches, aided by generous lake-effect snow. Boyne Mountain, by comparison, averages 140 inches.

» View Mt. Bohemia Lodging Options and Boyne Mountain Lodging Options

The East Coast won’t set many snowfall records despite those occasional Nor ‘easters that are often unpredictable. But the averages are more than sufficient, with many ski resorts in this region having the most sophisticated and powerful snowmaking systems in the world. Jay Peak is considered to be home of the best snow on the East Coast, receiving 350 inches of snow on average. Killington – the Beast of the East in Central Vermont – averages 250 inches, while Stowe to the north accumulates around 314 inches. Sugarloaf, in Maine checks, in at 200 inches of snow on average.

» View Killington Lodging Options, Stowe Lodging Options & Sugarloaf Lodging Options.

You be the judge. You can choose the deepest surface and the snowiest resort, or decide that no matter where you ski or ride these days because of high-tech snowmaking you’ll be just fine.

Header: @Ben W. Murdock Park City Mountain Resort

The post These North America Ski Resorts Receive the Most Snow appeared first on OnTheSnow.

Limited child-to-instructor ratios and increasingly segmented age groups are improving the on-mountain learning experience, while an emphasis on base-area activities and events is adding more family fun to the after-ski routine. Additionally, North America ski resorts are catering to new parents with child care and babysitting programs available for kids as young as 6 months. And as for those hard-to-impress teens? Ski areas are rolling out nighttime activities and relaxed, yet supervised areas for hanging out or playing games.

See below for some of OnTheSnow’s top user-rated North America ski resorts for kids and families, plus an OnTheSnow user review for each. See more reviews, and leave your own ski resort reviews, on our website.

Top-Rated Ski Resorts for Families

1. Keystone, Colorado

Keystone is one of the great Colorado resorts off I-70 in the Rockies. It delivers a kid-friendly experience from the moment the car doors open, with free parking near the resort’s base, and free gear wagons available to make transportation from the lot to the lift a breeze.

Ski-in, ski-out accommodations, tons of restaurants and kid-centric activities complement the beginner-friendly terrain at Keystone. To top it off, Keystone’s Kidtopia offers mini shredders everything from snow forts and playgrounds to scavenger hunts and complimentary fresh baked cookies.

» Check out family lodging options at Keystone.

“The programs for the kids have been great! Getting to the lifts with kids is an easy task (use the wagons that are provided). Just drop the kids off at ski school and they handle it from there.” See more Keystone reviews here.

2. Steamboat, Colorado

Steamboat, located about 180 miles from Denver International Airport by car, caters to the entire family with events, fun perks, and activities across the resort and in the town of Steamboat Springs. Holiday events, including the Winter Carnival and the Springalicious Festival, keep kids happy from fall through the entire ski season. Other Steamboat highlights include the Kids Ski Free program, in which kids under the age of 12 ski free for as many days as their parent or legal guardian.

» Check out family lodging options at Steamboat.

“…I enrolled a variety of levels of my 5 kids (7, 9, 11, 13, 15) to bring them up to speed for the first ski of their season and they all enjoyed the tree-skiing, terrain park, and groomers.” See more Steamboat reviews here.

3. Park City Mountain Resort, Utah

When traveling with kids who have a short attention span and little patience, choosing a ski resort that’s close to an airport can make all the difference. Park City Mountain Resort in Utah fits the bill, located just a 50-minute drive from Salt Lake City International Airport.

The big mountain offers 7,300 acres of terrain and a large base area with a variety of kid-friendly activities. Multiple ski school, child care, and preschool options are available on the mountain.

» Check out family lodging options at Park City.

“Terrain for every ability—unique layout that allows families with different abilities to ski together. Lots of after-ski activities such as alpine coaster, zip line, ice rink, sleigh rides. Most accessible ski area we have been to, with a phenomenal ski school.” See more Park City reviews here.

4. Deer Valley, Utah

Deer Valley is an upscale resort in Park City that caters to families with toddler-friendly skiing, child care programs, and a small child-to-instructor ratio. The resort’s Children’s Center welcomes infants and children up to 12 years old who spend the day crafting and playing while you have a grown-up adventure, skiing Deer Valley’s legendary terrain.

Because Deer Valley sells a limited number of daily lift tickets, tiny tots have plenty of room to work on their pizza wedge and French fries. Other amenities include an Adventure Camp and adventure trails with furry mascots.

» Check out family lodging options at Deer Valley.

“Deer Valley Resort was wonderful, the runs were great, and the views were spectacular. It’s everything you would want in a ski-only resort. But what really sets this place apart is the staff that works there.” See more Deer Valley reviews  here.

5. Northstar California, California

The Village at Northstar California, near beautiful Lake Tahoe, has about as many family activities as you’ll find at any ski resort. Northstar’s list of activities for families includes ice skating, a bungee trampoline, snow tubing, crafts, movies, holiday festivals, fire pits for roasting s’mores, and free afternoon cookies during aprés-ski. Convenient gear wagons make transporting equipment to and from the parking lot quick and easy. A variety of different ski lessons are available for kids three years old and up.

» Check out family lodging options at Northstar California.

“Great family-friendly and easy beautiful place to ski and snowboard for families who have mixed members who do either or both. Love the pizza and sushi at the Village. Beautiful atmosphere all around love this place.” See more Northstar reviews here.

6. Big Sky, Montana

The generally uncrowded slopes of Big Sky are a welcome relief for parents who want a reprieve from busy groomers. As the name suggests, this Montana ski resort is big on views and ski terrain, making that family portrait a frame-worthy addition to the mantle piece.

Numerous Big Sky activities, including zipline tours, sleigh rides, dog sledding, and a high ropes course are sure to keep the kiddos busy, and a variety of on-mountain lodging options provide convenient access to and from the slopes.

» Check out family lodging options at Big Sky.

“Big Sky has become our favorite place to ski, after skiing in many spots throughout Colorado, Utah, California, and Washington. It has the same amount of terrain as places like Vail or Park City, but with a tiny fraction of the crowds and congestion. Absolutely stunning views.” See more Big Sky reviews here.

7. Sun Valley, Idaho

It doesn’t get much more classic than Sun Valley, America’s first destination ski resort. SnowSports School provides top-notch instruction, offering a variety of group, private and specialty lessons. Off the slopes, Sun Valley entertains kids of all ages with activities like sleigh rides, movies, bowling, ice skating, ice shows, and more. Sun Valley offers a little bit of everything for accommodations, from deluxe condos to charming multi-room cottages, and of course the iconic Sun Valley Lodge.

» Check out family lodging options at Sun Valley.

“Sun Valley is a world class resort! The mountain is awesome, but so is the town! All the people, locals and tourists, are super friendly and welcoming. Gorgeous scenery and the best lodges of any resort we have been.” See more Sun Valley reviews here.

8. Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont

Smugglers’ Notch is a Green Mountain family favorite that offers an idyllic Vermont escape with a variety of kid-centric amenities. The resort, located in quaint Jeffersonville makes for a great winter getaway. From adaptive programs and lessons to babysitting and child care, “Smuggs,” as many call it, delivers. The Alley Teen Center (ages 13-19) caters to the young adults in the group, offering a supervised and centrally located gaming area in the Village.

Condo lodging options are within a quick walk, or an on-demand Resort Shuttle ride, from Smugglers’ Notch Village.

» Check out family lodging options at Smugglers’ Notch.

“Smuggs is my family’s all time favorite mountain. The great terrain, service, and activities are what keeps us coming back…” See more Smugglers’ Notch reviews here.

9. Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

Bretton Woods, New Hampshire’s largest ski area, is home to 464 skiable acres and 62 trails. While it on average receives 200 inches of annual snowfall, Bretton Woods is regarded as one of the best ski areas on the East Coast for grooming. The Mount Washington Hotel, if you remember your high school history, was the site of the 1944 Monetary Conference and has been completely refurbished. We named it one of the best ski town hotels.

Kid-friendly winter activities abound at Bretton Woods, including a slopeside climbing wall, ice skating, kids snowmobile park, tubing, and more. They offer children’s group lessons (ages 4 to 10) with a variety of programs for the growing skier or rider, while the Snow Play Program (ages 4 to 6) is perfect for younger kids in need of a relaxed introduction into winter sports.

» Check out family lodging options at Bretton Woods.

“Superior skiing on very well groomed trails. Beginners slope is prime. Great base on all the trails. So much fun.” See more Bretton Woods reviews here.

10. Okemo, Vermont

Okemo screams “family-friendly” with its offerings for children and teens. The Southern Vermont ski resort’s Ski + Ride School offers programs and childcare for kids ages 6 months up to 14 years old. The resort also boasts an impressive list of activities including ice skating, the Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and more. The Supernova Slider Club and Amplitude Program also offer long-term lesson programs for families who wish to spend the majority of their season at Okemo.

» Check out family lodging options at Okemo.

“Have been coming here for years with my family—best experience for young kids, great learning programs, well maintained and well-marked terrain.” See more Okemo reviews here.

11. Crystal Mountain Resort, Washington

With more than 2,600 acres of skiable terrain, Crystal Mountain has endless adventure opportunities. A designated portion of Crystal Mountain is just for beginners, making it a perfect spot for kids learning how to ski. Activities abound for kids throughout the winter, such as gondola rides for stunning views of Mt. Rainier and snowshoeing,

» Check out family lodging options at Crystal Mountain.

“I grew up learning to ski here. I live 1:30 minutes away and have been taking my kids here to learn how to ski. Great ski instructors. Great terrain. On mountain lodging if you want to spend the night. Good modern lifts.” See more Crystal Mountain reviews here.

12. Breckenridge Ski Resort, Colorado

Less than a two-hour drive from the Denver metro area, Breckenridge features a charming downtown and tons of kid-friendly restaurants to fuel your family’s adventure. The resort offers a number of ski-in and ski-out lodging options, making it easy to stay at Breckenridge Ski Resort without a car.

Tons of lesson options, the Mountain Top Children’s Museum, and an alpine coaster will keep your kids busy during your entire ski trip. Breck’s Kids Adventure Zone is adjacent to the popular green and blue runs of Breckenridge Ski Resort, while the younger kids will love Riparoo’s Forest with bridges, tunnels, and the spooky haunted forest. Teens meanwhile will enjoy Downstairs at Eric’s, located on Main Street, which has arcade and pinball games.

» Check out family lodging options at Breckenridge.

“A mountain that is great for the family offering terrains for all levels of boarders and skiers. It also offers one of the best ski towns in the country.” See more Breckenridge reviews here.

13. Beaver Creek, Colorado

With terrain for all abilities and kid adventure zones scattered around the resort, Beaver Creek is among the top resorts in Colorado for families. Stroll the village shopping district, go ice skating, and enjoy many other family activities that the resort offers. Beaver Creek is the luxurious and family-friendly sibling to Vail, and is just a 20-minute shuttle ride away.

» Check out family lodging options at Beaver Creek.

“They have nice diversity of trails for all levels. Some of the great things are that they have a nice amount of green trails at the peak of the mountain which you don’t get at many resorts. Also, you can hang around for the apres hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies. It’s what they’re known for.” Read more Bever Creek reviews here.

14. Mont Tremblant, Quebec

Venture across the border for a unique skiing experience for all ages at Mont Tremblant in Quebec, Canada. Most notably, the resort dons a large European-vibe village with shops, restaurants, and activities. On mountain, lodging makes it easy for the family to enjoy the resort during their stay. Kids 1-6 years old can join the Kids Club Daycare with a variety of activities to keep them entertained, while ski and snowboard lessons are available for kids 3-12 years old.

» Check out family lodging options at Tremblant.

“Tremblant has something for every age and skill level, with an amazing village and great food. There is nothing like it east of the Rockies.” Read more Tremblant reviews here.

15. Jay Peak, Vermont

Vermont’s Jay Peak is a welcome reprieve to families looking for non-traditional ski resort amenities. Enter the Pump House Indoor Waterpark, Jay Peak’s indoor waterpark with a lazy river, hot tubs, water slides, a wave surfer, and more. An indoor ice skating rink, family-friendly ski school, and a special learning zone also reflect the resort’s family-friendly nature. Jay Peak’s kids’ programs are specifically designed for 4-12-year-old skiers and snowboarders.

» Check out family lodging options at Jay Peak.

“Amazing terrain all day with tons to do after, including a massive indoor water park!” Read more Jay Peak reviews here.

16. Winter Park, Colorado

Winter Park, less than a 90-minute drive from Denver, took top honors last year in our Visitors’ Choice Awards for Most Family-Friendly Ski Resort. It boasts activities for everyone in the family. Kids of all ages can ride ice bumper cars, go tubing, meet the Safety Patrol Dog Team, try ice fishing, soak in sulphur springs, and much more. Winter Park is also home to the National Sports Center for the Disabled, which has helped thousands of people get on skis. Lessons at Winter Park are based on “guests-centered teaching,” where instructors teach based on what people want to learn or improve.

» Check out family lodging options at Winter Park.

“I love Winter Park. The terrain is soo very fun and challenging. I ski and snowboard and both are awesome to do at Winter Park. I especially love Mary Jane. Winter Park Rocks!!!!” Read more of Winter Park’s reviews here.

17. Mt. Bachelor, Oregon

The Pacific Northwest’s Mt. Bachelor in Central Oregon, a long snowball’s throw from Bend, has all the traditional ski school elements for every member of the family. The big plus for kids and teens is Woodward Mountain Parks with all sorts of urban features. The banked slalom and flowing, twisting, and turning features of the Volcano Adventure Zone are all family-friendly. Look for a buried VW bus in Peace Park. For a unique adventure, consider a dog sled ride led by an Iditarod finisher. Parents can take advantage of Mt. Bachelor’s full-day childcare, which is available for infants, toddlers, and children up to 10 years old.

» Check out family lodging options at Mt. Bachelor.

“After riding here once I had to move from out of state so I could make this my local mountain. I’m a fan of Mt. bachelor!” Read more of Mt. Bachelor’s reviews here.

18. Angel Fire, New Mexico

Located 45 minutes east of Taos, Angel Fire was the 2022-23 Visitors’ Choice award winner for most family-friendly ski resort. Angel Fire refers to itself as a family-first ski resort, and that’s evident in its activities and experiences designed for families — from a great children’s ski school to family-friendly lodging to off-mountain activities and more. You and your family can learn to ski in the morning, and then spend the afternoon tubing, snowshoeing, making s’mores, and enjoying any number of other great activities for families.

» Check out family lodging options at Angel Fire.

“The boys had been snowboarding, before, but we were all going to try skiing. We had such an awesome time that we’re making it a family hobby.” Read more of Angel Fire’s reviews here.

19. Sun Peaks, British Columbia

Sun Peaks is ranked on OnTheSnow as one of the top family-friendly ski resorts in Canada, and for good reason. While Sun Peaks isn’t the size of some of Canada’s larger ski resorts, it abounds with activities for families. Ski lessons for tots and kids, dog sledding, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice skating, and snow shoeing are just a few of the great family-friendly activities that Sun Peaks offers. If your little ones aren’t quite ready to strap on skis, then take advantage of the Sundance Kids Centre, which is available for children 3 to 5 years old.

» Check out family lodging options at Sun Peaks.

“Great family resort with a cute village. Most of the properties are ski-in/ski-out. Lots of terrain with something for everyone and short lines.” Read more of Sun Peak’s reviews here.

Header Image: @Keystone Ski Resort

The post 19 Best Ski Resorts for Families and Kids appeared first on OnTheSnow.

Airports With Easy Ski Resort Access

1. Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)

Jackson Hole Airport, located at the base of the Teton Range, is approximately 20 miles from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and less than 10 miles from the town of Jackson. The airport has nonstop airline service from up to 16 destinations throughout the United States during peak seasons, and is served year-round by Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, and seasonally by Frontier Airlines and Sun Country Airlines.

Bonus: Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport in the United States located inside a national park, conveniently located within Grand Teton National Park. Jackson is arguably one of the most beautiful destinations to fly into.

» Find cheap flights to Jackson Hole

2. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)

Few cities can boast the ski resort access that Salt Lake City does. Flying into Salt Lake City International (SLC) puts skiers and riders within an hour’s drive of 11 ski areas, including Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley, Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, Solitude, and Sundance.

Salt Lake City International Airport is one of the West’s major hubs, served by 10 airlines and their affiliates offering more than 700 daily non-stop flights to/from 95-plus destinations. Airlines that fly into SLC include AeroMexico, Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, SkyWest, Southwest, and United. SLC is a major hub for Delta Air Lines with about 70 percent of total traffic.

» Find cheap flights to Salt Lake City

3. Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE)

If you’re looking to skip the long, sometimes traffic-laden or snowy drive from Denver to Vail, then catch a winter flight into Eagle County Regional Airport on United, Delta, or American Airlines. Most flights to Vail/Eagle are operated by American, connecting numerous airports to EGE. Eagle County’s convenient, high-elevation airport places skiers and riders within a 40-minute drive of Beaver Creek and Vail, and an hour drive to Copper Mountain. In many cases there’s easy shuttle service to your hotel, too.

» Find cheap flights into Eagle County Regional Airport

4. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)

Located in the heart of cowboy country, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is the closest airport to Big Sky, and provides nonstop flights to and from 16 cities across the country, including Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, New York-LaGuardia, Newark, Atlanta, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland, and Seattle. Served by Delta, Allegiant, Alaska, Avelo, JetBlue, United and American Airlines, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is just a 25-mile drive from Bridger Bowl and 50 miles from Big Sky Resort.

» Find cheap flights into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport

5. Burlington International Airport (BTV)

Fly direct into Vermont’s Burlington International Airport from 10 cities, including New York, Chicago, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Detroit, Washington, D.C., and Toronto. Enjoy easy access to Smugglers’ Notch and Stowe Mountain Resort, located approximately one hour from Burlington International Airport.

BTV is the closest airport to Vermont Ski resorts, and is serviced by Delta, JetBlue, American, Frontier, and United Airlines. Renting a car gives you access to other favorite Vermont resorts further south such as Bolton Valley, Sugarbush, Mad River, and Killington in Central Vermont.

» Find cheap flights into Burlington Airport

6. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE)

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (also known as Sardy Field) is situated within 10 minutes of Aspen Mountain and Snowmass Village. Major carriers like Delta, United, and American provide nonstop service from some of the country’s biggest hubs. You can plan a direct flight to Aspen from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, Austin, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, and Denver. Travelers from many other cities can also connect through Denver. It’s not only easier and more convenient than driving from Denver, but the flight into Aspen is stunning.

» Find cheap flights to Aspen

7. Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)

Hop aboard a Delta, Alaska, Allegiant, Frontier, Southwest, JetBlue, United, American, or Volaris flight to Reno from a number of hubs across the country and you’ll be skiing the Sierras in no time. Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley) is located within a one-hour drive of the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, which is the closest major airport to fly into for access to all Lake Tahoe ski resorts on either the north or south shores. Consider making Reno your base for great hotel deals, lots of casinos, and a fun nightlife scene. Don’t sleep on Mt. Rose, which is the closest ski area to Reno, located 30 minutes away.

» Find cheap flights to Reno Airport

8. Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN)

Alaska, Delta Connection, and United Express Airlines offer direct service into Sun Valley’s Friedman Memorial Airport, putting skiers and riders within 15 miles of the fabled Sun Valley ski slopes from a variety of major markets. Nonstop flights are available from Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle to Sun Valley. For added convenience, shuttle service is available from Hailey Friedman Airport to Sun Valley Resort.
» Find cheap flights to Friedman Memorial Airport

9. Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH) / Bishop Airport (BIH)

Air travel to Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Mountain, the third most-visited ski resort in the United States, has gotten a whole lot easier. United Airlines now offers daily service to Bishop (BIH) airport from San Francisco (SFO) and Denver (DEN). BIH flights replaced daily United service to Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH), making winter air travel to California’s most popular mountain resort more accessible and opening the door for expanded flight routes and access to Mammoth Lakes in the near future. Shuttle and rental car services are both available at Bishop Airport, while there’s also free and regular bus service throughout Mammoth Lakes. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Bishop to Mammoth Lakes.

In addition, there’s Advanced Air service into MMH, which is just 12 miles from Mammoth Mountain. Advanced Air is now offering regional service to and from Burbank (BUR), Hawthorne (HHR), and Carlsbad (CLD) airports. Advanced Air flights also have the advantage of being able to land at BIH in the event of inclement weather in Mammoth Lakes.

» Find cheap flights to Mammoth Yosemite Airport

10. Montrose-Telluride Regional Airport (MTJ)

Telluride-bound skiers and riders have a few different flight options. Montrose Regional Airport, dubbed the “runway to recreation,” is about as close as you can get with wings for a good-sized regional airport to Telluride, which is about 90 minutes away. You can fly into Montrose non-stop from numerous cities around the U.S., including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orange County, Chicago, Denver, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, and New York City. For even quicker access, take advantage of Denver Air Connection’s service from Denver and Phoenix into Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), which is located just 10 minutes from Telluride.

» Find cheap flights to Montrose-Telluride Airport

11. Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN)

Fly into Colorado’s Yampa Valley Regional Airport to be just a 30-minute drive from Steamboat Resort (22 miles). There are non-stop flights to Yampa Valley Regional Airport from major airports across the country on Alaska, American, JetBlue, Southwest, and United during the winter season. While Steamboat is the headliner, travelers also have convenient access to the towns of Hayden, Craig, and the rest of this beautiful Valley.
» Find cheap flights to Yampa Valley Airport

12. Glacier Park International Airport (FCA)

Many skiers to Montana fly into Bozeman, and for good reason, since it’s the closest airport to Big Sky Resort, the largest ski resort in Montana. But don’t sleep on Whitefish. After grabbing your luggage, you can be on the mountain in 30 minutes when you fly into Glacier Park International Airport. It’s just 15 minutes to the town of Whitefish, and a half-hour from FCA to Whitefish Mountain Resort, which we included in our list of the best uncrowded ski resorts. What’s more, it’s just a 40-minute drive to Glacier National Park. There are few destinations that have the incredible outdoor access and convenience as Whitefish, and Glacier Park International Airport makes it easy to get outdoors in a jiff.

» Find cheap flights to Glacier Airport

The post Fly Into These U.S. Airports With Easy Ski Resort Access appeared first on OnTheSnow.

America’s Best Dive Bars in Ski Towns

The Last Dollar Saloon, Telluride, Colorado 

The Last Dollar Saloon, located in a historic building from the late-1800s, was named the no. 1 “Best Skier Dive Bar in the World” by SnowBrains. Right in the heart of downtown Telluride, this historic local favorite has been serving up dive bar classics since 1978, featuring a selection of beer on draft, pint-sized cocktails, and an atmosphere that’s unique to Telluride. The Last Dollar Saloon is an institution, and should be at the top of your list on a ski trip to Telluride. On a warm, sunny day, don’t miss The Last Dollar Saloon’s rooftop. 

The Motherloaded Tavern, Breckenridge, Colorado 

As The Motherloaded Tavern shares on its website, their guests are part of the family, which is something you won’t hear from just any dive bar. But this isn’t just any dive, especially with menu items like its variety of mac and cheese offerings, including the meatloaf mac and fried chicken mac. Save room for the Indoor S’mores, which comes with your own personal Hibachi for making s’mores at your table. The Motherloaded Tavern’s expansive drink menu is headlined by its house-infused spirits, including peach pecan pie bourbon, raspberry tequila, and dill pickle vodka. It also plays host to fun events throughout the week, including trivia, karaoke, and live music. 

Breckenridge is home to a number of other great dives, including HD Tavern, known for its specialty hot dogs and sausages, and The Gold Pan Saloon, which is one of Colorado’s oldest bars.

The Mangy Moose, Jackson Hole, Wyoming

No list of the top après-ski bars is complete without the iconic Mangy Moose in Teton Village. Opening in 1967, it’s been serving skiers, travelers, and locals alike with a fun alpine atmosphere ever since. The Mangy Moose is a bit more spacious and cozy than your token dive bar, yet it’s still worth highlighting, if for nothing else than its great live music scene, having welcomed such big names like Kris Kristopherson and Hozier. While it’s undergone multiple building and ownership transformations since opening, The Moose has remained true to its Wyoming spirit. Described as “America’s Most Unusual Steakhouse,” it’s a must-stop on a Jackson Hole trip. 

While you’re in Jackson, don’t miss the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, an ode to the West with horse saddles for bar seats and a lively music scene.

The Slot Bar, Palisades Tahoe, California

Small but mighty, The Slot Bar is a sneaky local bar located in The Village at Palisades Tahoe. Ski paraphernalia-covered walls, an affinity for PBR, and cramped seating characterize this Palisades Tahoe hole-in-the-wall. Grab a beer and admire the walls of old skis, catch a classic ski movie on the TV, or line up at the bar with your friends for a shot-ski. The Slot is truly a gem among a sea of great bars in North Lake Tahoe. Note that food isn’t served at The Slot Bar, making it a good aprés-ski option before grabbing dinner. Arrive early though if you want to grab a coveted bar seat.

Tourist Club, Truckee, California 

The Tourist Club, aka T-Club, has been operating as a dive bar saloon in downtown Truckee for nearly 80 years. Located just 10 minutes from Northstar California Resort, the Tourist Club attracts a mix of diehard locals and tourists looking for a place with character and cold, cheap beer. Unwind with a game of pool after a day on the slopes, or enjoy any number of their weekly events like themed parties, live music, and karaoke nights. Afterward, walk just a few steps down to the Pastime Club, which is Truckee’s oldest bar, and yet another great dive.

M&J Tavern, Bend, Oregon

M&J Tavern, located in the heart of downtown Bend, has been the “locals joint” since 1946. Originally serving loggers and railroaders, the tavern, which is known for cheap beer, live music, and good food, is full of skiers, tourists, and Oregon natives on any given night. M&J Tavern has a popular chili selection, more than 30 beers, 200-plus bottles of tequila, and much more. Don’t miss the roasted chicken, which is considered one of its signature dishes. M&J Tavern hosts tons of events every month, including industry nights, karaoke, open mic nights, all you can eat peanuts, and pool nights. Take a drive into Bend after a day of shredding Mt. Bachelor and experience this classic dive for yourself.

Grumpy’s, Ketchum, Idaho 

Grumpy’s is located just five minutes down the road from America’s first destination ski resort, Sun Valley. Ketchum’s iconic burger spot is known for its no-frills menu and atmosphere, where old license pates and beer cans line the walls. Grumpy’s menu features classic items like hot dogs, chili cheese fries, wings, and of course their famous burger. Yet those who are vegan or vegetarian have plenty of options too, with items like the Beyond Burger.

Grumpy’s has been boasting the best burgers in town for nearly 40 years, after opening its doors around Cinco de Mayo in 1978. While there are a lot of places called Grumpy’s across the U.S., the one in Ketchum is the original. This laid-back burger spot is the perfect après location for locals, tourists and everyone in between.

Great Northern Bar and Grill, Whitefish, Montana

Walls adorned with old business signs, red leather bar stools, and a polished old wood bar give the Great Northern Bar and Grill in Whitefish its classic western dive bar vibe. The bar gets its name from the Great Northern Railway. The construction of it was responsible for putting the town of Whitefish and the tavern on the map in the early 1900s. The signs that pepper the walls are all from shuttered local establishments, helping give the Great Northern Bar its “Foreclosure Museum” nickname. Great Northern has live music Thursday to Saturday, while sports fans can belly up to the bar any night of the week to watch their favorite team play.

If that’s not enough, there’s also pool, shuffleboard, ping pong, an array of classic arcade games, and a wide selection of craft beers on tap (29 taps all total). Great Northern is the perfect après-ski bar after a day of lapping Whitefish Mountain.

The Snorting Elk, Crystal Mountain, Washington 

The Snorting Elk, which we named one of the best aprés-ski bars in America, has been a Crystal Mountain staple and a pillar of the Pacific Northwest ski scene since 1965. Austrian-inspired, and featuring an extensive beer list, The Snorting Elk is the perfect place to wind down after a day on the mountain. It also hosts a number of unique, fun events throughout the ski season, including the Northwest Avalanche Center Benefit, a 70s-themed Polyesta Fiesta, Amateur Ski and Snowboard Film Night, and a weekly locals night on Wednesdays. It’s no wonder why The Snorting Elk is continuously recognized as one of the best ski bars in America. Grab a beer and cozy up by the fire at The Snorting Elk.

No Name Saloon, Park City, Utah

Affectionately known as “The Bar that made Park City famous,” No Name Saloon is conveniently located right on the main drag of Park City. Guests can hop from room to room as they take in the glory of this one-of-a-kind Park City dive bar. Hang out in the original Main Room for a taste of the saloon’s history, or head up to the year-round heated patio for some people-watching down on Main Street. Hang a right on your way up the stairs to The Loft, where you can grab a seat at the bar made of an upcycled basketball court. No Name Saloon even has a place where the entire family can gather, located next door at the Annex Burger. May we suggest pairing No Name Saloon’s famous buffalo burger with a Utah craft beer.

Becks Tavern, Gore Mountain, New York 

Some of the most unique aprés-ski experiences are in the most unlikely places, and Becks Tavern, at Gore Mountain, is no exception. The Gore Mountain dive bar serves up German-inspired food with a few American favorites. However, what’s most unique is the yurt bar that plays host to live music. Indulge in traditional German goulash, schnitzel, and sausages paired with local and German beer while taking in the sounds of local musicians. Bonus: Becks is located right next to Gore Mountain Lodge, making it easy to walk back to your accommodations after a night of great food, drinks, and live music. 

The Bag and Kettle, Sugarloaf, Maine 

We named The Bag and Kettle one of the best aprés-ski bars in America. And it’s for good reason. The Bag, located right at the base of Sugarloaf, is a 50-year-old East Coast institution, known for its famous bag burger, a huge burger that’ll make your eyes widen. Other faves include curly fries, locally-brewed beer, and wood-fired pizza. This sticky-floored, wood-paneled bar is the perfect end to a day of shredding above treeline in the Carabasset Valley powder. If it’s a classic dive with cheap bear and greasy burgers that you’re after, then look no further. Check The Bag and Kettle’s website for their live music schedule.

Tom’s Loft, Okemo, Vermont 

Tom’s Loft was long known for its owner, Tom Koch, the self-proclaimed “grumpy owner.” In fact there was even the type of sign that you’d except from a dive, located on the side of the building, which read, “Warm beer, lousy food, grumpy owner.” Tom sold it in 2022 to three employees and restaurant veterans who are carrying the tradition of this great dive bar on. Located right at the base of Okemo Resort, Tom’s Loft serves up traditional après-ski comfort food like its award-winning wings, poutine fries, and nachos. While Tom’s Loft doesn’t have a website, you won’t miss this iconic dive bar that’s mere steps from the lifts. Just follow the crowd and belly up alongside locals and visitors alike for a quintessential Vermont aprés-ski experience. The beer is cold, the food is great, and the vibes are all-time.

Rimrock’s Mountain Tavern, Stowe, Vermont 

Part sports bar, part dive, part pool hall, Rimrock’s Mountain Tavern has a little bit of everything. It’s a classic Vermont dive bar to unwind at after a day of ripping up the Front Four at Stowe. Rimrock’s Mountain Tavern serves up traditional bar food, including wings, nachos, and burgers, in a relaxed, family-friendly environment. Post-dinner, challenge your family to a game of pool, or enjoy one of their arcade games. There’s often live music, which you can see the schedule of on their website. On a warm, sunny day, get there early to snag a table on their patio.

Discover more bars and aprés-ski options at our articles below.

More Reading

America’s Best Aprés-Ski Bars

The Best Aprés-Ski Bars in Canada

The Best Ski Town Distilleries

Great Ski Town Craft Breweries Around America

The Best Après-Ski Parties in America

The post The Best Ski Town Dive Bars in America appeared first on OnTheSnow.

However, what counts as “big” differs by region. What’s considered big in New England and the Midwest is different than what’s considered big in the Rockies, the far west, and British Columbia.

Below, find our list of the largest ski resorts in each of the major regions of North America.

The Biggest Ski Resorts in North America

Eastern U.S. and Eastern Canada

Killington, Vermont: 1,509 skiable acres, 23 Lifts

It’s the “Beast of the East” for a reason. Add its nearby sister ski area, Pico Mountain, to the totals and you have access to 2,000 skiable acres and 92 miles of trails. The K-1 gondola takes you to Killington Peak’s 4,241-foot summit, where you’ve got all that vertical on the way down. Killington’s Bear Mountain will give your legs the ultimate bump burn with its Outer Limits run. Killington has a village of its own and an access road lined with lodging, plus bars and restaurants for après-ski.
» » Check out lodging options at Killington.

Mt. Tremblant, Quebec, Canada: 755 skiable acres, 14 Lifts

While you may not think of large ski resorts when you think of Eastern Canada, don’t sleep on Quebec and Mt. Tremblant. Mt. Tremblant is the largest ski resort in Quebec, where all three sides of the mountain are accessible to incredible ski terrain, served by a number of chairlifts and gondolas. Its high point is 2,871 feet, with all the skiing and riding below the treeline. Mt. Tremblant’s Pedestrian Village, at the base of the mountain, is so charming and picturesque, giving off all the vibes of Europe’s iconic ski villages.
» » Check out lodging options at Mt. Tremblant.

Midwest

Lutsen Mountains, Lutsen, Minnesota: 1,000 acres, 7 Lifts

The Midwest has lots of ski areas, but on a “big” scale, they don’t compare to the rest of North America’s ski regions. That is, except for the 4-peak Lutsen Mountains Resort in Minnesota that overlooks Lake Superior. Lutsen Mountains equates to Great Lake views and equally great skiing and snowboarding with plenty of skiable terrain. As many Midwest skiers will attest to, Lutsen Mountains is as close to big resort skiing and riding as you’ll find in America’s heartland.
» » Check out lodging options at Lutsen Mountain.

West

Park City Mountain Resort, Utah: 7,300 acres, 41 Lifts

Vail Resorts bought Park City Mountain Resort, less than an hour from Salt Lake City International Airport, a decade ago and soon added neighboring Canyons Resort to it. That made the interconnected combo a 7,300-acre bonanza of skiing and snowboarding terrain. That makes it and Whistler Blackcomb the two largest ski resorts in North America by acreage. Park City, however, has the advantage of nearby Deer Valley Resort, while there’s more resort skiing on its way in Park City with the development of Mayflower Mountain Resort.

» » Check out lodging options in Utah.

Powder Mountain, Utah: 8,484 acres, 8 Lifts

Powder Mountain is one of Utah’s hidden gems, often overshadowed by many of the Wasatch Range’s heavy hitters. But if you venture outside of the Wasatch Range and a bit north to Eden, Utah, you won’t regret it. While most of Powder Moutain’s skiable terrain is accessible by guided cat ski, the mountain makes it easy to add to your regular lift pass and safely experience Powder Mountain’s wide open spaces. It’s well worth taking a couple of laps on the shuttle and cat-ski if you crave untouched powder. It’s earned the name Powder Mountain.

New for the 2024-25 ski season are four new lifts. Paradise and Timberline replace and upgrade lift infrastructure at key arteries on the mountain, while Lightning Ridge and Raintree open up new advanced terrain for lift-accessed skiing and riding for the first time.

» » Check out Powder Mountain Lodging Options

Big Sky Resort, Montana: 5,800 acres, 36 Lifts

Montana’s Big Sky, located an hour south of Bozeman, is aptly named for “big” terrain beneath those endless blue skies. At nearly 6,000 skiable acres, it is the second-largest ski resort in the United States, while its vertical drop is an impressive 4,350 feet. Big Sky is best known for its signature “big” terrain: Big Couloir, an experts-only in-bounds run that drops 1,400 feet from the summit of Lone Peak. Beginner, intermediate, and expert skiers alike will find a lot of terrain here to enjoy.
» » Check out lodging options at Big Sky.

Vail, Colorado: 5,317 acres, 30 Lifts

We’re talking big in the U.S: 5,200 skiable acres with 7 legendary Back Bowls spanning 7 miles, and more beautifully groomed terrain than you’ll find just about anywhere. Vail has been an extraordinary upscale winter vacation destination for skiers and snowboarders from all over their world. The resort has hosted two World Alpine Skiing Championships and is the flagship of Vail Resorts. Vail Village’s Bavarian-designed set of condos, hotels, restaurants, shops, and bars is an unparalleled ski resort village experience.

Far West

Palisades Tahoe, California: 6,000 skiable acres, 29 Lifts

Palisades Tahoe’s Base to Base Gondola was a game changer when it opened in 2022, connecting the two ski areas, Palisades and Alpine. The first of its kind gondola in North America, it transports guests between The Village at Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Lodge, while expert skiers and riders have the option to unload mid-station at KT-22. This means you can ski or ride 6,000 acres in this Lake Tahoe area paradise. Palisades Tahoe, you’ll remember, was host to the first fully televised Winter Olympics in 1960, and is just as iconic today.
» » Check out lodging options in Lake Tahoe.

Heavenly, California: 4,800 skiable acres, 27 Lifts

Heavenly’s South Lake Tahoe resort at Stateline is so big it straddles two states, California and Nevada. It features the highest elevation, at 10,067 feet, and the most vertical drop in the Lake Tahoe region. With an average of 360 inches of snowfall per year, Heavenly gets some of the best snow in California. And, when the skiing’s done, the casino nightlife at the base is just starting.
» » Check out lodging options at Heavenly.

Mt. Bachelor, Oregon: 4,318 acres, 15 Lifts

Mt. Bachelor is the largest resort in the Pacific Northwest, outstripping every other resort by more than 1,000 acres. It usually opens in November around Thanksgiving and runs through May, making it one of the longest ski seasons in the country. With already a fair amount of snow, the runs are bolstered by excellent snowmaking. Mt. Bachelor’s lodging options are mostly based out of Bend and Sunriver, and many of the properties offer transportation via the Mt. Bachelor Shuttle.
» » Check out lodging options at Mt. Bachelor.

Western Canada

Whistler-Blackcomb, British Columbia: 8,171 acres, 37 Lifts

It really doesn’t get much bigger or better than this gigantic resort in British Columbia. Connected by the longest continuous lift system in the world, Whistler’s Peak2Peak gondola ties Whistler and Blackcomb mountains together. Boasting 200 marked runs, 16 alpine bowls, and 3 glaciers, Whistler Blackcomb’s terrain is truly endless on a ski vacation. The village is a delight and, don’t forget, the Horstman Glacier, just to say you did.

» » Check out lodging options at Whistler Blackcomb.

Lake Louise, Banff, Alberta: 4,200 acres, 11 Lifts

Lake Louise is one of three resorts to make up Banff’s SkiBig3. The scenery and views across the mountain are magnificent, with jaw-dropped Canadian Rockies views everywhere you ski. Banff is a truly delightful Western town with everything you need. Your SkiBig3 pass gets you more than 9,000 acres to play in, adding in neighboring Sunshine Village and Mt. Norquay.
» » Check out lodging options in Banff.

Sun Peaks, British Columbia: 4,270 acres, 13 Lifts

Sun Peaks lays claim to the second largest skiable area in Canada, featuring perfectly groomed slopes, powder bowls, alpine trees, steeps, park and backcountry options to suit all styles and abilities. Ski-in, ski-out hotels in the village center provide easy access to the main chairlifts. This really is a massive ski resort ticket that’s your gateway to British Columbia’s interior.
» » Check out lodging options in Sun Peaks.

Hero image ©Mt. Bachelor

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Epic Pass vs Ikon Pass

While we’ve put together guides for the major passes, in this article we’re comparing the Ikon Pass to the Epic Pass. Ultimately, choosing the Ikon Pass or the Epic Pass – or for that matter the other ski passes like the Mountain Collective Pass or the budget-friendly Indy Pass – depends on a lot of factors, with the number one depending on where you plan on skiing and how often you plan to be on snow. The region in the country where you live also can make a difference. The bottom line is that you won’t find a “one-size-fits-all” ski pass solution… but you will find a size that fits you.

However, we’ll try to make the choice easier for pass holders with our guide to the Epic Pass vs Ikon Pass.

Who owns the Epic Pass and Ikon Pass?

Epic Pass is owned and operated by Vail Resorts and is offered at all of its 37 ski areas and numerous partners in the United States and abroad. The Ikon Pass is owned and operated by Alterra Mountain Company and is offered at all of its 16 ski resorts, plus a plethora of partner resorts across the globe.

Pass Price: Epic Pass vs. Ikon Pass prices

Simply put, the earlier you purchase the Epic Pass or Ikon Pass, the cheaper the price will be. Both the Epic Pass and Ikon Pass go on sale in early spring (usually by late March), and that’s the time to grab the best value. The prices rise incrementally several times over the summer and fall and are at the highest point close to the start of the season. Here are some comparisons at one point leading up to the 2023-24 ski season.

• Epic Pass adult — $1,047; Ikon Pass adult — $1,449
• Epic Pass child — $534; Ikon Pass child — $439

Options include the Epic Local Pass and specific passes for a number of resorts and regions.

For further comparison of the adult Epic Pass and adult Ikon Pass, the adult Mountain Collective Pass is around $600, while the adult Indy Pass early on is $299, or $399, without any blackout dates. Day Passes (1-7 days) are available on Epic and are known as Session Passes on Ikon Pass.

Shop for Epic & Ikon Now

Which ski pass has the best resorts?

That’s too subjective for us to answer. The real question is at which resorts do you plan to ski and ride? Here’s a list of both ski passes, starting with Epic Pass.

Epic Pass Resorts

• Unlimited Access Resorts: 42
• Additional Resorts: 22

Mountains with Unlimited Access

Unlimited ski resort access? Yes, you heard that right. Epic Pass resorts with unlimited access include such iconic resorts as Park City, Vail and Beaver Creek. Here are the unlimited access resorts for the Epic Pass.

• Vail, CO
• Beaver Creek, CO
• Whistler Blackcomb, BC
• Breckenridge, CO
• Keystone, CO
• Crested Butte, CO
• Park City, UT
• Heavenly, CA/NV
• Northstar, CA
• Kirkwood, CA
• Stevens Pass, WA
• Stowe, VT
• Okemo, VT
• Mount Snow, VT
• Mount Sunapee, NH
• Wildcat Mountain, NH
• Attitash Mountain, NH
• Crotched Mountain, NH
• Hunter Mountain, NY
• Liberty Mountain Resort, PA
• Roundtop Mountain Resort, PA
• Whitetail Resort, PA
• Jack Frost, PA
• Big Boulder, PA
• Laurel Mountain, PA
• Seven Springs, PA
• Hidden Valley, PA
• Alpine Valley, OH
• Boston Mills & Brandywine, OH
• Mad River Mountain, OH
• Hidden Valley, MO
• Snow Creek, MO
• Paoli Peaks, IN
• Wilmot, WI
• Afton Alps, MN
• Mt Brighton, MI
• Andermatt-Sedrun, Switzerland
• Falls Creek, Australia
• Hotham, Australia
• Perisher, Australia

Up to 7 days at select global destinations. No blackout dates.

• Telluride, CO
• Fernie Alpine Resort, BC
• Kicking Horse, BC
• Kimberley Alpine Resort, BC
• Nakiska, AB
• Mont-Sainte Anne, QC
• Stoneham Mountain Resort, QC
• Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park, Japan
• Hakuba Cortina, Japan
• Hakuba Goryu, Japan
• Hakuba Happo-One, Japan
• Hakuba Iwatake, Japan
• Hakuba Norikura Onsen, Japan
• Hakuba Sanosaka Snow Resort, Japan
• Jiigatake, Japan
• Kashimayari, Japan
• Tsugaike Kogen, Japan
• Rusutsu, Japan
• Skirama Dolomiti, Italy
• Les 3 Vallees, France
• Arlberg, Austria
• 4 Vallées, Switzerland

Ikon Pass Resorts

• Total Resorts: 55
• Unlimited Access Resorts: 15 on Ikon Pass and 14 on Ikon Base Pass
• Additional Resorts: 39

Unlimited Access Resorts

Ikon Pass, too, has a number of unlimited access resorts, although it’s a smaller list. Some of the headliner resorts include Mammoth Mountain, Palisades Tahoe, and Steamboat. Here are the resorts with unlimited access to the Ikon Pass.

• Winter Park, CO
• Copper Mountain, CO
• Steamboat, CO
• Eldora Mountain, CO
• Palisades Tahoe, CA
• Mammoth Mountain, CA
• June Mountain, CA
• Big Bear Mountain Resort, CA
• Schweitzer, ID
• Snow Valley, CA
• Stratton, VT
• Snowshoe, WV
• Sugarbush, VT
• Tremblant, QC
• Blue Mountain, ON
• Solitude, UT

Up to 7 days or 7 days combined at select global destinations. No blackout dates.

• Alta, UT
• Snowbird, UT
• Aspen Highlands, CO
• Aspen Mountain, CO
• Buttermilk, CO
• Snowmass, CO
• Arapahoe Basin, CO
• Alyeska, AK
• Big Sky, MT
• Brighton, UT
• Deer Valley, UT
• Snowbasin, UT
• Jackson Hole, WY
• Mt. Bachelor, OR
• Sierra-at-Tahoe, CA
• Windham Mountain, NY
• Boyne Highlands, MI
• Boyne Mountain, MI
• Blue Mountain Resort, PA
• Camelback Resort, PA
• Crystal Mountain, WA
• The Summit at Snoqualmie, WA
• Sun Valley, ID
• Revelstoke, BC
• Red Mountain, BC
• Sun Peaks Resort, BC
• Cypress Mountain, BC
• Panorama, BC
• Sunday River, ME
• Sugarloaf, ME
• Loon Mountain, NH
• Taos, NM
• Killington, VT
• Pico, VT
• Banff Sunshine, AB
• Lake Louise, AB
• Norquay, AB
• Zermatt, Switzerland
• St. Moritz, Switzerland
• Dolomiti Superski, Italy
• Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France
• Grandvalira, Andorra
• Kitzbühel, Austria
• Niseko United, Japan
• Lotte Aria Resort, Japan
• Valle Nevado, Chile
• Thredbo, Australia
• Mt Buller, Australia
• Coronet Peak, NZ
• The Remarkables, NZ
• Mt Hutt, NZ

Which passes offer which perks

Pass holders have a number of benefits for both the Epic Pass and Ikon Pass. Perks of the Epic Pass include Ski With Friends and Buddy Pass tickets and cost breaks for members of the military, plus a local pass for college students. The Ikon Pass offers price breaks for nurses, military, and college students for both full and base passes, plus free skiing in late spring of the next year for new pass holders. Pass holder benefits for Ikon Pass also include first tracks at select destinations once a month, summer adventure opportunities, and lodging and destination deals. Ikon Pass also offers Friends & Family discounted lift tickets.

Ikon Pass vs Epic Pass: Local ski passes

The Epic Pass has an option where you can buy an Epic Local Pass in the Rockies, West, Midwest, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions. The Epic Local Pass is only good for Vail properties, however. There are plenty of choices.

The Ikon Pass has regional localized options in Crystal Mountain in Washington, Steamboat, and Winter Park in Colorado, June Mountain in the Sierras of California, Bear Mountain and Snow Summit in Southern California, Stratton Mountain and Sugarbush in Vermont, Snowshoe in West Virginia, Solitude and Deer Valley in Utah, and more in Canada and Europe.

Ikon Pass vs Epic Pass: A regional guide

Best Ski Pass for Colorado

Colorado is a toss-up for which ski pass is best. The Epic Local Pass includes Vail-owned ski areas – Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, Crested Butte, and Telluride – all great choices. The Ikon Pass gives you Winter Park, Copper, Arapahoe Basin, and Eldora, which are all an easy hop from Denver, and a few longer hops, such as Aspen Snowmass and Steamboat.

Best Ski Pass for Lake Tahoe and California

Vail Resorts Lake Tahoe ski resorts include Heavenly, the giant South Lake Tahoe resort that actually resides in both California and Nevada and Northstar California on the north side of Lake Tahoe. Kirkwood is a big mountain standout not far away from South Lake Tahoe. Palisades-Tahoe on the north side of Lake Tahoe is on the Ikon Pass. South of Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain is on the Ikon Pass, as well as nearby June Mountain. If you plan to exclusively ski at Lake Tahoe, then we recommend the Epic Pass, while Ikon Pass is the best option if you plan to split time between Mammoth and Lake Tahoe.

Best Ski Pass for Utah

Utah lovers should probably go for the Ikon Pass as it includes the resorts in Little Cottonwood Canyon – literally iconic – such as Snowbird and Alta (remember, though, snowboards are not allowed at Alta). The Epic Pass, on the other hand, offers up Park City Mountain Resort, a big-time, fun place to ski and ride.

Best Ski Pass for the Midwest

Midwest skiers and snowboarders who mostly stay local should bag both the Epic Pass and Ikon Pass, and go for the Indy Pass which offers up 27 resorts. The Epic Pass and Ikon Pass just don’t have the same options in the Midwest as in other regions. Still, the Epic Pass has limited options, such as Afton Alps, if you live near the Twin Cities, or Wilmot if you live near Chicago or Cleveland.

Best Ski Pass for the Northeast

The Ikon Pass has access to renowned New England ski resorts, including Killington, Stratton, and Sugarbush. However, the Epic Pass has more Northeast ski resorts on its pass, including Stowe. If you’re sticking to New England ski resorts, then the Epic Pass is a great choice.

Best Ski Pass for the Pacific Northwest

Neither the Ikon Pass nor the Epic Pass have a lot of Pacific Northwest options. Epic has the largest ski resort, with Whistler Blackcomb, and also has Stevens Pass. But the Ikon Pass has more resort options, including Mt. Bachelor in Oregon.

Best ski pass for the Canadian Rockies

If you plan on skiing a lot in Canada, then the Ikon Pass is a no-brainer. Above, we mentioned that the Epic Pass has Whistler Blackcomb, which is in the Coast Mountains. Its partner resorts also includes a few smaller ski resorts spread throughout Canada, such as Nakiska Ski Area, which is the closest ski area to Calgary. However, the Ikon Pass features several days at a number of prominent Canadian ski resorts, including Revelstoke, Sun Peaks, Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Mt. Norquay.

Best ski pass for the Northern Rockies

Similar to above, the Ikon Pass wins out for the Northern Rockies, considering that the Epic Pass doesn’t currently have any resorts there. The Ikon Pass features Sun Valley and Schweitzer in Idaho, Jackson Hole in Wyoming, and Big Ski in Montana. Sun Valley came over to the Ikon Pass, from the Epic Pass, in 2022.

Best ski pass for the rest of the world (Europe, Chile, New Zealand, Australia and Japan)

If you plan to head to Europe or even Japan, it just depends on where you want to go. The Epic Pass has the most options for Italy, France, Austria, Switzerland, and even Japan, but the Ikon Pass adds in summer.

Questions to ask yourself before buying a ski pass

Before purchasing a ski pass, there are a few questions you should ask yourself. First and foremost, how often are you going to ski? If you don’t take many ski vacations, or you’re only skiing a couple of times in a season, then a ski pass doesn’t make sense. Additionally, you’ll need to ask yourself questions like what your budget is and where you’re most likely to ski during the ski season. For some skiers, they won’t need to go all out on an Epic Pass or Ikon Pass; they can go with a local ski pass or a pass for just a few days.

Bottom Line

So which ski pass should you go with? They both have a number of popular ski resorts and offer plenty of benefits. In short, both the Epic and Ikon Pass will save you considerable money if you plan to ski or ride for at least a few days. Just do the math. Ski passes have literally changed the way we ski. Gone are the days when you simply walked up to the window to buy your lift tickets.

The Epic Pass has more unlimited access ski resorts than the Ikon Pass’ selection of unlimited access resorts, while the Ikon Pass has a few Southern Hemisphere ski resorts to choose from and a nice selection of perks for pass holders. If most of your ski vacations are going to be in one specific region, then you should consider this, too. For example, the Epic Pass doesn’t have any ski resorts in Montana, Idaho, or Wyoming.

Are there other ski pass options you should consider? While the Epic Pass, Ikon Pass, and Mountain Collective are all good choices, be sure to check out the fast-growing, less expensive, and popular Indy Pass. For more info, check out the links below to all of our pass guides.

More reading

• Epic Pass Buyer’s Guide
• Ikon Pass Buyer’s Guide
• Mountain Collective Buyer’s Guide
• Indy Pass Buyer’s Guide

Hero Credit: Big Sky Resort

The post Ski Pass Comparison: Ikon Pass vs. Epic Pass appeared first on OnTheSnow.

Inevitably there comes a point on a great ski vacation when you or your family brings up the question of what it would be like to live in the ski town you’re vacationing in. However, romanticizing about living in a ski town and actually doing it are two completely different things. There are a lot of considerations. How much does it cost to live there? Can you work from home? Can you find a job that pays enough to support your new lifestyle? What about the schools? And the list of questions goes on.

We spoke with Evan Wyloge, data journalist for Realtor.com, for its its take on the real estate market in ski towns. As Evan shared, “The past several years have been marked by low inventory, with relatively high demand, leading to broad housing market price increases.” That’s without factoring in rising interest rates. As such, homebuyers who are looking for affordability may have to get creative, or look at lesser-known ski towns. Below, we include some ski towns, particularly on the East Coast, that are more affordable than many of the more popular ski towns.

While we can’t answer a lot of the questions that only you and your family can answer, we’re here to at least narrow the list of possibilities down with a round-up of the best ski towns to live in. When we talk here about living in a ski town, we mean it; this is for those individuals, couples and families who are considering a full-time move to the mountains to live in a ski town. In this case, we’re not talking about the “ski bum” lifestyle here. Let’s get to the list.

America’s best ski towns to live in

Whitefish, Montana

Whitefish is arguably the best of all worlds with its location near Whitefish Mountain Resort, Glacier National Park, and Flathead Lake, the largest natural body of freshwater (by surface area) in the western U.S. Downtown Whitefish is located just 6 miles from Whitefish Mountain Resort, which we named one of the best uncrowded ski areas in America. Whitefish Mountain Resorts has more than 110 named trails spanning across 3,000 acres of terrain, and has nearly half a mile of vertical feet at 2,353 feet of vert. On average, it receives 300 inches of snow each year.

One of the biggest perks of Whitefish, especially for those who travel frequently, is how close it is to an international airport. Glacier Park International Airport (FCA), is just 11 miles away, in neighboring Kalispell. Numerous major airlines fly in and out of FCA, including Alaska, United, Delta, and American. You can be door-to-door in just 20 minutes from Whitefish.

Whitefish is often on lists of the best small towns in America, including ones published by CNN and Travel + Leisure. Downtown Whitefish is lined with charming inns, cute boutique shops, museums, and great restaurants and bars, while the area is an outdoor playground with its access to Glacier National Park, Flathead River and Flathead Lake, golf courses, and more.

Whitefish’s median home value, according to Zillow, is $897,092. However, if you want something more affordable, look to nearby Kalispell, which offers the convenience to Whitefish and Glacier Park International Airport, but with a much lower cost of living. Kalispell’s median home sale price is $558,859, according to Zillow. Both Whitefish High School and Glacier High School are ranked among the top high schools in the state.

» View Whitefish Lodging Options

Bend, Oregon

If you enjoy beer, good restaurants, skiing, and access to the great outdoors 365 days per year, then look no further than Bend, located in the Oregon High Desert. Bend is 22 miles from Mt. Bachelor, via the Cascades Lake Highway, where you can typically count on 400 inches of snowfall each season. Mt. Bachelor is one of the most popular ski areas in the Pacific Northwest, and the largest, with skiing and riding spread out over more than 4,000 acres. The long ski season begins early and doesn’t slow down until later in May. Smaller ski areas like Hoodoo (44 miles) and Willamette Pass (70 miles) offer some variety.

While Bend doesn’t get nearly the snowfall as Mt. Bachelor, it’s a great mountain town that has it all. Bend is known for its craft beer, home to a number of breweries, including Crux and Deschutes Brewery. Many of the breweries, and restaurants, are within walking distance of one another, making Bend a very walkable city. It’s also a great town for dogs, with a number of publications and websites calling Bend one of the top dog-friendly cities. What’s more, Bend enjoys sunshine about 158 days per year, which is in contrast to the rest of the state’s average of 105 days.

Bend’s median home price is just below $750,000, according to Zillow. So while it’s not the least expensive mountain town, it’s not as expensive as some of the ski towns in Colorado and California.

» View Mt. Bachelor Lodging Options

Truckee, California

Truckee, California is the perfect place for that outdoorsy family that gets equally excited about summer as winter. Located near the California/Nevada border, Truckee is just 12 minutes from King’s Beach on the relaxed north shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in America. Ski resort options are endless in Truckee, with Northstar California, Palisades-Tahoe, Sugar Bowl, Mt. Rose, and  Tahoe Donner all within 30 miles of Truckee. Then on the south side of Lake Tahoe you have Heavenly, Kirkwood, and Sierra-at-Tahoe.

Summer really opens things up, with virtually every water sport you can think of on Lake Tahoe, and plenty of sunny, warm beaches to enjoy. Closer to Truckee is the much smaller, and low-key Donner Lake. Need a city getaway fix? San Francisco is 187 miles away, while the state capitol of Sacramento is 88 miles away. The “Biggest Little City in the World,” Reno, Nevada, is practically in Truckee’s backyard, just 30 miles away. This is also where you’ll find the closest international airport, with Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) just 35 minutes from from Truckee.

However, the downside is the cost of living, which is significantly more expensive than most of the rest of the country. Truckee’s median home price is $1,014,580. That’s the price to pay in California and to have access to all that the Lake Tahoe region has to offer. The community of about 17,000 is most certainly one of the best places for skiing families to live in the Golden State.

» View Lake Tahoe Lodging Options 

Crested Butte, Colorado

Crested Butte, dubbed “Colorado’s last great ski town,” is conveniently located just a few minutes from Crested Butte Ski Resort. It gives off a small, fun ski town vibe that you won’t find in every Colorado ski town. Its picturesque town streets are lined with all kinds of charming boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Crested Butte Ski Resort receives more than 300 inches of snow each year, and with 1,500 acres of skiable terrain, it’s a playground for skiers of all abilities.

While Crested Butte is more than four hours away from Denver, Gunnison–Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC) is 40 minutes from the resort with service to and from Denver and several airline hub cities. The drive to Crested Butte from Denver is doable, but it’ll take at least 4 hours.

Crested Butte’s median home price is $1,434,516, according to Zillow, putting it in the higher range for home prices of mountain towns. In fact it’s higher than most of the country.

» View Crested Butte Lodging Options

Jackson, Wyoming

Jackson is well-known as one of the most desirable ski towns to live in. This is no ordinary ski town, however. Jackson is home to one of North America’s top ski resorts, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (rated OnTheSnow’s Best All-Mountain Terrain resort for 2022, 2023, and 2024), plus it’s the gateway to two of America’s most popular national parks, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Many people are vacation homeowners, but those who live here year-round experience Jackson Hole’s splendors day after day.

The town of Jackson could be a stage set for a Western movie, with its wooden sidewalks in parts of town, and its saloons and western facade. However, don’t sleep on the great food and drink options here. The Mangy Moose Saloon and Million Dollar Cowboy Bar are among some of Jackson’s legendary establishments.

Living in Jackson comes with a price. Jackson is significantly higher than most of the U.S. Jackson’s average home price, according to Zillow, is $2,074,097.

» View Jackson Lodging Options

Aspen, Colorado

Aspen has earned recognition as not only one of the best places to ski in America, but one of the best places to live. Skiing in Aspen is world-class, thanks to the combination of Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass. However, the town of Aspen itself is just as world-class. Aspen, which has its roots as a mining town, is home to several major academic and cultural institutions, including the Aspen Institute, a nonpartisan think tank, and the Aspen Music Festival and School, an eight-week gathering of classical music students and professionals putting on more than 400 public concerts each summer season. Aspen’s food and drink scene is as good as any you’ll find in any mountain town. It culminates every summer with the Food & Wine Classic, which sells out months in advance.

Living in such a world-class ski town comes with a price. According to Zillow, the average Aspen home value is $3.5 million. Aspen’s cost of living makes it one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S.

» View Aspen Lodging Options

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

It’s not called Ski Town, U.S.A.® for nothing. Steamboat Springs, located three hours northwest of Denver, is lauded for producing more winter Olympians than any other town in America. An astonishing one out of every 136 individuals is an Olympian. And Steamboat, in part, has its famous champagne powder to thank. Steamboat Ski Resort on average receives more than 300 inches of annual snow. It has a sprawling 2,965 acres of skiable terrain over five mountains, with more than 180 trails and 3,668 feet of vertical.

The town of Steamboat Springs is just minutes from the resort. The town has an authentic, western feel that you won’t find in just any ski town. Its western vibe really comes out for events like the Steamboat Winter Carnival, when kids are pulled down a snow-covered Main Street by horses. There’s a lot of outdoor recreation beyond just the ski resort. The Yampa River runs right through town, while Steamboat Lake State Park, Pearl Lake State Park, and Stagecoach State Park are nearby.

» View Steamboat Lodging Options

The average Steamboat Springs home is valued at less than iconic Colorado ski towns like Aspen, yet it’s still over a million. The average Steamboat Springs home value, according to Zillow, is $1,270,941.

Park City, Utah

Park City, located 30 miles from Salt Lake City, has built a reputation as a great ski community and place to live. It’s no wonder considering how many incredible ski resorts are nearby, including Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley, both of which are in the town’s city limits. A new resort – Mayflower – broke ground in 2021 and is not far from opening. Meanwhile, several of Utah’s top ski resorts are within an hour’s drive, including Sundance, Alta, Snowbird, Snowbasin, Solitude, and Brighton.

Numerous outdoor companies, including Rossignol, are based in Park City, so there are some good jobs to be had. Plus, Park City is a cornucopia of great restaurants, nightlife, and shopping. It’s particularly great for families with high school kids, since Park City High School is considered one of the top high schools in the state.

Park City’s median home price, according to Zillow, is $1.5 million. While Park City’s cost of living is higher, there are few ski towns that offer the quality of life, skiing opportunities, and convenience to a large city that Park City does.

» View Park City Lodging Options

Taos, New Mexico

Taos Ski Valley has long been a world-class ski resort in its own distinctive way since it was founded by the legendary Ernie Blake and his wife Rhoda who opened the resort more than 60 years ago. New owners have brought much of the mountain and base community up to what we consider world-class today, without letting go of the charm for which the resort is famous.

The town of Taos, 19 miles from the ski area, is home to the Taos Pueblo, a World Heritage Site, which isn’t something that just any ski town can boast. New Mexico cuisine, adobe architecture, and art that is deeply rooted in Southwest history makes Taos one of the most unique ski towns to live in.

» View Taos Lodging Options

The cost of living here is among the most reasonable in America’s ski towns. Taos’ median home price is $450,000, according to Zillow, making it a steal among mountain towns out West. What’s more, Taos is one of the only towns on this list that has gone down in price. With a population of around 6,500 people, and a reasonable cost of living coupled with Southwestern culture, Taos is a one-of-a-kind ski town.

» View Taos Lodging Options

Manchester, Vermont

Many people probably think Stowe when they think great New England ski towns, and it’s for good reason. However, Manchester is a lovely town in a skiing triangle with Bromley (6 miles), Stratton (20 miles), and Magic Mountain (13 miles) all nearby.  Stratton is upscale and glamorous, Bromley is warm, friendly and comfortable as an old ski boot, and Magic Mountain is a bit of a throwback and a local favorite for its challenges.The magnificent Equinox Hotel graces Main Street, while great restaurants and bars dot the town. Manchester Designer Outlets is a street boutique shopping experience with more than 25 upscale shops.

» View Manchester Lodging Options

Manchester’s schools – particularly the historic Burr & Burton Academy (an independent, coeducational New England secondary school) – are very good. Families will find that the schools, and home prices, are just right. Manchester’s average home value, according to Zillow, is $612,657, which many people would consider a bargain for a ski town, and much lower than Stowe. It’s worth noting, too, that Manchester is closer than other New England ski towns to some of the Northeast’s major cities, like Boston.

Stowe, Vermont

We’d been remiss, however, to not include Stowe on this list of the best ski towns to live in. Stowe, after all, is known as the “Ski Capital of the East” and the birthplace of alpine skiing in Vermont. Stowe Mountain Resort, located just 10 minutes from town, has more than 115 trails spread over 485 acres of skiable terrain, and boasts 2,360 feet of vertical drop. It on average receives 300 inches of annual snowfall. Stowe Mountain Resort is a true destination resort, with ski-in and ski-out lodging, tons of restaurants and bars, and winter activities for families and those who don’t ski. Beyond alpine skiing, Stowe is considered one of the best cross-country skiing destinations in America.

» View Stowe Lodging Options

Stowe is a four-season destination that’s beautiful anytime of year. We’ve named it one of the best ski towns to visit in both the summer and fall. Spring is considered Stowe’s “sweetest season,” marking the start of the maple sugaring season. Simply put, you can’t go wrong with any season in Stowe. Its community atmosphere, great culinary scene, and vibrancy makes it all that more appealing for residents.

The average home value in Stowe is just below a million at $994,576, according to Zillow. While it’s more expensive than many other New England ski towns, it should be expected considering Stowe’s popularity.

North Conway, New Hampshire

Don’t sleep on New Hampshire. North Conway is a small New England ski town, with just under 2,500 residents. While it doesn’t have the bells and whistles of many other ski towns, that’s exactly what makes it such a great town to live in. Cranmore Mountain is the hometown ski resort, with 170 acres of skiable terrain and 56 trails served by 8 lifts. It’s one of New England’s oldest ski resorts, opening in the 1930s. Beyond Cranmore Mountain there are several other ski resorts within a 30-minute drive, including Attitash, Shawnee Peak, and Wildcat Mountain. Bretton Woods is just 40 minutes away.

Located to the backdrop of White Mountain National Forest, and near New England’s tallest peak of Mt. Washington, North Conway is an incredible 4-season destination. While winter and early spring beckons skiers, summer is for exploring the White Mountains, camping, golfing, fishing, waterfall hikes, lazy lake days, and tax-free shopping at North Conway’s Settlers Green Outlet Village. And let us not forget the beautiful fall foliage.

» View North Conway Lodging Options

North Conway’s price of living is just right, at just over $420,000 according to Zillow. If you want a small-town feel that’s away from it all, North Conway is a great place to live.

The post The Best Ski Towns to Live In appeared first on OnTheSnow.

So we’ve put together a list of easy aprés-ski cocktails you can make from the comforts of your ski accommodations. Pick a spirit, stock up on a few ingredients, and use these simple cocktail recipes as inspiration for your next trip. For those who don’t drink, we also included non-alcoholic versions of some of these recipes.

Easy Aprés-Ski Cocktail Recipes

Hot Toddy

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz. whiskey or rum
• 1 cup boiling water 
• 1 tbsp. honey
• 2 tsp. lemon juice
• Garnish with a cinnamon stick, lemon twist, or star anise

This hot toddy recipe is inspired by Food & Wine. First, you’ll bring water to a boil. Add whiskey, honey, and lemon juice to a mug, and then pour the hot water over it. Stir and garnish with a cinnamon stick, lemon twist, and/or star anise. For a non-alcoholic hot toddy, replace the whiskey or rum with your favorite non-alcoholic spirit.

Irish Coffee

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Irish whiskey
• 5 oz. coffee
• 2 tsp. sugar
• Whipped cream or heavy cream

There aren’t many drinks that are as iconic as an Irish coffee on a ski day. While there are a lot of variations and slight differences in the way that people make an Irish coffee, this particular recipe is inspired by Esquire’s Irish coffee recipe. To make it, you’ll first brew your coffee. Then you’ll combine the whiskey, coffee, and sugar in a mug. Mix together well, and then top with whipped cream. You can purchase a container of whipped cream, or you can make your own by lightly whipping a cup of heavy cream with a dash of vanilla and one tablespoon of sugar or honey.

Mulled Wine

Ingredients:

• 2 bottles of a dry red wine, like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir (or non-alcoholic red wine)
• 2 oz. maple syrup
• 3 oz. honey
• Peel of one orange
• 3-4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tbsp. cloves
• 2 star anise
• Splash of vanilla
• 4 oz. brandy, rum, or orange liqueur (or a NA orange liqueur)

The following recipe comes courtesy of yours truly, OnTheSnow’s Senior Editor and resident mixologist. It’s a very adaptable recipe, so you can use whatever ingredients and spices you have on hand. Additionally, non-alcoholic wine and spirits can be used to replace the wine and suggested alcoholic spirits. To make it, add everything to a pot, and heat it on medium-high heat. You want it to heat to just below a simmer (not a boil), and then lower the temperature. Heat on low for at least 30 minutes, and up to a couple hours. You can adjust sweetness to your preference. I’ll start with 1-2 oz. of maple syrup and 3 oz. of honey, and then add more if necessary. Discard the solids and ladle into a mug. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and/or orange wedge. 

Red Wine Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup red wine (or non-alcoholic wine)
• 1 tbsp. honey
• 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
• Dash of salt

This variation of a hot chocolate also comes from yours truly. Add everything but the red wine, to a saucepan, and heat on medium-low, stirring frequently. Do not let it come to a boil. After the chocolate has melted and everything has combined (usually a few minutes), add the red wine and heat for a couple minutes on low. Remove from heat and pour into a mug. Garnish with marshmallows or whipped cream. Some red wine hot chocolate recipes, like this one from Wine Enthusiast, call for cocoa powder. However, I think that this is just chocolatey and rich enough. Note that you may have to adjust your sweetener depending on the level of sweetness in your wine. I use a dry red wine, so 1-2 tablespoons of honey should be enough.

Aperol Spritz

Ingredients:

• 3 parts Prosecco
• 2 parts Aperol
• 1 part club soda
• Orange wedge

Few cocktails are as refreshing, especially following a sunny day of skiing, as an Aperol spritz. And few cocktails are as easy to make. Just remember 3-2-1. This Aperol spritz recipe comes directly from the Aperol website.  Fill a wine glass with ice. Add the Prosecco, followed by the Aperol, and then top with club soda. Garnish with an orange wedge. 

Moscow Mule

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Vodka
• 1/2 oz. lime juice
• 3 oz. ginger beer to taste
• Lime wedge and sprig of mint to garnish

File the Moscow Mule under the list of “most recognizable cocktails,” thanks to its iconic copper mug. The Moscow Mule is also one of the easiest drinks to make. To make it, you’ll fill a glass—or even better, a copper mug—with ice. Pour in the vodka and lime juice, and then top with ginger beer. Garnish with lime wedges and mint. You can trade out the vodka for your favorite spirit (or non-alcoholic spirit) and use the same ratios. Try mezcal, if you want a little smokiness, and gin for something more botanical. You also can’t go wrong with a whiskey mule, known as a Kentucky Mule.

Tender Knob

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz. bourbon
• 2 oz. apple cider
• 3/4 oz. agave nectar
• 1 slice of an apple
• Pinch of cinnamon

This cocktail recipe gives off all the fall and winter vibes. It was created by H. Joseph Ehrmann, owner of one of the oldest continually operating taverns in San Francisco, Elixir. To make it, you’ll first muddle the apple slice in a cocktail shaker. Then add the bourbon, apple cider, agave nectar, and cinnamon, along with ice, to your cocktail shaker, and shake. Strain it into a glass over ice. Liquor.com shares more details about it here,

Maple Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. bourbon
• 1/2 oz. maple syrup
• 2 dashes bitters
• Orange peel to garnish

The Maple Old Fashioned is a particularly fitting cocktail for a New England ski trip. This is a slight variation of a traditional Old Fashioned, which typically calls for granulated sugar or a sugar cube. To make this version of an Old Fashioned, you’ll add the bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice, and stir for about 10 seconds. Strain into a glass with ice and garnish with an orange peel.

The post Easy Aprés-Ski Cocktails to Make From Your Ski Cabin appeared first on OnTheSnow.