North America — The best ski resort in North America is a common debate topic among skiers.
The most buzzworthy list on this topic is published each year by Ski Magazine. This list is compiled by having readers complete a survey, where they rate factors such as snow quality, grooming, and lodging. Prior to the 2020s, the list typically featured ski resorts with more comprehensive resort experiences, such as Deer Valley and Tremblant, at the top. However, Ski Magazine updated its rankings to place more emphasis on factors that matter more to skiers. This has led to more surprise winners in recent years, like Mad River Glen and Powder Mountain.
The 2016 list featured a few interesting surprises, but ultimately showed that two mountains that have reinvented themselves over the past five years have garnered respect among the skiing community.
Here’s the top ten out West:
- 10. Whistler Blackcomb
- 9. Deer Valley
- 8. Sun Valley
- 7. Mammoth Mountain
- 6. Alta
- 5. Grand Targhee
- 4. Aspen Snowmass
- 3. Snowbasin
- 2. Banff Sunshine Village
- 1. Big Sky
You can read the best of the West list here.
Here’s the top ten in the East:
- 10. Sunday River
- 9. Jay Peak
- 8. Mad River Glen
- 7. Smugglers’ Notch
- 6. Killington
- 5. Bretton Woods
- 4. Holiday Valley
- 3. Whiteface Mountain
- 2. Sugarloaf
- 1. Saddleback
You can view the East Coast list here.
The main takeaway from these picks is how continuous infrastructure investments lead to satisfied customers. Both Big Sky and Saddleback have made noticeable infrastructure upgrades since the beginning of the 2020s. This is the case with most of the top 10 ski resorts, including Deer Valley, Snowbasin Resort, Sun Valley, Killington, and Whiteface. While a few outliers made the top ten in the Northeast, thanks to their memorable terrain (MRG and Smuggs, most notably), the results indicate that continuous investments matter to skiers nowadays.
One final takeaway: For years, debate has been fierce over the plans for Grand Targhee’s proposed expansion. There have been valid concerns, but some people remain opposed to the ski resort’s expansion despite the ownership group reducing its ambitions. Fears among locals are that Grand Targhee will no longer remain a hidden gem. This year’s results demonstrate to me that it’s been discovered, and the ‘Ghee is going to become a top skiing destination. That means it needs to grow to keep up with demand. Locals should start working with, not against, the ski resort on sustainable growth for the mountain and Wydaho community.
Image/Video Credits: Big Sky Resort, Grand Targhee Resort
