You don’t need to be the highest ski resort to have the most successful season. In fact, many of the ski resorts that see the most annual snowfall in the United States have summit elevations well below 10,000 feet. But as the winters continue getting warmer and warmer, the higher altitude resorts are often having the longest-lasting ski seasons. They open earlier than everyone else and close later.
Sometimes ski resorts have terrain that extends far higher than their highest lift, sometimes their terrain stops at the highest lift-served location. Sometimes the “highest point” of a ski resort is only open for a short period of time every season, yet it’s still in bounds and thus it still counts. These are the 5 highest altitude ski resorts in the United States.
5. Breckenridge Resort, CO
Breckenridge’s highest elevation, located at the top of Peak 8, reaches 12,998 ft. The Imperial Superchair is actually the highest ski lift in the United States, but reaching the resort’s high point requires a short hike.
4. Loveland Ski Area, CO
Seated right above Colorado’s iconic Eisenhower Tunnel, Loveland Ski Area stretches to some pretty high points. Much of their highest points require a hike, though their free Ridge Snow Cat makes accessing the 13,010 foot summit of Golden Bear just a bit easier.
3. Arapahoe Basin, CO
Arapahoe Basin’s East Wall is a haven for skiers and snowboarders craving some extreme turns. Those willing to hike have several routes, and when the snow is right they can get as high as 13,050 feet.
2. Telluride Ski Resort, CO
Telluride is the first ski resort on this list not located right of Interstate-70. The Revelation Lift takes skiers and snowboarders up to 12,515 feet, but those willing to do some proper hiking to the top of Palmyra Peak can get as high as 13,150 feet when it’s all open.
1. Silverton Mountain, CO
When it comes to rowdy skiing, it would be hard to beat Silverton Mountain. The mountain’s only chairlift, a double chair, takes skiers and snowboarders up to 12,300 feet. But from there, when conditions allow for it, those willing to work can get up to 13,487 feet. Of course it all depends on the conditions.
