North America is absolutely packed with gorgeous ski towns – hundreds of them, really – and beauty is 100% in the eye of the beholder. Not everyone is going to agree with our picks (and that’s totally fine; we love the debate!).
Over the past decade, we’ve skied and explored more than 50 mountain towns across the U.S. and Canada, from tiny hidden gems to the big-name resorts. We’ve wandered countless Main Streets at dusk, ducked into local bars after last chair, and judged every town on that magical combo of historic charm, walkability, mountain backdrop, and genuine downtown soul.
Out of all of them, these seven rose straight to the top as the most beautiful, most memorable, and most worth planning an entire trip around.
Truckee, California
This classic Western railroad town oozes old-school Sierra Nevada charm. Brick buildings from the 1860s line historic Donner Pass Road while trains still rumble right past downtown. Pastime Club, Moody’s and the Cottonwood are the anchors of a surprisingly strong bar and restaurant scene. You’re within 30 minutes (traffic permitting) of Palisades Tahoe, Sugar Bowl, Donner Ski Ranch, and Northstar — real mountain-town soul with serious skiing nearby.
Ketchum / Sun Valley, Idaho
Ketchum’s Main Street feels like a refined, grown-up mountain village. Sun Valley has long carried a reputation for understated glamour, and the Pioneer Saloon (a.k.a. “The Pio”) and Grumpy’s still deliver that classic 1970s-80s ski-town throwback vibe. Sophisticated yet totally unpretentious — a rare combination that still thrives today.
Jackson, Wyoming
The moment you see the antler arches on Town Square, you know you’ve arrived at a true mountain mecca. Steakhouses, art galleries, and the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar anchor a walkable downtown dripping with Western character. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is just 20 minutes up the road, and Snow King is practically in town.
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Banff Avenue serves up some of the most jaw-dropping Main Street views on the planet, with massive peaks framing every direction. Add in the very real chance of elk (or even bears) strolling through town, and it’s pure magic. Don’t miss the Grizzly House for fondue and hot-stone exotic meats — a legendary must-hit.
Park City, Utah
Home to the legendary Sundance Film Festival, Park City has earned its spot as one of the most iconic ski towns in America. Historic Main Street is lined with brightly painted Victorian buildings and wooden homes that climb the hillsides, while the runs of Park City Mountain literally spill right down to the edge of downtown. Just minutes away lies Deer Valley, one of the most luxurious and celebrated ski resorts on the planet. High West Distillery and its saloon anchor a lively, whiskey-fueled après-ski scene that keeps the good times rolling long after the lifts close.
Aspen, Colorado
Aspen’s reputation for glitz and glamour is on full display all winter long. If you grew up watching Aspen Extreme (like a lot of us did), walking into the J-Bar at the Hotel Jerome feels like stepping straight into the sequel. Four world-class mountains, brick sidewalks, and that unmistakable high-altitude swagger.
Telluride, Colorado
Quite simply America’s most beautiful ski town. Telluride wraps a perfectly preserved Victorian Main Street in a box canyon with sheer, jaw-dropping 14,000-foot peaks. Best part? The lifts start right in town — ski down to Colorado Avenue for lunch, coffee, or an après beer, then head straight back up. No other place on this list blends town charm and big-mountain skiing this seamlessly.
North America’s Most Charming “Ski Towns “Main Streets”
There you have it — our definitive list of the most beautiful ski towns in North America, where epic Main Streets meet epic skiing.
Honorable mentions that just missed the cut:
- Stowe, Vermont
- Taos, New Mexico
- Revelstoke, British Columbia
What did we miss? Which one is your personal favorite? Drop it in the comments below or let us know over on Instagram or Facebook!