Skiing in the United States has a surprisingly long history. Long before high-speed gondolas, heated bubbles, and massive destination resorts, small rope tows and ski clubs were introducing Americans to sliding on snow. Some of the sport’s earliest lift-served hills are still operating today, preserving a piece of skiing’s past while continuing to welcome modern skiers and riders. Here are 10 of the oldest ski resorts in the United States, all of which helped shape American ski culture.
1. Howelsen Hill Ski Area (Colorado) – 1915
Located in Steamboat Springs, Howelsen Hill is widely recognized as the oldest continuously operating ski area in the United States. Originally developed as a training ground for ski jumping and Nordic skiing, the hill has produced more Winter Olympians than any other town in North America. While Steamboat Resort gets most of the attention today, Howelsen Hill remains a beloved community hill with historic charm.
2. Eaglebrook School (Massachusetts) – 1922
The Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, Massachusetts established one of the earliest organized ski hills in the country in 1922. The private boarding school helped introduce alpine skiing to generations of students during the early years of the sport in the U.S., when skiing was still largely influenced by European traditions.
3. Storrs Hill Ski Area (New Hampshire) – 1923
Storrs Hill in Lebanon, New Hampshire began operating in 1923 and remains a small but historically significant ski hill. The area is community-run today and features rope tows and a strong connection to its early ski club roots.
4. Mountain High Resort (California) – 1924
Southern California might not be the first place people think of when discussing historic ski areas, but Mountain High dates back to 1924. Originally known as Big Pines Park, the resort played a major role in developing skiing in Southern California.
5. Cooper Spur Mountain Resort (Oregon) – 1927
Located on the northeast side of Mount Hood, Cooper Spur opened in 1927 and still maintains a small, old-school feel. The resort is known for its quiet atmosphere, uncrowded slopes, and historic lodge.
6. Granlibakken Tahoe Ski Area (California) – 1927
Granlibakken in Tahoe City opened in 1927 and has long served as a training and learning hill. While it’s smaller than many of the surrounding Lake Tahoe resorts, Granlibakken has been a gateway to skiing for countless beginners over nearly a century.
7. Mt. Hood Skibowl (Oregon) – 1927
Another historic Mount Hood ski destination, Mt. Hood Skibowl traces its roots back to 1927. Today it’s best known for its night skiing, which is among the largest in the United States, along with a mix of steep terrain and terrain parks.
8. Timberline Summit Pass (Oregon) – 1927
Also located on Mount Hood, Summit Pass has been operating since 1927 and is part of the broader Timberline ski area. The hill is especially popular with beginners and families and represents another piece of Mount Hood’s deep skiing heritage.
9. Bousquet Mountain (Massachusetts) – 1932
Opened in 1932 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Bousquet Mountain is one of the oldest lift-served ski areas in the country. Over the decades the resort has evolved into a modern ski area while maintaining its historic roots in New England skiing.
10. Seven Springs Ski Resort (Pennsylvania) – 1932
Seven Springs began operations in 1932 and has since grown into one of the largest ski resorts in the Mid-Atlantic. Now part of the Vail Resorts portfolio, the resort offers a full destination experience but still traces its origins back to a small early ski hill in Pennsylvania.
