For the past 20 years, ski resorts across the world have invested heavily in lifts, snowmaking, terrain, lodges, and guest services. We’ve seen some ski resorts grow substantially, some join and leave different season passes, and (sadly) some close their lifts for good. But which of these mountains have actually improved for the better?
We asked our Unofficial Networks readers on Facebook to name the ski resorts they believe have changed for the better over the last 20 years. Plenty of responses were humorous or negative, implying that no resorts have improved or that the ski industry is on a downhill, but several responses did highlight major destinations and small community mountains.
Readers See More Improvement Than Decline
The question received over 100 substantive responses once the comments that didn’t provide a meaningful answer were removed. Again, several were clearly negative or argued that no resorts have changed, failing to answer the question, but that’s to be expected.
The positive responses had a wide range, from the largest ski resorts in North America to some smaller, more independent areas. Wolf Creek and Monarch Mountain, both in Colorado, were given credit for their steady improvements while they’ve kept their character. Bristol Mountain in New York was mentioned for its new trails, lifts, snowmaking, grooming, and lodge improvements, while Showdown in Montana was given praise for its new beginner chairlift and reinvestment into its operation and staff.
Lifts Remain One of the Biggest Improvements
The most cited improvement by our readers was lift upgraders. Copper Mountain, Berkshire East, Revelstoke, and plenty others were given credit for improving uphill capacity while reducing lift lines. One reader gave Berkshire East a lot of praise, mentioning a new high speed detachable quad, expanded snowmaking, more beginner terrain, grooming improvements, and new summer activities.
Copper Mountain was mentioned on several occasions, specifically for the inclusion of the Three Bears chairlift. I can personally attest that the Three Bears lift has provided access to some seriously gnarly and fun terrain, especially when the conditions are firing.
The Improvements Go Beyond Chairlifts
Beyond the chairlifts, readers pointed toward improved snowmaking, grooming, lodges, food and other amenities as improving ski areas around the country. Bristol Mountain was praised for improvements across nearly every aspect of the skier experience, while Steamboat. Springs’ Howelson Hill was credited for giving free Sunday skiing and bringing in a new chairlift.
It’s undoubtedly more controversial, but several people praised the multi-mountain ski passes for making it easier to visit different resorts around the world. Without passes like the Ikon and Epic Pass, traveling to several mountains throughout the winter would be a lot more difficult, and many believe that’s made the ski industry better.
Not Everyone Thinks Ski Resorts Are Better
As already mentioned, several people argued that ski mountains have not improved as rising prices, crowds, and corporate ownership have offset any investments in infrastructure. Whistler Blackcomb, for example, was both praised and criticized, with mountain improvements, growing crowds, and corporate ownership making it more complicated to decide if the mountain has improved or gotten worse.
Ultimately it’s pretty clear that the definition of a better ski resort is heavily dependent on the skier and what they value. For many, faster lifts, better snowmaking, and more access means improvements, while others argue that preserving character and keeping prices reasonable are just as important.