One of the best aspects of skiing is heading into the woods, where you feel connected to raw nature. As PeakRankings notes, “Tree terrain comes with more hazards than normal trails, but these wooded slopes come with a ton of unique features and characteristics that normal slopes just can’t offer.” But which ski resort with the best tree skiing stands out in North America for 2025?
PeakRankings, a trusted authority in ski resort evaluations, has traveled across the continent to rank the best mountains for tree skiing. Their comprehensive rating system evaluates Woods Skiability, Beginner/Intermediate Friendliness, Advanced/Expert Friendliness, Uniqueness, and Tree Type Diversity, with scores multiplied by two for a total out of 100. Below, we’ve updated their top 10 list for the 2025-26 season, incorporating recent skier feedback from X, resort updates, and insights from PeakRankings’ video breakdown. Whether you’re a beginner dipping into glades or an expert seeking gnarly challenges, these resorts offer the best tree skiing experiences.
1. Steamboat, Colorado – The Ski Resort With The Best Tree Skiing
Why It’s the Best: Steamboat tops the list as the ski resort with the best tree skiing in North America, thanks to its legendary “Champagne Powder®” and diverse glades. “Steamboat has developed a storied reputation for its glades over the years… with supremely spaced trees, diverse species ranging from pines to aspens, and distinguished slope experiences that make each glade run feel different from the last,” says PeakRankings. With 2,965 acres and 366 inches of snowfall, skiers can dip into high-quality glades from nearly any trail.
2025 Updates: Steamboat’s recent Mahogany Express expansion added 650 acres of rugged glades, enhancing its tree skiing dominance. X posts from January 2025 praise the resort’s “unreal powder in Triangle Trees,” with skiers noting untracked stashes days after storms. New snowmaking in lower glades ensures consistent coverage.
Must-Ski Glades:
- Triangle Trees: Steep at the top, opening to wider glades.
- Shadows and Closets: Accessible via Sundown Express, perfect for intermediates.
Why Visit: For skiers seeking the ultimate tree skiing experience, Steamboat’s variety and accessibility make it unmatched.
2. Beaver Creek, Colorado
Why It’s Great: Beaver Creek combines luxury with world-class glades, offering “top-notch trees for just about every ability level,” per PeakRankings. From the beginner-friendly McCoy Park to expert-level Stone Creek chutes, its 1,832 acres and 325 inches of snowfall deliver diverse tree skiing.
2025 Updates: Beaver Creek has upgraded snowmaking in lower glades, per resort reports, improving early-season conditions. X users in February 2025 called the McCoy Park glades “perfect for learning tree skiing.” New guided tours cater to intermediates exploring glades.
Must-Ski Glades:
- McCoy Park: Wide, mellow glades for beginners.
- Stone Creek Chutes: Treacherous, cliff-lined runs for experts.
Why Visit: Beaver Creek’s blend of luxury and versatile glades makes it a top pick for the ski resort with the best tree skiing.
3. Big White, British Columbia
Why It’s Great: Big White’s “snow ghost” trees, encrusted with rime ice, create an otherworldly skiing experience. “Pretty much the entire terrain footprint includes skiable trees… with especially standout widely spaced beginner options,” notes PeakRankings. Its 2,765 acres and 295 inches of snowfall offer glades for all levels.
2025 Updates: Big White’s website highlights new snowcat-accessed glades in the Falcon Chair area. X posts from January 2025 rave about the “magical snow ghosts” and untracked powder in the Powder Chair glades. Improved lift infrastructure reduces bottlenecks.
Must-Ski Glades:
- Falcon Chair Glades: Steep, powder-filled runs.
- Powder Chair: Beginner-friendly, open glades.
Why Visit: Big White’s unique snow ghosts and vast glade options make it a standout ski resort with the best tree skiing.
4. Powder Mountain, Utah
Why It’s Great: Powder Mountain’s 2,900 lift-served acres offer “easily accessible glade terrain” that stays untracked due to limited ticket sales. “The open, widely spaced aspens envelop most of the resort,” says PeakRankings, making it ideal for all skill levels with 500 inches of snowfall.
2025 Updates: Powder Mountain’s site notes new glade maintenance in the Lightning Ridge area. X users in December 2024 praised the resort’s “endless powder stashes” in glades. Expanded shuttle services from Ogden improve accessibility.
Must-Ski Glades:
- Lightning Ridge: Varied terrain for intermediates.
- Cobabe Canyon: Expert-level, untracked glades.
Why Visit: For uncrowded, powder-filled glades, Powder Mountain is a top ski resort with the best tree skiing.
5. Brighton, Utah
Why It’s Great: Brighton’s 1,050 acres in Big Cottonwood Canyon boast 500 inches of snowfall, allowing glades to “accumulate a base quickly and hide powder stashes for days,” per PeakRankings. Its accessible glades range from beginner to expert, with diverse tree species.
2025 Updates: Brighton’s website mentions improved snowmaking in lower glades, enhancing early-season skiing. X posts from January 2025 highlight “hassle-free tree skiing” off the Explorer chair. New beginner glade tours add appeal for novices.
Must-Ski Glades:
- Explorer Glades: Beginner-friendly with wide spacing.
- Mary’s Glade: Technical runs for experts.
Why Visit: Brighton’s accessibility and snow quality make it a premier ski resort with the best tree skiing.
6. Revelstoke, British Columbia
Why It’s Great: Revelstoke’s 5,620-foot vertical drop and 3,121 acres include “massive pines… widely spaced enough to allow for comfortable glade skiing essentially everywhere,” says PeakRankings. Its 400 inches of snowfall ensure deep powder in glades.
2025 Updates: Revelstoke’s site notes new guided glade tours for 2025, catering to intermediates. X users in February 2025 called North Bowl glades “insane for powder.” Improved snowcat access to remote glades enhances the experience.
Must-Ski Glades:
- North Bowl: Steep, open glades for experts.
- Greely Bowl: Varied terrain with deep snow.
Why Visit: Revelstoke’s massive vertical and challenging glades make it a top ski resort with the best tree skiing.
7. Heavenly, California/Nevada
Why It’s Great: Heavenly’s 3,500 acres and 360 inches of snowfall offer glades with “astounding views of Lake Tahoe,” per PeakRankings. Its upper-mountain glades are wide and short, ideal for intermediates, while backcountry options challenge experts.
2025 Updates: Heavenly’s website highlights upgraded snowmaking in glades for 2025. X posts from January 2025 praise the “magical” powder in upper glades. New avalanche safety clinics enhance backcountry access.
Must-Ski Glades:
- Upper Mountain Glades: Scenic, intermediate-friendly runs.
- Gondola Lift Line: Expert-level, unmarked backcountry glades (requires avalanche gear).
Why Visit: Heavenly’s unique vistas and varied glades make it a standout ski resort with the best tree skiing.
8. Whitefish, Montana
Why It’s Great: Whitefish’s 3,000 acres and 300 inches of snowfall feature “snow ghost” trees, providing “lap after lap of ice-coated, steep but well-preserved tree terrain,” says PeakRankings. Its modest crowds ensure untracked glades.
2025 Updates: Whitefish’s site notes a new lift in Hellroaring Basin, improving glade access. X users in December 2024 reported “epic powder stashes” in Inspiration Glade. Enhanced lodging options add convenience.
Must-Ski Glades:
- Hellroaring Basin: Diverse, powder-filled glades.
- Inspiration Glade: Mellow, intermediate runs.
Why Visit: Whitefish’s snow ghosts and uncrowded glades make it a top ski resort with the best tree skiing.
9. Mount Bachelor, Oregon
Why It’s Great: Mount Bachelor’s 4,323 acres, a skiable volcano, offer “incredible glade terrain” with “trees starting out uniquely short and small… gradually increasing to tall, thick evergreens,” per PeakRankings. Its 462 inches of snowfall ensure deep glades.
2025 Updates: Bachelor’s website highlights new snowmaking in the Cloud Chaser zone. X posts from January 2025 call the Northwest glades “a tree skier’s dream.” Improved lift access reduces wait times.
Must-Ski Glades:
- Northwest Glades: Varied, scenic runs for advanced skiers.
- Cloud Chaser: Intermediate-friendly glades.
Why Visit: Mount Bachelor’s unique volcanic terrain makes it a must-visit ski resort with the best tree skiing.
10. Jay Peak, Vermont
Why It’s Great: Jay Peak’s 385 acres and 355 inches of snowfall deliver “well-designed intermediate to advanced glade areas” with “abnormally high snowfall totals” and “favorable windblown glades,” says PeakRankings. It’s the East Coast’s top tree skiing destination.
2025 Updates: Jay Peak’s site notes new glade maintenance in Timbuktu for 2025. X users in February 2025 praised “insane powder days” in Beaver Pond Glade. Expanded backcountry tours enhance expert options.
Must-Ski Glades:
- Beaver Pond Glade: Tight, powder-filled runs.
- Timbuktu: Long, varied glades for all levels.
Why Visit: Jay Peak’s snow and diverse glades make it the East Coast’s best ski resort with the best tree skiing.
Why These Resorts Stand Out
“Good glade terrain might seem hard to come by, but the best tree mountains stand out with extensive glade availability, iconic in-woods vistas, and options for a wide variety of ability levels,” says PeakRankings. These resorts excel in Woods Skiability (terrain accessibility), Friendliness for all skill levels, Uniqueness (distinctive features like snow ghosts or Tahoe views), and Tree Type Diversity (aspens, pines, evergreens). For the full PeakRankings Tree Score list, visit PeakRankings.com.
Fun Fact: Big SNOW American Dream scored a 0 for tree skiing—no surprise, as this indoor resort lacks trees. Maybe it’s time to petition for some artificial glades!
Plan Your Tree Skiing Adventure
Ready to hit the glades at the ski resort with the best tree skiing? Check out PeakRankings Trips for custom itineraries, lodging, and lift tickets. Follow PeakRankings on Instagram, TikTok, and X for more ski trip tips. Want to see these resorts in action? Watch PeakRankings’ video breakdown on YouTube [insert link].
Note on Updates: This post was updated in September 2025 using data from PeakRankings, resort websites, and skier feedback on X. Snowfall and terrain details were verified for accuracy.
You can check out their full tree skiing list here of every mountain they’ve visited, and the video breakdown is below. I’m pretty shocked that Big SNOW American Dream got a total score of 0. We may need to start a petition for them to plant some trees in there..
Image/Video Credits: PeakRankings
