For skiers and snowboarders, nothing beats the thrill of a powder day. To help you chase the deepest snow, we’ve compiled data on America’s snowiest ski resorts. Below, we present three visualizations highlighting which U.S. resorts receive the most snowfall, along with key factors like regional distribution and elevation, to guide your next powder hunting mission.
The data is drawn from trusted sources like OnTheSnow and Ski Magazine, supplemented by Unofficial Networks’ research, which involves analyzing official snowfall totals from ski resort websites. It showcases resorts with significant snowfall, primarily located in the Western U.S. and Alaska, where unique geographic and climatic conditions produce abundant snowpack and prime powder days.
To aid skiers in planning their powder-focused trips, we include three visualizations. A bar chart details each resort’s average snowfall. A pie chart shows the distribution of these resorts by state. Lastly, a radar chart compares snowfall alongside resort elevation, a key factor influencing snow quality and retention.
Bar Chart: Top 10 Snowiest Ski Resorts in America
This pie chart illustrates the number of top-10 snowiest resorts per state, highlighting where ski resorts experience the most snowfall. It helps skiers identify regions with the highest concentration of snowy destinations.
The Snowiest Ski Resorts In America
Mt. Baker, Washington, and Alyeska, Alaska, lead with average snowfall figures of 655 and 650 inches, respectively. This makes them premier destinations for deep powder. Unofficial Networks emphasizes Mt. Baker’s unique position: “Surrounded by glaciers and close to the coast, it’s perfectly situated to receive a continual stream of wet air sweeping out of the Gulf of Alaska”. Ski resorts like Alyeska have impressive totals, consistent across sources, but with a caveat about high-elevation measurements that we have heard about from our loyal following.
Unofficial Networks notes: “Unfortunately, more than one [resort] that reports snowfall is known to fluff the numbers”. We have taken this into account and have attempted to reflect it in our independent review of snowfall.
Resorts such as Utah’s Alta (542 inches), Snowbird (500 inches), and Brighton (500 inches) enjoy substantial snowfall. They benefit from their location in the snow-heavy Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons. Ski Magazine praises Alta: “Since the resort is perfectly perched atop Little Cottonwood Canyon, one of the country’s snowiest locations, the mountain witnesses an average of 547 inches of light and powdery flakes each year”. Grand Targhee, Wyoming (494 inches), Mt. Bachelor, Oregon (462 inches), Stevens Pass, Washington (455 inches), Kirkwood, California (454 inches), and Sugar Bowl, California (451 inches) round out the top 10. Each offers substantial snowfall and unique terrain, making them great destinations for those seeking a good chance at scoring powder.
Pie chart shows the distribution of these resorts by state
This pie chart illustrates the number of top-10 snowiest resorts per state, highlighting where ski resorts experience the most snowfall. It helps skiers identify regions with the highest concentration of snowy destinations.
The regional distribution, as shown in the pie chart, highlights Utah’s prominence with three resorts. It is followed by Washington and California, with two each, and Alaska, Wyoming, and Oregon, with one each. This concentration reflects the influence of Pacific storms and orographic lift in these regions. The radar chart adds another layer, comparing snowfall with base elevation, which affects snow quality and the length of the season. Higher-elevation resorts like Alta and Snowbird (around 8,000–8,500 feet) often retain lighter, drier snow.
Radar chart compares the average annual snowfall and base elevation
This radar chart compares the average annual snowfall and base elevation (in feet) of the top 10 resorts. It offers skiers insight into how elevation might influence snow quality and season length. Elevation data is sourced from resort websites and OnTheSnow.
Additional Insights
The radar chart reveals trade-offs for skiers related to ski resorts’ snowfall. High-elevation resorts, such as Alta, Snowbird, and Brighton (elevation 8,000+ feet), offer drier, lighter snow due to their colder temperatures. This is ideal for powder skiing, but their snowfall is slightly lower than Mt. Baker or Alyeska. Conversely, Mt. Baker’s lower elevation (3,500 feet) yields massive snowfall but potentially wetter snow, as coastal storms bring heavier moisture.
Alyeska’s extremely low base (250 feet) is an outlier. Yet its proximity to the Gulf of Alaska storms ensures high snowfall. Grand Targhee and Kirkwood, with elevations of around 7,800 feet, offer a balance of snowfall and snow quality. This makes them appealing to skiers seeking both. Unofficial Networks’ data, while aligning with other sources, underscores the challenge of verifying the actual ski resort snowfall totals. These numbers can vary significantly depending on the measurement location (e.g., the summit versus the base).
We hope that the comprehensive view we put together on July 17, 2025, which combines ski resorts’ snowfall metrics, regional distribution, and elevation, equips you with the necessary data to find your next powder location. They can choose resorts that match their preferences for snow quantity, quality, and accessibility.
