YouTuber Rise & Alpine put the United States against Canada in an effort to crown the best skiing destination. Drawing from personal experiences and hard stats, he evaluated everything from snowfall to vibes and mountain culture. At the end of the day personal preference is much more important than any rankings, but it’s still fun to have a look at the differences.
Skiing Showdown: Category Breakdown
- Snowfall Quality & Quantity: A tie on quality due to diverse climates yielding epic powder in spots like Utah’s Cottonwoods or BC’s interior. But the US edges out on quantity, with top resorts averaging 503 inches annually versus Canada’s 443.
- Vertical Drop: Canada dominates with Revelstoke’s massive 1,715 meters, followed by Whistler Blackcomb and Kicking Horse outpacing the US.
- Skiable Acres: The US wins big here, boasting an average of 4,833 acres across its top 10 resorts compared to Canada’s 3,955.
- Skiers Per Acre: Canada offers calmer crowds with just 235 skiers per acre at major spots, versus the US’s crowded 625, making for more solitary experiences.
- Backcountry Skiing: Canada’s vast wilderness, stable snowpack, and heli/cat skiing operations give it the nod over the US’s volatile packs in places like Colorado.
- Terrain Variety: A straight tie. Both countries deliver unique runs, from Jackson Hole’s chutes to Whistler’s glaciers.
- Cost & Value: Budget skiers thrive in Canada, where spots like Lake Louise are more affordable.
- Lift Infrastructure: The US’s high-tech trams and investments outshine Canada’s, despite Whistler’s Peak to Peak gondola.
- Lift Lines & Capacity: Shorter waits in Canada, especially outside Whistler, beat the US’s peak-time chaos in areas like the I-70 corridor.
- Accessibility: Easier airport-to-slope access in the US, like Salt Lake City’s quick hops to multiple resorts.
- Mountain Culture: Tied again. Friendly folks and varied atmospheres on both sides.
- Weather: Sunnier bluebird days favor the US, with more predictable conditions in Colorado and Utah.
- Road Trips: Canada’s legendary Powder Highway steals this for its remote, affordable adventure.
- Lodging & Amenities: Luxury US options at Aspen and Jackson Hole eclipse Canada’s.
- Beginner & Intermediate Experience: Bigger US resorts like Park City provide more mellow terrain.
- Wow Factor: Canada’s rugged, undeveloped vistas at Kicking Horse and Lake Louise edge out the United States.
Final Result:
In the end, Rise & Alpine scored the US a razor-thin victory at 84 points to Canada’s 83, crediting advantages in infrastructure, accessibility, and weather. But as he points out, personal preferences will always reign supreme.
