USA Ski Holidays

From skyscrapers to hamburgers, the USA has a reputation for going large and America ski holidays are no different. With enormous ski areas, extensive lift systems, extreme snow parks and exceptional ski schools, we love skiing with team America – flip yeah!

The Sierra Nevada and Rocky mountain ranges bless America with some of the best snow conditions on the planet. Utah sees a massive average of 12m of snow in a season, Colorado is famed for its dry and fluffy ‘champagne powder’ and California is all about skiing under glorious sunshine. Add miles of varied terrain and the US has you covered - gorgeously long blues for racking up the miles, fast red descents for hitting top speeds and monstrous moguls for a technical challenge. The best bit? With such an expanse to explore, it’s equally easy to find quiet pistes and short lift queues.

Fantastic groomers aren’t the only reason USA ski holidays are so popular. From fine dining in exquisite restaurants, to lively slopeside parties, mesmerising mountain views, and awesome activities like the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster, it’s no surprise skiers make the trip across the pond.

Visa: An Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to travelling

Closest Airports: Denver, Jackson Hole, Salt Lake City International, Burlington International, Glacier Park International, Bishop

• Flight Time
• 9 hours
• From London

• Nearest Airports
• Denver
• Jackson Hole, etc.

• Time zone
• UTC -5 to -8 hours

• Language
• English

• Currency
• US Dollar

• Ski Season
• Dec - April

With a whopping 480 ski resorts spread across the country, skiers are spoilt for choice, so we’ve narrowed it down for you with advice on choosing the best. We recommend high-end resorts like Beaver Creek for a luxury retreat, cowboy towns like Jackson Hole for some rootin-tootin’ après ski and famously chic destinations like Aspen for world-class skiing and hospitality. Whatever your style, America is sure to have a ski destination that fits the bill.

We’ve traversed the ‘Land of the Free’ tasting the best America has to offer and compiled our findings into these ‘top ten’ guides. From beginner-friendly to powder paradise, use our guides to divine your dream destination.

Best Ski Resorts in America

Attentive service, comfy accommodation and great grub come as standard in America, but the best resorts also have miles of terrain to explore and plenty of off-slope activities. Breckenridge is a SNO favourite with with the giant motorway pistes being where SNOman first went over to the dark side (snowboarding). We love the large town full of colourful buildings housing bars, restaurants and shops and access to an expansive ski area covering 3,000 acres across other top resorts including Vail and Keystone. Beaver Creek is another contender for the title of best ski resort in America with slopes that range from cruisy blues to hair-raising double diamonds, a sophisticated atmosphere and a conveniently short 30 min transfer time from Eagle County Airport. Also high on the list is world-renowned Aspen twinned with Snowmass, where there’s 4 ski areas to choose from and a seriously glamorous town to enjoy.

Best Snowboarding in America

Snowboarders are well taken care of in the USA with epic backcountry for off-piste adventures, wide groomers for cruisy carving and snow parks aplenty. Park City is one of the best American resorts for snowboarders with 330 trails, 14 bowls, no less than 8 terrain parks including an Olympic-sized halfpipe. As the name suggests, Mammoth Mountain is huge, meaning there’s plenty to keep boarders of all abilities entertained, from the gentle Sleepy Hollow run for beginners to scenic tree-lined trails for intermediates and endless backcountry itineraries down Mammoth and June Mountain for experts. Freestyle lovers should head to Breckenridge where there’s 4 different snow parks with features that range from entry level rails to huge kickers and a 22-foot Superpipe.

Most Snow Sure Resorts in America

High altitude resorts and sky-high mountain peaks mean good conditions are reliable across American ski resorts between November and April. Sitting at 2,926m and rising to a lofty 3,915m Breckenridge consistently offers snow sure conditions well into spring with the season often extending into May. With heavy dumps of snow and the highest summit elevation in California, Mammoth Mountain is another top snow-sure destination in America. Jackson Hole also offers snow-surety thanks to its northern location and Winter Park consistently gets more than 9m of snow a year which often remains on the upper slopes until as late as May.

Family Friendly American Ski Resorts

Snow-sure slopes, no language barrier, child-friendly dining - the list of reasons why families love American ski holidays goes on and on. Top resorts include Winter Park where the whole family is catered for with ski schools and ice bumper cars for littlies and a medley of swishy blues and thrilling blacks for mum and dad all within an easy 90 minute transfer from Denver Airport. With the slogan “families and kids are Steamboat’s speciality”, it’s no wonder that Steamboat is a top USA ski resort for families. There’s slow zones and kids-only areas, husky sledding and tubing for after the lifts close, and a Kids’ Adventure Club at Night where 5 to 12 year olds watch films and play games whilst parents enjoy adult time.

America Group Ski Destinations

America has all the ingredients for a brilliant group ski holiday from terrain for all abilities to lively bars and all-inclusive group accommodation. We recommend Lake Tahoe where the Gunbarrel moguls and Killebrew canyons entertain energietic skiers while more laid-back friends cruise the Galaxy and Perimeter runs, before all meeting for a jolly knee’s up to live music in Tamarack. With tonnes of great restaurants, bars and post-ski activities like hot air balloon rides and husky tours, Aspen is also a top American ski resort for groups. Thanks to its vast size, buzzing town and huge range of accommodation choice, Vail is one of our destinations that every group can agree on.

Best Après Ski in America

America’s après scene mostly consists of craft beers and cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere but there are definitely all night parties if you know where to look. For a more typically European experience of live music and boot-stomping, Breckenridge is your best bet, where parties begin on the slopes at T Bar and continue well into the night in spots like Angel’s Hollow and Cecilia’s Martini Bar. For après ski with a distinctly cowboy flavour head to Jackson Hole where bars like The Mangy Moose and Million Dollar Cowboy Bar have a western, gun totin’, saloon drinkin’ feel. On the swanky end, toney Aspen is a top American resort for après ski where you can rub shoulders with the rich and famous in cocktail lounges like J-Bar in Hotel Jerome, frequented by A-list skiers like Cameron Diaz and Bill Murray.

America’s Luxury Ski Destinations

Often catering for the hottest celebs and the uber rich, America’s luxury ski resorts offer fine dining, exquisite accommodation and seamless service. In beautiful Vail, Austrian inspired architecture encloses elegant boutiques and five-star restaurants and, for an extra touch of luxury, the streets are heated to keep snow clear. The Little Nell hotel in Aspen has catered for the likes of Britney Spears and you’ll find designer shops like Prada and Gucci as well as Michelin-starred restaurants like Prospect here. We love Beaver Creek where 150km of immaculate piste is complemented by by fine dining right on the mountain in restaurants like Allie’s Cabin - the level of service epitomised by the complimentary cookies which are handed out every day at 3pm.

Pettiest American Ski Resorts

You’ll want your camera at the ready in America’s prettiest ski resorts where picture postcard buildings sit amidst jaw-droppingly gorgeous landscapes. Overlooking the spectacular Lake Tahoe and bathed in 300 days of sunshine a year, aptly names Heavenly enjoys stunning scenery in every direction. Don’t miss the Skyline Trail for majestic mountain vistas and lake panoramas from the slopes. The beautiful Victorian architecture and breathtaking views of the Rockies in Aspen proffer endless Insta-worthy photo opportunities. Tucked in the Yampa Valley, Steamboat was ranked as the 10th most beautiful town in all of America in 2016 thanks to its groves of aspen trees, natural hot springs and rustic buildings.

American Ski Resorts for Beginners

With excellent ski schools and no language barriers, America is a fantastic place for learners to take to the slopes. In Winter Park there’s a dedicated beginner’s zone and newbies can experience the whole mountain with a complete route of beginner runs from the top of the Hi-Lonesome Express down to the village. In Steamboat, the Headwall area is reserved for beginners and ski schools provide high quality of tuition plus the resort receives plenty of powder so there’s no need to worry about difficult icy conditions. Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen is also a top American ski resort for beginners with a fantastic ski school and a large proportion of beginner slopes like the gentle Homestead Road perfect for building confidence.

America Resorts for Intermediate Skiers

The best ski resorts in America for intermediates offer miles of varied terrain. America’s largest ski area, Park City spans 7,300 acres and contains six terrain parks, 330 pristinely groomed runs as well as tonnes of off-piste trails - plenty to keep intermediates busy all holiday. We love Breckenridge where Peak 7 and 9 have a wide assortment of blues superb for easing you back in, the Crescendo run has gentle bumps for practising your mogul technique and there are plenty of blacks higher up if you’re keen for a challenge. In Vail, intermediates can enjoy schussing down Bwana and Born Free, and Riva Ridge is a blue with a few single-black-diamond sections (like a red run in Europe) for steady progression.

American Resorts for Advanced Skiers

Experts get their adrenaline kicks in the best American resorts for advanced skiers where steep drops, narrow chutes, untamed backcountry and fierce double-black-diamonds push you to the max. In Jackson Hole speed demons rack up serious MPHs racing down Dick’s Ditch whilst powder hounds love the 3,000 acres of backcountry. There are over 100 advanced pistes in Aspen and the Highland Bowl is something of a right-of-passage for experts involving almost 2,500 feet of steep bowl skiing. In Vail, the Blue Sky Basins provide some extreme off-piste and the Forever Trail drops an adrenaline-inducing 1,850ft.

Best Off-Piste Skiing in America

Land of dry, fluffy ‘champagne snow’, America is paradise for powder lovers. Vail is home to seven legendary Back Bowls with miles of ungroomed terrain to explore. Hit up the North Rim which is often overlooked in favour of the Back Bowls, meaning some great powder stashes. In Lake Tahoe off-piste aficionados can glide through knee-deep powder surrounded by scenic trees and test their nerve in steep, untamed chutes. Jackson Hole and Aspen also make the top ten best resorts for off-piste skiing in America, thanks to the sheer size of their backcountry.

Best Ski Holidays in America on a Budget

American offers premium skiing but that doesn’t mean you have to pay through the nose. The size of Steamboat means there’s a wide range of accommodation available including plenty of budget-friendly options like the Holiday Inn Hotel and the Steamboat Spring Suites and the town is full of affordable bars and restaurants so you can still enjoy nights out. Winter Park is a great value place for excellent snow and terrain but a down-to-earth town with plenty of options to keep costs low. Package deals can often put Vail and Breckenridge among the cheapest ski resorts in America. To really bag a bargain, browse our USA Ski Deals or call us.

Summer Ski Holidays in America

The main American ski season runs between November and April but there are some destinations where you can top up your goggle tan in summer. With the highest summit elevation in California, Mammoth Mountain has one of the longest seasons, sometimes stretching as late as July, and many professional teams come here for their spring training. Aspen is a top destination for summer skiing in America thanks to high altitudes which hold onto snow until mid-July - super advanced skiers should head up to Grizzly Peak’s north couloir at 4,266m.

Spreading across Colorado, Utah and California, America has some of the biggest and best ski areas in the world. A medley of pristine groomers and wild off-piste as well as spectacular mountain scenery and welcoming towns, our favourite supersized ski areas are:

• Aspen Snowmass - Covering 5,500 acres and comprising 4 mountains, Aspen has mixed terrain for all abilities. Beginners are well looked after on Buttermilk Mountain, while Aspen Mountain has no green runs, Snowmass Mountain has long pistes and vast backcountry and Aspen Highlands is a playground for experts with highlights like the Highland bowl.
• Lake Tahoe - Situated on the California and Nevada border, Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America and it is renowned for its spellbinding scenery. Here you’ll find exceptional resorts like Heavenly and Mammoth.
• Park City - Hogging 7,300 acres of skiable terrain, the largest ski area in the USA has modern lifts that unlock 330 trails ranging from wide nursery slopes to narrow, nerve wracking couloirs. The area can be accessed from Park City, its swanky neighbour Deer Valley, and the more budget friendly Kimball Junction.

Stay in one of America’s biggest ski resorts to explore these areas.

With everything from high-end hotels good enough for the Kardashians to cosy cowboy cabins, America’s ski accommodation is as varied as their terrain. Thanks to the size of the resorts, you can find something to your taste from the height of luxury to more budget friendly. Call us for help finding the perfect accommodation for your American ski trip.

• America Ski Hotels - Hotels are the most popular choice in America with a truly welcoming atmosphere and first-class customer service. Most have an on-site restaurant and some rooms include a kitchen so you can prepare your own meals. There are options to suit a range of budgets from homely options to luxury pads with incredible spas, indoor pools and glamorous bars all attached.
• America Ski Apartments - Known as ‘condos’, these are usually larger than the European equivalent and are a great choice for groups or families with a kitchen and lounge for time together and separate bedrooms for when you need some space. Luxury condos come with extras like hot tubs, sauna access and roaring log fires.
• America Ski Chalets - There aren’t very many European style chalets in the USA, instead they have lodges and cabins. These offer a similar feeling of intimate privacy and are often self-catered. Talk to our team to help you find the cosy cabin of your dreams.

If America’s majestic mountains are calling you but you’re worried about the price of a transatlantic trip, check out our USA Ski Deals. With offers on lift passes and rentals as well as some serious savings on hotels, we can help you ski America’s best slopes whilst keeping costs down.

It’s never too late to book a Last Minute American Ski holiday. Talk to our experts to find a faff-free package holiday. You’ll be shushing through champagne powder in SNO time!

The USA has reliable skiing conditions thanks to the high altitudes of its resorts and storms off the Pacific which bless the slopes with serious snowfall. Colorado’s Winter Park consistently enjoys some of the best snow conditions in North America and Vail receives an average of 9m of snow per year (that’s higher than two double decker buses!) Get a clearer idea of snow conditions in a specific resort by looking at the America snow report. If your holiday is in the next few weeks, check the America snow forecast to see what snow’s on the horizon.

You won’t be short of options for food in America’s ski resorts.. There’s a range of cuisine too so even the fussiest eater will be satisfied. From classic burgers and fries served up in all-American style diners like Flipside in Breckenridge to slabs of steak in western themed restaurants like Million Dollar Cowboy, we love the hearty American approach to refuelling. There are gourmet restaurants like Piñons in Aspen and Blue Lion in Jackson Hole for a sophisticated dining experience. Often served in large proportions with outstanding customer service and not a bad price tag, good food is a big part of American ski holidays.