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USA: Top 10 Advanced Ski & Snowboard Resorts
We love Breckenridge - an outstanding, all-round resort with a friendly atmosphere, heaps to do and an infectiously bubbly après scene. It’s the birthplace of competitive freestyle, has some of the highest quality skiing and snowboarding in the States and is repeatedly rated as one of the best ski resorts in the world.
Encompassing an old cowboy town, mountain resort, 2,500 acres of inbound terrain and almost limitless backcountry, Jackson Hole should definitely be high up the bucket list for any passionate skier. It was voted “Best Overall Resort in North America” by SKI Magazine - if that’s not enough of a reason to visit, we don’t know what is.
Prestige is probably the word that best describes Aspen Snowmass. This is one of the most renowned resorts worldwide, with 4 ski areas, exclusive dining and après, high-end shopping and the chance to rub shoulders with the A-Listers. If you can afford Aspen Snowmass, there are few places to rival this exquisite destination.
You’ll be hard pushed to find someone who hasn’t heard of Vail. Rivalling Aspen as the resort of choice for the uber rich and super famous, it’s the 2nd largest ski area in the USA, has a vibrant cosmopolitan town and offers an outstanding visitor experience - one of the best in the world.
Despite world class terrain, a reputation as a fantastic family destination, being super close to Denver and having the best 10 year snowfall in Colorado, Winter Park has managed to remain down to earth. Fending off the glitzy, commercial nature associated with other resorts in the area, it lets the quality of skiing and terrain do the talking.
When everyone thinks about the world’s biggest ski area, they immediately think of the Three Valleys, which works in Lake Tahoe’s favour as it keeps lift queues and piste density down. Add this to well over 20,000 acres of the most varied skiable terrain, Las Vegas style après, Californian sun and breath-taking views, and you have a truly epic ski area.
It’s funny to think Telluride was once seen as the best kept secret in Colorado. Today it shares many a magazine spread with Aspen or Whistler (Conde Nast recently ranked it #1 in North America), and the hype – most argue fervently – is well deserved.
The clouds that descend on Park City after crossing the neighbouring desert drop some of the best snow on earth onto the varied 3,300 acres of terrain. Group this with a vibrant and exciting town and you have the makings of an outstanding ski holiday for every type of snow lover.
With its own mountain range and signature champagne powder, Steamboat resort is seriously world class (a record number of Olympians call it home). Ski Town USA - the legendary Cowboy town of Steamboat Springs - is a few miles down the mountain and we love its friendly locals, proper pubs and unpretentious vibe.
“Where locals go to get humbled”, this resort has the most formidable terrain of the 4 Aspen mountains and steeps that make grown men cry. A small base doesn’t stop it from having Aspen’s rowdiest après, hard earnt after days hiking up the Highlands Bowl and flying down endless, 2500ft verticals.
If you're looking to ski or snowboard somewhere special in the States and you’ve honed technique to the top level, these are the best expert American resorts.
All of these legendary mountains have at some stage held titles such as the "best Expert US ski areas" or been included in the lists like the "top advanced North American resorts". This is the definitive list for advanced skiers and snowboarders looking for adventure on the mountainsides of the USA.
It’s no coincidence that many of the most famous downhill and big mountain athletes of all time come from America – the expert terrain here is hard to match.
If you’ve already ticked the US off your list or want to consider other nations, have a look at our best resorts for advanced skiers in Canada. Or add Europe into the mix and read our Top 10 guides for France, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. For the greatest expert resorts the world has to offer, check out our World Top 10.
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