Bozeman, MT

Bridger Bowl is a big-hearted 2,000-acre ski area comprising wide-open terrain and a variety of runs that'll keep piste-lovers of all skill levels drunk on the sheer volume of skiable terrain. Flanked by two large bowls to the north and south, this university-owned resort receives 350 inches of ...

Brighton, UT

Located in most any other region, Brighton would be considered a resort with an outstanding choice of advanced and expert terrain. However, with Solitude, Alta, and Snowbird as its neighbors, Brighton at times gets labeled as the beginner's resort. This is a fallacy, as expert trails can be ...

Canandaigua, NY

With one of the highest vertical rise of any ski mountain between the Adirondacks and the Rockies, 138 skiable acres, two terrain parks, and a mountain lit for night skiing, Bristol rivals any ski resort in the region. A proud forerunner of the snowmaking industry back in the 1960s, Bristol's ...

Peru, VT

We used to call it Big Bromley. But now, moderately sized, Bromley presents a low-key alternative to Vermont's mega-resorts. It's also south-facing (the only one in New England), which can mean more sun in January and soft snow in late season.

McCall, ID

This mom-and-pop hill just outside McCall is a favorite among locals and families—kids wobbling in helmets and snowboard boots seem to outnumber the adults. There’s plenty of room for everybody, however. The mountain has about 1,800 vertical feet of skiing over 1,500 acres of terrain, ...

East Burke, VT

Though less renowned than its big rivals, Stowe and Killington to the south, Burke has been in the downhill ski business for more than 40 years. The mountain is a throwback to simpler times. It has only six lifts to service 50 trails, but the point is, if you don't have crowds you don't need ...

Aspen, CO

Although it’s the smallest of the four Aspen resorts (the others being Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass), size is alwaysrelative—with 470 skiable acres and a vertical rise that extends over 2,000 feet, Buttermilk still demands respect as some of the region’s ...

Tannersville, PA

This is the Pocono's largest ski area. The recent additions of high-speed quad chairlifts has eased lift lines, while additional trails have helped to spread skier traffic. The resort offers destination amenities, night skiing on all 34 trails, and a multi-chute snowtubing facility. But it's ...

Franconia, NH

Canon is state-owned and retains a noncommercial feel. It also presents some serious steeps and deep challenges—both groomed and ungroomed—especially the five signature trails seen from the highway approach. Intermediate skiers and riders are not left out, however. If you like getting ...

You could just go to Chamonix for the views; tucked in a steep-walled valley, the resort is flanked by Europe's highest mountains, among them the monumental slab of rock that is Mont Blanc. However, Chamonix is also the Never Never Land of "if you fall, you die" skiing. Needless to say, if you ...