North America's Best Ski Resorts Per Region

Featured Image: Tom Poole | Location: Revelstoke, BC

FREESKIER 2026 Resort Rankings by Region have arrived! Each resort on this list is here for a reason. From terrain, atmosphere and accessibility, to pure, unfiltered badass-ery—consider this your proof that no matter where you live, there's great skiing nearby.

In each region of North America, we’ve chosen a standout in six categories: Après, Steeps, Park, Powder, Hidden Gems, and, of course, Local's Favorite. Let's hit the road... we call shotgun.

East Coast

There’s a certain vibe to East Coast skiing that just can’t be replicated anywhere else—bustling base lodges, boisterous locals and downright frigid temperatures come to mind. While icy slopes are far more common than powdery stashes, there are few other places in the world where you can find endless tree skiing, perfect bump runs and skiers so dedicated they don’t care what the weather is—they’re going skiing anyway. We salute these die-hards and pay homage to some of the best locales for those who call this region home.

Photo: Kevin Lemaire

Après & Nightlife

Mont-Tremblant 

No one knows how to party quite like the French Canadians and the village at Mont-Tremblant is a shining example. The most iconic of venues here is the legendary P’tit Caribou, an aprés institution with more than 4,000 square feet of lively, and sometimes rowdy, atmosphere. But it certainly doesn’t stop there. Café d’Époque and Central Tapas & Nightclub enable your aprés shenanigans to go late into the night, with theme parties and dance floors that will leave your legs weak. If you’re looking for a more refined aprés experience, check out La Terrasse at the Fairmont.    

Steeps

Stowe 

If steep and challenging skiing is what you’re after, Stowe is where you want to go. Spread across two peaks, the resort boasts terrain for every ability level but the best steep skiing is on the side of Mount Mansfield—Vermont’s tallest peak. The “Front Four” trails—Goat, Starr, Liftline and National—are often considered the most extreme lines on the East Coast and if you’re looking to show off your skills, the classic Waterfall line under the gondola is hard to beat. 

Photo: Matt Berkowitz

Park

Mount Snow 

Known for breeding Olympic-level talent like that of Mac Forehand, Devin Logan and Caroline Claire, Mount Snow’s Carinthia Park features over 100 acres of finely manicured jumps, rails, boxes and halfpipes, for progression at all levels. Arguably the biggest draw for the Southern Vermont Resort, Carinthia fosters its own social community and its accessibility draws skiers from all over the region.  

Powder

Jay Peak 

Just under the Canadian border in northern Vermont, Jay Peak consistently records the most snowfall of any resort in the East. Consistent winter weather patterns and a summit elevation of 3,862 feet contribute to an average of 347 inches per year and a single season record that’s close to 500 inches. The resort has 385 acres of skiable terrain, in addition to backcountry access, making it the best place for East Coast powder hunting. 

Photo: Andy Gagne

Hidden Gem

Saddleback 

As the largest independent ski area on the East Coast and the third-largest in Maine, touts itself as one of the only ski areas in the Northeast with a Mountain West vibe. Its unique geography and relatively high base elevation of 2,460 feet contribute to the  177 inches of annual snowfall—the most in the state. The Kennebago Steeps will test even the strongest legs, and with a 2,000-foot vertical drop, there’s plenty of time to duck in and out of the trees before meeting your crew at the lift for another lap.

Photo: Jeb Wallace

Local’s Choice

Mad River Glen 

A skier-owned cooperative, Mad River Glen is a breath of fresh air amidst the increasingly corporate ski world. While large resorts race to boost uphill capacity, the hub of MRG is its iconic single chair that forces you to slow down and take in your surroundings. You won’t find a lick or commercialism here, just rugged, narrow trails and a community that’s fiercely proud to call this place home. 

Central Rockies

Some would argue that the Central Rockies are the epicenter of North American skiing. The high-elevation peaks of Colorado, the famous Great Salt Lake effect in Utah and the legendary resorts across Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and British Columbia welcome skiers from around the globe. Here, light density powder drops by the foot and towns once dedicated to mining have slowly morphed into dreamy ski destinations. From the world’s top terrain parks to true freeride proving grounds, we’ve narrowed our favorites down to these esteemed locales.  

Photo: Matt Power

Après & Nightlife

Aspen 

Aspen is known to be over the top in many ways but the aprés scene here might just be the truest example. From on-mountain DJ sets at Eleven212 to endless bottles of champagne at the Ajax Tavern and Highlands’ Cloud 9, there’s no shortage of places to see and be seen. Music fans will appreciate the curated lineup of electronic artists playing at the Snow Lodge, located inside the St. Regis, but beware of sticker shock when you’re ready to buy a ticket. If you’re looking for a more laid-back aprés vibe, check out Aspen Brewing Company or the Buck, both of which offer a selection of pub food and tasty beers. And of course, you should always try to catch a show at Belly Up—a cozy music venue with big-name talent.  

Photo: Hywel Williams

Steeps

Revelstoke 

One of the best in North American for lift-accessed skiing of the extreme variety, British Columbia’s Revelstoke Mountain Resort also boasts the biggest vertical drop of any resort on the continent—5,620 feet. That’s over a mile of adrenaline-inducing descents spread across 3,121 acres of wide-open alpine bowls and big mountain exposure. There are multiple reasons that Freeride World Tour events are held here and professional athletes flock to the resort every year. They include steep chutes, powdery pillow lines and hike-to terrain that will have you salivating on the Stoke chair. 

Photo: Jack Loosmann

Park

Park City 

One out of every three park segment videos you see is likely filled with the green rails of Park City Mountain Resort. Athletes like Colby Stevenson, Taylor Lundquist and Joss Christensen, who cut their teeth here, are the proof in Park City’s pudding. With two halfpipes and six unique terrain parks, PC is loaded with features that are dedicated to every skill level. Learning and riding on the manicured features here will help any park skier progress their skills and surely have them coming back for more. 

Photo: Rocko Menzyk, Alta Ski Area | Skier: Dash Longe

Powder

Alta 

When it comes to double-overhead, cold-smoke blower, there’s no place as consistent as Alta, Utah. Skiers from all over the world head to Little Cottonwood Canyon just to get a taste of the Alta magic. The resort averages 548 inches of snow each year—with an all-time record of 903 inches during the 2022-2023 season—and on any given powder day you’ll watch pro skiers like Thayne Rich, Tim McChesney, Andrew Pollard and Olympian Britta Sigourney throwing down under the Wildcat chair. 

Photo: Discovery Ski Area

Hidden Gem

Discovery Ski Area

Situated between the small towns of Anaconda and Philipsburg, this Western Montana gem is lovingly referred to as Disco and boasts over 2,220 acres of skiable terrain across three faces.  Beginners will find the friendliest trails on the frontside while the backside is where the thrill seekers can get their rocks off. Small but mighty, this might just be the best resort you’ve never heard of.

Photo: Hayden Fonnesbeck

Local’s Choice

Bridger Bowl

As a community-owned, nonprofit ski area, Bridger Bowl is the ultimate local ski resort. Add to that the incredibly gnarly terrain and an average annual snowfall of 300 inches and you’ve got one of the best community recreation grounds in the Central Rockies. The mountain offers 2,000 skiable acres and a 2,700-foot vertical drop, with a whopping 60-percent of the mountain catering to advanced and expert skiers. One lap on The Ridge and you’ll understand the cult following.

West Coast

Skiing on the West Coast can be wet and wild. Rain at the base often means powder at the summit. From the stratovolcanoes in Washington and Oregon to the mighty Sierra Nevada range in California, the West Coast is littered with mountain playgrounds to climb and ski—each with their own personality. The West Coast’s maritime snowpack, affectionately referred to as Sierra cement, also tends to be more predictable than that of an intercontinental. Legends like Michelle Parker and Scott Gaffney call Lake Tahoe, California, home for the steep and deep lines at Palisades Tahoe, while Parker White maintains his loyalty to Washington’s Mt. Baker for the historical snowfall and unique terrain. These resorts have harbored freeskiing roots for decades and for good reason.

Photo: Matthew Sylvestre

Après & Nightlife

Whistler Blackcomb

No matter the coast, Canadians take the cake when it comes to partying and Whistler is most certainly the king of this category. Whistler village has seemingly endless options that begin with the Garibaldi Lift Company (GLC) and Longhorn Saloon, both of which are just a stone’s throw from the Whistler gondola. You’ll want to get to the Longhorn on the early side if you want a table to sit at (or dance on) during the raucous party. Dusty’s Bar & BBQ is the go-to spot for live music and libations in Creekside. When the sun sets, head to the iconic Sushi Village for dinner and sake margs, and then on to Buffalo Bills or Garfinkels to keep the late night party going.  

Photo: Jeff Engerbretson

Steeps

Palisades Tahoe

Some of the best big-mountain skiers in the industry, including Cody Townsend, Michelle Parker and the late Shane McConkey have called Palisades Tahoe home for one reason—the terrain. Home to the iconic KT-22 Peak, the resort is riddled with debilitatingly steep, technical lines like the Fingers and McConkey’s. 

Photo: Cody Mathison

Park

Mammoth 

The Unbound Terrain Parks at Mammoth Mountain offer skiers 10 different parks, two halfpipes, more than 100 jib features and up to 40 jumps on any given day. It’s no surprise that Unbound has been home to so many competition stops, year after year. The parks are spread across 100 acres of Mammoth’s skiable slopes and offer a safe way for beginners to learn and progress while also providing the pros a place to throw down. 

Photo: Grant Gunderson

Powder

Mt. Baker 

The snow can be wet and the visibility can be tough, but there are few other places in the country that offer the type of powder days seen at Mt. Baker. Averaging 688 inches of snow each year, skiers are guaranteed a rowdy good time across the mountain’s 1,000 skiable acres. If you’re looking to send it on a deep day, the Arm is a popular hike-to zone with a plethora of cliffs and other natural features to launch off of. 

Photo: Mattias Fredrikson | Skier: Leah Evans

Hidden Gem

Shames Mountain 

This is the place to score some major powder turns without any scent of a lift line. Located near the northern town of Terrace, British Columbia, Shames is so far off the beaten path on the Powder Highway that you’ll never find a crowd here. An average of 480 inches of snow lands on Shames Mountain each year and the ski area is surrounded by 7,800 acres of backcountry terrain that’s ripe with fresh turns. 

Photo: Melanie Mulshine

Local’s Choice

Alpental 

Just an hour outside of Seattle, Alpental is the most advanced of the four base areas that make up Summit at Snoqualmie. Sitting on the north side of the pass, it boasts 865 acres of skiable terrain that include steep chutes, narrow gullies and striking cliff bands. Legendary runs like Upper International and Shot Six are sure to provide adrenaline junkies with the rush they’re looking for.

Midwest

Although Midwest ski areas hardly ever rise more than a few hundred vertical feet, they produce some of the most technical skiers thanks to firm conditions and infinite laps made possible by tow ropes and night skiing. If East Coast skiers love the sport more than most, Midwest skiers love it more than anyone. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois don’t have a whole lot to offer when it comes to natural, gnarly inbounds terrain but the race courses and terrain parks here generate some of the most impressive talent on two sticks. The days are cold, the nights even colder and the ski areas are mostly mom-and-pop shops with only the necessary amenities. There’s no such thing as “no friends on a powder day” in the Midwest because, well, there aren’t many powder days—just cold, colder and coldest days of the season. Pack your handwarmers and every layer of down you own, Midwest skiers are built different and the proving grounds here are not to be overlooked.

Photo: Brent Veverka

Après & Nightlife

Spirit Mountain 

Just outside of Duluth, Minnesota, overlooking the mighty Lake Superior, Spirit Mountain offers smooth turns by day or night, meaning aprés timing is up to you. Whenever that is, head to downtown Duluth, near the Park Point area, and pop into bars like the Rathskellar and Vikre Distillery for a dose of liquid warmth.

Photo: Chris Guibert

Steeps

Mount Bohemia 

It’s hard to find steep, sustained pitches in the Midwest but the off-piste terrain at Michigan’s Mt.  Bohemia packs a heavy punch. With a 900-foot vertical drop across 585 skiable acres and an average annual snowfall of 273 inches, Mt. Bohemia is the big mountain of the Midwest. 

Photo: Coley Rezabek | Skier: Wille Borm

Park

Hyland Hills 

Just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota’s Hyland Hills rises just 175 vertical feet from the parking lot to the top of the chair, but what this little hill boasts is one of the best terrain park setups in the region. The park is split by a tow rope, offering skiers a jib side, focused on smaller features, and a jump side with a massive kicker at the bottom that’s big enough to make professional riders think twice. Be sure not to sleep on night laps at Hyland where you can pick up a tip or two from the local diehards.

Powder

Lutsen Mountain 

While Mt. Bohemia technically claims the highest average annual snowfall in the region, Lutsen Mountain in Northern Minnesota comes in as a close second. With over 120 inches of average annual snowfall, Lutsen offers 95 trails across 1,000 skiable acres. Of that, 35 percent is dedicated to advanced and expert skiers, and usually has a fresh layer of Lake Superior snow on top. 

Hidden Gem

Tyrol Basin

There’s more than meets the eye at Tyrol Basin. This modest Wisconsin ski area offers 24 acres of skiable terrain with a 300-foot vertical drop and six terrain park zones catering to everybody from beginners testing the waters to seasoned park rats looking to progress. For a Midwest touch, lift tickets are just $20 on Tyrol Tuesdays, an absolute Midwest-must.

Photo: Trollhaugen Ski Area

Local’s Choice

Trollhaugen

In line with other Midwest ski areas, Trollhaugen rises 280 vertical feet and spans just 80 acres but the ski area manicures three incredible terrain parks and offers daily lift ticket specials, including $25 Late Night Friday tickets from 9 P.M. to 3 A.M. You read that right, Trollhaugen is open for night skiing and live music until 3 A.M. every Friday, except for holidays.