In fact, its one of the most popular resorts in the US. The resort averages 220 inches of snow annually, has 16 different lifts (including a gondola) serving some of the best-groomed downhill skiing runs in the country, and also offers 25 miles of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. 7 Best Ski Resorts in Utah, 2022/23 Written by Jack Lee / Photos by Greg Burke Last updated May 22, 2022 Utah is truly a snow mecca in the US, boasting 14 ski areas, 10 of which are conveniently located within an hour drive from the city. As the ski resort industry continues to consolidate, funneling skiers into a smaller and smaller selection of ski areas, long lift lines and packed slopes are often the norm, particularly at the highest-profile spots like Park City, Vail, or Stowe (heaven forbid you go during a holiday). Theres also a spa and a waterpark. California - June Mountain. Try Snowbasin near Ogden. Its bylaws explicitly restrict snowmaking above 2,300 feet, resulting in some of the only natural snow skiing in New England. Make sure you ski Longhorn earlier in the day. Quiet ski resorts for escaping crowds. I so agree on the Telluride outscoring Taos! Home to a vertical drop of 2,000 feet, plenty of steep glades, and over 225 of snow! Rather than venture to Smugglers Notch, I would head south to Sugarbush or Mad River Glen over heading to Stowe. Some of the most popular activities to do here include skiing, snowboarding, Nordicskiing, snowshoeing, and dog sledding. Follow along with her travels on Jeanine Consoli Travels. Look no further Les Menuires in France. All rights reserved. Discussion board, ski club forum, snowboarding, off piste skiing Register to become a member today! Ski Cooper is a lot more affordable, enjoyably less crowded, and offers a solid stash of trails to explore. Nearly 8,171 acres and 5,020 vertical feet of skiing & snowboarding available to you. An abundance of dry, natural snow makes skiing and snowboarding feel like gliding on air, and with the longest run coming in at 3.5 miles, you can coast along while admiring the view. Big Sky (not Whistler), Lastly, have you checked out our Plan B list for this winter? The resort has four interconnected mountains and features 95 different runs set over 1,000 acres and 60 acres of tree skiing. Stowe is the true embodiment of what people envision as a pretty New England ski town. Telluride and Crested Butte are always mentioned as the least crowded ski resorts. The hip word in the industry is called overtourism. Affordable room to rent 4) Wyoming: Snowy Range. But the crowning jewel of this mountain is its backdrop: It's the only ski area on the East Coast to boast ocean views. 1 Best Ski Resorts to Visit for Christmas 2022 1.1 Best US Ski Resorts for Christmas 1.1.1 Solitude, Salt Lake City, Utah 1.1.2 Big Sky, Montana 1.1.3 Park City, Utah 1.1.4 Beaver Creek, Avon, Colorado 1.1.5 Mt Bachelor, Sunriver Resort, Oregon 1.2 Best Ski Resorts for Christmas in Canada 1.2.1 Whistler, British Columbia, Canada Book a snowcat tour and enjoy being whisked up to pow stashes that your group (or just you) will have free rein over. Self-described as having The Greatest Snow on Earth, Brian Head Resorts small size and affordability make it the perfect place for skiers to get in some low-crowd runs; while still experiencing the highest resort base elevation in the state. Les Menuires in France is the quietest option in the Three Valleys area so you get all of the great slopes without the crowds. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. And with a location close to bustling downtown Flagstaff, snow bunnies will have their pick of plenty of places to play and stay. Of course they dont cater to locals. Sun Valley, Idaho is a must for every dedicated skiier before you do the big bowl run into heaven. Loon Mountain opened in December 1966 and has come a long way since then. While the ski areas village isnt developed just yet, its only a matter of time before the major Summit Village is unveiled. Alyeska. #1 AND #3 are by far the hardest to get in pretty much any ski town. Homewood These 6 of the least crowded ski resorts will ensure you come home with a smile and stories to tell. Hard to believe Utah ski resorts didnt make the list. You can see the circus come to town. Simply put, its the perfect trifecta for those looking to avoid the global tourism crowds and feast on all your own powder. Big mountain terrain with local town feel. Your email address will not be published. So many choices. What better than to enjoy your special day on a beautiful mountain? We have skied Snowmass, Vail, and Steamboat over Christmas. If you want to avoid crowds, ski midweek and be willing to ski on a storm day. A fun, fun mountain at all levels. A better option if you still want to take in the culture but avoid the masses is to head over to its smaller neighbor, Smugglers Notch, who is still fiercely independent. And the village of Smugglers Notch oozes that Vermont charm with a few less of those Wall Street brokers youll find in Stowe making it one of the best for one of your ski trips. Residents in Tahoe might complain on the cost of rent, but compared to other Western ski-towns its a fraction of the cost with that close access to lifts. Once you settle in at the resort there are a myriad of lodging options youll enjoy everything this family mountain has to offer. This quiet ski area is nestled above the town of June Lake and even on the busiest days gets at most 2,000 skiers. Situated on the less-bustling west shore of Lake Tahoe, Homewood has a more low-key vibe than the bigger resorts on and near south shore. Its home to the best lift-served extreme terrain in the states. You can make the same, What about Big sky or whitefish? Some of the least crowded ski resorts also happen to be the coolest. But when you compare that to Big Sky with its 5,800+ acres and 4,350 vertical feet along with a 1 skier per acre average, its kinda hard to NOT want to visit Big Sky. So let's have a look, at some excellent resorts, which offer a lot of these things. Schweitzer on a good pow dayyum A long snowy season, typically sunny skies, and spectacularly scenic views are on tap at the unassuming and cozy NM gem Ski Santa Fe. Just on facts alone, the ski resort has 4,314 vertical feet of butt-puckering terrain. I lived in BTV, and preferred all the alternatives to Smuggs. The terrain, the people and its status as one of the least crowded ski resorts in Colorado, all make A-Basin a destination. Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort. June Lake itself going through a renaissance, giant has re-awoken in the deep woods of Maine last season, The Best Apres Ski Drinks in North America & A Shot With A Human Toe, The 10 Best Spring Skiing Resorts In North America, A New Tahoe Ski Resort - Sierra at Tahoe Review After The Caldor, Use This Ski Trip Packing List To Save A Week Of Misery On The Slopes, 10 Things I Wish I Knew Ahead Of Skiing In Japan, Get Yo Stance Dialed - Snowboard Binding Setup, 15 Must Have Mountain Bike Accessories When You Head Out, The Ides Have It Why Skiing In March Is The Best Month To Go & Where. It's BIG for an Indy resort. But if youre looking for a more relaxed vibe, consider heading to their sister resort just down the road June Mountain! Haha I get it too. If you're looking for one of the least crowded ski resorts at Christmas, consider a visit to Stowe, Vermont. SunValley.com 1. Utah ski resorts are known for their monster dumps of fluffy powder bolstered by the Great Salt Lake effect. Do yourself a favor and read the book about Ernie Blake and the making of Taos Ski Valley. I am 80 this year where can I get free ski pass. Find it: I-70, Exit 216, Dillon, Colorado. What do u think about big sky, crested butte, or Revelstoke? Angel Fire in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the Southern Rockies is a family resort. Newschoolers has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. What an enchanting place . Typically, February is the best time to ski in Colorado. I think Revi is over rated for the remote location..KH shhh Hint. I will have to live with the crowds -- but best of they are spread out. I grew up skiing Taos, most of the small area isnt skiable until they receive over 60 inches. slow lifts & a rope tow ?? 2. crowds are usually pretty decent and lodging is cheap. Mt Bailey Or (catskiing) Or test out some of the amazing backcountry skiing available in that part of the Cascades. When youre looking for smaller crowds, we recommend you start by choosing a destination thats not so easy to find. heavy snow). 7 Brian Head Resort, Utah Self-described as having "The Greatest Snow on Earth," Brian Head Resort 's small size and affordability make it the perfect place for skiers to get in some low-crowd runs; while still experiencing the highest resort base elevation in the state. To further get away from it all, you can take a glacier boat tour, try snowmobiling, or even see the northern lights. Non-skiers can enjoy cross-country or snowshoe trails nearby. Rainier Gondola, which takes passengers up 2,400 vertical feet to the summit over about 12 minutes. Want to really steal away from the hordes? I'm in the Southern End of the French Alps, and can see two ski stations from the kitchen window- or at least could if it would stop snowing on the young and delicate shoots I try and ski from the first lift up until lunchtime or so. Only 2 and half hours from New York City, Belleayre, located in the Catskill Mountains, also has five glades, a terrain park, progression park, and an X-Course. A place that pushed athletes like Shane McConkey to the forefront. Chief among them, Vail Resorts will limit lift ticket sales during some of the busiest periods: the week after Christmas, over Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, and over Presidents' Day weekend. For those on the Epic Pass, Kicking Horse should be on your to do list now before the secret gets out. Big White For The Powder Hound Learn more about Big White Photo by: Geoff Holman - Image appears courtesy: Big White Ski Area Its name says it all. Enjoy and sample the sweet New England Maple-y glades. But, it also has some of the longest, pure fall lines youll find. Mount Snow is one of the most accessible ski resorts in Vermont, and it's an easy drive from many of the major cities in New England. Bretton Woods is great if you are willing to avoid the weekends and certainly school vacation week. First, Powder Mountain only releases 1,500 daily lift tickets. However, the sheer amount of activities and events (and space) means vacationers have more room to spread out and enjoy all the fun thats on tap at this experiential four-season destination. For those that need a bit more coaxing, heres 6 reasons to visit June Mountain. Together with snow that is as light and dry as youd find in places like Colorado blanketing the 4,270 acres, youll have plenty to explore. Ahhh! Avoriaz in France is a good bet for a family ski resort at Christmas. Mammoth Mountain Ca. If it takes 2 days to get to its always been worth it. This place has been totaly discovered as well. A local favorite of the beaten path and some fantastic terrain. For us it comes down to people the less people the better the experience the longer the snow lasts. The street was once home to brothels, political scandals, and gang rivalries so intense at times that it made it unsafe to pass. But it accumulates every bit as much powder, with a staggering 450 inches of annual snow falling within its 1,260 acres. 136. There are 51 runs and the area gets an average snowfall of 190 inches. Basically, something for the low budget but diligent skier. Affiliate Disclaimer | Terms & Service | Privacy Policy | Copyright Local Freshies. And keep your ski tips up. Powder Mountain was on the list. As people have noted, all of the big resorts are gonna have long lines no matter what. Here guests can access the mountain and find great shopping or dining options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and aprs ski with music, libations, and food. In regards to getting a free ski pass Ive seen a lot of the independent places offer free or nearly free passes to those of you enjoying the deep and steep. Since this is a long-term view we assumed that the borders will open in the future. Tree skiers will love that around 30 of those runs are glades, and skiers of all kinds will be able to take advantage of 2,820 feet of vertical (the longest run is 3.5 miles!). Add a no-frills, good vibes-only environment; great views; and both downhill and terrain park adventures, and anyone will want to strap on those skis and hit the wonderful WI slopes. And it doesn't stop there. Snowbird Utah *Jackson Hole Wyo. The patrons all think theyre special. Loveland Ski Area Location: Dillon, Colorado Difficulty: Advanced Average adult weekday ticket price: $85 We've picked out what we think are the top 5 most underappreciated resorts to help you get away from the big names, big crowds and big prices. Your email address will not be published. The leading independent voice for aviation news and insight. The mountain accommodations vary and are in the Jackson Gore Base or the Clock Tower Base. There are 60 runs (41 percent intermediate), 12 lifts, and seven terrain parks. Its remote location in southwest Montana also makes it a bit more difficult to get to than the resorts located near a major airport. On Christmas day, an average of 96% of Alta's terrain is open for business. Also any good mountains other than in Utah or Colorado because those are generally going to b the most crowded. The town of Taos is nowhere near the mountain. I think there are a few iconic places to ski, that should be on peoples bucket list, before they venture out to other areas you suggest. Escape the crowds this winter, find an unsung ski resort to explore. It consists ofmore than 1,200 uncrowded acres to ski and snowboard on. Or head to the Summit Lodge and Robins Roost near the top of the mountain for some delicious food and views. Its the only one-of-its-kind in the Lake Tahoe Basin and why we find it one of the best places to ski on a powder day for one of your Tahoe ski trips. If you dont ski, the snowmobiling, cross-country, and snowshoe trails are just as exciting. View Aspen ski holidays here Les Arcs, France As one of the higher resorts in the French Alps, Les Arcs is a snow-sure choice for Christmas in the Alps. Grand Targee for a laid back vibe and great pow While the days around Presidents Day are some of the busiest on the slopes, the rest of the month . if youre looking for an alternative to aspen, this aint it. Both have trails that challenge you like Stowe and have a superior line down the fault line, unlike Smuggs. Stowe for Christmas If you're on the East Coast and want some great Vermont skiing, put Christmas at Stowe at the top of your list. Crowds are also less of an issue as most of these places are "off the beaten track." Grand Targhee is the only ski area in North America with a perfect snow record at Christmas. If youre ok with dealing with the crowds we highly recommend Steamboat. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay up-to-date with the latest news from Newschoolers and our partners. Its a winter playground with 1,240 skiable acres and a vertical drop of 2,820 feet. So unique, so refreshing. Word on the street is that Copper Mountain in Colorado debuted a new "Secret Season Pass." For $100 more than the regular season pass ($509 vs $409), skiers can access the mountain 15 minutes earlier than mere mortals. Thank you very much Alex. When you think of Montana, you automatically think big with a lot of space, fewer crowds, and lots of trails for all skill levels. But without advertising revenue, we can't keep making this site awesome.
