4 Great Places to Ski in America

As autumn fully grips most of the U.S. – and the threat of that S-N-O-W word is very real on the horizon – it's time for families, couples, and ski bunnies alike to start thinking about their winter getaways.

If you, too, are considering a cold weather adventure this year, here are four states that offer up some of the best skiing in America.
 

Vermont

If it's fresh powder and unspoiled winter landscapes you're looking for on the East Coast, Vermont is the place to go. Ski resorts in this state see some of the highest levels of natural snowfall in the Eastern U.S., meaning there are plenty of options despite Vermont's small size.

Places to check out in Vermont include: Bolton Valley (a family ski resort), Bromley Mountain (one of the oldest continuously-operating ski areas in the U.S.), Jay Peak (famous for the amount of natural snowfall it gets each year), Killington (the largest ski area in the Eastern U.S.), Okemo Mountain (known for its snow quality), and Stowe (home to Vermont's tallest mountain).
 

New York

For those stuck in the Midwest – not quite close enough to New England, but still too far away from the ski slopes out west – New York is a great, usually more convenient snowy getaway. No, you won't find any ski slopes in the Big Apple, instead head upstate and there are quite a few options. I personally got introduced to skiing in New York at a few of its beginner-friendly and family-friendly resorts.

Places to visit in New York include: Belleayre Mountain (a state-owned ski center in the Catskills), Gore Mountain (a family-friendly resort in the Adirondack Mountains), Greek Peak (New York's largest ski resort), Holiday Valley (an all-encompassing resort in Western New York) Whiteface Mountain (the top ski resort in the Eastern U.S.), and Windham Mountain (a resort with slopes for all skill levels).
 

Colorado

Out west, snow begins to fall on the Rocky Mountains well before winter hits. This means that the ski resorts in Colorado have some of the longest ski seasons in the United States, and the best snow. The tall mountains and deep powder of the Rockies are what serious skiers salivate over each winter.

Places to check out in Colorado include: Arapahoe Basin (the highest skiable terrain in North America), Aspen (the place to go in Colorado since the 1940s), Breckenridge Resort (on of the top-visited resorts in the U.S.), Crested Butte Mountain Resort (where freeskiing was born), Keystone Resort (offers night skiing), Vail Resort (another of the most popular in the country), and Winter Park (one of the largest resorts in Colorado).
 

Utah

Ask ski enthusiasts where the best skiing in America is, and they probably won't all agree. But many of them will likely vote for Utah. Utah has been calling its mountain snow “The Greatest Snow on Earth” for more than 50 years. And it has the world-class ski resorts to back up its claim.

Places to visit in Utah include: Deer Valley (a skis-only resort), Park City (with a long season and night skiing), Powder Mountain (home also to snow kiting), Snowbird (know for the huge amount of dry powder it gets per year), Canyons Resort (one of the largest resorts in North America with nine peaks), and Alta Ski Area (one of the oldest in the U.S.).
 

Are you a skier? Where is YOUR favorite place to go?

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.