Next Outdoor Adventures logo

Next Outdoor Adventures

Skiing • Ski Resort Reviews

US & Europe resort picks — made simple

Our Top 6 Selection — Best Ski Resorts in the US (sorted by altitude)

*Expert % combines advanced + expert where resorts publish both.
Resort Location Peak Altitude (ft) Skiable Acres Vertical (ft) Trails (Beginner | Intermediate | Expert*)
Copper Mountain CO 12,441 2,507 2,738 150 24% | 26% | 42% (+8% extreme)
Alta UT 11,068 2,614 2,538 116+ 15% | 30% | 55%
Steamboat CO 10,568 3,741 3,668 181 12% | 38% | 50%
Jackson Hole WY 10,450 2,500 4,139 131 10% | 40% | 50%
Deer Valley UT 9,570 2,342 3,040 122 30% | 44% | 27%
Sun Valley ID 9,150 2,457 3,400 120 36% | 42% | 22%
Back to top ↑

Top 3 — Best Ski Resorts in Europe

European destinations primarily publish piste km and lift counts; acreage is typically not reported.
Resort Location Peak Altitude (ft) Skiable Acres Vertical (ft) Trails (Beginner | Intermediate | Expert*)
Chamonix FR 12605 — 9186 77 ~17% | ~36% | ~47%
Dolomiti Superski — Val Gardena IT 8262 — 4229 — ~29% | ~61% | ~11%
Courmayeur IT 9042 — 5069 33 ~33% | ~52% | ~15%
Back to top ↑

US Resort Guides

Copper Mountain

Copper Mountain Beginner-friendly All levels

Beginners Intermediates - Experts Watch Video

Natural skill-zoning (easier West Village, blues mid-mountain, steeps off Alpine/Super Bee) makes Copper feel intuitive for every level. Consistent grooming, wide cruisers, and bowls up high mean you can progress day by day.

Ski Resort Stats
  • Peak Altitude: 12,441 ft
  • Vertical Drop: 2,738 ft
  • Trails / Acres: 150 / 2,507 ac
  • Trail mix: 24% beginner • 26% intermediate • 42% expert (+8% extreme)
  • Avg Snow: ~299–310" / year
  • Pass access: Ikon Pass (destination/partner)

Sources: resort stats pages & OnTheSnow; pass info via Ikon.

Alta Ski Area

Alta, Utah Intermediate Expert

Intermediates Experts Watch Video

Legendary Little Cottonwood powder plus classic fall-line skiing. Nurseries and meadows exist, but Alta shines for confident intermediates and experts lapping Collins, Wildcat, and Supreme on storm cycles.

Ski Resort Stats
  • Peak Altitude: 11,068 ft
  • Vertical Drop: 2,538 ft
  • Trails / Acres: 116+ / 2,614 ac
  • Trail mix: 15% beginner • 30% intermediate • 55% expert
  • Avg Snow: ~545–547" / year
  • Pass access: Ikon Pass (combined days with Snowbird)

Sources: Alta/Wikipedia & OnTheSnow; pass info via Alta + Ikon.

Deer Valley Resort

Deer Valley (skiers-only) All levels

Beginners Intermediates - Experts* Watch Video

Immaculate grooming, crowd control via daily ticket caps, and standout food service. Empire Bowl adds pitch for experts; wide boulevards everywhere else make for luxurious carving.

Ski Resort Stats
  • Peak Altitude: 9,570 ft
  • Vertical Drop: 3,040 ft
  • Trails / Acres: 122 / 2,342 ac
  • Trail mix: 30% beginner • 44% intermediate • 27% expert
  • Avg Snow: ~260–300" / year
  • Pass access: Ikon Pass

Sources: Deer Valley mountain stats + OnTheSnow; pass info via Ikon.

Sun Valley

Sun Valley Intermediate Expert

Intermediates Experts Watch Video

Baldfaced fall-line, long pitches, and famous grooming. Dollar Mountain covers early progression; Baldy is the playground for advanced skiers who like speed and sustained vert.

Ski Resort Stats
  • Peak Altitude: 9,150 ft
  • Vertical Drop: 3,400 ft
  • Trails / Acres: 120 / 2,457 ac
  • Trail mix: 36% beginner • 42% intermediate • 22% expert
  • Avg Snow: ~172" / year
  • Pass access: Ikon Pass (destination)

Sources: Sun Valley + OnTheSnow; pass info via Ikon.

Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole Intermediate Expert

Intermediates Experts Watch Video

Steep, technical terrain and the iconic Aerial Tram define JHMR. Intermediates find miles of blues off Apres Vous; experts hunt steeps, chutes, and famous lines like Corbet’s.

Ski Resort Stats
  • Peak Altitude: 10,450 ft
  • Vertical Drop: 4,139 ft
  • Trails / Acres: 131 / 2,500 ac
  • Trail mix: 10% beginner • 40% intermediate • 50% expert
  • Avg Snow: ~458–465" / year
  • Pass access: Ikon Pass (partner; reservations often required)

Sources: JHMR stats page; pass info via Ikon/Jackson Hole.

Steamboat

Steamboat (“Champagne Powder”) Beginner Tree Ski Fans All levels

Beginners Intermediates - Experts Tree Ski Fans Watch Video

Wide groomers, tons of glades, and a big-mountain feel. Sunshine Peak and Storm Peak deliver blue bliss; trees off Shadows/Closets are famous on a powder day.

Ski Resort Stats
  • Peak Altitude: 10,568 ft
  • Vertical Drop: 3,668 ft
  • Trails / Acres: 181 / 3,741 ac
  • Trail mix: 12% beginner • 38% intermediate • 50% expert
  • Avg Snow: ~292–307" / year
  • Pass access: Ikon Pass

Sources: Steamboat mountain stats & OnTheSnow; pass info via Ikon.

Back to top ↑

EU Resort Guides

Chamonix Mont-Blanc

Chamonix Mont-Blanc (France) Intermediate Expert

Experts Watch Video

A valley of separate areas from beginner zones (Les Planards, Le Tour) to the notorious steeps and off-piste of Grands Montets and the Vallée Blanche (guide recommended).

Ski Resort Stats
  • Trail mix (valley-wide): ~17% beginner • 36% intermediate • 47% advanced/expert
  • Avg Snow: ~470 cm / ~185" per year
  • Pass access: Chamonix Le Pass & Mont-Blanc Unlimited; Ikon partner; Mountain Collective

Sources: OnTheSnow (terrain & snow), Ikon & Mountain Collective for pass access.

Courmayeur

Courmayeur (Italy) Beginner Intermediate All levels

Beginners & Intermediates Watch Video

Charming village under Monte Bianco with mostly intermediate pistes, excellent food, and Skyway access for guided high-alpine adventures on the Italian side.

Ski Resort Stats
  • Trail mix: ~33% beginner • ~52% intermediate • ~15% advanced/expert
  • Avg Snow: ~291 cm / ~115" per year
  • Pass access: Courmayeur/Valle d’Aosta passes; Mont-Blanc Unlimited (cross-border access).

Sources: OnTheSnow & resort/region pages; pass info via MBU and Ikon announcements.

Val Gardena - Dolomiti Superski

Dolomiti Superski — Val Gardena Beginner Intermediate All levels

Beginners & Intermediates Watch Video

1,200 km of linked pistes (12 areas) with the famous Sellaronda circuit. Val Gardena balances friendly blues with longer reds; stunning scenery in every direction.

Ski Resort Stats
  • Trail mix (Val Gardena): ~29% beginner • ~61% intermediate • ~11% advanced
  • Avg Snow: ~300 cm / ~118" per year (Val Gardena)
  • Pass access: Dolomiti Superski liftpasses; Ikon partner days (Dolomiti Superski)

Sources: Powderhounds & OnTheSnow (Val Gardena), Ikon Destinations.

Back to top ↑

Summary: Where to Go & Approx. Budget (per person, per day)

Estimates vary by date and deals. Lift ticket prices reflect typical 2024–2025 adult day rates (window or “from”) for reference.

United States

Resort (Rec) Rationale Lodging Lift Ticket (24/25) Food
Copper Mountain — Beg/All Levels Natural progression, bowls + cruisers $180–$380 $234 (adult day) $45–$85
Alta — Intermediates/Experts Deep snow, classic fall-line $190–$390 ~$199 (adult day) $45–$80
Deer Valley — Beg/Intermediates Grooming, capacity caps $240–$520 Up to ~$329 (adult day) $60–$110
Sun Valley — Experts Long, sustained pitches $180–$360 ~$242 (adult day) $45–$85
Jackson Hole — Experts Steeps, Tram vert $260–$540 $218–$231 (adult day) $55–$110
Steamboat — Tree Ski Fans Glades + blue groomers $190–$420 $229–$255 (adult day) $50–$95

Europe

Resort (Rec) Rationale Lodging Lift Ticket (24/25) Food
Chamonix — Experts Iconic steeps + off-piste (guide) €110–€260 €71 (Le Pass 1-day) €35–€70
Courmayeur — Beg/Intermediates Food, views, intermediate pistes €90–€220 €67 (1-day high season) €35–€70
Dolomiti Superski (Val Gardena) — Beg/Intermediates Massive network & Sellaronda €100–€230 €83 (1-day high season) €35–€70
Back to top ↑

Source of Data

  • We compiled resort statistics (altitude, acreage, vertical, trail counts, snowfall) using information provided by ski resort operators and other public sources: Copper Mountain official stats, Alta Ski Area mountain facts, Steamboat mountain stats, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort stats, Deer Valley mountain stats, Sun Valley mountain stats, OnTheSnow, Powderhounds, Wikipedia (terrain/overview cross-check), Chamonix (Compagnie du Mont-Blanc) area pages, Courmayeur official site, Dolomiti Superski & Val Gardena official sites.
  • Lift ticket references are for the 2024–2025 season where publicly available and typically reflect adult day/window rates. Sources for price references include: Copper Mountain tickets page, Alta ticketing, Steamboat ticketing, Jackson Hole ticketing, Deer Valley ticketing, Sun Valley ticketing, Ikon Pass prices/destinations, Chamonix Le Pass tariffs, Courmayeur tariffs, Dolomiti Superski tariffs. Prices vary by date and availability.
Back to top ↑