USA TODAY 10Best
Top 10 ski towns in North America: Enjoy the best snow, scenery, and culture
Best Ski Town (2023)
Beyond fresh snow and convenient access to the slopes, what makes the best ski town? For some, it's having access to fantastic restaurants, bars, and shops. For others, it's about great accommodation options, a small-town vibe, or a historic atmosphere.
These 10 ski towns, nominated by an expert panel and voted as the best by readers, fit that bill. Consider making one of these locations your next vacation destination.
- Taos, New Mexico
- Whistler, British Columbia
- Truckee, California
- Jackson Hole, Wyoming
- Banner Elk, North Carolina
- Stowe, Vermont
- North Conway, New Hampshire
- Bend, Oregon
- Banff, Alberta
- Red River, New Mexico
Photo courtesy of Sarina Pizzala
No. 10:
Staying in the desert and playing in the mountains is a winning combination for this New Mexico ski town, which also happens to be a historic Native American community and a renowned artists' colony. Art museums, galleries, and the Taos Pueblo — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has survived for a millennia — offer plenty of in-town diversions beyond drinking and dining. Taos Ski Valley beckons in the mountains above with 110 ski trails, 1,294 skiable acres, and around 300 inches of annual snowfall.
Photo courtesy of Tourism Whistler/Justa Jeskova
No. 9:
The host mountain community for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the town of Whistler, British Columbia, is closely interlinked with the Whistler Blackcomb ski resort, one of the top winter sports destinations in North America. Attracting over two million visitors annually, Whistler welcomes guests with a variety of annual events including a Pride and Ski Festival, along with multiple options for dining and lodging on or close to the slopes. The ski resort itself is massive, with over 200 trails and 8,100 acres of terrain.
Photo courtesy of Photo by Paul Hamill, courtesy of Visit Truckee-Tahoe.
No. 8:
The town of Truckee, California, serves as the gateway to North Lake Tahoe, where winter activities include skiing at resorts like Palisades Tahoe, Northstar California Resort, Sugar Bowl Resort, Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort, and Boreal Mountain California. Surrounded by wilderness areas that include the Tahoe National Forest, Truckee keeps its recreation paths clear of snow for year-round use and offers a variety of locations for family sledding as well as snowmobile trails and dining and nightlife in a historic downtown.
Photo courtesy of Visit Jackson Hole
No. 7:
There are two sides to skiing Jackson Hole: the big-mountain experiences of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort with its 2,500 acres of skiable terrain and the locals' favorite Snow King Mountain, a more modest 500-acre affair known affectionately as "the town hill." Jackson Hole itself is similarly split between rustic charms like park entry arches made from elk antlers and upscale resorts catering to more refined tastes. A location close to Yellowstone National Park makes winter activities like snowmobile and snow coach tours to see geysers and hot springs an attractive alternative to skiing.
Photo courtesy of Todd Bush
No. 6:
Banner Elk is situated between two different ski resorts (Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain) offering excellent mountain terrain ideal for skiing. Besides hitting the slopes, you can take a ride down the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster, go wine tasting at the Banner Elk Winery, indulge in great food, or go snow tubing.
No. 5:
Stowe is a quintessential New England village and an ideal ski town rolled into one. Laid out along the course of the Little River, the town is home to the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum as well as resorts like the Trapp Family Lodge, the Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa, and the elegant Topnotch Resort, but also plenty of more modest options. Dining choices likewise run the gamut from elegant to casual; the von Trapp Brewery and Beerhall is the go-to for German brews and food. The main street morphs into the access road leading to Mount Mansfield and the Stowe Mountain Resort.
Photo courtesy of VisitMWV/WiseguyCreative.com
No. 4:
A ski town in its own right — the slopes of Cranmore Mountain Resort are just a few blocks off of the White Mountain Highway, the town's main street — North Conway is also a convenient base for day-tripping to other classic New England ski areas like Black Mountain, King Pine, and Attitash. Formidable Mt. Washington, the tallest peak in New England, can be explored by snow coach or the venerable Cog Railway, and the town's cozy hotels and B&Bs promise a warm welcome after a winter day outdoors.
Photo courtesy of Nate Wyeth/Visit Bend
No. 3:
Home to the Mt. Bachelor ski area, Bend sits astride the Deschutes River in the high desert of central Oregon. But it's hardly a barren place. In fact, there's far more to do in Bend beyond its amazing skiing and snowboarding, including hiking to the top of an extinct volcano right from town, exploring a lava tube, paddling the river, sipping through the Bend Ale Trail, or getting in touch with nature at the High Desert Museum.
Photo courtesy of Noel Hendrickson / Banff & Lake Louise Tourism
No. 2:
Banff isn't just close to Canada's Banff National Park — it's inside it. Shadowed by Mt. Rundle and Mt. Cascade — both topping 9,000 feet in elevation — Banff attracts outdoor lovers with four seasons of activities including hiking, biking, and skiing at its "Big 3" resorts: Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt. Norquay. Banff's compact downtown is full of shops, dining, and bars and is still served by the railroad that gave it life in the 19th century.
Photo courtesy of Town of Red River
No. 1:
With a population of well under 1,000 people and direct access to the Red River Ski Area and the surrounding Carson National Forest, this small town in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico is the kind of low-key destination that old-school skiers dream about. The 67 ski trails and snow tubing park at Red River Ski Area provide plenty of on-the-snow fun, and the town of Red River has a surprisingly robust array of hotels, dining, and drinking options from steakhouses and bistros to breweries, as well as multiple venues for live music.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor... Read More
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Kristen Lummis
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in... Read More
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Western Colorado. The mom of two now-adult sons, Lummis broke into her writing career through snowsports, founding the website braveskimom.com in 2010 to provide family-friendly tips across a full range of winter topics. And while skiing is Lummis’ first true outdoor love, she grew up camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and traveling extensively with her family — pursuits that she continues today. She prides herself on unbiased opinions, based on activities and destinations she’s visited and experienced. Lummis is honored to be considered an “expert” for 10Best. Follow her @braveskimom on Instagram and Facebook.
Kristen Lummis
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Western Colorado. The mom of two now-adult sons, Lummis broke into her writing career through snowsports, founding the website braveskimom.com in 2010 to provide family-friendly tips across a full range of winter topics. And while skiing is Lummis’ first true outdoor love, she grew up camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and traveling extensively with her family — pursuits that she continues today. She prides herself on unbiased opinions, based on activities and destinations she’s visited and experienced. Lummis is honored to be considered an “expert” for 10Best. Follow her @braveskimom on Instagram and Facebook.
Laura Sutherland
Laura Sutherland is a veteran travel writer who... Read More
Laura Sutherland is a veteran travel writer who specializes in culinary, craft beer, wine, ski, and family travel. She's the author of six travel guidebooks, including "The Best Family Ski Vacations in North America." Her articles have appeared in publications like Real Simple, Taste and Travel International, Parents, Family Fun, Writer's Digest, The Dallas Morning News, and Miami Herald. An avid skier since the age of four when she strapped on a pair of wooden skis at Yosemite's Badger Pass, she's since explored dozens of snow sports resorts through the United States, Canada and Europe.
Laura Sutherland
Laura Sutherland is a veteran travel writer who specializes in culinary, craft beer, wine, ski, and family travel. She's the author of six travel guidebooks, including "The Best Family Ski Vacations in North America." Her articles have appeared in publications like Real Simple, Taste and Travel International, Parents, Family Fun, Writer's Digest, The Dallas Morning News, and Miami Herald. An avid skier since the age of four when she strapped on a pair of wooden skis at Yosemite's Badger Pass, she's since explored dozens of snow sports resorts through the United States, Canada and Europe.
Sharon Nolan
Sharon is a native to the Philadelphia area, but... Read More
Sharon is a native to the Philadelphia area, but loves to wander from its familiar borders. She has traveled to more than 30 countries, trekked five continents, ventured out with family, friends and on solo trips and tackled numerous adventures that were both in and well out of her comfort zone. When she's not traveling, you may find her out on her bicycle on the local roads and trails dreaming up her next adventure. Her other works can be found at AAA The Extra Mile, Trekaroo.com, FWT Magazine, NJ Family and a variety of other online publications.
Sharon Nolan
Sharon is a native to the Philadelphia area, but loves to wander from its familiar borders. She has traveled to more than 30 countries, trekked five continents, ventured out with family, friends and on solo trips and tackled numerous adventures that were both in and well out of her comfort zone. When she's not traveling, you may find her out on her bicycle on the local roads and trails dreaming up her next adventure. Her other works can be found at AAA The Extra Mile, Trekaroo.com, FWT Magazine, NJ Family and a variety of other online publications.
Snow Brains
Built to Inspire, SnowBrains is the best source of... Read More
Built to Inspire, SnowBrains is the best source of intelligent ski & ride news, editorials, weather, photos, and videos. Our goal is to keep you, our friends, informed in a smart and easily digestible way. Connect with SnowBrains on instragram, Facebook, X/Twitter, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, Linkedin or the podcast app.
Snow Brains
Built to Inspire, SnowBrains is the best source of intelligent ski & ride news, editorials, weather, photos, and videos. Our goal is to keep you, our friends, informed in a smart and easily digestible way. Connect with SnowBrains on instragram, Facebook, X/Twitter, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, Linkedin or the podcast app.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
