10 finest ski cities in North America for 2022-2023 ski season

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Beyond recent snow and handy entry to the slopes, what makes the very best ski city? For some, it is accessing improbable eating places, bars and retailers. For others, it is about nice lodging choices, a small-town vibe or a historic ambiance. Our readers voted, and the outcomes are in. These are the ten finest ski cities in North America for the 2022/2023 season.

Photo courtesy of Oliver Guy

No. 10: Ketchum, Idaho

Ketchum, Idaho is an outlet for world-famous snowboarding, however that is not the one cause to go to. Visitors can be joyful to search out a number of off-mountain actions to fill their days and nights, together with exploring the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, unwinding at Zenergy Health Club, soaking within the Easley Hot Springs, mountain biking within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, meandering by means of artwork galleries and procuring in cute retailers and boutiques.

Photo courtesy of Aspen Chamber

No. 9: Aspen, Colorado

It might be expensive. It might be hyped. But Aspen has lengthy been one of many world’s nice ski cities – and for good cause. The downtown space is dotted with stellar eating places, galleries and boutiques, and après choices embrace slope-side Ajax Tavern, iconic J-Bar on the Hotel Jerome and the superb Aspen Brewing Company. With 4 ski areas inside a 10-mile radius, Aspen is difficult to beat.

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No. 8: Telluride, Colorado

Best recognized for its snowy slopes, Telluride provides stylish boutiques, family-owned eating places and noteworthy bars for après-ski drinks. “Telluride has an old-fashioned Western-chic vibe with fans and residents that run from young and hip to old, artsy and rich. And the gondola that connects the town to the ski area makes it really easy to get back and forth whether you stay in the mountain village at the top of the gondola or in town,” shares knowledgeable Laura Sutherland. 

Photo courtesy of Visit Jackson Hole

No. 7: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Big slopes meet the Wild West in Jackson Hole, Wyoming’s hottest winter resort. While the city’s Western heritage remains to be on show at locations just like the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and Mangy Moose, Jackson Hole caters to luxurious vacationers as effectively with a few of the nation’s swankiest ski lodging. Off the slopes, vistiors can take a scenic sleigh trip by means of the National Elk Refuge.

Photo courtesy of Park City Chamber of Commerce

No. 6: Park City, Utah

Park City, Utah offered the host programs for most of the important snowboarding occasions of the 2002 Winter Olympics. So, it is no shock that the town hosts the biggest ski resort within the United States at Park City Mountain and one other world-famous resort, Deer Valley, just some miles away. Park City Mountain not solely provides 7,300 acres of skiable terrain, with loads of moguls, powder and timber, but in addition a number of terrain parks with steep jumps and different fastened options. Deer Valley gives over 2,000 skiable acres, with loads of runs for all ages and skills, from newbie to double black diamond.

Photo courtesy of Todd Bush

No. 5: Banner Elk, North Carolina

Banner Elk provides wonderful mountain terrain perfect for snowboarding, and several other native points of interest and occasions that invite guests into the group. Two totally different ski resorts are positioned inside Banner Elk, each of which give commendable lodging and add to the general ski expertise. Besides hitting the slopes, you’ll be able to browse reveals within the Beech Mountain History Museum, take a trip down the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster, go wine tasting on the Banner Elk Winery, bask in nice meals, strive the Hawksnest Zipline or go snow tubing at certainly one of 4 common spots.

Photo courtesy of Go Stowe

No. 4: Stowe, Vermont

Steepled church buildings and clapboard homes make Stowe a quintessential New England ski city, full with wonderful choices for each downhill and Nordic skiers. While there are many tremendous eating institutions and luxurious resorts catering to well-heeled vacationers, there is a full of life après scene as effectively, particularly at The Matterhorn. Rest day actions can embrace a tasting on the well-known Ben & Jerry’s ice cream manufacturing unit simply down the highway in Waterbury.

Photo courtesy of WiseguyCreative.com

No. 3: North Conway, New Hampshire

Nestled throughout the scenic White Mountains of New Hampshire, North Conway sits inside a half-hour drive of greater than a dozen Alpine and Nordic ski resorts. Off the slopes, guests can discover the city’s pastel-hued Victorian structure exuding New England attraction. The Mount Washington Observatory Weather Discovery Center makes for a superb rest-day diversion.

Photo courtesy of Noel Hendrickson / Banff & Lake Louise Tourism

No. 2: Banff, Alberta

Walk quarter-hour in nearly any route from the city of Banff, and you will find your self surrounded by the majestic wilderness of Banff National Park. The resort city and gateway to the encompassing park boasts a stunning variety of retailers, artwork galleries, bars and wonderful eating places for its dimension.

Photo courtesy of Mammoth Mountain

No. 1: Mammoth Lakes, California

A protracted ski season makes Mammoth Lakes particularly interesting to skiers of all ranges, along with these curious about backcountry snowboarding. Mammoth Lakes additionally provides loads of choices for off-mountain leisure, whether or not you are trying to bask in theater and the humanities, procuring native or planning a spa day. “Friendly and sporty, Mammoth is the center of snow sports in winter and all kinds of outdoor activities in summer,” knowledgeable Laura Sutherland tells us.