Killington Ski Resort Guide
Aptly named the ‘Beast of the East’, Killington ski resort is spread across 7 mountain areas. One area, Killington Peak reaches 4,241 ft making it the second highest point in the state. This all alludes to the fact that Killington has masses of terrain which will keep the family happy not just all week, but all season. New England’s largest ski resort, Killington, also opens earlier and closes later than all other East Coast ski resorts.
KILLINGTON FIRST IMPRESSIONS
One of my first experiences at Killington was sitting on the Snowshed Express Quad whilst it had broken down, luckily this was the only set back to my trip. Killington impressed as a resort, with extensive infrastructure, good grooming and a really good ski school. Killington is renowned for is après ski and nightlife which make the area around the base lively.
KILLINGTON SKI AREA
If you are looking for more terrain than any other East Coast ski area, well Bingo, Killington is that mountain. Looking at the stats Killington ski area is huge. Spread across 7 peaks, with Killington Peak (1293m) the highest point, there is 929m of vertical drop. A Killington lift pass allows skiing and snowboarding at both Killington and Pico Mountains. Combined these ski areas offer 1,977 acres of skiable terrain across 213 trails. There are 155 trails at Killington resort with the majority being either intermediate (40%) or advanced (43% terrain).
Killington is located just seven miles from Pico Mountain, a locals favourite, which is included with your Killington lift tickets.
KILLINGTON SKI AREA BY ABILITY
BEGINNERS TERRAIN KILLINGTON
There are two obvious learning zones at Killington; Sunrise Mountain and Snowshed. Snowshed has two lifts; Snowshed Express Quad and Snowshed Double, that access a few green slopes. Snowshed slope is wide but can become busy during peak times. The area at Sunrise mountain is serviced by the Sunrise Village Triple Chair. This area has a few gentle greens that lead back to the chair.
INTERMEDIATE TERRAIN KILLINGTON
From Killington Peak, intermediates will love taking the long Solitude blue run around the boundary of Killington ski resort. There are plenty of blues at Skye Peak and also on Snowdon Mountain that will keep intermediates interested. If you feel the need to push yourself further, my first black diamond was Superstar.
ADVANCED TERRAIN KILLINGTON
Killington has plenty to offer challenge to the advanced skiers and snowboarders who visit the 7 peaks. The glades at Devil’s Den and Growler on Bear Mountain offer plenty of fun. Killington Peak comes into its own with some aptly named Double Blacks; Flume, Double Dipper and Flume.
FREESTYLE TERRAIN KILLINGTON
Killington ski area has partnered with Woodward to produce some of the best freestyle terrain on the East Coast. The Stash offers features made out of natural materials, whereas Bear Mountain is also home to the Half-Pipe. Ramshead Mountain is where you will find the majority of freestyle terrain with everything from the Family Cross adventure zone to the Olympic Athlete (Red Gerard) inspired Red’s Backyard.
LIFTS AT KILLINGTON
Killington has an excellent lift infrastructure with 21 lifts in total. Three gondolas cover the largest journeys in the resort, with the K-1 Express heading up to Killington Peak and accessing some of the double black diamond terrain. Furthermore, there is a collection of Quads, Triples, Doubles, and even a six person chair.
KILLINGTON SNOW RECORD
Despite being on the East Coast of the USA, often known for having more ice then fresh snow, Killington averages 250 inches of snowfall every winter. Thats 6.35m of natural snowfall, more than resorts like Verbier in Europe. Further to the natural stuff, Killington has extensive snowmaking that ensures the 250 snow guns can blast out 12 inches of snow in a 24 hour period. If you are looking to visit Killington when the conditions are at their best, the most snow tends to fall in February and March with 55in and 57in averages respectively.
KILLINGTON PISTE MAP
SEASON DATES
Killington not only has one of the longest ski seasons on the East Coast but one of the longest in the whole of North America. Killington will open, snow dependent, in late October or early November and run well into May. Some really good snow years have ensured the lifts have been able to turn on Superstar into June.
KILLINGTON LIFT TICKETS
Killington charge $165 for a daily ticket if bought at full-price on the day. Luckily for all of us reading this, we are not that silly and like to plan a little in advance. Advanced tickets will always get you the lowest price and further discounts are available when purchasing a multi-day ticket.
An adult season pass will set you back $1479 but again booking early could save you over $400! You can also ski and ride at Killington and nearby Pico mountain on the IKON Pass with 7 days access.
TRAVEL TO KILLINGTON
WHERE IS KILLINGTON?
Killngton ski resort has been popular with the weekend crowds travelling up from New York or Boston a 4/5 or 3 hour drive respectively. Killington’s location in the South of Vermont has made it a mainstay of the two cities with substantial visitors making use of the good transport links.
DRIVING TO KILLINGTON
Killington is ideally located close to both I-89 and I-91.
PARKING AT KILLINGTON
Killington has three base areas at which is possible to park; K-1 Lodge, Snowshed Lodge and Ramshead Lodge. All of the base areas offer free-parking so choose the one that best suits your needs. For all relevant parking information check here.
INTERNATIONAL
International visitors will most likely arrive into either New York or Boston and then need to make their way to Killington. Car rental is advised as Greyhound or Megabus journeys are long!
KILLINGTON PROS
Killington has more terrain than other East Coast Ski Resorts
Killington ski area is spread out across 7 peaks so you can find a space away from the crowds.
Killington has good lift infrastructure
Killington gets a decent amount of natural snowfall, over 6m!
Killington ski resort lift tickets also allow access at nearby Pico Mountain Resort.
The freestyle terrain at Killington is quality!
KILLINGTON CONS
$165 for a Killington day ticket seems steep!
The East Coast can serve up some icy and cold conditions.
Killington ski area is a good 3/4 hour drive from international airports!
KILLINGTON GALLERY
KILLINGTON FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS KILLINGTON A GOOD SKI RESORT?
Killington has terrain to suit all abilities making it a great option for everyone. As a large ski resort Killington has lots to offer both on and off the snow with a renowned Après scene. East Coast resorts can get icy but Killington has a better snow record than other East Coast ski resorts. The infrastructure at Killington, including the snow-making is modern and can help during lean periods without snowfall.
IS KILLINGTON GOOD FOR BEGINNERS?
My first ever week skiing was at Killington and I had a great time. With no prior experience I started in the designated beginners area at Snowshed but soon progressed across the whole mountain. With a number of lifts that just service the beginners terrain and some magic carpets, beginners have plenty to get them started. My experience of the ski school at Killngton was very positive.
CAN YOU SKI FROM KILLINGTON TO PICO?
There are no interconnecting trails between Killington and Pico. You can however take a shuttle or self-drive between the two resorts.
IS KILLINGTON GOOD FOR KIDS?
Killington ski resort has plenty to offer away from the trails. Obviously, skiing and snowboarding is the main reason to visit but if your kids fancy a break why not head to the tubing park? There is also dogsledding, ice-skating and a cinema to keep the family occupied.
IS KILLINGTON ON THE IKON PASS?
At Killington you receive 7 days of skiing with an IKON PASS. These days are shared between Killington and Pico mountains.
GET IN TOUCH
Thanks for reading this Killington ski resort guide and I hope it has answered many of your questions. I’ve given my opinion but I’d love to hear from you in the comments or via the socials. Have you been to Killington ski resort? What were your opinions? Are there better ski resorts on the East Coast?
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Northstar Ski Resort Guide
Northstar Ski Resort has everything you would expect from a destination ski area. Located north of Lake Tahoe in California, the Northstar ski area is owned by Vail resorts, therefore, is accessible using the Epic Pass. The resort and village are upmarket with a plethora of facilities to keep all the family entertained. Whether it is laps of the terrain park or the ice rink, Northstar California is guaranteed to be perfect for your family ski trip.
NORTHSTAR FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Arriving at Northstar and parking in one of the free car parks, you are transported to the village via a free shuttle bus. One thing of note was the driver spoke over a speaker, detailing what terrain was open and the forecast for that day and week. I thought that was a nice touch and something I have not noticed when visiting other ski areas.
When in the village you can see that the set-up at Northstar is first class. The village is clean and well-maintained, with a number of obvious facilities; ski rentals, shops, cafes, and the gondola. The gondola takes you from the village to the base of the Vista Express and the Tahoe Zephyr Express. Although you can ski back down to the village and the gondola base, the majority of the skiing is found above these two lifts.
Riding the Vista Express you get a pretty decent overview of the freestyle terrain managed by Northstar Park and Pipe crew. My last impression is just how much terrain is dedicated to the terrain parks at Northstar. This is a real USP for Northstar with features to suit skiers and snowboarders who are beginners all the way through to expert freestyle riders.
NORTHSTAR SKI AREA
Northstar ski resort is pretty big with nearly 100 runs, although its vertical drop of 695m can be considered fairly modest. There is nothing particularly gnarly at Northstar ski resort, which I think is why they have focussed on terrain parks to draw the advanced crowd.
There are three areas to the Northstar California ski resort; Mt Pluto, Backside, Lookout Mountain
MT PLUTO
Mt Pluto is accessible from the village Gondola and is where you will find the beginner trails in addition to the blue trails and terrain parks. The beginner trails, lead back to the village which is a nice way to end the day. The blue trails on Mt Pluto are groomed wide pistes, perfect for skiers and snowboarders who are ready to explore more of the mountain. You will also find the terrain parks on Mt Pluto. This is Northstar Resort’s main selling point. There are nine parks, including the pipe and being home to Burtons, The Stash. The stash is a terrain park made out of natural features, such as tree rides.
BACKSIDE
The backside is where you will find the majority of Northstars steeper terrain. There are some nice glades on the backside which make for some interesting tree skiing but nothing in comparison to Heavenly. The runs, as with all of Northstar, are pisted and well-maintained. Some may argue that some terrain on the Backside of Northstar should be left ungroomed.
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN
Lookout Mountain similar to The Backside has mostly single black diamond terrain serviced by one chairlift, the Martis Camp Express. The chair is named after Martis Camp a member-only lodge that sits adjacent to the lifts. One long blue, Washoe, also runs down to the base of Lookout Mountain.
With less skiable terrain than nearby Epic Pass partner Heavenly, Northstar has had to flex to secure the advanced ability guests. With little in the way of natural features for this crowd, Northstar Park and Pipe set up has been given the run of Mt Pluto with nine terrain parks to really draw the freestyle crowd. Given the success of events such as slopestyle at the recent winter Olympics, this is a shrewd move.
NORTHSTAR SKI AREA BY ABILITY
BEGINNERS TERRAIN NORTHSTAR
There are a handful of beginner runs at Northstar with the majority close to the gondola and the village. Village run, a mellow green, is a nice way to end the day by riding back into the main village. There is enough to keep never evers interested whilst learning their first turns, and a returning beginner will be excited by the amount of blue terrain they could progress onto.
INTERMEDIATE TERRAIN NORTHSTAR
Northstar can be considered an intermediates mountain. There are so many nice pisted runs across the whole mountain. The terrain on Mt Pluto is mostly blue with the odd single black diamond thrown in. Both the backside and Lookout Mountain have plenty of single black diamond runs with some interesting tree skiing to be found.
ADVANCED TERRAIN NORTHSTAR
Northstar has some interesting riding on the Backside of the resort. Here you can find some of the steeper groomers as well as some decent tree-skiing. If you catch the conditions right, these trees can be a lot of fun. The terrain parks at Northstar Ski Resort cater for advanced skiers and snowboarders with some pretty hefty features. The halfpipe sits in a prominent position near the Vista chair and there are a number of large kickers and rail features. No wonder Northstar Park and Pipe is so popular.
LIFTS AT NORTHSTAR
Northstar ski resorts lift system is modern and efficient. Really nothing else should be expected from a resort that charges $200+ for a day ticket. The lifts are quick and include two gondolas and 7 express chair lifts.
NORTHSTAR SNOW RECORD
Northstar is blessed with an average of 9m of snowfall per season! When you throw in the number of sunny days that Californian ski resorts tend to receive then that makes for a winning combination. There is also extensive snow-making at Northstar which is fantastic for the resort if there is a lean winter.
NORTHSTAR PISTE MAP
SEASON DATES
Due to the plentiful snow record and the substantive snowmaking at Northstar, the season is able to run from around mid-November through to the end of April.
NORTHSTAR LIFT TICKETS
Ok, so this is not a typo. A day ticket at Northstar is around $209! That’s extortionate. Luckily, early booking, online booking and multi-day discounts can be applied to that. When you consider that buying a Tahoe Local Pass via Epic Pass can be done for under $500, it is nonsensical to purchase a day pass at Northstar. Plan ahead to make the most of your trip to Northstar.
NORTHSTAR VIDEOS
TRAVEL TO NORTHSTAR
WHERE IS NORTHSTAR?
Northstar ski resort in California is North of Lake Tahoe just 4 miles from Truckee Airport. You can access Truckee for International airports, with San Francisco being a popular connection point. Similarly, Reno International airport is a short 40-minute drive from Northstar so offers a great access point.
DRIVING TO NORTHSTAR
Due to the amount of snow that falls around Tahoe it is sensible to keep an eye on the road information. You can find your latest travel information here and cameras here.
PARKING AT NORTHSTAR
Parking at Northstar is free at the Village View and Castle Peak car parks. The Village View car park is closer to the village and therefore the gondola. Castle Peak car park is closer to the main road as you enter Northstar ski area. Both car parks are serviced by free shuttle buses that take you to the village.
Paid parking is available in the village which is adjacent to the gondola. The cost is $20 during the week or $40 on the weekends.
HOW TO GET TO NORTHSTAR
INTERNATIONAL
If like me you are arriving from outside North America then you will probably find it cheaper and easier to fly into San Francisco International Airport. From San Francisco, you can continue your journey by either taking an internal flight to Reno or take the 3-hour drive to South Lake Tahoe straight from San Francisco. It is also possible to fly into Sacramento and but you will have to connect via another US airport.
DOMESTIC
An internal flight to Reno or Truckee Airports will bring you to your closest access point to the Northstar ski resort. Reno offers a more regular schedule but is further away from Northstar.
NORTHSTAR ACCOMMODATION
Northstar has its own village at the base. This is an ideal place to stay if you want to have all the convenience of a resort ski holiday. More affordable accommodation can be found nearby in Truckee or close to Kings Beach North Lake Tahoe.
NORTHSTAR PROS
The terrain park set up at Northstar is insane. There is a whole side of the mountain dedicated to freestyle with features to suit all abilities. This is a real draw as to why people would visit Northstar.
The Village at Northstar is purpose-built, with everything you would need to make the most of your ski trip to Lake Tahoe.
Northstar would be a great choice of ski resort for a family ski trip. There is a really calm vibe, without the wild apres scene. The Northstar ice rink is just one of the potential evening activities for children and adults.
There is a fast lift system at Northstar. The Vista Express chair accesses the freestyle terrain and guarantees a quick lap. The Northstar gondola from the village is an efficient way to reach the main ski area.
Cruising blues? Intermediates will appreciate the nice wide pistes at Northstar. There are a number of single black diamond runs that will allow intermediates to progress further.
Contentious, but the Epic Pass makes Northstar affordable as a day visitor. I visited as day trips from my base in South Lake Tahoe. This meant more affordable lodging, and lift pass already included with Heavenly and Kirkwood on the Epic Pass.
NORTHSTAR CONS
Northstar is pricey. A stay in the village will hurt your wallet. Everything at Northstar is expensive. Whether it is lodging or lift tickets, food or facilities, you can be sure to spend a buck or two.
Northstar is fantastic and has a great reputation. Sadly this means crowds during peak weeks and weekends.
Northstar is missing the really gnarly terrain. It has a good area for tree skiing on the backside, but nothing to really get the heart pumping.
NORTHSTAR GALLERY
NORTHSTAR ACTIVITIES
The centrepiece of Northstar village is the ice rink. Within a stone’s throw of the slopes, it is possible to swap your ski boots for ice skates. Popular with families. the ice rink is surrounded by tables where those who would prefer to sit and watch with an apres pint may feel more comfortable. There are a number of fit pits to keep you warm as your family and friends skate the night away.
The Northstar Village is home to a number of shops and boutiques. At my time of visiting, there were a number of brand outlets such as; The North Face and Burton. If shopping isn’t your thing, then why not head out on a dog sled tour, go to the tubing run, or hit the cross-country ski trails.
NORTHSTAR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS NORTHSTAR GOOD FOR BEGINNERS
Northstar ski school has an excellent reputation and is a fantastic place to learn to ski or snowboard. There is nothing too steep or daunting at Northstar so beginners should feel comfortable exploring the mountain.
WHEN DOES NORTHSTAR OPEN?
Although this date will change year on year and be dependent on snow conditions, Northstar normally opens towards the end of November.
WHICH IS BETTER HEAVENLY OR NORTHSTAR?
Ultimately this comes down to opinion. Heavenly is the largest resort in Tahoe and therefore offers more terrain. If my only goal was to ride in a terrain park I would head to Northstar as their set up is insanely good. Beginners will also appreciate Northstar for the mellow terrain and less traversing around the mountain. Overall, I believe that Heavenly is a better mountain. There is more expert terrain and areas like Mott Canyon are so much fun. The Village at Northstar is more compact, whereas Heavenly has larger-scale hotel options.
IS HEAVENLY OR NORTHSTAR BETTER FOR BEGINNERS?
There is more mellow terrain at Northstar and less scary intermediate terrain. If I was learning I would choose to head to Northstar. There are a few nice dedicated beginner areas at Heavenly on both California and Nevada side. I feel that Northstar is a more navigatable mountain and this would factor into my decision making as a beginner.
WHO OWNS NORTHSTAR?
Northstar was bought by Vail Resorts for a huge $63million! This purchase brought Northstar into the Epic Pass family and means pass holders can ride for free at Heavenly, Kirkwood and a number of other US and world ski resorts.
HOW LONG ARE THE RUNS AT NORTHSTAR?
Obviously, the runs will vary in length but the longest run at Northstar is 2.6miles long. Northstar has 675m of vertical drop meaning that you can combine a number of runs from the summit of Mt Pluto to the village for a longer run.
IS NORTHSTAR GOOD FOR SNOWBOARDING?
Northstar California is a great mountain to snowboard on. The terrain parks and the widely spaced tree runs make Northstar incredibly snowboarder friendly. There are no long traverses and the mountain is serviced by a number of fast lifts.
GET IN TOUCH
Thanks for reading this Northstar ski resort guide and I hope it has answered many of your questions. I’ve given my opinion but I’d love to hear from you in the comments or via the socials. Have you been to Northstar ski resort? What were your opinions? Are there better ski resorts in Lake Tahoe?
RELATED NORTHSTAR POSTS
A Guide To Snowboarding In the USA
America is a powerhouse in the ski and snowboard community and this reflected in its people. On the East Coast, you have a hardened bunch of locals passionate enough to #skitheeast although it doesn’t always offer the rewards. On the West Coast you have the lucky Californians who have it all, 12m of snowfall a season at Kirkwood, masses of terrain at Heavenly, Squaw Valley and Mammoth, a freestyle heaven at Northstar and views that take your breathe away when the cold doesn’t. The USA can be considered amongst the greatest places to ski on earth and is the birthplace of snowboarding, whats to complain about!
Getting to the USA may take longer for us Europeans, and depending on where you ski, you could pay a premium for lift passes. Despite the cost of lift passes in America I wouldn’t rule out an American ski adventure. There are ways to get value for your buck whilst skiing in America and you wont regret the outlay.
My first ever ski trip was to the US and Killington ski resort in the Vermont mountains. East Coast skiing offers a number of advantages over a trip out west. The mountains in Vermont and Maine can offer the full package at resorts like; Okamo, Stowe and Killington or you can opt for a more local feel at the family resorts of Jay Peak and Smugglers’ Notch. The East Coast resorts are known for beautiful pistes lined with trees but sometimes also known for their icy conditions. Skiing and snowboarding on the East Coast is possible from November into June with Killington offering the longest season. Although it is worth noting, that this involves largely one run remaining open on Killington late into the season. That run does happen to be Superstar my first ever Black diamond run. Another bonus to East Coast ski trips is the shorter flight time from Europe. The shorter flight time combined with cheaper flights is certainly a big pull for skiers from this side of the pond.
When it comes to skiing and snowboarding in America there is one image that sticks in my mind, Corbet’s Couloir. Although I have not been fortunate to ski Corbet’s yet, this iconic line at Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is reflective of some of the possible gnarly runs possible in the USA. Jackson Hole is not alone and there are plenty of resorts with terrain that is certain to make your heart skip a beat.
Although always popular, the last few years Colorado’s incredible terrain and reliable snow conditions have been showcased by Youtubers such as Jonathan Buckhouse and TJ from BoardArchive. Colorado is home to the world famous and slightly controversial Vail resort, which is now infamous for introducing the Epic Pass (more info to follow) and the resort of Breckenridge. Breckenridge is the resort where Ryan Knapton can be found tearing up the groomers and this is a showcase of how great the pisted terrain is at Breckenridge.
Away from Colorado you have Utah whose ski resorts of A*** and Snowbird receive some of the best snow on the continent. It is just a shame that A*** and other Utah resort D*** V***** wont let snowboarders access their slopes, lame. With that off my chest it’s important to remember that Utah is still home to the USA’s largest ski area in Park City and the incredible landscape of Brain Head.
In 2020 I was lucky enough to visit California and the resorts of Heavenly, Kirkwood and Northstar. We all know what happened to the 2020 ski season, but those early turns on the West coast were enough to sustain my lust for snow for the rest of winter. California is an incredible destination for a US ski trip with some of the best resorts in the country. Heavenly, situated in South Lake Tahoe, is a resort that spans two states. The California side has some great tree skiing, two terrain parks and one of the best views I have ever seen at a ski resort. Across the state line in Nevada, Heavenly offers a different perspective across the Nevada desert and some superb cruisey blues. Nevada is also home to Mott Canyon which I think would excite even the most hardened skiers and snowboarders. Tahoe is an exciting place to be with Squaw Valley, Sierra at Tahoe, Northstar, and Kirkwood all within driving distance of each other.
American ski trips are more than just the time you spend on show with resorts putting on a range of Apres ski activities. Using Tahoe as an example there are; casinos, snowmobile tours, ice-rink, cinema, and some great restaurants to keep you occupied after your day on snow. This should illustrate the quality of facilities on offer at American ski resorts with many being purpose built resorts with everything within walking distance of the accommodation.
Unlike European resorts, American ski resorts can be spread out with the need to drive to get your provisions but if you want everything on your doorstep this is also a possibility. The ski towns normally have a great selection of restaurants and bars, most of which will offer good deals on certain days or happy hours. It’s worth planning out where you want to eat on which day like this as it is likely to save you money.
The largest downside to a trip stateside is the abhorrent prices of lift tickets. Day passes are extortionate and America can be an expensive place to ski if only taking a one-week trip. Your best option is to make use of the multi-resort season pass options that have become quite controversial in the states. Epic and Ikon are the two major options of multi-resort ski passes with the Epic also offering some great options to ski in Europe and the Southern Hemisphere. In 2020, I used my Epic Pass to ski at the resorts of Ski Rama Dolomiti, Italy, The 3 Vallees, France and Heavenly, Kirkwood and Northstar in the US. For me this represented great value, but if you can only get a one week trip every year then the USA may be an expensive option for lift passes.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where can you ski year round in the USA?
In Europe there are a number of ski resorts that are open for year round operation, sadly in the US this is not the case. The sole 365 ski resort in the US is Timberline Lodge at Mt Hood in Oregon. The Timberline lodge ski area is open throughout the summer months and offers some freestyle focussed terrain on the Palmer Glacier.
What is the largest ski resort in USA?
Utah is home to the largest ski resort in the USA with Park City taking the title. Park City ski area outside of Salt Lake City offers 250km of pistes between an elevation of 2080m-3049m. The masses of terrain at Park City is serviced by 39 chairlifts. Park City is great for intermediates with 152km of the trails being graded for intermediate level riders.
What is the most expensive ski resort in the USA?
Completely at the opposite end of how I like to ski this question asks for the most expensive ski resort in the USA. I am just grateful that the answer is D*** V***** which I have no intention of heading to due to their stance on snowboarders. It is reported that guests spend over $500 per night for a room in a 3* hotel at D*** V*****.
Which State in the USA has the most ski resorts?
In total, there are around 476 operating ski resorts in the USA which open across 37 different states. The state with the most ski resorts is New York which has 51 resorts. The following states only have 1 ski resort; Alabama, Maryland, Rhode Island and Tennessee.
WHY SKI OR SNOWBOARD IN THE USA
There are many reasons to choose the USA for your next ski or snowboard trip. The US is home to a large number of ski resorts that can be considered amongst the best in the world. The profile of resorts like Vail, Killington, Heavenly and Jackson Hole ensure that America is firmly on the map.
The USA offers a huge amount of choice and flexibility in terms of a ski vacation. There are huge resorts, in terms of terrain, with Park City in Utah being the largest. The USA is also home to a number of unique smaller resorts like Mt Bohemia which have a cult following.
It is possible to ski year round in the USA, with resorts like Mt Hood open for summer skiing and snowboarding and Mammoth in California open for a longer season.
USA SKI RESORT SNOW RECORD
If you are looking for guaranteed powder days then a ski trip to the USA could be just what the powder Dr ordered. Utah is home to number of ski resorts that regularly receive over 12m of annual snowfall! That is Japan kind of crazy snowfall.
Sadly, although it has a cult following skiing the East Coast of the US offers less reward in terms of snowfall. There are some incredible East Coast ski resorts but this side of the US is more renowned for ice then powder days.
MULTI RESORT PASSES USA
Unless you have been buried under a rock for the past few years, you will have heard of both the Ikon and the Epic Pass. There is some debate over whether these season passes are a good or bad thing for the ski industry in America.
From a selfish standpoint I used the Epic pass for a season that allowed me to ski in the US, Japan, Europe and i’d planned a Australia trip (before Covid curtailed that idea). That is well… pretty Epic. To be able to ski across a number of resorts in different countries and continents is a unique. The Epic and Ikon are great for being able to access a number of resorts at what I deem to be a pretty reasonable price.
Sadly, these passes also come with a large downside. Crowds. The Epic and Ikon passes have encouraged more people to purchase season passes and have raised the profile of a number of resorts. The increased profile and accessibility has led to crowds, especially at peak holiday periods or weekends.
Although many locals view Epic or Ikon as a negative, potentially bringing more crowds to the resort, these passes have also led to a huge effort to increase the quality of infrastructure. Many resorts on the passes have received upgrades to their lift system and lodges which leads to a greater overall experience.
There are a number of other combined ski passes in America such as the Mountain Collective or Indy Pass. These tend to offer a few days skiing or snowboarding across their member resorts.
THE US SKI SEASON
The ski season in the USA is pretty long with a number of resorts having extended seasons. It is not uncommon for US ski resorts to open in November and to have their closing weekend towards the end of April. A number of ski resorts in the USA have extended seasons that can run into June or July. Mammoth in California in particular being one of the last to close.
In addition to the long ski season in the USA, it is possible to ski throughout the summer. Oregan is home to Timberline which sells itself as the only year-round ski resort in North America. Timberline is popular with freestyle camps with a good terrain park set up. Another great summer ski or snowboard trip option is Beartooth Basin, Montana. Beartooth Basin is strange as it actually isn’t open during the winter months. This summer only ski resort only opens once the snow has been cleared from the access roads in May. Think of Beartooth Basin as small but steep summer skiing.
RESORT REVIEWS
USA GALLERY
USA VIDEOS
NORTHSTAR
HEAVENLY
KIRKWOOD
COST OF A USA SNOWBOARD TRIP
The cost of skiing and snowboarding in the USA is a complicated issue. From a European perspective a ski trip to the USA can seem very costly. In fact, out of the snowboarding I have completed across South America, Europe, Asia, Australasia and North America, US ski trips hurt the wallet the most. Even when compared to their nearest neighbour Canada a US ski trip is costly.
The main difference in price can be found in the lift tickets. Lift tickets in the USA can seem extortionate with some of the larger resorts charging hundreds of $ for a day pass. Purchasing an Epic or Ikon pass will significantly reduce these costs.
One positive of a US ski trip in terms of cost is your dining costs. I found that in South Lake Tahoe I was able to eat out for a reasonable price and still have a decent quality of meal. Similarly, having an Apres ski drink will set you back less in the US then it would in Europe.
