10 Resorts in the West with the Biggest Variety of Terrain (2024)
This article originally appeared on Ski Mag
Choosing the ideal resorts for groups of skiers looking for similar terrain is easy; satisfying a family of beginners through hard-chargers is much more difficult. When some folks in your crew are just getting their ski legs under them and others want to bash moguls and charge chutes, finding the right ski resort takes a little more digging.
See the Full Rankings: The Top 3o in the West for 2024
Thankfully, the resorts on this list were identified by thousands of ski travelers as ski areas that serve up an impressive variety of terrain options, so everyone on the trip can come away feeling satisfied with their experience.
Top 10 Resorts in the West for Terrain Variety
No. 10: Snowbasin Resort, Utah
Score: 8.89
Other strengths: Lifts, Grooming
Weaknesses: Lodging, Nightlife
What Readers Say
“Great top-to-bottom skiing and lift system, great location as I live in Ogden. Great terrain for both skiing and views/beauty. My favorite resort I’ve skied out of five in Utah and six in Colorado.”
“The terrain feels endless and average runs are close to three miles long. Powder stashes for weeks after it snows. John Paul Lodge is the best and most beautiful lodge I’ve ever been to.”
No. 9: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyo.
Score: 8.90
Other strengths: Challenge, Apres
Weaknesses: Value, Family
What Readers Say
“Can’t beat the terrain--steep, varied, fun and spread out, with something for everyone (but less for beginners), and the side-country being a game changer versus similar resorts in Utah and Colorado.”
“I love the variety of terrain and that they upgrading the lifts to add more intermediate and beginner terrain.”
No. 8: Telluride Ski Resort, Colo.
Score: 8.98
Other strengths: Challenge, Overall Satisfaction
Weaknesses: Dining, Challenge
What Readers Say
“The terrain! Ripping groomers, moguls galore, wide-open bowls, knee-knocking chutes! It’s got them all.”
“The most beautiful scenery of any U.S. resort! Great terrain with variety and challenge. Really cool authentic town with great dining options.”
No. 7: Powder Mountain, Utah
Score: 9.00
Other strengths: Parking, Local Flavor
Weaknesses: Nightlife, Dining
What Readers Say
“So much terrain--including untracked powder long after other resorts don’t have any.”
“The snow is amazing! Plenty of terrain for me to ski on groomers while my husband and adult kids can ski glades and backcountry! All natural snow so NO ICE!”
No. 6: Snowbird, Utah
Score: 9.01
Other strengths: Challenge, Snow
Weaknesses: Local Flavor, Family Friendly
What Readers Say
“I love the varied levels of the terrain and the steeped groomed trails along with the fun bowls.”
“Favorite place in the world. Best snow in the U.S. Best terrain and always something new and challenging to ski. Best people, best views. Where I learned how to ski and can’t find another mountain that comes close to Snowbird on my list.”
No. 5: Mammoth Mountain, Calif.
Score: 9.08
Other strengths: Grooming, Challenge
Weaknesses: Access, Local Flavor
What Readers Say
“World-class ski mountain. Terrain for all abilities. Highly efficient lift system and excellent grooming.”
“Easy access, friendly vibe, runs for all levels, perfect family venue, perfect for mid-week runs and on Christmas Day in 2022 it was empty. Early season was epic and so was my last session in January before an injury. Mammoth is great value, great skiing and a great vibe. What’s not to like?”
No. 4: Vail Mountain, Colo.
Score: 9.17
Other Strengths: Lifts, Apres
Weaknesses: Value, Parking
What Readers Say
“The resort has everything you want. Great skiing on a huge amount of varied terrain. I like the easily accessible village with varied dining and shopping options. The free bus transportation makes it easy to get around.”
“Size! Acres! There’s so much terrain--I love the frontside groomers as well as the backside bowls.”
No. 3: Aspen Snowmass, Colo.
Score: 9.21
Other strengths: Apres, Nightlife
Weaknesses: Value, Access
What Readers Say
“Something for everyone! Slopes are extremely well maintained. Great ski school for the kids! Good food, with multiple on-hill dining options. Four great ski locations all in one resort, all in close proximity to one another with such great variety of terrain. It really doesn’t get any better than that!”
“Great wide-open intermediate to advanced terrain. Uncrowded slopes. Wonderful service (friendly)! Snow conditions were excellent.”
No. 2: Big Sky, Mont.
Score: 9.32
Other Strengths: Challenge, Lifts
Weaknesses: Access, Local Flavor
What Readers Say
“Tons of terrain options; mostly speedy lifts; nicely groomed. Local dining is superb. Close to Yellowstone--we did a great snowmobile trip on a rest day.”
“It has more runs that I like than any other ski area. I can stay at the mountain so no car rental needed. Good lifts.”
No. 1: Whistler Blackcomb, B.C.
Score: 9.33
Other Strengths: Challenge, Apres
Weaknesses: Grooming, Snow
What Readers Say
“Whistler is my favorite of all. First, the sheer size of the resort. Whistler is huge, Blackcomb is huge, and you can ski each for days and never do the same run twice. From a skier’s perspective, it was great. But my wife doesn’t ski and unlike any of the resorts we’ve been to, she never got bored. Whistler has it all.”
“There’s so much awesome terrain here, I could never get bored. The challenge is deciding where to go each day.”
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