USA TODAY 10Best
Sunshine Village named North America's Best Ski Resort
Best Ski Resort (2020)
Temperatures are cooling and ski areas all across the USA and Canada are gearing up for their winter season. 10Best wanted to know which North American ski resorts are the crème de la crème, so we've asked our readers to vote for their favorite resorts—mountains that offer serious snowfall, varied terrain, lots of lift access and all the desirable amenities in town.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Ski Resort are as follows:
- SilverStar Mountain Resort - Vernon, British Columbia
- Telluride Ski Resort - Telluride, Colorado
- Lake Louise Ski Resort - Lake Louise, Alberta
- Cannon Mountain - Franconia, New Hampshire
- Ski Land Ski Resort - Fairbanks, Alaska
- Kirkwood Mountain Resort - Kirkwood, California
- Mount Bohemia - Lac La Belle, Michigan
- Copper Mountain - Copper Mountain, Colorado
- Brundage Mountain Ski Resort - McCall, Idaho
- Sunshine Village - Banff, Alberta
Photo courtesy of Blake Jorgenson / SilverStar Mountain Resort
No. 10:
Well known for its excellent cross-country skiing, SilverStar also appeals to downhill enthusiasts with 132 runs, 12 gladed areas, 100-percent natural snow, 3,282 skiable acres and a ski-in ski-out village. Two terrain parks feature a wide variety of jumps and features to help visitors progress their skills.
Photo courtesy of Telluride Ski Resort
No. 9:
Once Colorado's hidden gem, the secret is out about Telluride Ski Resort, where 18 lifts service more than 2,000 acres of terrain and 148 trails with a good variety in difficulty level. A 3,790-foot lift-serviced vertical drop means there are plenty of steeps, yet beginners and intermediates have lots of long groomers to enjoy.
Photo courtesy of Lake Louise Ski Resort
No. 8:
The biggest ski resort in the Canadian Rockies boasts 4,200 acres of skiable terrain, 145 marked runs and back bowls, 10 lifts (including one gondola) and a 3,250-foot vertical drop. The vast and varied terrain is all easily accessible, with runs for all levels from every chair.
No. 7:
Cannon Mountain offers 97 trails and glades serviced by 11 lifts. With a summit at 4,080 feet, it’s the highest ski area in New Hampshire (it also has the longest vertical drop at 2,180 feet). Visitors enjoy 25 miles of trails spread across 285 skiable acres.
Photo courtesy of Ski Land Ski Resort
No. 6:
Ski Land hosts the Most Northern Chairlift in North America and is just north of Fairbanks, Alaska and about 100 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Known by locals for its tree and glade skiing, they also have 1027' of vertical, 530 acres and a variety of beginner to advance runs. Views of the White Mountains and the Alaskan Range are everywhere, and at night, the Northern Lights come out offering one of the best shows nature can put on.
Photo courtesy of Kirkwood Mountain Resort
No. 5:
At Kirkwood, skiers and boarders enjoy 2,000 feet of vertical drop and more than 2,300 acres of terrain with something for every ability level. The mountain receives an annual average of 354 inches of snowfall, creating excellent conditions throughout the season. The resort’s five peaks all top out at over 9,000 feet.
Photo courtesy of Joey Wallis / Mount Bohemia
No. 4:
Michigan might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think skiing, but Mount Bohemia is a hidden gem for extreme mountain sports. Located on the Upper Peninsula, this resort features some of the longest runs, highest verticals and deepest powder in the Midwest, with 273 inches of average annual snowfall.
Photo courtesy of Copper Mountain
No. 3:
Copper Mountain offers 140 trails serviced by 23 lifts covering 2,490 acres of skiable terrain. The parks and pipes at Copper Mountain put their focus on progression, allowing newbie freestylers to move from easy features to larger, more difficult ones. March is typically the snowiest month — perfect for some spring skiing.
Photo courtesy of Brundage Mountain Ski Resort
No. 2:
This independently-owned resort in Central Idaho gets more than 320 inches of snow at its base each year. That means skiers and snowboarders enjoy powdery glades and wide groomed runs along 46 named trails, as well as 18,000 acres of backcountry terrain. The resort’s progressive terrain parks help riders hone their skills and try new stunts.
Photo courtesy of Sunshine Village
No. 1:
Skiers and snowboarders at Sunshine Village in Banff are treated to Canada’s only heated chairlift. The resort’s three mountains — Goat’s Eye, Lookout and Mount Standish — offer more than 3,500 acres of skiable terrain.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning ski areas!
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
Constance Beverley
A former Wall Street lawyer turned winter sports... Read More
A former Wall Street lawyer turned winter sports activist, Constance Beverley joined the Share Winter Foundation as the CEO in 2017. Share Winter Foundation strives to (1) improve the lives, health and fitness of youth through winter sports, and (2) create a more diverse and inclusive winter sports community. In addition to her work with the Share Winter Foundation, Constance has worked with other winter sports organizations including the Kelly Clark Foundation, SheJumps, STOKED, and Boarding for Breast Cancer.
Constance Beverley
A former Wall Street lawyer turned winter sports activist, Constance Beverley joined the Share Winter Foundation as the CEO in 2017. Share Winter Foundation strives to (1) improve the lives, health and fitness of youth through winter sports, and (2) create a more diverse and inclusive winter sports community. In addition to her work with the Share Winter Foundation, Constance has worked with other winter sports organizations including the Kelly Clark Foundation, SheJumps, STOKED, and Boarding for Breast Cancer.
Elena Hight
Kauai born and Lake Tahoe raised, Elena Hight is a... Read More
Kauai born and Lake Tahoe raised, Elena Hight is a stand out amongst professional snowboarding’s best. At 13 years old, Elena became the first female to land a 900 in competition. She went on to win 6 X-games medals, attend two Winter Olympics and in 2013, became the first snowboarder, male or female, to land a double backside alley-oop rodeo at the Winter X Games. Always at the forefront of progression, Elena has lead the way throughout her competition career and continues to do so stepping into big mountain riding. In addition to snowboarding, Elena’s passions lie in outdoor adventure, health and wellness and advocating for environmental protection.
Elena Hight
Kauai born and Lake Tahoe raised, Elena Hight is a stand out amongst professional snowboarding’s best. At 13 years old, Elena became the first female to land a 900 in competition. She went on to win 6 X-games medals, attend two Winter Olympics and in 2013, became the first snowboarder, male or female, to land a double backside alley-oop rodeo at the Winter X Games. Always at the forefront of progression, Elena has lead the way throughout her competition career and continues to do so stepping into big mountain riding. In addition to snowboarding, Elena’s passions lie in outdoor adventure, health and wellness and advocating for environmental protection.
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.
Lyndell Keating
Lyndell Keating is one of the directors of Read More
Lyndell Keating is one of the directors of Powderhounds, a ski and snowboard travel website that reviews snow destinations around the world to facilitate readers in their pursuit of the perfect powder stash. Lyndell has skied at 200-plus ski resorts and a multitude of cat skiing, heli skiing and backcountry bucket list areas.
Lyndell Keating
Lyndell Keating is one of the directors of Powderhounds, a ski and snowboard travel website that reviews snow destinations around the world to facilitate readers in their pursuit of the perfect powder stash. Lyndell has skied at 200-plus ski resorts and a multitude of cat skiing, heli skiing and backcountry bucket list areas.
