Ski season is officially open, welcoming snow enthusiasts of all levels back to the mountains and ski resorts across the country to hit the slopes.
Holidu, the booking portal for holiday rentals, ranked the top 10 most popular U.S. ski resorts for 2022/23 by determining which U.S. resorts were searched for the most on Google this year.
Its findings rank Colorado and California as the leaders for popular ski resorts, with both states having more than one resort in the top 10.
The Top 10 Most Popular U.S. Ski Resorts:
1. Copper Mountain, Colorado
With an average of 86,000 Google searches per month, Copper Mountain in Colorado is the most popular ski resort in the U.S. The must-visit resort offers world-class skiing and snowboarding terrain, charming villages filled with family-friendly activities and multiple accommodation options. Copper Mountain is celebrating its 50th anniversary this winter season.
2. Crystal Mountain, Washington
Averaging 76,000 searches a month, Crystal Mountain takes second place as the largest resort in Washington. The resort is just two hours outside of Seattle and covers more than 2,600 acres of terrain with 11 lifts and 80 named runs. Crystal Mountain welcomes over 400 inches of snowfall each year and offers views of the surrounding Cascade Range and Mt. Rainier on clear days.
3. Palisades Tahoe, California
Palisades Tahoe secures its position as the third most popular ski resort with an average of 76,000 searches per month. Located in Olympic Valley within the Sierra Nevada range, the California resort is home to a whopping 6,000 acres of skiable mountain and 34 lifts. Palisades Tahoe is known as one of the most advanced ski areas, ranking in the top 10% of most-difficult ski resorts in North America thanks to its 59% of trails that are expert-level rated.
4. Breckenridge Ski Resort, Colorado
With an average of 67,000 searches per month, Breckenridge is the second Colorado ski resort appearing on the top 10 list. Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains’ Tenmile Range, the resort features 3,000 acres of terrain, Five Peaks and three base areas. Its quaint mountain town and lux ski resort experience makes Breckenridge an attractive spot for visitors.
5. Hunter Mountain, New York
Just three hours northwest of New York City, Hunter Mountain is the fifth most popular resort with an average of 61,000 searches a month. Hunter has been dubbed “the snowmaking capital of the world” due to its state-of-the-art snowmaking that covers all of the ski trails. The resort has terrain across three mountains which includes a breakdown of beginner, intermediate, and expert trails.
6. Big Sky Resort, Montana
Next on the list is Big Sky Resort in Montana, which averages 46,000 searches per month. As one of the largest ski resorts in the nation based on acreage, Big Sky provides plenty of slopes to explore with records of more than 400 inches of snow each year.
7. Vail Ski Resort, Colorado
Vail Ski Resort in Eagle County, Colorado comes in at seventh with an average of 45,000 searches per month. Located at the base of Vail Mountain within White River National Forest, Vail Ski Resort is the third-largest single-mountain ski resort in the US and offers more than 5,200 acres of ski terrain. The resort is known for its world-renowned skiing and its selection of shops, restaurants and accommodations.
8. Heavenly Mountain Resort, California
Tied with Vail Ski Resort for seventh place is Heavenly Mountain Resort. Heavenly Mountain is California’s largest ski resort, offering over 4,800 skiable acres of terrain across the California-Nevada border. Skiers and visitors will also enjoy the resort’s backdrop of beautiful Lake Tahoe.
9. Snowbird, Utah
Snowbird in Utah takes ninth place with an average of 44,000 searches per month. Located in the Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains near Salt Lake City, Snowbird offers a wide range of winter activities like classic skiing and snowboarding or more alternative choices like snowmobiling and snowshoeing.
10. Mount Snow, Vermont
Also averaging 44,000 searches a month, Mount Snow joins Snowbird as the ninth most popular ski resort in the U.S. The Vermont resort is located in the Green Mountains and rated as having the best terrain park in the east. It is a great place for families and all types of visitors, regardless of ski ability.
Discover the full U.S. ski resort ranking and read Holidu’s complete report here.
