The Best Uncrowded Ski Resorts in the U.S.

By Editor Last updated Nov 29, 2023

One other ski season is right here, and with it comes all of the highs and lows of winter, from that crisp mountain air and recent powder, to visitors jams and raise strains. Nevertheless, the search for uncrowded ski resorts has grow to be more and more interesting, particularly on these coveted powder weekends. Nobody likes squandering precious time on snow in any case. Away from the hustle and bustle of the extra fashionable ski locations, there are uncrowded ski resorts that beckon skiers of all skills. Bonus: Lots of them are situated in or close to ski cities with their very own airports.

So when you’re looking for solitude and untouched snow, right here’s an inventory of a number of the greatest uncrowded ski resorts within the U.S. that promise tons of snow, enjoyable powder days, and little to no raise strains.

The Finest Uncrowded Ski Resorts in America

Solar Valley, Idaho

Google “uncrowded ski resorts,” and also you’ll certainly come throughout Solar Valley, a good looking resort situated simply minutes exterior of Ketchum, Idaho, and 14 miles north of Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey. Solar Valley is named “America’s First Snowboarding Vacation spot,” partly as a result of it’s residence to the world’s first chairlift, which was put in in 1936.

Solar Valley’s skiable space spans 2,054 acres throughout two mountains, Bald Mountain and Greenback Mountain. Each mountains have their very own terrain parks, every with quite a lot of options, for many who prefer to freestyle. The uphill capability on Bald Mountain alone is 21,580 skiers per hour regardless of solely seeing about 3,500 skiers each day, that means it’s uncommon to expertise a raise line at Solar Valley, it doesn’t matter what day of the week you come to ski. Plus, there’s loads to do in your off days with Ketchum and the unimaginable Sawtooth Mountains so shut by. There’s a cause why greater than 30 winter Olympians name Solar Valley residence.

©Collins Schroeder / Solar Valley Resort

Powder Mountain, Utah

True to its title, Powder Mountain in Eden, Utah, is a haven for powder lovers trying to escape the lots. Boasting one of many largest skiable areas in North America, Powder Mountain supplies an genuine and unspoiled snowboarding expertise. Regardless of not being as handy to Salt Lake Metropolis Worldwide Airport as a few of Utah’s extra well-known resorts, like Snowbird and Alta, Powder is just an hour north. That places it about the identical distance from Salt Lake Metropolis as Park Metropolis Mountain and Deer Valley, albeit additional away from Utah’s bustling ski scene.

With a give attention to preserving the pure great thing about the environment, Powder Mountain limits each day raise tickets to make sure a extra intimate and gratifying ski environment. It’s additionally dedicated to creating a minimal environmental influence on the encircling mountains. As Powder Mountain develops, 80% of the general property acreage will stay open for residents and guests to take pleasure in. Minimal snowmaking equipment is used to compensate for what Mom Nature supplies, making it some of the genuine using experiences within the U.S. To not point out, guided cat snowboarding passes might be bought for skiers and riders who wish to rip turns off the crushed path. Be aware: There’s a shuttle system that may meet you on the backside of your run to carry you again to the primary lifts.

©Adam Clark / Powder Mountain

Grand Targhee, Wyoming

Nestled on the western slope of the Tetons, Grand Targhee Resort gives a peaceable retreat for skiers and snowboarders looking for untouched powder and a laid-back environment. Identified for its ample snowfall (averaging greater than 500 inches a yr), Grand Targhee Resort boasts open bowls and glades, offering a great playground for powder hounds simply 45 miles from Jackson Gap. Airport shuttle companies are supplied to Grand Targhee from Jackson Gap Airport. Or, of us can choose to fly into Idaho Falls airport and journey an analogous distance to the resort from the Idaho aspect of the Tetons.

Since its inception in 1966, Grand Targhee has made good on its repute as a top-notch ski resort with a real Western really feel. Over 2,000 acres of the resort are accessible by lifts, whereas the opposite 602 acres can be found for cat snowboarding. All advised, 70% of its terrain is for intermediate and superior riders. With fewer crowds, you’ll have extra space to carve your manner by means of the beautiful panorama of the Tetons and nonetheless be capable to expertise all that Wyoming snowboarding has to supply.

©Cody Downard Images / Grand Targhee Resort

Crested Butte, Colorado

House to 448 acres of double-black diamond runs, Crested Butte is really one of many authentic properties of utmost snowboarding. The trek from Denver Worldwide Airport to Crested Butte is much like that of driving to Aspen from Denver. Nonetheless, it forgoes the mess that’s I-70 within the winter. As a substitute, head south by means of Gunnison. Alternatively, you possibly can fly into Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, which is simply 40 minutes from Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

Crested Butte is surrounded by greater than two million acres of nationwide forest, including to its distant, small-town really feel. Every thing you want might be discovered on the base of the mountain, however when you’re on the lookout for off-day actions, the city of Crested Butte is the proper place to enterprise for native eating and consuming. Of the various Colorado ski resorts, Crested Butte is really one which has caught to its roots, making for an unimaginable mountain city ski expertise for these trying to take pleasure in countless open terrain, brief raise strains, and small-town vibes on their ski getaway. It lives as much as its title as Colorado’s “Final Nice Ski City.”

Crested Butte Mountain Resort ©Shutterstock

Mt. Baker, Washington

North of Seattle, and simply south of the Canadian border, sits Mt. Baker, a real Pacific Northwest ski resort in Washington’s Northern Cascades. Domestically owned and operated since 1953, Mt. Baker Ski Space is one other nice location for skiers and snowboarders trying to trip epic terrain and catch countless views with out the raise strains. Like many different mountains within the Cascade Vary, Mt. Baker remains to be an lively volcano, although it is probably not what you usually consider as a volcano, for the reason that snow, ice, and glacier protection on Mt. Baker is second solely to Washington’s Mt. Rainer.

The 15-year common annual snowfall at Mt. Baker Ski Space is 666 inches, with 8 chairs and a pair of deal with tows for skiers and riders able to tackle its 1,000 skiable acres. The closest “main” city is Bellingham, simply 30 miles west, the place vacationers will discover Bellingham Worldwide Airport. Or, it’s a two and a half to three-hour drive from Seattle. Mt. Baker’s secluded nature, coupled with its extraordinary Pacific Northwest views, make it the proper venue for an actual, native ski expertise.

©Jason Matkowski / Mt. Baker Ski Space

Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana

Whitefish Mountain Resort lives as much as Montana’s repute of vast open areas and wealthy snowboarding historical past. Since opening day in 1947, the “Large Mountain” has grown to supply greater than 3,000 acres of snowboarding on 113 marked trails. Skiers and riders can take pleasure in bowl snowboarding, tree snowboarding, evening snowboarding, and a lot extra. The summit of Whitefish sits at 6,817 toes, and the resort’s longest run, Hell Hearth, stretches greater than two and a half miles, making it an effective way to finish your day earlier than après-ski.

Glacier Worldwide Airport in Kalispell is simply 20 minutes from Whitefish and is accessible by direct flight from Salt Lake Metropolis, Los Angeles, Dallas, New York Metropolis, and extra. When you’re visiting Whitefish, cease by Glacier Nationwide Park, simply half-hour to the east. Or, if views of the long-lasting nationwide park from the highest of the mountain are satisfying sufficient, spend the day within the city of Whitefish and expertise a mountain city that has a lot extra to supply than simply snowboarding.

Whitefish Mountain Resort ©Shutterstock

Mount Bohemia, Michigan

Mount Bohemia, in Michigan’s Higher Peninsula, is a hidden gem of the Midwest. Situated 39 miles from Houghton County Memorial Airport, this mountain will problem what you concentrate on Midwest ski resorts. In truth, a majority of its terrain is off piste, for superior or skilled skiers solely, as Mount Bohemia doesn’t groom. Mount Bohemia is understood for its steep slopes, cliff bands, tree-covered glades, and uncovered rocky terrain; sure, we’re nonetheless speaking a few ski space within the Midwest. The small however mighty Mount Bohemia solely runs 2 chairlifts, but supplies entry to 585 skiable acres at a 900-foot vertical drop. Be aware: Shuttle buses run alongside these backcountry routes to select up riders and produce them again to the raise line.

For intermediate skiers on the lookout for a relaxed uncrowded ski resort expertise, Mount Bohemia has lately opened Voodoo Mountain, accessible by cat snowboarding solely, and that includes extra intermediate terrain. Every ski cat sits 18 folks in a cab, transporting skiers and riders for off-piste laps from the highest of the mountain to the underside, that includes unimaginable views of Lake Superior. Because it expands, Voodoo hopes to supply greater than 2,000 acres of skiable terrain, making Mount Bohemia and Voodoo the second-largest ski space east of the Rocky Mountains.

Whiteface Mountain, New York

Located within the Adirondacks, 5 hours from Boston and New York Metropolis, Whiteface Mountain in New York gives a mixture of difficult trails and beautiful views of Lake Placid. It’s a basic East Coast ski resort, as in it may be chilly and icy, however it’s residence to the East’s highest vertical at 3,3430 toes. Plus, as we shared in our article of the most effective ski resorts for spring snowboarding, Whiteface Mountain is among the greatest ski areas on the East Coast for spring snowboarding, because of its 5,000-foot elevation.

Identified for internet hosting the 1980 Winter Olympics, Whiteface Mountain supplies a quieter different to a number of the extra fashionable East Coast ski locations, permitting for a extra relaxed snowboarding expertise. To not point out its proximity to Lake Placid, which has a wealthy historical past, and is dotted with nice eating places and bars. Off the slopes, visit The Olympic Heart, or take a spin on the Olympic bobsled monitor earlier than hitting the Lake Placid après-ski scene. Close by regional airports embody Lake Placid Airport (only a few minutes exterior of city), Adirondack Regional Airport (16 mi from Lake Placid), or Plattsburgh Worldwide Airport (40 mi from Lake Placid, with bus, practice, and automobile companies to the mountain).

Mad River Glen, Vermont

Escape the crowded slopes of mainstream resorts and head to Mad River Glen in Vermont for an genuine snowboarding expertise. Identified for its difficult terrain and distinctive cooperative possession, Mad River Glen limits the variety of skiers, guaranteeing a extra intimate and relaxed environment. Operated ‘by skiers, for skiers,’ no snowboarding is allowed right here; nonetheless, that’s notably why many East Coasters prefer it. It helps maintain the crowds down and the raise strains brief.

Mad River Glen is one other small however mighty ski space providing up cliff drops, tree runs, and a group really feel that you simply gained’t discover like this on any multi-resort cross. The only chair is one among its important sights, resulting in terrain with vertical that’s not to be messed with, even by Western requirements. After snowboarding, hit the pub for a beer tasting or join a late-night snowshoe. Discover why Mad River Glen is a favourite amongst New England ski lovers.

Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Vermont

Smugglers’ Notch, aka Smuggs, is one other independently-owned Vermont gem, that includes 1,000 acres of skiable terrain, 8 chairlifts, 78 trails, and loads of room to take the standard Vermont ski expertise. Smuggs, because it’s referred to as by many, is named some of the family-friendly ski resorts within the East. There are many actions for non-ski days, together with ice skating, swimming, snow tubing, and extra. Even some for adults, just like the close by Smugglers’ Notch Distillery and Boyden Valley Vineyard, and lots of quaint boutique outlets and enjoyable eating experiences. The household resort is 35 miles from the Burlington Worldwide Airport, making it shut sufficient to Vermont’s capital to really feel just a little metropolitan whereas nonetheless holding on to its household environment.

As winter beckons, these uncrowded ski resorts throughout the U.S. invite winter lovers to commerce the hustle and bustle for genuine mountain experiences. No lengthy raise strains right here. Whether or not within the coronary heart of New England, the Midwest, or the beautiful landscapes of the West, these uncrowded ski areas promise solitude, untracked powder, and an opportunity to flee the crowds whereas embracing the great thing about winter on the slopes.