The US has fantastic skiing from coast to coast. Resorts on both sides of the country offer slopes, varied terrain, and activities for beginners, experts, snowboarders, and non-skiers. Your experience depends on what you want from a ski vacation.
Skiing in the Colorado Rockies
Some of the best skiing in the country sits in the mountains of Colorado. Colorado and skiing feel inseparable. The state has 27 major resorts scattered across the Rocky Mountains. Many names are familiar even to people who do not ski or know the difference between green, blue, or black diamond trails.
Breckenridge, Aspen, Telluride, Vail, Keystone, and Winter Park attract celebrities and ski enthusiasts. With 55 peaks rising above 14,000 feet, the state offers consistent powder and long seasons.
Colorado trails are steep, long, and shaped by deep snowfall. The wide, open terrain gives skiers room to make large, sweeping turns not always possible on the East Coast.
Breckenridge
Breckenridge is located about two hours from Colorado Springs and offers a lively mix of historic charm and wide-open skiing across five connected peaks. The resort is best known for its long, varied runs, reliable snow, and a Main Street that feels warm and walkable after a day on the mountain. The altitude reaches 12,998 feet, so the air feels crisp and the views stretch far across the Rockies. Address: 1599 Ski Hill Road, Breckenridge, Colorado 80424.
Skiing in the Eastern United States
The Appalachian Mountains mirror the Rockies in length and latitude, but the skiing experience differs. Resorts like Lake Placid, Stowe, Killington, Sugarbush, and Sugarloaf sit at lower altitudes. Ten thousand feet would be notable here.
Eastern resorts receive less snowfall and deal with higher humidity, which creates heavier snow. Many rely on snowmaking machines to maintain coverage. Trails tend to be narrower, more manicured, and offer less vertical drop.
These conditions can require more technical skill. For example, the four-mile Great Eastern Trail at Killington starts smooth in the morning but becomes icy by afternoon. Skiers must shift their weight and rely on their edges or risk hitting the hard mountain surface.
Killington
The Great Eastern Trail stretches about four miles and winds around the side of Killington Mountain. The trail is a green run, so it feels easy at the start. The path curves around the ridges and gives you long views over the valley. The snow feels soft in the morning, but the surface turns firm as the day goes on. I once skied off the trail on one of those tight turns, its a great story—ask me about it sometime. Address: 4763 Killington Road, Killington, Vermont 05751.
This is a sponsored post, I received a fee for writing this article.
