SKI mag just dropped its annual resort rankings, based on thousands of reader surveys.
Colorado again claims the most with 11 resorts. That is more than one-third of the entire list. Not far behind is Utah with seven, including No. 1 Snowbasin Resort.
“Big-mountain skiing with a family-owned, local vibem,” a SKI mag reader says. “Outstanding terrain, lodges, and lifts.”
Aspen-Snowmass claims the second slot. The ritzy collective of Buttermilk, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Ajax is almost always in the top-3 for variety, nightlife and posh opulence, despite the fact everyone agrees it is overpriced.
Round out the top of the list at No. 3 is Banff Sunshine. The pride of Alberta, Canada didn’t even make the list last year.
What about Summit?
Every Summit and Eagle County ski hill makes the list, and for a second straight year Arapahoe Basin is the top local slope at No. 13.
“The resort has stellar steepness and vertical drop, and sitting at 12,000 feet it gets phenomenal snow,” a reader writes. “The terrain is clearly taken very seriously by ski patrol, and it just gives customers the feeling like you truly are skiing some of the best and most challenging ski runs in Colorado.”
Across the board SKI mag readers love the variety and family-friendliness of I-70 ski hills. And, across the board, they gripe about the crowds, lift lines and parking.
The rest of our local hills:
16. Beaver Creek
17. copper Mountain
21. Vail Mountain
23. Breckenridge
30. Keystone