The Best US Ski Towns: Where to Stay, Eat, and Ski This Winter
Let’s be honest. The best ski vacations aren’t won or lost on the slopes. They’re won or lost on the dinner table at 7pm. Or a night in the hot tub. Or in the morning when you’re deciding whether to ski again, or sleep in or go to brunch.
There are tons of noteworthy ski resorts in the United States. Most of which have varied terrain for a smattering of ages and skill levels, and pretty exceptional views to boot. But the towns themselves differ widely and don’t work for everyone. Some have a buzzy aprés ski culture, others destination-worthy dining, or a flourishing nightlife. You’ll find towns with a relaxed old school mountain vibe and others with a more upscale resort feel.
Here we get into the best ski towns in America, and where you should actually be skiing this winter. Not just the best resorts or powder stashes, but the kind of towns that are worth building a full trip around so you and your crew can have an epic ski vacation. On the mountain and off.
Park City, Utah
The Vibe
Three resorts make up this former mining town located 30 miles from Salt Lake City. Winter sports enthusiasts pour in for “the Greatest Snow on Earth” at its three resorts. In town, expect laid-back mountain culture coupled with a buzzy nightlife (concerts, dancing, over 100 bars and restaurants), but don’t sleep on Park City’s arts and culture scene. With over two dozen galleries and the setting for Sundance Film Festival (though Boulder is hosting in 2027), winter is more than just powder-filled runs.
The Skiing
The skiing here is undoubtedly world-class, which is why it hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 2002. Here, you’ve got Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain, and Woodward Park City all within your reach. Park City is huge, with 7,300 skiable acres. Deer Valley is smaller and a skiers-only resort. Unfortunately, fame also means both spots come with a hefty pierce tag so be prepared to dish out some cash for lift tickets. The areas boast varied terrain, large groomers, and are good for beginners and intermediates; expert thrill seekers may get bored by the flatness and should head to Woodward for its outdoor action mountain park.
Where to Eat & Drink
High West Distillery: The first distillery that (legally) opened in Utah after prohibition. Stop in for a tour, après ski drinks, or dinner.
No Name Saloon: Cozy up for bison burgers on this Main Street staple.
The Vintage Room: Deer Valley’s luxurious answer to après ski, located on the Ski Beach of the St. Regis Hotel. Come for rosé and king crab sushi rolls and stay for the DJ sets and dancing.
Apex: Located in the Montage Deer Valley, the kitchen serves high-end French-style dishes using local ingredients. Expect mountain-view lunches and fireside dinners.
Empire Canyon Lodge: Make a reservation for their four-course Fireside Dining experience that includes a generous portion of raclette.
Where to Stay: Ski Town Vacation Rentals
Breckenridge, Colorado
The Vibe
While skiing is what drives crowds, the town of Breckenridge itself (what locals call “Breck”) is what keeps people coming back. This is one of our favorite mountain towns for a number of reasons. The historic main strait has a homey mountain town feel during the day without being contrived (it feels like families really live here), and a rowdy après ski vibe at night with over 100 restaurants and bars. There’s also just a lot to do in Breck; tons of boutiques and shops accompany its powdery slopes, and the shuttle system makes everything accessible so you can go car-free while you’re there. The downside? Crowds.
The Skiing
With its five peaks, 187 trails, and especially long ski season, Breckenridge Ski Resort is consistently ranked as one of the best places to ski in Colorado, and even the country. Which would be reason enough to book a vacation here. But Breck’s skiing bonuses lie in access to both Copper and Keystone (accessible via Summit Stage bus) in case you want to switch things up and explore new terrain. Copper’s 153 trails, for example, are a favorite for both skiing and snowboard training, referred to as the athlete’s mountain. In Keystone, kids ski free and be sure to check out night skiing access. Cross country skiers and snowshoers especially love the Breckenridge Nordic Center trails.
Where to Eat & Drink
Breckenridge Brewery: The famous taproom on South Main Street is the local pride and joy for brewery tours and craft-beer-filled lunches with a mountain view.
Breckenridge Distillery: Both the casual Crown concept and the more upscale steakhouse shakeup considered craft cocktails with housemade spirits, like the legendary smoked manhattan.
Whiskey Star Smokehouse: The brisket-stuffed jalapeños alone are worth a trip to this Texas-style barbecue spot.
BreckFast: Order the everything bagel sandwich with pork belly and pickled onions at this breakfast spot in La Cima Mall.
Rootstalk: Run by a James Beard Award-Winning chef, this fine-dining locale is all about regionally sourced comfort food, like warm ricotta cavatelli with housemade rabbit sausage.
Where to Stay: Ski Town Vacation Rentals
Vail, Colorado
The Vibe
While Vail’s skiing may be unrivaled, Vail Village itself and neighboring Lionshead have more of a polished, resort feel rather than an authentic Colorado mountain town. There’s obviously nothing inherently wrong with perfectly manicured European-style architecture that looks like it was built yesterday. Vail is particularly clean and extremely comfortable. But its energy is undeniably bougie which is evident from its high-end shopping offerings and luxury prices. This is where you want to go for a ski-week upgrade.
The Skiing
Intermediates thrive in Vail. Legendary skiing on a sprawling 5,000+ acres and 195 trails includes tons of terrain variety and its iconic seven Back Bowls. Back Bowls are mostly made up of ungroomed terrain where advanced skiers can also get their thrills: the 1,850 drop on the Forever trail in the Sun Down Bowl is the money spot.
Where to Eat & Drink
Slope Room: Hit up this upscale steakhouse concept in the Gravity Haus Vail hotel for some of town’s best cocktails and après ski vibes.
Tavernetta: There’s a reason they opened up a second location of this Denver-based fine-dining Italian restaurant in the Four Seasons. One of which is the quail with alpine sausage and the perfect negronis.
Avanti Vail: The choose-your-own-adventure food hall at the Golden Peak Base has a bar plus five different restaurants with offerings like bone-warming ramen bowls and ahi tuna tacos.
Ludwig’s: The brunch buffet experience at the Sonnenlap Hotel will set you back $50 but it’s worth it for the freshly-made french toast, benedicts, and local sausages.
Two Arrows: Craft coffee and superb quiches in the morning and great cocktails in the evening at this dressed-down shop shows off the younger, local side of Vail.
Where to Stay: Ski Town Vacation Rentals
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
The Vibe
Steamboat’s old-timey Western American spirit is evidenced in both its architecture and annual Cowboy Downhill competition, beloved by both locals and visitors alike. The fact that the town is a little harder to get to than other Colorado resorts has also helped it maintain its charm and local feel. And also what keeps it less crowded than the I-70 corridor resorts. Steamboat boasts tons of family-friendly amenities like Skeeter’s ice rink and Old Town Hot Springs (waterslides included), but its après ski, bar, and restaurant scene is just as robust (if not more) as any other town. Not to mention Strawberry Park Hot Springs seven miles outside of town where clothing is optional after sunset.
The Skiing
Steamboat’s powder is unmatched, hence the coined term “champagne powder” used describe the snowfall. Two ski trails are accessible from town: Steamboat Ski Resort has 182 trails on over 3,700 acres and Howelson Hill is a smaller one downtown that’s also North America’s oldest operating ski area. Powder hounds find a home here, and tree skiing is big in Steamboat as well. Greenhorn Ranch is good for beginners while the newer 655 acres of terrain over at Mahogany Ridge and Fish Creek Canyon are for experts.
Where to Eat
T-Bar: An après dive bar with games, music, craft beer and a famous peanut butter butter, banana, and bacon BLT off the Right-O-Way run.
Yampa Valley Kitchen: Hit the slopes a little later with brunch in this 1900s farmhouse and order the Cubano benedict with orange habanero hollandaise.
Taco Beast: Find the daily location of this taco truck/snowcat (usually roaming at the top of South Peak lift) for Mexican street corn and Mexican-style sodas.
The Commons: Everyone can find their jam at this buzzy downtown food hall featuring anything from pastas to pokes.
Primrose: Pair a 300+ wine list with Colorado black angus steaks at this fun and innovative steakhouse concept.
Where to Stay: Ski Town Vacation Rentals
Telluride, Colorado
The Vibe
Another former mining town, Telluride’s visual grandeur is probably the most impressive of the best ski towns in the US. Surrounded by the 13,000 to 14,000-foot peaks of the San Juan Mountains, its box canyon geography feels secluded and sacred. The area is divided into two towns, which are connected by a free 13-minute gondola ride, making it easy to go car free once you’re there.
Telluride itself is all Victorian-style historical buildings (a designated National Historic Landmark), while Mountain Village is a bit more modern with European architecture and ski-in/ski-out amenities. Destination-worthy restaurants, art galleries, and boutique shopping are packed into Telluride and yet it still has this undiscovered down-to-earth feel. It’s the kind of place that makes you think you consider moving to the mountains forever.
The Skiing
Telluride is ideal for thrillseekers. The resort offers 149 trails across its 2,100 acres of terrain, 44 of which include expert and advanced trails, with loads of backcountry skiing on hand. Heli-ski excursions are also available for those looking to head to high alpine areas. Telluride gets less snowfall than other resorts but that doesn’t seem to hold anyone back.
Where to Eat & Drink
Butcher and Baker Cafe: Open everyday for every meal, the bakery/cafe focuses on local sourcing from their own farm and nearby producers.
Siam: Thai-inspired menu serving dinner, takeout, and some epic Khao Soi curry noodles.
Brown Dog Pizza: Award-winning Detroit-style pizza is their specialty, with a Tillamook white cheddar frico crust and build-your-own toppings (though the Little Rose with salami and hot honey is their speciality).
221 South Oak: Run by a Top Chef star, this New American Bistro in a Victorian home dishes out flavors from France, New Orleans, and Napa Valley just steps from the gondola.
Liz: South Oak’s sister restaurant serves fresh and healthy meals for dine-in or takeout all day long, like rice bowls and beef short rib paninis.
Where to Stay: Ski Town Vacation Rentals
Lake Tahoe, California
The Vibe
Tahoe is a massive area separated into over a dozen individual lakeside resorts, the majority of which are concentrated around the north and south ends of the lake. The grandeur means you can pick and choose resorts based on your vibe and ski style. Heavenly is going to be the rowdiest and most unique to other ski towns, with its casinos, music venues, and high-energy nightlife. But you’ll find most areas, like spots around Palisades, to be laid back with après breweries, casual restaurants, and more focus on being outdoors. Northstar, while a bit more luxe, is an especially fun village with great culinary options.
The Skiing
Intermediate skiing is where Tahoe shines, especially on the slopes around Northstar (northside) and Heavenly (southside), which are also family-oriented and great for beginners. More advanced skiers should look to Palisades’s 270 trails and 300 days of sunshine (hello extended ski season) and Kirkwood’s rugged, less polished designs. Keep in mind that lift tickets vary widely from resort to resort.
Where to Eat & Drink
Smoke Door: A Japanese tea house concept centered on primitive wood-fired smoking, this is the place on the north side of the lake to go big with a ten-course omakase from chef Tyler Burges.
PlumpJack Cafe: In Palisades, start off with a glass from the exceptional wine list, craft cocktails, or the pickle back chicken wings.
Le Chamois: More commonly known as “the Shammy,” this is Palisades most iconic après ski bar frequented by locals, visitors, and even Olympic gold medalists.
Tost: In Northstar, ride up to Lake Tahoe’s only ski-up mountainside bar for a glass of champagne or apple cider.
Moody’s Bistro Bar & Beats: Go here for live music, genial service, and excellent food off Truckee’s main artery. Check their homepage to see who’s playing that night and try the bison short rib “frites.”
Where to Stay: Ski Town Vacation Rentals
McCall, Idaho
The Vibe
If you haven’t heard of McCall, then all the more reason to get there before everyone else does. With so little crowds even at peak ski season and an authentic mountain town vibe, this southwest Idaho destination about two hours north of Boise is one you’re forwarding to a friend. The pines and icy Payette Lake set the background for three ski resorts near town that cater to skiers and snowboarders of all levels. McCall is kind of an ultra-relaxed Lake Tahoe. Along with a visit to the Burgdorf Hot Springs, try and catch the annual Winter Carnival for snow sculptures, a Mardi Gras Parade, live music, and fireworks.
The Skiing
Resorts around McCall take in over 300 inches of snow per year. McCall’s three ski areas include Brundage Mountain, Tamarack, and Little Ski Hill. Little Ski Hill is the closest but more for beginners, whereas Brundage is known for the best snow in the state, epic views of the lake, and 70 named trails plus lift-served backcountry. Tamarack Resort is more about secluded, powder-laden runs and more upscale accommodations.
Where to Eat
Ruperts: From Idaho lamb dumplings to Thursday Thai specials, you’ll find a little bit of everything at this cozy fine dining establishment in the Hotel McCall.
Salmon River Brewery: Stop in for brews and elk burgers at this brewery housed in the old McCall Train Depot.
My Father’s Place: Grab charbroiled burgers and milkshakes at this diner-style spot on North Third Street.
North Fork Coffee Roasters: This women’owned shop serves great breakfasts along with their ethically-sourced beans roasted in house.
Alpine Pantry & Provisions: An outdoor counter cafe serving Breakfast BLTs and Cubano sandwiches on homemade focaccia.
Where to Stay: Ski Town Vacation Rentals
How to Choose Your Ski Town
For everyone: Park City
For luxury skiers: Vail
For powder hounds: Steamboat Springs
For design-minded travelers: Telluride
For California-based travelers: Lake Tahoe
For skiers who want to feel like they’ve discovered something and avoid crowds: McCall
For groups looking for nightlife: Park City
For foodies: Breckenridge and Telluride
For skiers looking to avoid lift lines: McCall
Anyone who wants skiing plus lake plus mountains in one place: Lake Tahoe and McCall
For couples: Vail and Telluride
For families: Steamboat, Breckenridge, and Park City
