The Best Ski Resort in America

One of the top ski resorts in the USA is Snowmass in western Colorado. Part of the Aspen/Snowmass resort complex, Snowmass has many features that consistently rank it among the best ski resorts. Ski Magazine has ranked Snowmass as high as Number One on its annual list of the best ski resorts in the US.

Aspen/Snowmass is an expansive winter resort complex in western Colorado. Owned and operated by the Aspen Skiing Company, it comprises four skiing/snowboarding areas on four adjacent mountains in the vicinity of the towns of Aspen and Snowmass Village. The four areas collectively form one of the most famous winter resorts in the world. Visitors from all over the world visit there annually.

Snowmass is in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and is known for its beauty. It is the largest of the four Aspen/Snowmass mountains, comprising 3,128 acres (1,266 ha). The mountain has 93 ski runs and 23 lifts and is equally suitable for beginners and advanced skiiers and snowboarders.

The mountain is most notable for its wide cruiser runs, family-friendly atmosphere, and extensive ski-in/ski-out lodging. Despite its family reputation, the resort also contains several terrain parks, extensive extreme skiing terrain, mogul runs, gladed terrain and black diamond advanced slopes. Snowmass has the most vertical feet of skiing of any ski area in the United States and has about 300 inches of snowfall each year.

Snowmass Village is known for its excellent, top-rated lodging, restaurants, bars and shopping. One of the great advantages of Snowmass is the fact that it is part of the Aspen/Snowmass Village which includes four mountains in all- Snowmass, Aspen, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk. Another outstanding feature of Snowmass is proximity to Aspen, the famous ski resort and upscale tourist center which is only a 25-minute drive away.

A visit to Snowmass is like four separate vacations, because visitors potentially have access to all four resorts- although only one of the resorts is enough to keep a family busy for weeks! Aspen/Snowmass has over 5,300 acres of terrain and boundless dining and nightlife and is considered one of the most exciting winter escapes in the world. Visitors can purchase one lift ticket for all four mountains.

In addition, Snowmass has made major improvements in the last six years. Snowmass has added over $130 million in on-mountain improvements, including: 11 new lifts, two new gondolas, the innovative Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center, three new restaurants, two superpipes, additional terrain, 100% hands-free gates with new direct-to-lift capabilities and the new Snowmass base village.

Snowmass is located about a one-hour plane flight from Denver, or about 180 miles away. There are daily flights to Snowmass. Be sure to book flights, lodging and rental cars early as this resort is very popular year around and especially during the fall, winter and early spring months.