Peak Rankings: Top U.S. Ski States Rated
The United States is spoiled for choice when it comes to ski fields abundant in snow, ski culture and facilities. But which are the best? Peak Rankings has the answers!
When it comes to skiing and riding in the United States, there are a ton of states to choose from. And this can be more relevant than you think when you’re actually planning a vacation; sometimes one resort isn’t enough, and you might want to cover multiple mountains in the same states to really make the most of the vacation you traveled so far to take.
And it turns out that out of the 50 states, quite a few of them have some surprisingly respectable ski resorts. So which U.S. states offer the best combination of quality and quantity of ski slopes? In this video, we’ll rank the U.S. states based on overall ski resort experience, and we’ll highlight the advantages and drawbacks of skiing or riding in each one.
Peak Rankings recently came out with their top picks for 2025/26. They provided the Top 15 states—which, somewhat surprisingly did not include Minnesota, South Dakota, Michigan, Arizona, West Virginia, Massachusetts or Pennsylvania.
So who was included in the Peak Rankings study? Here they are:
#15: New York
Guess which U.S. state has the most ski areas? Turns out it’s actually New York. With over 50 ski areas ranging from actual Olympic venues to tiny rope tow parks, New York has a much wider variety of places to ski or snowboard than one might expect. Northern New York resorts in the Adirondacks offer competitive vertical drops and genuinely unique terrain, while Western New York places like Peek’n Peak, Holiday Valley, and Snow Ridge get plenty of Lake Effect snow from Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, making for some of the best natural conditions one can find in the East.
However, while some of New York’s ski resorts offer impressive snow and others offer pretty cool terrain, you’re not really going to find a combination of both under normal circumstances, with the Western New York mountains lacking competitive vertical drops and resorts in the Adirondacks falling a bit short in terms of snow totals. In addition, while there are tons of ski areas spread across the state, significant wilderness preservation efforts, especially in the Adirondacks, mean that even its biggest ski resorts aren’t all that sizable when it comes to practical in-bounds skiable terrain.
Shop ski resorts in New York here.
Finally, New York’s most competitive resorts terrain-wise entirely lack on-site lodging, making them less appealing for those looking for a hassle-free vacation. Overall, the Empire State has tons of ski areas spread across its footprint, but they lack the combination of snow and terrain to beat out other states on this list.
#14: Maine
Next up on this list we have Maine, which is home to the Northernmost ski resorts on the U.S. East Coast. Maine stands out regionally with three signature resorts—Sugarloaf, Sunday River, and Saddleback—that offer sizable terrain footprints and excellent snow retention for this area of the country. The well-preserved snow also gives way to some decidedly unique terrain, with sidecountry-style woods and even small above-treeline snowfields at Sugarloaf, incredible frozen lake views at Saddleback, and great glade terrain all around.
But skiing here comes with some drawbacks. Despite generally strong retention, raw snowfall totals lag behind other states in the Northeast. In addition, while its top resorts have some impressive lifts, resort infrastructure on the whole is a bit lacking compared to the best states on this list. And perhaps most importantly, beyond the big three, the state’s other hills hold snow well but aren’t particularly compelling. Maine offers a few sizable and character-rich ski resorts for the East, but they’re not enough to beat out the other states on this list.
Browse top ski resorts in Maine here.
#13: New Hampshire
Next up, we move over to Maine’s only neighboring U.S. state, New Hampshire. New Hampshire stands out for its raw quantity of ski resorts; in the White Mountain region within the central part of the state, there are six reasonably-sized ski resorts within a 90-minute drive of one another, and several additional smaller ones within that range as well. New Hampshire’s resorts also offer competitive elevation and vertical drops for the East Coast, and they are practical to reach thanks to their quick travel time from Boston. And finally, thanks to their proximity to Mount Washington and Franconia Notch, many New Hampshire ski resorts offer incredible scenery.
However, none of New Hampshire‘s ski resorts are all that big. Not a single one of them spans more than 500 acres, meaning the biggest resort in this state is only half the size of its neighbors to its east and west. In addition, New Hampshire’s tallest mountains are too extreme to allow for resort skiing, and the ones that do provide for skiing conditions don’t get the same snowfall as neighboring Vermont, and are often susceptible to heavy winds and scoured slopes.
Look for hotels in New Hampshire’s White Mountains here.
Finally, on-site lodging at the best resorts is limited compared to some of the other states on this list, and crowds can be tough at most resorts on weekends. New Hampshire has the vertical and the views to make for a solid one or two day trip, but other states are just more well-rounded for longer vacations.
#12: New Mexico
Moving onto what’s perhaps one of the most unexpected ski states, New Mexico offers sunny slopes, surprising snow quality, and decently varied terrain across its nine ski areas. New Mexico’s best known ski resort is arguably Taos Ski Valley, with a jagged footprint that makes for some of the most difficult ski terrain on the continent. But New Mexico isn’t just cliffs and steep trees, and ski areas across the state offer terrain for all abilities. Finally, New Mexico’s ski resorts sit in an exceptionally high and dry climate, and the mountains in the state receive some of the lightest snow in the country thanks in large part to this unique circumstance.
However, skiing this far south does come with some notable drawbacks. First off, New Mexico’s snow line is higher than states further north, and ski resorts tend to sit at particularly high base altitudes versus the rest of the country, with some mountains that have base areas of over 10,000 feet. This can be especially taxing for those not used to high elevation environments. Additionally, New Mexico’s ski areas tend to be on the modest side in terms of overall footprint, compared to neighboring states. And although there have been some significant improvements in recent years, lift infrastructure at New Mexico ski resorts tends to be a bit less modern than in other states. Finally, New Mexico’s variable weather means snow conditions can be more hit or miss than in other states. You could find yourself in an incredible powder environment, but you could also find your resort struggling to even stay open.
Browse hotels in Taos ski valley here.
If you’re looking for dry snow, sunny days, high elevation terrain, and green chiles on every meal, New Mexico skiing won’t let you down, provided you stay long enough. But if you’re weary of inconsistent conditions, want a bigger skiable footprint, and, most importantly, want a truly reliable experience, other states will be better.
#11: Vermont
Topping the list for non-western states is Vermont, home to some of the largest and best-known ski areas east of the Mississippi River. Vermont is home to some of the snowiest areas in the East, with headliners like Stowe, Smugglers Notch, and Jay Peak offering snow totals that aren’t far off many western areas. In addition, Vermont is home to many larger ski areas such as Killington, Okemo, and Stratton, making for a surprising number of resorts that can take well more than a weekend trip to effectively cover. But Vermont isn’t lacking for smaller slopes spread across the state either; in fact, from any location in the state, you’re never more than an hour from a ski area.
Browse Vermont Ski Hotels here.
However, the reason Vermont isn’t higher on this list is that it can’t escape all the fundamental drawbacks of its East Coast location. While snow totals are on par with many ski areas out west, freeze-thaw cycles and even rain can occur during the winter, making for ice, bare spots, and just generally less than ideal conditions. In addition, while Vermont does have some sizable resorts, they’re still nowhere near the size of the biggest destinations in states west of the Mississippi. Ultimately, Vermont is the king of the East, but its resort roster still isn’t quite strong enough to earn it a place in our top 10.
To see the Top 10 visit Peak Rankings here.
To find a chalet to rent in a U.S. ski area go here.
Editor’s Pick: Gear from Gordini
Based in Vermont and independently owned, Gordini has focused on the same mission since 1956: to keep you warm and dry so you can stay outside longer. And Vermonters would know how! These are beautiful, made in the USA accessories that are stylish, practical, solid quality, and thoughtfully designed using proprietary technology to make your time outdoors more pleasurable, effective and of course safe.
Here’s what we tried and/or loved:
Mountain Outdoor Gloves: Women’s MTN Crew Artist Mitt
The Artist Series Mitt brings bold style to proven performance, combining the trusted warmth and durability of the MTN Crew Mitt with exclusive designs by artists Jordan Kendall Parks, Zoe Malee, and Lucas Beaufort. Featuring a rugged CLUTCH® synthetic leather shell, waterproof Aquabloc® insert, and 600-fill DownTek™ insulation with high-pile fleece, it’s built for cold days on the mountain. A neoprene undercuff ensures a snug fit, while standout artwork adds personality to every run. These gloves were specifically designed to fit you during backcountry skiing, snowmobiling, and mountaineering—activities where you need maximum warmth and not individual fingers.
And the Goggles are super-cool and sturdy, too.
Winter Outdoor and Ski Merino Socks: There are so many wonderful socks to choose from depending on your needs, preferences and activities. We tried the Women’s Ski Notch Sock, which is above calf-length, mid-weight and suitable for all-day ski wear without feeling too weighed down.
We also loved the Craftsbury Women’s Winter Outdoor—a seriously cushiony and warm choice for spending time out in the snow whether that’s walking or doing activities in deeper snow and in slushy conditions. You will not get a chill with these lush socks.
Gordini socks feature: Instep compression; Secure heel pocket; Arch support; Flat knit construction; Seamless toe closure; OrbitKNIT® ribbed cuff for an inclusive, secure fit without constriction; Merino wool + polypropylene reinforced with nylon exterior. And the range of stylish colors and patterns you have to choose from are joyful and will make you happy. We’re very glad we discovered this brand as they approach their 70th birthday!
Be sure to go here to shop for Gordini Women, Men, and Kids. Great for you, and a good gift idea, too!
Editor’s Hack: Remind Insoles
Remind Insoles was developed in top ski destination Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where the founder, deeply rooted in the snowboarding community, recognized a gap in performance footwear. Traditional insoles couldn’t meet the physical demands of board sports, leading to injuries, discomfort, and limited progression. Motivated to solve this, he partnered with bio engineers to develop a new standard of orthotic support, tailored specifically for high-impact action sports. Over 40 years of scientific insight, testing, and athlete feedback—from legends like Travis Rice and Bryan Iguchi—Remind Insoles was born: a brand built on innovation, athletic excellence, and the pursuit of unmatched comfort and performance for daily life.
For snow sports, we recommend The Remedy: custom insole configuration straight out of the box. Its heat-moldable design allows for at-home customization, forming the insole to your unique foot shape and providing personalized arch support, alignment, and cushioning that adapts to your stance and anatomy. Ideal for riders and athletes seeking a tailored fit with enhanced support and impact absorption.
The Solution Snowboard Boot Liner is built for riders who demand all-day comfort, support, and precision in aggressive terrain. Designed to outperform stock liners, it features heat-moldable foam that customizes to your foot shape, resisting the everyday frustrations of boot pack-out and maintaining a snug, responsive fit. GeoSorb™ impact-diffusion technology disperses pressure and absorbs harsh landings, while the stiffer structure enhances stability and control at high speeds. Paired with the Remedy Insoles, the Solution Snowboard Boot Liner delivers a fully customized, high-performance fit without the premium price tag. Perfect for riders tackling technical lines or spending long days on the mountain.
