It’s no secret that there are plenty of places to hit the slopes in the U.S., from exclusive and high-end, world-renowned resorts to perennial favorites that are all about location, location, location—think places like Jackson Hole, Park City, and Breckenridge, to name a few. However, there are plenty of alternatives to these top spots that offer visitors the chance to hit the slopes without spending half their time waiting in line: beautiful, snow-covered, scenic ski areas whose laidback vibes are second only to their great skiing opportunities and chances for relatively crowd-free (and extremely low-key) fun and outdoor adventure.
10 Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana
With over 3,000 skiable acres, Whitefish Mountain Resort may be one of the largest ski resorts in the U.S. and Canada—but its laidback, friendly vibes and short lift lines give it a hidden gem feel. Truly a one-stop Rocky Mountain spot with onsite lodging and plenty of amenities, Whitefish’s location less than forty miles from Glacier National Park means there’s plenty to do in the surrounding area, too.
- Address: 3889 Big Mountain Rd. Whitefish, MT
- The Perks: Night Skiing; Nearby Downtown Whitefish; Snowboarding; Terrain Parks; Summit Nature Center
9 Wolf Creek Ski Area, Colorado
Despite being home to the most annual snowfall in the state of Colorado, the lowkey Wolf Creek Ski Area stays relatively crowd-free—giving adventure-loving skiers a chance to soak up the line-free lifts and snow-covered slopes. Backcountry skiers will also love the seemingly endless (and varied) terrain to explore, while everyone from beginners to pros will bask in the mountain’s opportunities for snow bunny fun.
- Address: E Hwy 160 E, Pagosa Springs, CO
- Need To Know: There are no accommodations at Wolf Creek; however, there are plenty of places to stay in nearby Pagosa Springs and South Fork (less than 30 minutes away)
8 Schweitzer, Idaho
Described by those in the know as low drama, unpretentious fun, Schweitzer is all laidback fun spread across almost 3,000 acres of Idaho mountain beauty. And thanks to world-renowned tree skiing; plenty of lifts, trails, and activities; and a family-friendly vibe, Schweitzer has rightfully gained the rep of being one of the best ski destinations in the Pacific Northwest.
- Address: 10000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd. Sandpoint, ID
- More Than Skiing: Tubing; Scenic Lift Rides; Snowshoeing; Snowmobiling; Snowbiking; Explore Sandpoint
7 Brian Head Resort, Utah
Self-described as having “The Greatest Snow on Earth,” Brian Head Resort’s small size and affordability make it the perfect place for skiers to get in some low-crowd runs; while still experiencing the highest resort base elevation in the state. And Brian Head’s red boulder surroundings and scenic locale don’t hurt, either.
- Address: 329 South Highway 143 Brian Head, UT
- Things To Do: Snowboarding; Tubing; Terrain Parks; Last Chair Grill & Brews; Explore Cedar City
6 Eldora Mountain Ski Resort, Colorado
Colorado certainly has no shortage of spectacular ski resorts—however, those looking for a low-key alternative to the beautiful mountain state’s more famous spots will find a home at the lovely Eldora Mountain Ski Resort. And with a location close to downtown Boulder, there’s no shortage of things to do after hitting the challenging (and super fun!) slopes.
- Address: 2861 Eldora Ski Rd #140, Nederland, CO
- Make It A Weekend: Visit Finkel & Garf Craft Beer; Explore Pearl Street Mall; Stay at Hotel Boulderado
5 Ski Santa Fe, New Mexico
A long snowy season, typically sunny skies, and spectacularly scenic views are on tap at the unassuming and cozy NM gem Ski Santa Fe. Though relatively small, there are plenty of runs and swaths of terrific terrain to keep everyone from beginners to experts busy—and, as an added bonus, Santa Fe is right around the corner for even more fun off the slopes.
- Address: 1477 NM-475, Santa Fe, NM
- Ski & Stay: Santa Fe’s The Sage Hotel offers a Ski Package that includes two lift tickets to Ski Santa Fe and other hotel perks.
4 Arizona Snowbowl, Arizona
Arizona isn’t just for summer outdoor adventures like hiking and exploring the state's national park treasures. Believe it or not, there’s also some great skiing here, too—and the scenic Arizona Snowbowl is one of the best examples of epic slopes (over 2,000-foot vertical drop!) and fun, yet decidedly drama-free, vibes. And with a location close to bustling downtown Flagstaff, snow bunnies will have their pick of plenty of places to play and stay.
- Address: 9300 N. Snowbowl Rd. Flagstaff, AZ
- Things To Do: Terrain Parks; Snowboarding; Dine at Agassiz Lodge Restaurant; Explore downtown Flagstaff; Stay in a cozy onsite cabin
3 Massanutten Resort, Virginia
A year-round resort destination with 6,000 acres (!) of experiences for the entire family, Massanutten Resort may not seem like a crowd-free ski destination. However, the sheer amount of activities and events (and space) means vacationers have more room to spread out and enjoy all the fun that’s on tap at this experiential four-season destination.
- Address: 1822 Resort Dr. Massanutten, VA
- More Than Skiing: Tubing; Ice Skating; Ski Lodge; 50th Anniversary Celebration; Indoor Waterpark; Perfect Break Entertainment Complex
2 Windham Mountain, New York
Cozy Catskills vibes and relaxed, no-frills adventures make Windham Mountain the place to be for upstate NY skiing without the long lines and hordes of tourists that flock to the larger, more well-known ski areas. But don’t let Windham’s small size fool you: the trails are plentiful, the conditions are perfect, and the nearby lodging is oh-so-cozy.
- Address:19 Resort Dr. Windham, NY
- Slope-Side R&R: Take a time out from skiing Windham’s scenic slopes with a visit to the onsite Alpine Spa
1 The Mountain Top Ski Resort, Wisconsin
Located less than one hour from Chicago, the beautiful and bucolic Mountain Top Ski Resort is the perfect weekend getaway from the city's hustle and bustle. Add a no-frills, good vibes-only environment; great views; and both downhill and terrain park adventures, and anyone will want to strap on those skis and hit the wonderful WI slopes.
- Address: 7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, WI
- Things To Do: Ice Skating; Sledding; Snowshoeing; Snowmobiling; Have a Spa Day; Igloo Experience; Christmas in the Country Holiday Celebrations