The Biggest Ski Resorts in North America

Newsroom Best Of Topics The Biggest Ski Resorts in North America

When it comes to ski resort vacation choices, there are plenty of options, from small independent ski areas to mega ski resorts and everything in between. For many skiers they want access to as much terrain as possible. And if that’s you, then you’re at the right place.

The good news is that you can find big ski resorts in every region of North America. Just know that what counts as “big” differs by region. What’s considered big in New England and the Midwest is different than what’s considered big in the Rockies, the far west, and British Columbia.

Below, find our list of the largest ski resorts in North America.

The Biggest Ski Resorts in North America

Eastern U.S. and Eastern Canada

Killington, Vermont: 1,509 skiable acres, 22 Lifts

It’s the “Beast of the East” for a reason. Add its nearby sister ski area, Pico Mountain, to the totals and you have access to 2,000 skiable acres and 92 miles of trails. The K-1 gondola takes you to Killington Peak’s 4,241-foot summit, where you’ve got all that vertical on the way down. Killington’s Bear Mountain will give your legs the ultimate bump burn with its Outer Limits run. Killington has a village of its own and an access road lined with lodging, plus bars and restaurants for après-ski.
» » Check out lodging options at Killington.

Best bets for early skiing, Killington Vermont.
@Killington Resort

Mt. Tremblant, Quebec, Canada: 755 skiable acres, 11 Lifts

While you may not think of large ski resorts when you think of Eastern Canada, don’t sleep on Quebec and Mt. Tremblant. Mt. Tremblant is the largest ski resort in Quebec, where all three sides of the mountain are accessible to incredible ski terrain, served by a number of chairlifts and gondolas. Its high point is 2,871 feet, with all the skiing and riding below the treeline. Mt. Tremblant’s Pedestrian Village, at the base of the mountain, is so charming and picturesque, giving off all the vibes of Europe’s iconic ski villages.
» » Check out lodging options at Mt. Tremblant.

Midwest

Lutsen Mountains, Lutsen, Minnesota: 1,000 acres, 7 Lifts

The Midwest has lots of ski areas, but on a “big” scale, they don’t compare to the rest of North America’s ski regions. That is, except for the 4-peak Lutsen Mountains Resort in Minnesota that overlooks Lake Superior. Lutsen Mountains equates to Great Lake views and equally great skiing and snowboarding with plenty of skiable terrain. As many Midwest skiers will attest to, Lutsen Mountains is as close to big resort skiing and riding as you’ll find in America’s heartland.
» » Check out lodging options at Lutsen Mountain.

Lutsen Mountains
Lutsen Mountains means western-like open slope skiing in the Midwest.

Rocky Mountains

Park City Mountain Resort, Utah: 7,300 acres, 41 Lifts

Vail Resorts bought Park City Mountain Resort, less than an hour from Salt Lake City International Airport, a decade ago and soon added neighboring Canyons Resort to it. That made the interconnected combo a 7,300-acre bonanza of skiing and snowboarding terrain. That makes it and Whistler Blackcomb the two largest ski resorts in North America by acreage. Park City, however, has the advantage of nearby Deer Valley Resort, while there’s more resort skiing on its way in Park City with the development of Mayflower Mountain Resort.

Park City Resort
Park City, so close to SLC airport, offers 7,300 feet of terrain.

» » Check out lodging options in Utah.

Powder Mountain, Utah: 8,484 acres, 9 Lifts

Powder Mountain is one of Utah’s hidden gems, often overshadowed by many of the Wasatch Range’s heavy hitters. But if you venture outside of the Wasatch Range and a bit north to Eden, Utah, you won’t regret it. While most of Powder Moutain’s skiable terrain is accessible by guided cat ski, the mountain makes it easy to add to your regular lift pass and safely experience Powder Mountain’s wide open spaces. It’s well worth taking a couple of laps on the shuttle and cat-ski if you crave untouched powder. It’s earned the name Powder Mountain.

Big Sky Resort, Montana: 5,800 acres, 36 Lifts

Montana’s Big Sky, located an hour south of Bozeman, is aptly named for “big” terrain beneath those endless blue skies. At nearly 6,000 skiable acres, it is the second-largest ski resort in the United States, while its vertical drop is an impressive 4,350 feet. Big Sky is best known for its signature “big” terrain: Big Couloir, an experts-only in-bounds run that drops 1,400 feet from the summit of Lone Peak. Beginner, intermediate, and expert skiers alike will find a lot of terrain here to enjoy.
» » Check out lodging options at Big Sky.

Vail, Colorado: 5,289 acres, 31 Lifts

We’re talking big in the U.S: 5,200 skiable acres with 7 legendary Back Bowls spanning 7 miles, and more beautifully groomed terrain than you’ll find just about anywhere. Vail has been an extraordinary upscale winter vacation destination for skiers and snowboarders from all over their world. The resort has hosted two World Alpine Skiing Championships and is the flagship of Vail Resorts. Vail Village’s Bavarian-designed set of condos, hotels, restaurants, shops, and bars is an unparalleled ski resort village experience.
» » Check out lodging options at Vail.

Far West

Palisades Tahoe, California: 6,000 skiable acres, 29 Lifts

Palisades Tahoe’s Base to Base Gondola was a game changer when it opened in 2022, connecting the two ski areas, Palisades and Alpine. The first of its kind gondola in North America, it transports guests between The Village at Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Lodge, while expert skiers and riders have the option to unload mid-station at KT-22. This means you can ski or ride 6,000 acres in this Lake Tahoe area paradise. Palisades Tahoe, you’ll remember, was host to the first fully televised Winter Olympics in 1960, and is just as iconic today.
» » Check out lodging options in Lake Tahoe.

What's new for the 2022-23 ski season
@Ben Birk/Palisades-Tahoe

Heavenly, California: 4,800 skiable acres, 28 Lifts

Heavenly’s South Lake Tahoe resort at Stateline is so big it straddles two states, California and Nevada. It features the highest elevation, at 10,067 feet, and the most vertical drop in the Lake Tahoe region. With an average of 360 inches of snowfall per year, Heavenly gets some of the best snow in California. And, when the skiing’s done, the casino nightlife at the base is just starting.
» » Check out lodging options at Heavenly Mountain.

Mt. Bachelor, Oregon: 4,318 acres, 15 Lifts

Mt. Bachelor is the largest resort in the Pacific Northwest, outstripping every other resort by more than 1,000 acres. It usually opens in November around Thanksgiving and runs through May, making it one of the longest ski seasons in the country. With already a fair amount of snow, the runs are bolstered by excellent snowmaking. Mt. Bachelor’s lodging options are mostly based out of Bend and Sunriver, and many of the properties offer transportation via the Mt. Bachelor Shuttle.
» » Check out lodging options at Mt. Bachelor.

Western Canada

Whistler-Blackcomb, British Columbia: 8,171 acres, 36 Lifts

It really doesn’t get much bigger or better than this gigantic resort in British Columbia. Connected by the longest continuous lift system in the world, Whistler’s Peak2Peak gondola ties Whistler and Blackcomb mountains together. Boasting 200 marked runs, 16 alpine bowls, and 3 glaciers, Whistler Blackcomb’s terrain is truly endless on a ski vacation. The village is a delight and, don’t forget, the Horstman Glacier, just to say you did.

Bluebird day skiing at Whistler Blackcomb beneath the gondola
©Tourism Whistler

» » Check out lodging options at Whistler Blackcomb.

Lake Louise, Banff, Alberta: 4,200 acres, 11 Lifts

Lake Louise is one of three resorts to make up Banff’s SkiBig3. The scenery and views across the mountain are magnificent, with jaw-dropped Canadian Rockies views everywhere you ski. Banff is a truly delightful Western town with everything you need. Your SkiBig3 pass gets you more than 9,000 acres to play in, adding in neighboring Sunshine Village and Mt. Norquay.
» » Check out lodging options in Alberta.

Bluebird day at Lake Louise Ski Resort in Alberta

Sun Peaks, British Columbia: 4,270 acres, 13 Lifts

Sun Peaks lays claim to the second largest skiable area in Canada, featuring perfectly groomed slopes, powder bowls, alpine trees, steeps, park and backcountry options to suit all styles and abilities. Ski-in, ski-out hotels in the village center provide easy access to the main chairlifts. This really is a massive ski resort ticket that’s your gateway to British Columbia’s interior.
» » Check out lodging options in Sun Peaks.

Hero image ©Palisades Tahoe

Share This:
Copyright © 1995-2024  Mountain News LLC.  All rights reserved.