The best ski resorts on the West Coast

The West Coast is one of the richest regions for stellar ski resorts, and whittling the list down to just ten is insane. From California to Washington and Idaho to Utah, this is the list for you if you’re on the coast and looking for snow. 

A word of warning, though, there are no Colorado resorts on this list. East of the Rockies just ain’t the West Coast, pal! So if you’re looking for the scoop on CO resorts, check out our dedicated guide.

If you’re in the market for some true West Coast pow, buckle up because we’ve hand-picked our top ten and put them all right here. And what better way to celebrate an epic ski trip than with a brand-new ski jacket or pair of ski pants? Our line-up is mountain-ready and poised to drop in!

Best west coast ski resorts

Mammoth Mountain, CA

Located in the Eastern Sierra Nevada, Mammoth Mountain is the most well-known – and one of the most popular – ski resorts on the West Coast. This place has everything! It’s spread across 3,500 rideable acres, with three base stations, 175 marked trails, an 11,000 feet peak, and an average of over 33 feet of snowfall per year (with the record being over 58 feet!). And trust us, this 33 feet average feels like a low estimate. You can’t scroll on Instagram without a notification from the resort that there’s another 3+ feet in the forecast. No, seriously. Go check it out – it’s wild.

Okay, so powder freeriding and riding is a lock — especially when you talk about the fact that over 50% of the runs here are marked expert. And if you’re into freestyle, Mammoth definitely has you covered. Home to the Unbound Terrain parks, there are nine to choose from, covering over 100 acres. They feature everything from beginner to pro lines, over forty jumps, and even a halfpipe.

Mammoth Lakes is a bustling and busy resort, too, but it still keeps its small-town mountain vibes thanks to a high number of permanent residents. That doesn’t mean you can’t find lodging, though – both luxury and budget. With both Mammoth Lakes and Old Mammoth to choose from and located just a five-hour drive from LA, this ski resort is one of the best anywhere in the US…not just on the West Coast.

Mt. Baker Ski Area, WA

We passed over Stevens Pass, Crystal, and Summit at Snoqualmie as our top pick for a Washington ski resort for a few reasons. And none of them have to do with those three being anywhere near sub-par! Mt. Baker, however, despite its modest 1,000 rideable acres, offers some of the best terrain and powder anywhere in the world, let alone in the state.

Over 55 feet of annual snowfall, a 150-day season, and more steep and deep than any other resort on the West Coast mean that Mt. Baker is a playground for those who like to test their mettle. Sure, it’s a resort catering mostly to advanced riders, but if you’re just starting, take your pick of any other resort! Once you’ve got your skills dialed, though, come to Mt. Baker and see what all the fuss is about. This is a place for those who ride hard and, weirdly, party harder. There’s always something going on here, with ‘Music on the Mountain’ taking place every weekend throughout the season and lots of events, including the Legendary Banked Slalom, which is one highlight of the year.

There’s not a whole lot going on in terms of accommodation and dining at the base (or anywhere close). Abbotsford (in Canada) is the nearest metro area, and Bellingham is the closest major town … two hours away. But what that means is that Mt. Baker isn’t very busy, and fresh tracks — along with short lift lines — are always a guarantee. For us, this is what it’s all about when it comes to choosing a top ski resort. For example, who wants to wait an hour for a lift when you could rip pow elsewhere?

Mt. Bachelor, OR

Mt. Bachelor is the largest ski resort in Oregon. It sits on a dormant volcano, topping out at 9,068 feet in height and accumulating 38.5 feet of snowfall every season. It also serves up 4,323 acres across a single face (pretty insane) and has 101 marked runs with 3,365 feet of vertical, all served by 12 lifts. That means no other resort in North America gets you to the top faster or offers more options from a single chair ride.

Mt. Bachelor is famous for its steady-angled terrain on the mountain’s lower slopes, while up high, from the peak, you’ll have access to endless open powder runs. Though the wildest thing is that from the peak, you can ride in any direction, with cat tracks cut in on the back side of the mountain to take you back to the front. It’s a crazy setup you won’t find anywhere else – just like the long, 3,300 vertical feet blue runs that track right next to the double blacks. 

For the freestyle enthusiast, Bachelor has everything you want, with 12 specific Woodward Terrain Park zones geared for progression and creativity. Each is hand-designed every season and all are easily accessible for endless laps. So whether it’s bottomless pow turns, or powerful park runs, Bachelor is the place to be if you’re in this neck of the woods.

Park City Mountain Resort, UT

Park City is one of those rare resorts that just has it all: extensive beginner zones, epic freeriding, insane parks, perfect groomers, 29.5 feet of snow annually, 3,226 feet of vertical, and 7,300 acres of rideable terrain. This makes it the largest in the US. Plus, it has its own village, packed with accommodation and après options. This makes Park City a spectacular destination, no matter who you are.

Located just 32 miles from Salt Lake City, Park City Resort is super accessible, meaning staying in-resort or in the city are great options for riding here. When you arrive, you can choose from Park City Mountain Village or the Canyons Village. Both are great choices, but you’ll likely have to choose one or the other for each riding day, as traveling between them is a total mission!

330 marked runs served by 41 lifts means more than you could ski in a season, let alone a few days. As such, beginners will want to stick to the Park City Village zone as it’s got the most beginner runs. Experts will want to venture higher, but both bases work and are full of blacks and double blacks. Of course, you’ll also find all the terrain parks at Park City base for the park rats among you.

Heavenly Ski Resort, NV

Straddling the California and Nevada borders (but slightly more in NV than CA) is the heavenly Heavenly! The largest of the Lake Tahoe resorts, Heavenly Ski Resort checks all the boxes and is known for its unreal views of both the lake and the surrounding mountains. And one great thing about Heavenly is that even non-riders can ride the Scenic Gondola to the Observation Deck and drink in the spectacle that is this region.

Heavenly is probably best known for its wide-open slopes (some 97 marked runs!), high-speed chairs (28 of those), and long runs. Most of its trails serve up as much as 3,500 vertical feet of descent, the longest of which is a staggering five miles in length — the longest on the West Coast. However, while many of the runs here are easy/intermediate in grading, Heavenly is a paradise for all levels of rider.

If you get up towards the 10,000 feet mark, you’ll see the terrain and run colors change. Heavenly is also known by those in the freeride community for its double-black graded chutes, a few of which offer 1,600 vertical feet of challenging, technical descent. And once you’re down, why not check out one of Heavenly’s expertly built and maintained parks? Some of the best in the state.

Timberline, OR

Timberline, Oregon. Let’s take a second before we dive in. Sure, it’s not as big as Bachelor at 1,686 acres and only has nine lifts. But it offers riding into September (all summer long!), gets you up to 11,245 feet at the summit of the legendary Mt. Hood, and serves up the longest vertical in the US — 4,540 feet. Yeah, that’s right, 4,540 vertical feet of rideable terrain. Sheesh!

There’s not much of a base station here to stay or party at, but Timberline is more focused on the riding than anything else. Low down, you’ll find a network of blue and green runs, but heading elsewhere in Oregon is probably a better shout for beginners. For those with a nose for the deep stuff, heading higher is your best bet. Taking the Magic Mile lift opens up the powder fields above the treeline, and from here, taking the Palmer Lift will get you to the steeper terrain. A snowcat can then be taken to the top for the most epic steeps in the state. Just warm up first – this zone is no joke!

Freestyle aficionados will have their pick, too, with Timberline’s amazing terrain parks. Located off the Stormin’ Norman chair, there are small and large lines to choose from. And if you want to take your freestyle to the next level, check out Timberline’s Freestyle Training Centre. It takes place every summer with hand-built features, coaches, and camps.

Palisades Tahoe, CA

Palisades Tahoe sits in the Sierra Nevadas and has one of the best views of the epic Lake Tahoe. Famous for its deep powder, 300 days of sunshine per year, and long, swooping runs, Palisades Tahoe is a sprawling destination with a lively resort village and plenty to do for beginners and experts.

Located just three and a half hours from San Francisco by car, many weekend warriors call Palisades their home resort and are proud to do so! So whether you’re looking for a budget getaway or you want to get a little classier and mix it up with some spa time and fine dining, you’ll have a great time regardless. Check out The Village at Palisades Tahoe for quality and value accommodation options or the Resort at Squaw Creek with its ski-in/ski-out luxury accommodation options.

On the mountain, nearly half the runs are marked blue, and a quarter are marked green, making this the perfect resort for cruisey laps in the sun, spring slush sessions, and family trips. However, over 30% of the trails are marked black diamond. Pair that with an average of 33 feet of annual snowfall and there’s no shortage of steep-and-deep for those adventurous riders among you. This makes Palisades a great all-rounder and a shoo-in for our top 10 West Coast destinations.

Snowbird, UT

This diamond of a resort is one of the most well-known in the US, and for good reason. With 2,500 acres of rideable terrain and forming part of the highly exclusive ‘500 Club’ (resorts with an annual average snowfall exceeding 500 inches/42 feet), this intermediate/advanced-focused playground is stacked with long, open powder runs, steeps, deeps, glades, bowls, and so much more! It’s also just 29 miles from Salt Lake International Airport. As such, it’s one of the most accessible resorts in the US – and one of the best. A deadly combination, if we’ve ever heard one.

As well as Snowbird, you can also shred the neighboring Alta, which connects across the top of Sugarloaf Pass. One of the best things about Snowbird, though, is its unique 125-passenger tram, which takes just seven minutes to reach the top of the mountain. There’s also a conveyor-belt ski lift running through the mountain, providing both transit and education, as the tunnel it uses is also a mining museum. Neat!

A recent injection of money has seen huge renovations and improvements to the resort and public areas around the base. Expect to find good food and even better vistas. There is no resort town to speak of, but at just a 30-45 minute drive from Salt Lake City, you’re better off staying there and getting the best of both worlds.

Brighton Resort, UT

Among the monster resorts that make their home in Utah, Brighton Resort may, at first, seem a little underwhelming. With just over 1,000 rideable acres of terrain, it pales compared to Powder Mountain, Snowbasin, Solitude, Deer Valley … we could go on and on. So why Brighton? Well, how does 42 feet of snow every winter sound?

Nine high-speed chairs are perfectly placed to serve up ample expert and freeride terrain. And, with five parks, those searching for endless pow turns or catching some air will be spoiled for choice. So while this isn’t a great beginner resort or one with a bustling base, it serves up that quintessential small-resort feel, complete with quiet lift lines and plenty of fresh tracks to be found.

While everyone else flocks to the big resorts, go hunting for freeride excitement at Brighton, especially in the bowls off Clayton Peak and Mt. Millicent. Long, steep chutes and glades await those with the courage to explore. And don’t worry about squeezing in those runs before last lift — Brighton offers 200 acres of night riding all winter.

Sun Valley Resort, ID

Sun Valley Resort is the state’s largest, most well-known, and probably best ski resort. It also lays claim to being home to the first chairlift in the world. Staying true to its namesake, Sun Valley has around 120 days of sunshine every season, so it’s pretty much a sure thing to be cruising under bluebird skies if you visit.

Split into two halves, Bald Mountain is perfect for advanced riders, offering steep chutes, challenging groomers, and lots of shaded glades that protect the 15 feet of annual snowfall. Dollar Mountain is perfect for beginners and families, with lots of low-angled groomers. And don’t worry about coverage, as Sun Valley Resort boasts 600 snow guns now, with almost 80% coverage guaranteed.

Despite Idaho being famous for its farming rather than its mountains, you’ll find an extremely healthy 3,400 feet of vertical to go with the 121 marked runs. There are also 12 terrain parks for those looking to catch some air. All of this means Sun Valley Resort may not be a pow-paradise like others on this list, but it has plenty to offer all levels of rider. This is especially true if you’re into cruisey laps in the sun, jibbing around in the park, and then enjoying some well-earned beverages at the myriad of après and dining options in both Sun Valley and Ketchum.

Wrapping up

Narrowing down the best resorts on the West Coast to just ten is a near-impossible task. We missed a lot of amazing places, and we’re sure you’re sitting there thinking, ‘You didn’t list this resort or that resort!’. 

Believe us: we get it. Some of our favorites didn’t make the cut, either. But we had to be impartial and include what we thought were the best by covering all bases — from endless pow to endless sunshine, groomers and gnar, chutes and jibs in abundance.

Let us know how we did, or give us a shout if you think we missed something. Otherwise, get Googling your route. Because the big question is: can you hit all ten in one trip?

Related Reading:

• Snowiest ski resorts in the world
• Best night skiing spots in the US
• How to plan a ski trip