clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Mapping the 12 Best Community Ski Hills in the West

View as Map

The times they are a-changin', and while the ski industry is increasingly becoming the domain of a handful of corporations, there's a movement afoot to save the community ski hill. From California to Montana, homegrown resorts provide a respite from extortionist prices, Level-of-Hell-length lift lines, gaggles of gapers, and tracked-out pow. There are plenty of advantages to corporate-run resorts, but Curbed Ski is also all about the local areas that support communities and schoolkids, go green, and keep it real. Presenting the first-annual guide to the best local hills in the U.S. Psst. If you're into the idea of saving your local, check out Mountain Riders Alliance, an organization dedicated helping indie ski resorts survive and thrive.

Note that resorts are ranked West to East, not best to worst. Don't see your local here? Why not email us and let us know, hissy-fit-free?


· How to Save the Future of Skiing: Let Kids Ski for Free [Curbed Ski]
· Maine's Mt. Abram Ski Area Goes Green to Turn White [Curbed Ski]
· $500 Million Homewood Redevelopment to Bring Huge Changes [Curbed Ski]
· Why the Death of the Ski Bum Will Ruin Ski Towns Everywhere [Curbed Ski]
· Ten Tips to Have the Best Day of Your Life at Silverton Mountain [Curbed Ski]
· What it Means to Ski in a Vail-Dominated World [Curbed Ski]
· The Most Important Ski Area in America is in Your Backyard [Grind TV]

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Mt Ashland Ski Resort

Copy Link
Wikipedia

Hoodoo Ski Area

Copy Link
Snow Brains

Homewood Ski Resort

Copy Link

Aah, Homewood. Tahoe's beloved local has the best of the region: stellar lake views and secret stashes of pow that last after every other resort is runneth over.

Donner Ski Ranch

Copy Link
Ludios

Mt. Rose - Ski Tahoe

Copy Link
liftopia

June Mountain Ski Area

Copy Link
First Tracks

Cherry Peak Resort

Copy Link

Utah's newest (lucky number 15) ski resort is near Logan, and has all the indications of a great family hill. There’s a magic carpet for beginners, a 3-lane tubing hill, ice skating, night skiing, and come summer, single-track.

Bridger Bowl

Copy Link
New West Experience

Discovery Basin

Copy Link
Prudential Montana Real Estate

Snow King Ski Resort

Copy Link
liftopia

Eldora Mountain Resort

Copy Link
Wikipedia

Silverton Mountain

Copy Link

Southwestern Colorado is glorious, and this challenging mountain in one of the state's most historic mining towns is known as "The La Grave of North America." With over 400" of annual snowfall, dedicated advanced/expert terrain, no groomers or clearcut runs, and a surplus of hikeable off-piste adventures, it lives up to its motto of "All thrills no frills."

Loading comments...

Mt Ashland Ski Resort

Wikipedia

Hoodoo Ski Area

Snow Brains

Homewood Ski Resort

Aah, Homewood. Tahoe's beloved local has the best of the region: stellar lake views and secret stashes of pow that last after every other resort is runneth over.

Donner Ski Ranch

Ludios

Mt. Rose - Ski Tahoe

liftopia

June Mountain Ski Area

First Tracks

Cherry Peak Resort

Utah's newest (lucky number 15) ski resort is near Logan, and has all the indications of a great family hill. There’s a magic carpet for beginners, a 3-lane tubing hill, ice skating, night skiing, and come summer, single-track.

Bridger Bowl

New West Experience

Discovery Basin

Prudential Montana Real Estate

Snow King Ski Resort

liftopia

Eldora Mountain Resort

Wikipedia

Silverton Mountain

Southwestern Colorado is glorious, and this challenging mountain in one of the state's most historic mining towns is known as "The La Grave of North America." With over 400" of annual snowfall, dedicated advanced/expert terrain, no groomers or clearcut runs, and a surplus of hikeable off-piste adventures, it lives up to its motto of "All thrills no frills."