When temperatures fall and the snow starts piling up, getting out and enjoying the outdoors in winter is important for physical and mental health. Skiing and snowboarding are fantastic activities that are growing in popularity, which means that ski resorts are hosting more visitors each year. With the influx of visitors comes crowded trails, long lift lines, and skyrocketing lift ticket prices. We’ve scoured the U.S. to find the best ski resorts to escape the crowds. These resorts may take a bit more effort, but your reward will be wide-open slopes and short lift lines – meaning you can get a lot more runs in.
9 Best Ski Resorts to Escape the Crowds
Big Sky Resort, Montana
Big Sky is one of the best resorts in North America to escape the crowds. With 5700 acres of terrain, there’s plenty of room to spread out at Big Sky. Its remote location in southwest Montana also makes it a bit more difficult to get to than the resorts located near a major airport.Big Sky features beefy terrain for those looking for extreme skiing experiences. Combine that with crazy steeps, impressive backcountry access, and Montana powder that can reach up to 30 feet, you’ll soon understand why Big Sky is the ultimate ski destination for big mountain skiers looking for a little more solitude. On a clear day, Big Sky’s Lone Mountain peak treats skiers to stunning views of 10 Montana mountain ranges, as well as Idaho and Wyoming mountains including the Tetons.Big Sky also features beginner terrain that makes it a great place for family skiing activities. Lone Wolf, Mr. K, and Cinnabar are wide green runs where you can hone your skiing skills before conquering the steeper trails.
Getting to Big Sky Resort
Big Sky is located just 53 miles from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. With shuttle services and shuttle cars available at the airport, getting to Big Sky is easy.
Big Sky Resort Mountain Stats
- Big Sky has a total of 5850 skiable acres and 36 lifts.
- It has a vertical rise of 4350 vertical feet, and has one lone peak.
- Big Sky features over 300 runs!
- The longest ski run is a massive 6 miles and runs from Liberty Bowl to Mountain Mall!
- Big Sky also features 7 terrain parks.
- Big Sky resort receives an average snowfall of 400 inches.
- The percentage of terrain are as follows: 15% beginner, 25% intermediate, 42% advanced, 18% expert.
Where to Rent Gear in Big Sky
For quality ski gear and equipment delivered right to your accommodation in Big Sky, book online with Black Tie Ski Delivery . Booking on TripOutside gets you an extra 10% off! Or choose the slopeside Christy Sports located in the Arrowhead mall with access to the Ramcharger ski lift.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Colorado
Crested Butte lies just 12 miles from Aspen as the crow flies, with the remote Maroon Bells wilderness and some of Colorado’s highest peaks separating the two towns. In winter, Kebler Pass closes and the drive between the two can take almost 4 hours. Nicknamed Colorado’s last great ski town, Crested Butte’s remote location adds to its intrigue. There’s a number of things that will draw you to Crested Butte – the towering Mt. Crested Butte, the quaint Victorian town nestled in it’s shadow, and the breathtaking mountains that surround the valley. Add in the diverse and expansive terrain at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, and you will agree that Crested Butte is the perfect destination for your next ski trip. Crested Butte attracts advanced skiers willing to put their skiing skills to the test with it’s advanced inbounds terrain. Beginners will also enjoy skiing or snowboarding at Crested Butte – the front of the mountain are uncrowded trails that are perfect for beginner skiing. For intermediate and expert skiers, the resort features tons of more advanced terrain off the Paradise and East River Express Lifts, The North Face Lift, Gold Link Lift, and Teocali Bowl.A trip to Crested Butte also won’t break the bank – lift tickets and accommodation are some of the most affordable in Colorado!
Getting to Crested Butte
There are two regional airports you can fly to if you’re planning to visit Crested Butte. Gunnison Crested Butte Regional Airport is 30 minutes from Crested Butte and Montrose Regional Airport 90 minutes away.Alternatively, you can fly to Denver International Airport, which may have more flight options. From there, you can rent a car for the 4 hour drive, or choose from several charter ground transportation services from Alpine Express.
Crested Butte Mountain Stats
- Crested Butte has a total of 121 runs – 14% beginner, 25% intermediate, 25% advanced runs, and 36% expert runs.
- The longest run is 2.61 miles.
- Crested Butte has a skiable terrain of 1547 acres.
- The resort features a vertical lift of 2775 feet.
- Average annual snowfall is 217 inches.
Where to Rent Gear in Crested Butte
TripOutside has vetted the best Crested Butte ski shops – we have the the highest rated shops to rent your gear in town, customer favorites on the mountain, or the best of the best in ski delivery. Save up to 30% by booking your ski or snowboard gear online easily and securely.
Sun Valley Resort, Idaho
Named for it’s copious amounts of sunshine, Sun Valley Resort is a fantastic ski destination that sees less crowds but offers the same incredible mountain resort experience. More popularly known as the “birthplace of destination skiing,” Sun Valley has diverse terrain spread across two different mountains. Bald Mountain is considered one of the best ski destinations in the world with it’s 13 lifts and 65 runs, while Dollar Mountain is a great place for beginners to learn. Bald Mountain has a delightful base village perfect for apres ski, and the charming nearby town of Ketchum offers everything one could want from shopping to dining and nightlife.
Sun Valley Resort Mountain Stats
- Sun Valley has a vertical rise of 3400 feet and skiable terrain of 2054 acres.
- The resort features a total of 78 trails – 36% for beginners, 42% for intermediate skiers, and 22% for expert/advanced skiing.
- Sun Valley has 18 lifts.
- Average annual snowfall is at 220 inches.
Getting to Sun Valley
You can easily reach Sun Valley by flying to Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey. From there, it is a 12 mile drive to Sun Valley. Rent a car for the short drive, or take a shuttle with Sun Valley Shuttle company. Ketchum is a compact, walkable town so a rental car is not always necessary.
Where to Rent Gear in Sun Valley
For ski and snowboard gear in Sun Valley, you can’t go wrong with the 5-star rated Black Tie Ski Delivery Booking on TripOutside gets you an extra 10% off with Black Tie Ski Delivery!
Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana
Whitefish Mountain Resort is a large ski resort in northern Montana, 35 miles west of Glacier National Park and 7 miles from the town of Whitefish. It is one of the most affordable large ski resorts in the West, with lift tickets under $100 per day. It’s 3,000 acres features 111 marked trails and lots of bowl and tree skiing. The resort is easy to access via Glacier Park International Airport just 18 miles away in Kalispell, which is served by major airlines like Delta, United, Frontier and more Whitefish boasts a vast 3,000 acres of terrain (one of the largest resorts in the U.S.!), 4 terrain parks, 12 chairlifts plus a conveyer carpet and 2 T-bars.
Whitefish Mountain Resort Stats
- 113 trails – 12% beginner, 37% intermediate, 44% advanced, 7% expert.
- 3000 acres of skiable terrain.
- 4 terrain parks.
- 300 inches of snow annually.
- Summit elevation: 6817 feet.
- Longest run: 2.5 miles.
Getting to Whitefish Mountain Resort
Fly into Glacier Park International Airport in the town of Kalispell, just 18 miles from Whitefish Mountain Resort. Direct flights land from Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Vegas, Atlanta and more. Or take the Amtrak into Whitefish for an incredibly scenic journey. The Empire Builder line train arrives daily from points east (Minneapolis, Chicago) and west (Seattle, Portland, Spokane). Both shuttle services and car rentals are available at the airport.
Where to Rent Gear in Whitefish
We highly recommend the 5-star rated Black Tie Ski Delivery which offers ski rentals delivered directly to your Whitefish accommodation. Booking online through TripOutside saves you an extra 10%!
Telluride Ski Resort, Colorado
Thanks to its legendary terrain, Telluride is considered one of the best skiing destinations not only in the US, but also in the world. Telluride is home to 2000 acres of terrain which is known for its steep, vertical drops. Almost 50% of Telluride’s trails are advanced/expert which means Telluride is a great destination if you’re looking for a challenge.It also delivers wide open slopes and a low pressure atmosphere which welcomes beginner snowboarders and skiers. With over two miles of blue and green runs, Ute Park, Sunshine, Prospect Bowls are runs that newbie skiers will love.Surrounded by the nearby San Juan Mountains, the resort showcases spectacular scenery. Because of it’s remote location in southwest Colorado, Telluride is known for its lack of lift lines. This makes it a fantastic Colorado skiing getaway where you can enjoy a variety of runs all to yourself.
Telluride Ski Resort Mountain Stats
- Telluride has a total vertical lift of 3790 feet, and 2000 acres of skiable terrain.
- The ski resort has 17 lifts.
- There are 148 trails in Telluride – 23% beginner, 36% intermediate, 41% advanced/expert.
- Average annual snowfall is 280 inches.
Getting to Telluride
The closest airports to Telluride are regional airports, which means you may have to connect. Telluride Regional Airport is a short 15 minute drive, Montrose-Telluride International Airport is a 1.5 hour drive, and Durango-La Plata Regional Airport is 2.5 hours from Telluride village. Shuttle services from Telluride Express are available at all airports mentioned above, as are car rentals.
Where to Rent Gear in Telluride
Looking for ski or snowboard gear for your Telluride ski trip? TripOutside has vetted the best Telluride ski rental shops (all 4-star rated and above!) whether you want in town, on mountain or delivery. Added bonus: booking ahead online saves you up to 30%! For ski rental delivery with Black Tie Ski Delivery , booking on TripOutside gets you an extra 10% off.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Idaho
Looking for a less crowded ski getaway in the Pacific Northwest? Schweitzer Mountain Resort is northern Idaho’s best kept secret. The resort is located in the panhandle region east of Spokane, WA. It’s panoramic views extend across the town of Sandpoint, Lake Pend Oreille, and all the way to Canada. This tranquil ski resort is the largest in Idaho and Washington but offers quiet, uncrowded runs and lots of solitude. Don’t assume Schweitzer is an easy ski destination, though – its epic steeps will also challenge you!For top notch lodging near the runs, check out Schweitzer Mountain Resort Lodging. Other nearby accommodation options abound in nearby Sandpoint.
Schweitzer Mountain Stats
- Schweitzer Mountain has a total of 2900 skiable acres, and a 2400 foot vertical lift.
- The resort features a total of 10 lifts.
- Schweitzer has 92 trails – 10% beginner, 42% intermediate, 35% advanced, and 15% expert.
- Average annual snowfall is 300 inches.
Getting to Schweitzer
Schweitzer Mountain is just a 2 hour drive from Spokane International Airport. Or take the Amtrak from Seattle or Portland right to Sandpoint!
Where to Rent Gear at Schweitzer
Schweitzer Resort offers gear rental for all of your resort activities right on the mountain.
Wolf Creek Ski Area, Colorado
If deep powder runs all to yourself is what you live for, Wolf Creek Ski Area will be right up your alley. With an annual snowfall of 430 inches, Wolf Creek is known to have the most snow in Colorado. Known for its one of a kind hike-to-terrain features, it’s favored by adrenaline junkies. With runs that are equally divided for beginners and more experienced skiers, there’s something for every skier and rider here.The place may be more laid back than its neighbors, but its wide open powder runs are just as exciting. If you can’t wait to start the skiing season, visit Wolf Creek. It opens as early as mid-October depending on the snowfall!
Wolf Creek Ski Area Mountain Stats
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Meet Julie & Reet
We’re Julie & Reet, the outdoor adventurers behind TripOutside. We love human-powered outdoor adventures and have traveled to hundreds of destinations that you see on TripOutside.
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