Park City Mountain Resort Named the Best Ski Resort in the USA for the Second Year in a Row

For the second year in a row, Park City Mountain Resort in Utah has been named the best ski resort in the USA by MtnScoop.com.

The 2021 list of the Best Ski Resorts in the USA evaluates more than 300 ski resorts across the country based on the factors that matter most to skiers and snowboarders, including skiable acreage, vertical drop, average snowfall, variety of trail difficulty and resort amenities. This year, MtnScoop.com also took into account whether or not resorts have implemented health and safety guidelines to help protect visitors from and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Park City Mountain Resort held on to the No. 1 spot on the rankings list because its vast terrain and numerous trails are designed to appeal to skiers and riders of all levels, and because of the variety of amenities available at the resort’s three base areas, including a wide range of dining and après-ski options, as well as winter activities like ice skating and tubing. “As the largest resort in the U.S., Park City is bound to have plenty of options and space for everyone on the mountain,” said Timo Acosta, co-founder of MtnScoop.com. “Add in a great ski school, top ranked mountain operations, great accessibility from the nearby Salt Lake International Airport, and great on- and off-mountain amenities, and it is no surprise that Park City has remained in the top ski resort in the country two years running.”

Big Sky Resort in Montana also held on to its position at No. 2 for the second year in a row. Meanwhile, several Colorado resorts jumped into the top 10 for the first time. Aspen-Snowmass and Telluride both moved four spots to No. 3 and No. 5, respectively, while Steamboat claimed the No. 7 placement, up from No. 14 in the 2020 rankings.

The top 10 ski resorts in the USA are:

1. Park City Mountain Resort, Utah
2. Big Sky Resort, Montana
3. Aspen-Snowmass, Colorado
4. Vail Ski Resort, Colorado
5. Telluride Ski Resort, Colorado
6. Squaw Valley – Alpine Meadows, California
7. Steamboat Ski Resort, Colorado
8. Breckenridge Ski Resort, Colorado
9. Mammoth Mountain, California
10. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming

See the full list of the 2021 Best Ski Resorts in the USA

Regional Breakdown

For the second year in a row, Colorado performed well in the rankings, with 12 Centennial State ski resorts making it into the top 50. Located in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado is known for its high elevations and consistent snowfall, and its ski resorts are destinations unto themselves. “Convenient access from anywhere in the country through Denver international Airport, an amazing number of bluebird days, fantastic snowfall, and tons of vertical place Colorado in the mix as one of the premier ski destinations in the world, not just the US,” Acosta said.

California and Utah are also well represented, with both states having eight resorts in the top 50. “The storms heading from east have to rise up over Utah’s Wasatch range, which creates huge amounts of ‘the best snow on earth’,” Acosta said. “And California resorts are renowned for their spring skiing, with plenty of opportunities late in the season to ski in shorts and T-shirts.”

The Northeast also claimed a few spots in the Top 50. Killington in Vermont took the No. 14 spot, making it the highest ranked ski resort in the region, while Sugarloaf in Maine earned the second-highest placement in the region, coming in at No. 25. The other Northeast ski resorts that made the Top 50 are Sugarbush in Vermont (No. 36), Whiteface Mountain in New York (No. 45), Stowe Mountain (No. 49) in Vermont and Jay Peak in Vermont (No. 50).

About MtnScoop.com

At MtnScoop.com, we strive to take the guesswork out of planning your outdoor adventures with detailed, unbiased evaluations of ski destinations all across the United States, as well as advice on outdoor gear and activities for every season. We analyze data, gather expert recommendations and traveler experiences, and pull together the need-to-know information on places you’ll love to visit, if you’re not lucky enough to call them home.