Top places to ski in the US
used data compiled by
Alaska: Alyeska Resort – Girdwood
- Overall rating: 3.3/5 stars
- Total slope length: 38.5 miles (62 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 2,526 feet (770 meters)
--- Base: 230 feet (70 meters), summit:Â 2,756 feet (840 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 5
- Typical season length: mid-December - mid-April
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 3.4/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 3.7/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 3.5/5 stars
California: Mammoth Mountain
- Overall rating: 4.4/5 stars
- Total slope length: 55.8 miles (89.8 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 3,101 feet (945 meters)
--- Base: 7,953 feet (2,424 meters), summit:Â 11,054 feet (3,369 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 25
- Typical season length early November - early June
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 4/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 5/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 4/5 stars
Colorado: Vail
- Overall rating: 4.6/5 stars
- Total slope length: 145.4 miles (234 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 3,202 feet (976 meters)
--- Base: 8,061 feet (2,457 meters), summit:Â 11,264 feet (3,433 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 33
- Typical season length: mid-November - mid-April
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 5/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 5/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 4/5 stars
Connecticut: Mohawk Mountain
- Overall rating: 2.6/5 stars
- Total slope length: 5.0 miles (8 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 571 feet (174 meters)
--- Base: 919 feet (280 meters), summit:Â 1,490 feet (454 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 5
- Typical season length: mid-December - early April
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 1.9/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 2.3/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 3/5 stars
Idaho: Bald Mountain – Sun Valley
- Overall rating: 3.7/5 stars
- Total slope length: 57.2 miles (92 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 3,399 feet (1,036 meters)
--- Base: 5,748 feet (1,752 meters), summit: 9,147 feet (2,788 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 13
- Typical season length: mid-November - mid-April
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 4/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 4.3/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 3.9/5 stars
Illinois: Snowstar
- Overall rating: 2.5/5 stars
- Total slope length: 2.5 miles (4 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 180 feet (55 meters)
--- Base: 591 feet (180 meters), summit: 771 feet (235 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 5
- Typical season length: mid-December - mid-March
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 1.5/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 1.8/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 2.9/5 stars
Maine: Sunday River
- Overall rating: 4.2/5 stars
- Total slope length: 52.7 miles (84.8 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 2,320 feet (707 meters)
--- Base: 820 feet (250 meters), summit: 3,140 feet (957 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 19
- Typical season length: early November - late April
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 4/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 4/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 4/5 stars
Massachusetts: Wachusett Mountain
- Overall rating: 2.9/5 stars
- Total slope length: 7.5 miles (12 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 1,001 feet (305 meters)
--- Base: 1,004 feet (306 meters), summit: 2,005 feet (611 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 4
- Typical season length: mid-November - early April
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 2.1/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 2.5/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 4.1/5 stars
Michigan: The Highlands at Harbor Springs
- Overall rating: 2.9/5 stars
- Total slope length: 16.0 miles (25.7 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 551 feet (168 meters)
--- Base: 787 feet (240 meters), summit: 1,339 feet (408 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 10
- Typical season length: early December - late March
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 2.5/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 2.9/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 3.2/5 stars
Minnesota: Lutsen Mountains
- Overall rating: 3.2/5 stars
- Total slope length: 24.9 miles (40 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 827 feet (252 meters)
--- Base: 863 feet (263 meters), summit: 1,690 feet (515 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 7
- Typical season length: late November - mid-April
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 2.9/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 3.2/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 3.6/5 stars
Montana: Big Sky
- Overall rating: 3.9/5 stars
- Total slope length: 155.3 miles (250 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 4,351 feet (1,326 meters)
--- Base: 6,798 feet (2,072 meters), summit: 11,149 feet (3,398 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 39
- Typical season length: late November - mid-April
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 4.9/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 5/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 3.5/5 stars
Nevada/California: Heavenly
- Overall rating: 4.1/5 stars
- Total slope length: 58.4 miles (94 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 3,475 feet (1,059 meters)
--- Base: 6,565 feet (2,001 meters), summit: 10,040 feet (3,060 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 27
- Typical season length: mid-November - mid-April
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 4/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 5/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 4/5 stars
New Hampshire: Bretton Woods
- Overall rating: 3.4/5 stars
- Total slope length: 34.8 miles (56 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 1,499 feet (457 meters)
--- Base: 1,601 feet (488 meters), summit: 3,101 feet (945 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 8
- Typical season length: late November - mid-April
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 3.2/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 3.6/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 4.0/5 stars
New Jersey: Mountain Creek
- Overall rating: 3.0/5 stars
- Total slope length: 14.9 miles (24 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 1,040 feet (317 meters)
--- Base: 440 feet (134 meters), summit: 1,480 feet (451 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 7
- Typical season length: mid-December - early April
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 2.5/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 2.8/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 3.4/5 stars
New Mexico: Angel Fire
- Overall rating: 3.5/5 stars
- Total slope length: 46.6 miles (75 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 2,182 feet (665 meters)
--- Base: 8,501 feet (2,591 meters), summit: 10,683 feet (3,256 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 5
- Typical season length: mid-December - late March
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 3.7/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 3.9/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 3.9/5 stars
New York: Whiteface
- Overall rating: 3.7/5 stars
- Total slope length: 23.0 miles (37 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 3,179 feet (969 meters)
--- Base: 1,217 feet (371 meters), summit: 4,397 feet (1,340 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 11
- Typical season length: late November - mid-April
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 3/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 5/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 3/5 stars
North Carolina: Sugar Mountain
- Overall rating: 2.9/5 stars
- Total slope length: 8.7 miles (14 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 1,116 feet (340 meters)
--- Base: 4,098 feet (1,249 meters), summit: 5,214 feet (1,589 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 7
- Typical season length mid-November - late March
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 2.2/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 2.5/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 3.8/5 stars
North Dakota: Huff Hills
- Overall rating: 2.4/5 stars
- Total slope length: 1.9 miles (3 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 361 feet (110 meters)
--- Base: 1,870 feet (570 meters), summit: 2,231 feet (680 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 4
- Typical season length: late November - early March
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 1.5/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 1.8/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 2.9/5 stars
Ohio: Snow Trails
- Overall rating: 2.5/5 stars
- Total slope length: 3.3 miles (5.3 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 230 feet (70 meters)
--- Base: 1,214 feet (370 meters), summit: 1,444 feet (440 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 6
- Typical season lengthn: mid-December - early March
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 1.7/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 2/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 3/5 stars
Oregon: Mt. Bachelor
- Overall rating: 3.7/5 stars
- Total slope length: 62.1 miles (100 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 3,366 feet (1,026 meters)
--- Base: 5,699 feet (1,737 meters), summit: 9,065 feet (2,763 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 15
- Typical season length: late November - late April
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 4.1/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 4.4/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 3.8/5 stars
Pennsylvania: Camelback
- Overall rating: 3.0/5 stars
- Total slope length: 21.1 miles (34 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 797 feet (243 meters)
--- Base: 1,247 feet (380 meters), summit: 2,044 feet (623 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 9
- Typical season length: mid-December - late March
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 2.7/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 2.9/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 3.3/5 stars
South Dakota: Terry Peak
- Overall rating: 3.0/5 stars
- Total slope length: 9.9 miles (16 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 1,083 feet (330 meters)
--- Base: 5,906 feet (1,800 meters), summit: 6,989 feet (2,130 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 4
- Typical season length: early December - late March
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 2.3/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 2.7/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 4.1/5 stars
Utah: Park City
- Overall rating: 3.9/5 stars
- Total slope length: 155.3 miles (250 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 3,179 feet (969 meters)
--- Base: 6,824 feet (2,080 meters), summit: 10,004 feet (3,049 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 42
- Typical season length: late November - early April
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 4.8/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 5/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 3.8/5 stars
Vermont: Killington
- Overall rating: 4.2/5 stars
- Total slope length: 73.3 miles (118 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 3,078 feet (938 meters)
--- Base: 1,165 feet (355 meters), summit: 4,242 feet (1,293 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 22
- Typical season length: late October - late May
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 4/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 5/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 4/5 stars
Virginia: Wintergreen Resort
- Overall rating: 2.8/5 stars
- Total slope length: 6.2 miles (10 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 1,001 feet (305 meters)
--- Base: 2,513 feet (766 meters), summit: 3,514 feet (1,071 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 5
- Typical season length: early December - mid-March
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 2/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 2.3/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 3.8/5 stars
Washington State: Mission Ridge
- Overall rating: 3.6/5 stars
- Total slope length: 62.1 miles (100 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 2,251 feet (686 meters)
--- Base: 4,567 feet (1,392 meters), summit: 6,818 feet (2,078 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 4
- Typical season length: late November - mid-April
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 4/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 4.3/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 3.6/5 stars
West Virginia: Timberline Mountain
- Overall rating: 3.0/5 stars
- Total slope length: 11.2 miles (18 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 1,001 feet (305 meters)
--- Base: 3,268 feet (996 meters), summit: 4,269 feet (1,301 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 2
- Typical season length: mid-December - mid-March
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 2.3/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 2.7/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 3.9/5 stars
Wisconsin: Granite Peak
- Overall rating: 3/5 stars
- Total slope length: 12.4 miles (20 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 702 feet (214 meters)
--- Base: 1,247 feet (380 meters), summit: 1,949 feet (594 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 5
- Typical season length: late November - mid-April
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 2.4/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 2.8/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 3.8/5 stars
Wyoming: Jackson Hole
- Overall rating: 3.7/5 stars
- Total slope length: 72.1 miles (116 kilometers)
- Elevation difference: 4,137 feet (1,261 meters)
--- Base: 6,313 feet (1,924 meters), summit:Â 10,450 feet (3,185 meters)
- Total lifts/cable cars: 13
- Typical season length: late November - early April
- Other ratings:
--- Ski resort size: 4.4/5 stars
--- Slope offering and variety of runs: 4.7/5 stars
--- Lifts and cable cars: 3.6/5 stars
This story originally appeared on Curated and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
Pictures of the incident show Nathan McLeod straddling a mangled chair, desperately trying to see if his 4-year-old son was hurt or worse after being thrown off.
