The Top 5 Skiing States in the U.S.

Winter Park, Colorado

The United States is home to some of the most diverse terrain that any country possesses – from the desert of the southwest to the high mountains of Appalachia. So it goes without saying that there are some great ski hills to be found here, and they’re not all in one spot. In fact, they’re all over.

But which state in the U.S. has the best skiing? It’s an interesting question, and there are plenty of states to choose from. Let’s scour the 50 states to find out.

#5: Utah.

Rocky Mountain states are a theme on this list, and Utah is no exception. The state is simply too big and too mountainous not to have any good skiing hills, and it doesn’t fail to deliver, either. Major resorts like Alta and Snowboard dot the landscape out west and set Utah at number five.

#4: California.

Sure, California is one of the most popular states in America, but its varying regions range from Death Valley to Napa Valley. It also happens to include some great skiing towns, as the Sierra mountain range exposes California’s warm-weather reputation to a chill every once in a while.

#3: Montana.

Montana still feels like old frontier country, and there’s nothing like skiing in the fresh air to really feel like you’re experiencing nature. As a partial Rocky Mountain state with plenty of room to roam, Montana’s got some of the best outdoor sports in America. Maybe people love to escape to Montana for serene, relaxing vacations – in Winter and in Summer.

#2: Vermont.

Quick! What’s the capitol of Vermont? Okay, you might not know the answer to that one, but this small state should be on your mind if you’re thinking about skiing in the U.S. With cold, snow-filled winters and plenty of skiing opportunities to go around, Vermont just may lead the U.S. in “ski hill density.”

#1: Colorado.

What other state but the home of the Rockies? Colorado’s excellent skiing isn’t limited to the famous town of Aspen, but is wide and varied throughout the state. And, as a larger western state, there’s plenty of opportunity for everyone to get involved. You won’t find better skiing in the U.S. than in Colorado.

Of course, any list of top skiing states is objective, and you might have your own opinions. States in the Midwest like Minnesota and Michigan have great skiing to explore, so there’s no reason to feel that your local favorites are left out. Other notable states include Wyoming and Wisconsin.

For the serious skier, however, this list might just sound like an itinerary!

Photo Credits: gregor_y

Originally posted 2009-06-09 05:20:17.

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