15 Best Ski Resorts in the U.S., According to Lifelong Skiers

"Both avid and casual skiers know that winter requires preparation. If you want to ski as many days as possible, you must have a game plan. After all, skiing is an expensive sport, so budget is typically one of the top considerations. But before you book flights, hotels, and lift tickets, or decide if you want to invest in an Epic Pass or Ikon Pass, you'll need to identify which ski resorts you want to explore over the course of a few months."

"Maybe you want to return to an old favorite-for me, that means multiple trips out to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort-or perhaps you want to check off as many new-to-you ski areas as possible. Either way, it's critical to narrow down your selections. While there are hundreds of ski resorts across the country, only a few can be considered a cut above the rest."

Winter skiing demands preparation and a clear game plan to maximize the number of ski days. Budget considerations influence choices because skiing is an expensive sport. Decisions about flights, hotels, lift tickets, and season passes (Epic Pass or Ikon Pass) should follow identification of target resorts. Skiers may choose to return to favorites or prioritize visiting many new areas. Narrowing resort selections is critical. Several lifelong skiers identified resorts that deliver consistently great experiences across skill levels. The resulting list highlights top U.S. ski resorts to consider for a successful season.

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