These 10 U.S. States Are the Best for Skiing-Ranking High for Snow, Trails, and Apres-Ski

"Unsprisingly, Colorado claimed the top title as the best state for skiing. It beat out all the competition in three crucial categories, with a 2,575-foot average vertical drop, average of 104 trails per resort, and a 185-day ski season, the longest in the U.S. Colorado also had a strong showing in the après-ski category, trailing only behind No. 1 state California."

"People aren't just chasing snow totals anymore. They want longer seasons, reliable lifts, and places where they can ski hard during the day and still enjoy the destination afterward," Amy Doherty, an expert at Travel by Luxe, said in a press release. "For a lot of Americans, ski trips are annual traditions. What this study shows is that the best ski states are the ones that make those trips easier, longer, and more enjoyable."

"In the runner-up spot, Colorado neighbor Utah dominated the competition with an unmatched 414 inches of snowfall a year and 2,200 average skiable acres per resort. It's easy to see why powder-chasers flock to hotspots like Deer Valley, Powder Mountain, and Park City to make their tracks."

Every mountain state was evaluated using resort counts, snow quality, vertical drop, trail variety, season length, skiable acreage, and après-ski offerings. Colorado ranks first with a 2,575-foot average vertical drop, about 104 trails per resort, a 185-day season (the longest in the U.S.), roughly 288 inches of annual snowfall, and strong après options. Utah ranks second with an unmatched 414 inches of snow and an average of 2,200 skiable acres per resort, drawing powder-focused visitors to Deer Valley, Powder Mountain, and Park City. California scores highly for après and hosts large resorts such as Mammoth.

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