The 25 Snowiest Ski Resorts in the US and Canada
There are over 300 ski resorts or ski areas in North America. But, only one can take home the title as the snowiest.
When you look for the snowiest ski resort, you are technically looking for the ski resort with the highest average snowfall during the ski season. While this metric may seem effortless to come by, it tends to be a little harder than that. This is because some of the highest ski resorts in the country get significantly higher snowfall amounts at their summit than they do at their base.
1. Alyeska Ski Resort
Alyeska Ski Resort in Anchorage, Alaska takes first place for the most average snowfall per season, at a whopping 669 inches. Unfortunately, with just about every ski resort now, the snowfall is highly variable. The resort has seen over 848 inches before, but as recent as the 21-22 season has seen less than 400 inches.
2. Mt. Baker Ski Area
Mt. Baker Ski Area is located in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, just south of the US-Canada border in Washington state. Right next door to Mt. Baker is the North Cascades National Park, which is one of the snowiest places on earth. The North Cascades is one of the most heavily glaciated areas in the US outside of Alaksa as well.
Back during the 1998/99 ski season, Mt. Baker Ski Area actually recorded the world record for snowfall in a season. That year, they topped 1,140 inches, with the average being somewhere closer to 650 inches, which is what we have listed for this ski area.
3. Alta Ski Area
Located in Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC) of the Wasatch Mountains about a half hour south of Salt Lake City, Alta Ski Area is one of the oldest ski areas in the country. Alta is known for its expert terrain, and some of the best (and apparently most) snow in the country. However, you can only ski at Alta – snowboarding is not allowed.
4. Snowbird
Situated just over the ridgeline from Alta on Little Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City, Snowbird gets very similar snowfall to its neighbor. Snowbird, like Alta, is known for its deep, light powder snow, which is what every skier and snowboarder chase. It also has some of the steepest terrain anywhere in the US. Snowbird also has Utah’s longest ski season, stretching from November, well into May most years.
5. Brighton Ski Resort
Also located in the Cottonwood Canyons of Utah, Brighton Ski Resort is actually on the slope of Big Cottonwood Canyon (BCC). Brighton is one of the best snowboarding resorts in all the country, and it offers the only night skiing in SLC. While not the largest ski resort, Brighton makes up for it with massive snowfalls and a wide variety of terrain that suits all skill levels.
6. Solitude Ski Resort
Right next to Brighton in the Big Cottonwood Canyon is Solitude. The Wasatch Mountain resorts are running away with the top awards.
The Other Snowiest Ski Resorts
So, those are the top six… but what about the rest of the list?
Well, here is the full list of the 25 ski resorts in North America with the snowiest seasons. As you can see, the locations of these resorts tend to be all over the US. While the top snowiest resorts are mostly in Utah, the rest are fairly spread out across many states, which has not historically been the case with the rest of our top-25 ski lists.
California, Utah, and Washington have the most prolific snowfall amounts in the US, and from Canada, only British Columbia makes the list.
| Rank | Resort | Summit Elevation | Snowfall (in) | Snowfall (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Alyeska (AK) | 3,939 ft | 650 in | 1,651 cm |
| #2 | Mt. Baker (WA) | 5,000 ft | 647 in | 1,643 cm |
| #3 | Alta Ski Area (UT) | 11,068 ft | 536 in | 1,361 cm |
| #4 | Snowbird (UT) | 11,000 ft | 500 in | 1,270 cm |
| #5 | Brighton (UT) | 10,500 ft | 500 in | 1,270 cm |
| #6 | Solitude Mountain (UT) | 10,488 ft | 500 in | 1,270 cm |
| #7 | Grand Targhee (WY) | 10,000 ft | 500 in | 1,270 cm |
| #8 | Powder Mountain (UT) | 9,422 ft | 500 in | 1,270 cm |
| #9 | Pomerelle Mountain (ID) | 9,000 ft | 500 in | 1,270 cm |
| #10 | Powder King Mountain (BC) | 5,500 ft | 492 in | 1,250 cm |
| #11 | Shames Mountain Ski Area (BC) | 3,900 ft | 480 in | 1,219 cm |
| #12 | Mt. Bachelor (OR) | 9,065 ft | 462 in | 1,173 cm |
| #13 | Stevens Pass (WA) | 5,845 ft | 460 in | 1,168 cm |
| #14 | Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (WY) | 10,450 ft | 458 in | 1,163 cm |
| #15 | Sugar Bowl (CA) | 8,383 ft | 456 in | 1,158 cm |
| #16 | Mount Cain Alpine Park (BC) | 5,282 ft | 456 in | 1,158 cm |
| #17 | Soldier Mountain (ID) | 7,150 ft | 450 in | 1,143 cm |
| #18 | Hoodoo Ski Area (OR) | 5,703 ft | 450 in | 1,143 cm |
| #19 | Smokey Mountain Ski Club (NL) | 2,772 ft | 450 in | 1,143 cm |
| #20 | Whistler Blackcomb (BC) | 7,494 ft | 448 in | 1,138 cm |
| #21 | Wolf Creek (CO) | 11,904 ft | 430 in | 1,092 cm |
| #22 | Mt. Hood Meadows (OR) | 7,300 ft | 430 in | 1,092 cm |
| #23 | Willamette Pass (OR) | 6,683 ft | 430 in | 1,092 cm |
| #24 | The Summit at Snoqualmie (WA) | 5,420 ft | 426 in | 1,082 cm |
| #25 | Loveland Ski Area (CO) | 13,010 ft | 422 in | 1,072 cm |
