It’s beginning to feel a lot like winter all across the country. The snowpack has begun to slowly grow. Many ski resorts have already had their opening days, preparing for the busy ski season ahead. There’s something magical about a ski vacation at a quaint mountain town or village and enjoying the mountains in all their winter splendor. However, for many, taking a week — or even a few days — off is impossible. To make things more attainable for everyone, here are ten amazing one-day skiing destinations in the United States.
All ten are within a few hours driving of major cities or airports, and have plenty of activities for all. So, Grab your ski poles and goggles. Whether you want to start early and spend a day on the slopes or enjoy a relaxing day in town, this list is perfect for you!
Best One-Day Skiing Destinations in the U.S.
Stowe, Vermont
Stowe, Vermont is one of the most iconic and idyllic ski towns on the East Coast. The historical town of Stowe is a great pitstop with tons of great restaurants and shops. You can then head to Stowe Mountain Resort and Spruce Peak Village where you’ll find the heart of skiing. This town boasts some of the best runs and tree skiing on the east coast.
If you spend a day in Stowe, you’ll get a true Vermont and Northeast experience. You’ll also enjoy a full day of incredible skiing, great entertainment and dining, and all-around fun for everyone.
Lake Placid, New York
Next, we have the world-famous Lake Placid, New York. This was the host of the 1980 Winter Olympics and home to, arguably, one of the top three ski resorts on the east coast, Whiteface Mountain. It has some of the best expert terrain you will find in the east.
While it might not be the shortest drive from large cities like New York and Boston, this stunning area of Upstate New York, nestled in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks, is worth every minute in the car.
Vail, Colorado
Up next is legendary Vail, Colorado. While Colorado offers dozens of world-class ski resorts, Vail offers the perfect blend of convenience and quality. It is only two and half hours from Denver and offers some of the biggest and best ski terrain in North America. It features a ritzy, European-inspired town that offers something for everyone.
There’s simply nothing like spending a day in the powder-filled Back Bowls, then skiing down to Lion’s Head Village for a fantastic meal in town. If you’re looking to experience a perfect winter day in Colorado, look no further than Vail.
Taos, New Mexico
Next, we head to New Mexico to enjoy the unique and Southwest-inspired ski town of Taos. It is only a few hours from the art-centric Sante Fe and New Mexico’s largest city, Albuquerque.
Start the day early on the taunting Kachina Peak at Taos Ski Valley with some of the best expert ski terrain in the region. Follow a successful day of skiing at the eclectic town of Taos. It’s the perfect way to enjoy skiing in the southwest.
Park City, Utah
Utah has dozens of world-class ski resorts, and many would argue that it has some of the best snow in the world. However, a lot of the ski resorts near Salt Lake City are a lot more unforgiving and meant for the best skiers and riders out there.
However, Park City Ski Resort, nestled above the lively town of Park City, offers something for everyone. It has over 7,300 skiable acres making it the largest ski resort in the United States.
With just a day, you might not scratch the surface of what this mountain and town can offer. Although, it’s only 40 minutes from the newly renovated Salt Lake City Airport which makes visiting a breeze.
Big Sky, Montana
Next on our list is a massive and iconic ski resort in Montana, Big Sky Ski Resort. It’s just a short distance from the beautiful mountain town of Bozeman, and only a few hours from Montana’s largest city, Billings.
Big Sky is world-renowned for its incredibly vast ski terrain, which offers everything from beginner to expert runs. Its iconic 15-passenger tram to the expert-only Lone Peak is the crown jewel of the resort. Once you’ve enjoyed a great day of skiing, you can celebrate in Bozeman. Bozeman offers one of the best main streets and downtown experiences in the state.
Sun Valley, Idaho
We also have the Sun Valley Resort in the beautiful state of Idaho. World-renown and steeped in ski history, this beautiful ski resort and close-by mountain town of Ketchum truly have it all.
This resort does a lot right, from lodging, dining, lifts, service, and grooming, to the wide variety of terrain that fits any skier’s abilities. Next door in Ketchum, you have a quintessential western mountain town with fantastic nightlife and après-ski options for adults.
It is only two and a half hours from the large city of Boise, so a day trip to this fantastic mountain resort is definitely a possibility.
Lake Tahoe, Californa/Nevada
Finally, we move West Coast skiing. No ski list would be complete without mentioning the Lake Tahoe area.
Lake Tahoe is a massive, fresh-water lake that sits at over 6,200 feet above sea level. It has some of the deepest and clearest waters in the world. Surrounding its stunning shores are some of the best ski resorts in the west, including Heavenly, Kirkwood, Northstar, Palisades, and Squaw Valley near the amazing town of Truckee, California. It also has tons of amazing mountain towns, like Tahoe City, South Lake Tahoe, and Incline Village right on the water, along with several State Parks perfect for exploring when you’re not skiing.
Lake Tahoe has it all, and in close proximity to cities like Reno, Sacramento, and even the Bay Area cities like San Fransisco, Oakland, and San Jose. There’s no reason why you can’t make a day trip to Lake Tahoe this winter.
Mount Bachelor, Oregon
Next on our list is the beautiful Mount Bachelor Ski Resort. There’s something special about skiing at this resort, which wraps around the sprawling 9,000 foot tall Mount Bachelor.
To make things even more intriguing, Mount Bachelor, like many mountains in the Cascades, is actually a dormant stratovolcano, only 30 minutes from Bend, Oregon. Bend is one of the best towns in the country for outdoor lovers.
It’s also only a few hours from the bustling city of Portland and boasts some of the best scenic views in the state. Do yourself a favor and take a day trip to Mount Bachelor this ski season. You won’t be disappointed.
Crystal Mountain, WA
Finally, we wrap up our list at Crystal Mountain Ski Resort which is considered to be Washington State’s best ski resort. And it’s only two hours from the heart of Seattle.
While this resort can fly under the radar sometimes, it is truly an incredible place. Sitting on the slopes of the massive and majestic Mount Rainier, the terrain is just as amazing as the views. Since it’s so close to Seattle, you can spend a full day on the slopes and be back before dinner. What’s not to love about that?
Article by Nathan Lee Allen
Nathan Lee Allen is a storyteller and photographer from Kentucky. Check out his work on his website nathanleeallen.com, on Facebook.com/peaktopierglobalstudio, and Instagram @nathanleeallen.
