The best ski resorts in 2023

With mountain upgrades and million-dollar renovations, there’s something for everyone America’s top ski resorts in 2023.

Here’s the pick of the crop for a winter break.

Unexpected skiing in Arizona

A destination known for its year-round sun and desert landscapes, discover Arizona’s winter sports offerings in 2023. Arizona Snowbowl Winter Resort is home to the state’s longest ski season with an average of over 260 inches annual snowfall. One of three winter resorts in Arizona, Snowball is the most popular due to its variety of runs for everyone from expert locals to complete beginners. Another resort for a winter sports holiday is Sunrise Park Resort in East Arizona, which aside from skiing also offers separate runs for snowboarding, cross country ski and children’s ski. www.visitarizona.com

Reimagining skiing at Steamboat, Colorado

In January 2023, Steamboat in Colorado will celebrate its 60-year anniversary. The popular resort known for its western heritage, is currently undergoing a $200 million renovation which will see modernisation on the mountain and in the resort’s base area. The new Wild Blue Gondola has become the longest gondola in North America and the fastest 10-person gondola in the US. Steamboat is on the Ikon Pass, offering unlimited access along with 13 other North American ski resorts. www.steamboat.com

Celebrate Vail’s 60th Anniversary, Colorado

This season, iconic ski resort Vail is celebrating 60 years of operations, with a line-up of special events. Vail has seven iconic back bowls that are now more accessible than ever thanks to new high-speed chairlifts. Vail is one for the ski bucket list. www.colorado.com

New terrain in Aspen Snowmass, Colorado

Set to open for the 2023-24 winter season, Aspen Mountain is increasing its skiable acreage by more than 20%. The area, called Pandora’s, is currently under development and will be the mountain’s first significant addition since the opening of the Silver Queen Gondola in 1985. It will include 1,220 vertical feet of groomed trails. Whilst at the resort, visitors can head to one of the other four mountains. www.aspensnowmass.com

New gondola at Palisades Tahoe, California
Palisades Tahoe has become the third-largest ski area in North America, with the highly anticipated $65 million base-to-base gondola connecting two mountains of the resort for the first time. Skiers and riders have a brand new way to access a combined 6,000 acres of storied terrain. It is the first gondola of its kind in North America, offering panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada. www.palisadestahoe.com

Night skiing at Snoqualmie, WA

The Summit at Snoqualmie proudly offers the most night skiing in the US, with nearly 600 acres to discover under the stars. Located just an hour’s drive from downtown Seattle, The Summit at Snoqualmie offers fun for skiers and snowboarders. Featuring famous steeps, backbowls, terrain parks, a Nordic centre and Tubing Park, The Summit operates 7 days, and 6 nights a week.  www.visitseattle.org

The Badger Pass Ski Area, Yosemite Mariposa 

The Badger Pass Ski Area reopened in January 2022 with the ski season typically running from January through March. Established in 1935 as California’s first ski resort, this is the Sierra’s best-kept secret. With a base elevation of 7,200 metres and 10 runs, Badger Pass is inviting for beginners and intermediates, as well as terrific for black diamond skiers with the Wildcat, Red Fox and Badger runs. Cross-country skiing, snowshoe trails and rentals and snow tubing are also available. www.yosemite.com

Best Ski Town in North America – Mammoth Lakes, California

This month Mammoth Lakes, California was named “Best Ski Town” in North America in the 2022 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Award Contest. Mammoth Lakes is home to Mammoth Mountain, which is already off to an incredible ski season with 5 feet of new snow in December already. With a long history as a basecamp for adventurers, Mammoth Lakes has kept its laid-back charm as major investment over the last decade brought a host of new dining, lodging, and activity options. The local ski and snowboard season is one of the longest in the country.  www.visitmammoth.com