10 Unusual States with Ski Resorts

The United States has a lot of good skiing.

The West Coast offers stunning steeps and dry powder days with contests and professionals galore, while the Northeast offers tight glades, exciting storms, and a soulful skiing experience. But just because you don't live in one of the big--or well known--skiing states doesn't mean you can't ski.

From the Southeast to the Midwest, there are plenty of hidden gems on the map that pack in a solid skiing experience. Here is a list of ten you might not think of first when planning a ski trip, but might be worth considering.

1. Alabama

Ski area: Cloudmont Ski & Golf Resort

Cloudmont Ski & Golf Resort is Alabama's only ski area, but it stands tall. Some years, the ski area struggles to open due to climate issues and a lack of natural snow, but when they do open, guests can enjoy a traditional rope tow and snowmaking if it gets cold enough.

Vertical: 150 ft.

Skiable Terrain: 9 ac.

Average Snowfall: N/A

Lifts: 2

Trails: 2

2. Tennessee

Ski area: Ober Mountain

Ober Mountain Adventure Park and Ski Area, the only ski area in Tennessee, is also the host of Mayfest and Octoberfest, two popular festivals that occur in, well, May and October. In the winter, guests can enjoy snow tubing and skiing thanks to the state-of-the-art snowmaking systems at the ski area.

Ober Mountain is located at Mt. Harrison and guests can either drive up Ski Mountain Road or, more excitingly, catch a lift on the Aerial Tramway. The Aerial Tramway is one of America’s largest cable cars. Leaving from downtown Gatlinburg, the ride allows guests stunning views of Gatlinburg and The Great Smoky Mountains.

Ober Mountain Stats/Info:

Vertical: 600 ft.

Skiable Terrain: 38 ac.

Average Snowfall: 35 in.

Lifts: 4

Trails: 10 trails, 1 terrain park

3. Iowa

Ski areas: Seven Oaks, Sundown Mountain Resort, Mt. Crescent, Riverside Hills, and Sleepy Hollow Sports Park

Iowa, the American I-state not to be confused with ski-centric Idaho, actually has not one, but several ski areas within its borders. While Sundown Mountain Resort boasts the most vertical (475 feet of it, to be exact) and is perhaps the best known ski area in Iowa, there are plenty more within the state.

Winters are cold in Iowa, with averages in the low double digits during January, so why not find something to do while it's cold outside?

Sundown Mountain Resort Stats/Info:

Vertical: 475 ft.

Skiable Terrain: N/A

Average Snowfall: N/A

Lifts: 6

Trails: 21

4. Indiana

Ski areas: Perfect North Slopes, Paoli Peaks, Swiss Valley Ski & Snowboard Area

If corn, soybeans, or basketball come to mind first when someone says "Indiana", that wouldn't be a surprise. But did you know skiing is also one of Indiana's high points? With multiple ski areas in the state, when January rolls around, skiers are getting excited. Skiing makes even the occasional car dig-out seem worthwhile.

Paoli Peaks, located near Paoli, Indiana, offers night skiing with 17 trails and 300 vertical feet of terrain. While Swiss Valley only has three runs, it, too, offers night skiing and two terrain parks.

Olympian Nick Goepper hails from Perfect North Slopes, Indiana. What's your excuse?

Perfect North Slopes Stats/Info:

Vertical: 400 ft.

Skiable Terrain: N/A

Average Snowfall: 10 in.

Lifts: 7

Trails: 21

5. Arizona

Ski areas: Arizona Snowbowl, Sunrise Park Resort, Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley

Arizona has surprisingly good skiing for a state often thought of as hot, dry, and full of tumbleweeds. What skiers often don't consider are the multiple ski resorts and the natural snow that falls during Arizona's winter.

The nation's southernmost ski resort, Mt. Lemmon, can be found just north of Tucson, Arizona. Arizona's largest ski resort is Arizona Snowbowl, located near Flagstaff.

Arizona Snowbowl Stats/Info:

Vertical: 2,800 ft.

Skiable Terrain: 777 ac.

Average Snowfall: 260 in.

Lifts: 8

Trails: 55

6. Missouri

Ski areas: Hidden Valley Ski Resort, Snow Creek Ski Area

Missouri presents a unique skiing experience: hot laps followed by Kansas City-style barbecue. Just because the meat is slow roasted doesn't mean the skiing has to be. With two ski areas in the state, the options are there when snow comes down, which it will, because Missouri gets cold in the winter.

The biggest ski area in Missouri is Hidden Valley Ski Resort , with 9 lifts, 65 acres of skiable terrain, and 320 feet of vertical drop. Hidden Valley is also home to Missouri's longest snow tubing park.

Snow Creek Ski Area , slightly smaller than Hidden Valley, still offers 25 acres of skiable terrain, 5 lifts, and has snowmaking coverage across the hill.

Hidden Valley Ski Resort Stats/Info:

Vertical: 320 ft.

Skiable Terrain: 65 ac.

Average Snowfall: N/A

Lifts: 9

Trails: 15

7. Rhode Island

Ski area: Yawgoo Valley

A strangely-named ski area is the lone option for Rhode Island skiers determined to ski in their own state. Yawgoo Valley offers 36 acres of skiable terrain, with 14 trails and snowmaking (it needs it, there isn't a whole lot of natural snowfall).

But for such a small state, one ski area is a lot better than none. Plus, Yawgoo Valley has historical value: it is Rhode Island's first chairlift-served ski area. With great surfing and skateboarding, Rhode Island could be an adventurer's paradise, if that person is willing to sacrifice a little bit on the skiing side of things.

Yawgoo Valley Stats/Info:

Vertical: 245 ft.

Skiable Terrain: 30 ac.

Average Snowfall: N/A

Lifts: 4

Trails: 13

8. New Jersey

Ski area: Mountain Creek Resort, Campgaw Mountain Ski Area, Big SNOW American Dream

New Jersey has three ski areas, but what it has that no other state does is the very first indoor ski park in North America. Big SNOW American Dream feels more like Dubai than America, but what else do you expect from New Jersey? They have to hold their own against New York somehow.

The other two ski areas offer options for beginners to advanced skiers, with Campaw Mountain being split almost in thirds with beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain.

Campgaw Mountain Ski Area Stats/Info:

Vertical: 270 ft.

Skiable Terrain: 18 ac.

Average Snowfall: N/A

Lifts: 5

Trails: 8

9. Maryland

Ski area: Wisp Ski Resort

Maryland only has one ski resort, Wisp, but the four-seasons resort located in the Western Maryland Mountains has both natural snowfall and snowmaking abilities. With 7 ski lifts, 700 feet of vertical drop, and 32 trails, Wisp will get you through a skiing drought, no doubt about it.

Plus, Maryland is home to a rich music and arts scene, so when you're not skiing, you can enjoy performances from Fleetwood Mac, for example. In fact, Fleetwood Mac is playing at Wisp Resort next week. Too bad there's no snow.

Wisp Ski Resort Stats/Info:

Vertical: 700 ft.

Skiable Terrain: 132 ac.

Average Snowfall: 100+ in.

Lifts: 13

Trails: 32

10. North Carolina

Ski areas: Sugar Mountain Resort, Beech Mountain Ski Resort, Appalachian Ski Mountain, Hatley Pointe Ski Resort, Cataloochee Ski Area, and Sapphire Valley Resorts.

North Carolina is home to a myriad of ski resorts. From the boutique, upscale experience offered by Hatley Pointe Ski Resort to the more mainstream-feeling Cataloochee Ski Area, the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian Mountains, and Smoky Mountains have something for everyone.

Cataloochee Ski Area Stats/Info:

Vertical: 740 ft.

Skiable Terrain: N/A

Average Snowfall: N/A

Lifts: 5

Trails: 18

Related: 10 Surprising Colleges with Ski Resorts Nearby

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