Skiing and altitude go hand in hand. As lovely as it would be to ski at sea level in the Bahamas (without fake snow, that is), the natural laws of the world prevent such fantasies. You need to get higher.
Arapahoe Basin's 'East Wall', as seen at the top of this photo, offers high-alpine descents.
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There is variability here, though. Some ski areas in the Midwest are glorified hills. Others punch much further into the troposphere. The benefits of skiing the higher-altitude locales are numerous. Colder temperatures mean drier, lighter snow and the views are regularly stunning. You haven't lived until you've soaked in 360 views from an alpine peak.
Here's the drawback—the highest ski resorts in the U.S. will knock flatlanders right on their butt. One time, years ago, I visited Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, with my dad. At that point in my life, I was acclimatized to sea level, so, after a few runs at A-Basin, I was suddenly overcome with a wave of nausea. I turned sheet white and told my dad it was time to hit the lodge and chug some Gatorade. I recovered quickly, but not without learning a valuable lesson. If you're not used to skiing above 10,000 feet, you need to take it slow at first and drink plenty of water.
With that caveat-slash-word of caution out of the way, these are the ten highest ski resorts in the U.S. Don't let the altitude deter you—the views alone at these destinations make the sometimes uncomfortable acclimatization process worth it.
While Silverton Mountain isn't Mt. Everest base camp, visitors from lower-altitude locales will have some adjusting to do.
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1. Silverton Mountain, Colorado—13,487 feet
Silverton Mountain, Colorado, is truly one-of-a-kind. The ski area flips the typical resort model on its head, operating with a single lift that accesses backcountry-style advanced terrain. For much of the year, Silverton Mountain only allows skiers to ride this terrain with a guide, but as the season winds down, it opens its lift to unguided skiers.
Adding to Silverton Mountain's unique stature is its affordable helicopter-skiing program. At the ski area, you can purchase single heli-skiing runs for $199, which is an incredible deal compared to most other heli-skiing operations. Silverton Mountain's other standout trait is its towering altitude. If you visit, make sure to pack the Excedrin. While this isn't Mt. Everest base camp, visitors from lower-altitude locales will have some adjusting to do.
The town of Telluride, Colorado, provides stunning views of stunning—and inviting—peaks.
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2. Telluride Ski Resort, Colorado—13,150 feet
From its base elevation of 8,725 feet, Telluride Ski Resort, Colorado, soars upwards, eventually reaching over 13,000 feet. The final vertical footage at Telluride is accessed via the Prospector Express, which functions as the launching point for a roughly two-hour hike to Palmyra Peak. This hike is inbounds, but that doesn't mean it's easy. By the time you've reached the Peak, you'll have covered a grueling 1,300 vertical feet. The slog and elevation gain are worth it, though. Telluride's highest alpine terrain is some of the best in the country if you're seeking an expert-level thrill.
Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, has numerous calling cards, the foremost of which is its prolonged ski season. The ski resort often opens as early as October and keeps the lifts spinning well into June, operating longer than any other destination in Colorado. Arapahoe Basin offers much more than pre- and late-season skiing, though. Its steep skiing is top-notch, as are the views from the ski area's higher-elevation lifts, like the Lenawee Express.
At Loveland, the lines are often short, season passes are reasonably priced, and pass holders get free rides on the Ridge Cat.
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4. Loveland Ski Area, Colorado—13,010 feet
Compared to some of Colorado's sprawling destination resorts, Loveland Ski Area is humble, with a reasonably-sized terrain footprint of 1,800 lift-served acres. Humble, in this case, is a compliment, particularly in a state known for its often out-of-control ski crowds. At Loveland, the lines are often short, season passes are reasonably priced, and pass holders get free rides on the Ridge Cat. Bigger doesn't always mean better, especially when you're talking about Loveland.
Breckenridge Ski Resort is home to the highest ski lift in North America: the Imperial Superchair.
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5. Breckenridge Ski Resort, Colorado—12,998 feet
Breckenridge Ski Resort, or Breck as locals know it, sprawls across five peaks and features nearly 3,000 acres of skiable terrain. The Imperial Superchair, which services Breck's Peak 8, is the highest ski lift in North America, whisking skiers high above the treeline into a varied terrain network of advanced trails. Skiers can hike up to the summit of Peak 8 from the upper terminal of the Imperial Superchair to soak up all of the ski resort's vertical feet. The Kensho Superchair at Breck reaches into the upper alpine, too, permitting access to hike-to-terrain that tops out at around 12,500 feet.
The skiing at Snowmass is great, with the town of Aspen adding a glitz and glamor factor that should please skiers who like to pair their winter vacations with a bit of celebrity spotting.
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6. Aspen Snowmass, Colorado—12,510 feet
One of four Aspen, Colorado, ski areas, Aspen Snowmass tops out with The Cirque, a hikeable peak that provides views of the surrounding mountains, including the picturesque 14,000-plus foot Maroon Bells. The skiing here is great, with the town of Aspen adding a glitz and glamor factor that should please skiers who like to pair their winter vacations with a bit of celebrity spotting.
Constructed in 2014, Taos' titular Kachina Peak Lift opened up lift-accessed skiing below the nearly 12,500-foot peak of the same name.
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7. Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico—12,481 feet
Considered by many to be the pinnacle of resort skiing in the Southwest, Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico, offers skiers 1,294 acres of terrain that, on average, see 300 inches of snowfall during the ski season. Regular sunshine ups the appeal—typically, 300 days yearly at Taos Ski Valley are sunny.
Constructed in 2014, Taos' titular Kachina Peak Lift opened up lift-accessed skiing below the nearly 12,500-foot peak of the same name. Previously, this terrain was hike-to only, but now skiers can rip lap after lap of the high-altitude good stuff.
Copper's sizeable terrain footprint that covers about 2,500 acres means whatever kind of skiing you're looking for, you'll probably find it.
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8. Copper Mountain, Colorado—12,441 feet
Copper Mountain, Colorado, is a mainstay for freestyle skiing and snowboarding. It houses numerous terrain parks and has hosted the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix, an elite-level freeskiing competition that draws top-tier talent. High-flying excitement is only part of this mountain's allure, though. Copper's sizeable terrain footprint that covers about 2,500 acres means whatever kind of skiing you're looking for, you'll probably find it. The Storm King lift is the portal into the high alpine, depositing skiers at Copper Mountain's 12,441-foot peak.
Packed with 21 lifts, 140 named trails, and 3,149 skiable acres, Keystone, Colorado, is, without question, a destination resort boasting all the bells and whistles ski travelers have come to expect from North America's heavy hitters. Breck's lift infrastructure holds up the on-piste end of that bargain. The newly opened high-speed Bergman Express unlocked more than 550 acres of above-treeline terrain, servicing the Bergman and Erickson Bowls.
As with Taos' Kachina Peak, this terrain was previously hike-to only. Now, it's endlessly lapable—provided your lungs can handle skiing thousands of feet above sea level. Beyond the Bergman Express, Keystone features loads of beginner, intermediate, and expert runs. The Outback Express is another place to check out if you're looking to challenge yourself.
Excessive sweating and shortness of breath are virtually guaranteed, but don't let that deter you: the Highland Bowl contains some of Colorado's steepest and most exciting terrain.
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10. Aspen Highlands, Colorado—12,392 feet
The Aspen Snowmass collective staked another claim on this top ten list with Highlands. The resort's lower mountain area is varied, interesting, and well-suited for skiers who are intermediate, advanced, or expert—but Highland's hike-to terrain is where the action and altitude are really at.
The Highland Bowl, accessed via the Deep Temerity and Loge Peak lifts, requires a 782 vertical foot hike that'll transport skiers above the 12,000-foot mark. Excessive sweating and shortness of breath are virtually guaranteed, but don't let that deter you: the Highland Bowl contains some of Colorado's steepest and most exciting terrain. And without a lift around, you're more likely to score fresh turns.
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