Not all ski days are created equal. If you’re planning another ski trip but craving something beyond lapping groomers inside resort boundaries, you’re in luck. Ski resorts across North America offer a range of unique experiences that go far beyond the traditional day on the slopes, opening the door to new perspectives on familiar mountains and access to terrain that many skiers never see.
Whether you’re dreaming of stepping into a helicopter to go heliskiing, riding a snowcat to untouched powder, or spotting wildlife on the slopes, you’ll find it on our list of North America’s most unique skiing experiences. Prices and schedules change from season to season, so check with each operator for current details.
Unique Skiing Experiences in North America
Heliskiing, Whistler, British Columbia
Whistler Heli-Skiing offers access to hundreds of thousands of acres of big mountain terrain beyond Whistler Blackcomb. Multi-run heliskiing tours leave conveniently from Whistler Village and provide access to dozens of glaciers and hundreds of powder runs, all led by experienced guides. Packages typically include avalanche safety gear and an on-mountain lunch, and guests can rent powder skis. Depending on conditions and timing, you may be able to add extra runs. Bonus: Epic Pass holders have received a discount on Whistler Heli-Skiing packages, so check the current offer before you book.
Intro to Cat Skiing, Revelstoke, British Columbia
Want to try cat skiing but not sure you have the chops? Check out Revelstoke’s two-day Intro to Cat Skiing program, offered in partnership with a local cat skiing operator. On day one, instructors get skiers fitted and comfortable on powder skis and help them dial in the fundamentals. Then the fun really starts on day two, when small groups head into the Selkirk Mountains to ski and ride lower-angle powder terrain. It’s a great introduction for skiers ready to progress beyond groomed runs.
Ski With an Olympian, Crested Butte, Colorado
Olympian Wendy Fisher is a true big mountain skiing icon, with a long list of competition wins, including World Extreme Skiing Championship titles, and at Crested Butte, skiers have the extraordinary opportunity to ski with her. Beyond competing, she became a familiar face through appearances in more than 15 films with Warren Miller and Matchstick Productions, where her fearless lines helped define women’s freeskiing in the 1990s. Today, Fisher lives in Crested Butte and offers lessons to resort visitors in small groups, with full- and half-day options.
Note: A few other North America ski resorts also offer the chance to ski with an Olympian. Check out our article here for more.
Birding on Skis, Alta, Utah
Calling all bird watchers. At Alta Ski Area, intermediate skiers can join local bird experts on select days during the winter to learn about the area’s bird species for a one-of-a-kind ski day. Tours mostly follow intermediate groomed runs, with a little off-piste terrain to reach the best spots. Participants must meet a minimum age, and the tours have been free with an Alta lift ticket or season pass.
First Tracks at Ikon Pass Resorts
First Tracks at Ikon Pass resorts is a must for Ikon Pass holders. Available on select days at participating mountains, it gives passholders exclusive access to untouched snow before the lifts open to everyone else. It’s like having some of the best ski resorts in the world all to yourself. Participating resorts have included Arapahoe Basin, Big Bear Mountain Resort, Blue Mountain in Ontario, Crystal Mountain, Deer Valley, Mammoth Mountain, Palisades Tahoe, Schweitzer, Snowshoe Mountain, Solitude, Steamboat, Stratton Mountain, Sugarbush, Tremblant, and Winter Park. Check the Ikon Pass website for this season’s participating resorts and dates.
Guided Hut Trips Near Sun Valley, Idaho
Sawtooth Mountain Guides and Sun Valley Mountain Huts team up on an enchanting backcountry experience that showcases the area’s deep history and expansive terrain. Travel through one of the oldest backcountry yurt systems in the U.S., where each hut serves as a warm, welcoming retreat after a long day in the snow. Guides take care of food, cooking, and sleeping arrangements while you enjoy the quiet mountain scenery. No backcountry experience is necessary, but intermediate to advanced downhill skiing ability and good fitness are required. Rates vary by group size.
Guided Skiing, Silverton Mountain, Colorado
Escape the crowds and access roughly 1,800 acres of lift-served, backcountry-style terrain with guided skiing at Silverton Mountain, one of the most unique ski areas in North America, which also offers heliskiing. This isn’t for the faint of heart. Small groups can expect to hike anywhere from a few minutes to an hour to reach wide-open bowls, steep chutes, and untouched snow, often racking up more than 10,000 vertical feet in a handful of runs.
Header image ©Crested Butte
