Please note: This “Know Before You Go” update is as of March 3. Travel restrictions and requirements can change quickly, so be sure and check resort websites prior to travel.

Those who don’t live in Florida most certainly don’t associate skiing and snowboarding with sandy beaches and amusement parks. What do they know? Skiers are likely as high on our state’s export list as oranges.

The skiing and riding and social scene in Florida are so vibrant that there are 15 ski clubs in the Florida Ski Council, offering more than 80 trips each season. Ask any ski resort marketer where their destination guests come from and Florida will likely top their list.

This year is more of a challenge with all of us taking COVID precautions. Use our guide to staying safe and healthy all winter without giving up the sports we love.

OnTheSnow.com invites all of our site visitors to choose their favorite ski resorts in a variety of categories each spring. Resorts listed in this guide are the top choices by visitors in Tampa, St. Pete and Miami.

Easy Day or Weekend Trips

 

Sure, skiing at the big destination resorts in the Western U.S. means heading to the airport, but we do have options if we don’t mind a good day’s drive. The three most popular drive-to ski areas, according to our site visitors are listed below.

OntheSnow Visitor Drive-To Picks

North Carolina

Beech Mountain: Drive time from Tampa is 10.5 hours; from Miami, 12.5 hours.
Sugar Mountain: Drive time from Tampa is 10.5 hours; from Miami, 12.5 hours.

Tennessee

Ober Gatlinburg: Drive time from Tampa is 10 hours; from Miami, 13 hours.

COVID Fast Facts – Day/Weekend Trips

 

Do I need to quarantine if I cross a state border?

There are currently no travel restrictions for travelling to North Carolina or Tennessee from Florida.

When and where do I need to wear a face covering?

Face coverings are required virtually everywhere at the resort except when eating or drinking and whenever social distancing is not possible.

Where can I find the most up-to-date information or COVID guidelines?

North Carolina:  Mask mandate for those 5+ until March 26. No restrictions for out of state travelers.
County
Avery (Beech, Sugar Mt.)
Wautaga (Beech)
Tennessee: Masks suggested but not mandated. Counties subject to their Health Department restrictions. No restrictions for out of state ttravelers.
County
Sevier (Ober Gatlinburg)

Destination Resort Fly-To Options

 

OnTheSnow Visitor Picks: These are the most popular resort choices for those coming from Tampa-St.Petersburg-Miami metro areas.

California

Mammoth Mountain
Heavenly
California COVID threat level:

Travel restrictions between Florida and California:  Out of state travelers advised to self quarantine for 10 days. There is a mandatory mask order for those over 2 (some exceptions apply). Los Amgeles County visitors also must fill out online travel form.

Colorado

Breckenridge
Keystone
Steamboat
Vail
Telluride
Colorado COVID threat level:
 
Masks mandatory in state for those 11+. Pitkin County visitors (home to Aspen and other ski resorts) must complete an online health affidavit (through April 30) and provide negative test within 72 hours of arrival or quarantine for 14 days. Negative test required for all visitors 10+, including part and full time residents. Could face $5,000 fine for failure to comply.

Montana
Big Sky Resort
Montana COVID threat level:  No mask mandate but local jurisdictions can impose mandate. May be some restrictions on Native American reservations.

Travel restrictions between Florida and Montana: None

Utah

Park City Mountain Resort
Utah COVID threat level: Statewide mask mandate in effect for those 2+.

Travel restrictions between Florida and Utah: Mandatory mask mandate for those 2+. 

Airline COVID Precautions

 

All airlines and airports have instigated stringent disinfectant procedures. Click below for your airline’s COVID page for specifics.
American Airlines
Delta Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Southwest Airlines
United Airlines