Visitors to OnTheSnow.com have chosen Aspen-Snowmass as the top overall ski resort in the United States in its annual Visitors’ Choice Awards for the 2021-22 season. Six other resorts were honored as tops in their categories.
“OnTheSnow’s annual list of favorite ski resorts are ranked by user ratings and direct feedback from our 9 million unique North American visitors,” said Chad Dyer, Managing Director of Mountain News, publishers of OnTheSnow, a worldwide platform for snow conditions, news and weather. The award was presented Wednesday, April 6 at the annual Mountain Travel Symposium in Vail, Colo.
Aspen-Snowmass: Best Overall Resort
Skiers often click first to Aspen-Snowmass at OnTheSnow because the well-known vibe is that the culture, famous visitors, and nightlife make Aspen unlike any other ski town in the world. The skiing on four mountains (Aspen, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass) is what brings everyone here, but the rich history from mining, art, intellectual thought, music, and outdoor recreation makes Aspen-Snowmass the ultimate resort ranked by site visitors.
“OnTheSnow.com’s Visitors’ Choice Award is a testament to the people here who are dedicated to providing the best customer experience possible,” says Katie Ertl, Senior Vice President for Mountain Operations at the Rocky Mountain resort. “It’s the team on the ground that brings passion and dedication to their work that makes this all possible.”
One Aspen-Snowmass visitor named Adam seemed to sum up the prevailing sentiment about the resort noting, “My three favorite mountains happen to be Aspen (Ajax), Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass. I think the skiing is second to none. Add to that great après ski, amazing food and great nightlife, and there is nowhere else in the world like it.”
» Check out lodging options at Aspen-Snowmass.
Telluride: Best All-Mountain Terrain
Telluride, the former silver mining town in Southeastern Colorado, took Visitor’s Choice honors for having the “Best All-Mountain Terrain.” The resort’s 2,000 acres of skiable terrain is naturally divided with challenging chutes, bowls, and steeps to bumps and wide-open groomers.
“We are honored to have been nominated as OnTheSnow’s Best All-Mountain Terrain for 2022,” said Patrick Latham, Vice President for Sales and Marketing. “We have a reputation for being an extreme mountain and this award helps highlight how we really have something for everyone. Thank you OnTheSnow.com and to everyone who helped nominate Telluride!”
A visitor named Matt was in Telluride Christmas week and said, “The most we waited in line was 5 minutes all week! With usually only 4 or 5 groups ahead of you – this was during Christmas! The terrain was extremely varied – we had beginners and experts in our group – and everyone had tons to ski.”
» Check out lodging options at Telluride.
Deer Valley: Most Family-Friendly
Utah’s Deer Valley Resort took top honors in the “Most Family-Friendly Resort” category. Many say the best part is the ease of getting there, under an hour’s drive from Salt Lake City International Airport, and that extends to a superb ski school with customized learning programs for the whole family.
“Deer Valley is honored to be voted as the most family-friendly resort by OnTheSnow.com’s visitors. It is recognitions like this, that are based on guest feedback, that truly mean the most to us. The culture here is to put the guest first at all times,” says Deer Valley’s Chief Operating Officer Mark Brownlee.
“Our staff not only accomplishes this every day, but enjoys it, whether they are working on the mountain, in our Children’s Center, ski school, in lodging properties or restaurants or anywhere in our organization. They are committed to offering an exceptional and seamless experience to the many families that choose to visit the resort. This honor goes to our dedicated staff, and I thank and congratulate the entire Deer Valley Resort team.”
A visitor named DeLisa put it like this: “I’ll take the great grooming, amazing lunches, and professional mature staff any day of the week!”
» Check out lodging options at Deer Valley.
Wolf Creek: Best Small Ski Area
Wolf Creek in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains was the Visitor’s Choice as the “Best Small Ski Area” in the United States. The word “small” belies the depth and width of the powder, great tree skiing and a beginner’s area where fast skiers can’t intrude. All that and the nearby resort town of Pagosa Springs.
“Wolf Creek Ski Area is very pleased to receive the OnTheSnow’s Best Small Ski Area award for the 2021/2022 ski season. Being a family-owned ski area makes it possible to really focus on what we feel makes a quality experience,” says Davey Pitcher, owner and CEO.
“Our dedicated staff works hard and they enjoy seeing our guests have fun; we try to keep the food affordable, being freshly prepared using the best ingredients possible. Our family loves to ski and snowboard and we are always trying to improve the skiing experience for the public. Of course, getting the most snow in Colorado is always a joy to experience, and seeing our guests reveling on the mountain is very gratifying,” Pitcher added.
» Check out lodging options at Wolf Creek.
Okemo: Best Area for Beginners
Okemo Mountain Resort was honored as “Best Area for Beginners.” South Central Vermont’s popular family resort is a real treat for novice skiers just getting their wings with its long trails ideal for beginners and intermediates, one of the state’s best ski schools, and some 120 trails for all ability levels.
» Check out lodging options at Okemo.
Keystone: Best Terrain Park
Keystone Resort off I-70 from Denver was honored for having the “Best Terrain Park.” The award-winning A51 terrain park is extra popular for its 60-acre collection of creative and progressive terrain park features.
» Check out lodging options at Keystone.
Breckenridge: Best Après Ski
If nightlife is your thing, OnTheSnow’s visitors ranked Breckenridge, also off I-70 in Colorado, with “Best Après Ski” honors. Breck is a repeat winner of this award because the fun just doesn’t stop in this authentic gold rush town when the lifts close.
» Check out lodging options at Breckenridge.
OnTheSnow.com is the world’s most visited snow sports website, providing ski and snow reports for more than 2,000 ski resorts around the globe and Enabling The Experience for skiers and snowboarders worldwide. The free OnTheSnow app, which is available for iOS and Android platforms, provides recent snowfall totals, conditions, number of open lifts and trails, cams, weather, first-hand reports, and more, updated daily for your favorite mountains. OnTheSnow is published in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Norwegian, German, and Swedish.
April 18, 2024
