Brains
If you’re the kind of person who racks up ski days all winter and scales granite when the snow melts, there’s no need to choose between the two. These nine North American destinations serve up the best of both vertical worlds: world-class skiing and rock climbing, often in the same weekend—or even the same day. Whether you’re a powder hound, a crag junkie, or a bit of both, these spots let you chase adrenaline all year long.
9. Southern Utah (Brian Head / St. George)
This high-desert gem lets you ski powder in the morning and climb red sandstone in the afternoon.
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Winter: Brian Head Resort boasts some of Utah’s highest-elevation skiing.
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Year-round: St. George is a winter climbing haven with routes in Snow Canyon, Moe’s Valley, and more.
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Pro tip: Sunny days make sandstone ideal even in mid-winter.
8. Lake Tahoe, CA/NV
With more than a dozen ski areas and granite cliffs galore, Tahoe delivers across all seasons.
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Winter: Ride at Palisades Tahoe, Heavenly, or Northstar.
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Summer: Climb iconic crags like Lover’s Leap and Donner Summit.
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Shoulder season: Ski and climb on the same day with ease.
7. Sun Valley, ID
Idaho’s underrated combo offers uncrowded skiing and sunny cragging.
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Winter: Sun Valley delivers classic groomers and hidden stashes.
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Year-round: Dierkes Lake is known for winter climbing with sun-soaked basalt routes.
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Bonus: The Sawtooths nearby offer summer alpine climbing.
6. Colorado Front Range
Base yourself in Boulder or Denver for access to both alpine turns and granite classics.
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Winter: Multiple resorts within reach including Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin, and Winter Park.
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Year-round: Climb in Eldorado Canyon, Clear Creek, or Shelf Road.
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Flexibility: Elevation and aspect give you year-round climbing options.
5. Taos, NM
This soulful mountain town offers a unique blend of cultural charm, steep skiing, and desert rock.
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Winter: Steep chutes and hike-to terrain at Taos Ski Valley.
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Year-round: Climb basalt in the Rio Grande Gorge or the Wild Rivers Area.
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Pro tip: Spring brings the best of both sports in the same day.
4. Smith Rock / Mt. Bachelor, OR
Bend, Oregon is your gateway to one of the country’s best crags and one of the PNW’s top ski hills.
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Winter: Reliable snow and wide-open bowls at Mt. Bachelor.
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Year-round: Smith Rock has sunny days and famously fun sport routes.
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Drive time: About 40 minutes between ski hill and crag.
3. Whistler / Squamish, BC
Canada’s Sea-to-Sky corridor serves up huge terrain and classic granite.
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Winter: Over 8,000 acres of ski terrain at Whistler Blackcomb.
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Summer: Climb “The Chief” and other Squamish favorites.
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Spring: Do both—shred corn snow and then clip bolts.
2. Salt Lake City / Park City, UT
If convenience and access are key, it’s hard to beat Utah’s Wasatch Front.
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Winter: Choose from Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude, and Park City.
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Summer: Climb everything from granite slabs to limestone overhangs within an hour’s drive.
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Year-round: Desert crags in Moab or St. George are just a road trip away.
1. Mammoth Lakes / Bishop, CA
Arguably the best ski-and-climb combo on the continent, Mammoth and Bishop are a dirtbag’s dream.
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Winter: Mammoth Mountain offers one of the longest ski seasons in North America.
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Year-round: Bishop’s Buttermilks and Owens River Gorge provide everything from granite highballs to steep sport climbing.
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Same-day send: Ski in the morning, climb in a T-shirt by afternoon.
From granite domes to powder pillows, these destinations prove you can have it all. Whether you’re jamming cracks in the sun or carving turns on the slopes, these mountain towns let you chase vertical in every season. The only hard part? Deciding whether to lace up your boots or tie in first.
