Regarding lists of the “Best Ski Resorts,” each one is slightly different depending on how the results were determined. Some are based on surveys, others on professional opinion, and even others based on scientific data.
The Wall Street Journal falls into the latter category as they are typically not thought of as a ski industry source. Its primary purpose is to be the definitive outlet of news and information that shapes the world and is key to helping others understand it. It typically does this through the lens of business, finance, economics, money, and global forces.
However, plenty of intelligent people are part of the organization, and they used a method to determine the 100 best ski resorts in the U.S. and Canada based on the abundance of natural snowfall, the quality of a resort’s terrain, and the liveliness of the après-ski scene. The results were calculated using a weighted average of 50% snow score, 40% terrain score, and 10% après ski score. Below are the top nine.
#9 Big Sky, MT – Total Score: 84.51
Snow Score: 72.5. Terrain Score: 98.3. Après Score: 89.6.
#8 Winter Park, CO – Total Score: 86.23
Snow Score: 81.1. Terrain Score: 91.8. Après Score: 89.6.
#7 Mammoth Mountain, CA – Total Score: 87.10
Snow Score: 82.1. Terrain Score: 93.3. Après Score: 87.6.
#6 Aspen Snowmass, CO – Total Score: 87.62
Snow Score: 76.6. Terrain Score: 98.6. Après Score: 98.5.
#5 Mt. Bachelor, OR – Total Score: 87.81
Snow Score: 90.5. Terrain Score: 89.2. Après Score: 68.7.
#4 Snowbird, UT – Total Score: 89.72
Snow Score: 92.1. Terrain Score: 86.2. Après Score: 92.0.
#3 Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY – Total Score: 90.53
Snow Score: 92.2. Terrain Score: 86.5. Après Score: 98.5.
#2 Palisades Tahoe, CA – Total Score: 90.73
Snow Score: 86.7. Terrain Score: 94.3. Après Score: 96.5.
#1 Whistler Blackcomb, BC – Total Score: 93.73
Snow Score: 89.9. Terrain Score: 97.6. Après Score: 96.5.
This is a pretty solid list of resorts from the WSJ. As with any list of this kind, it is sure to come with scrutiny, but these premier destinations embody the perfect fusion of natural snowfall, exhilarating terrain, and post-slopes camaraderie. I’m sure you couldn’t go wrong with any of them when planning your ultimate alpine escape.
