hit the slopes
Under-the-Radar Ski Towns
Whether you’re a season pass–carrying ski bunny or prefer a hot toddy in the lodge, there’s nothing like a ski trip. Only one problem: thousands of other travelers have discovered the same universal truth. Head to Whistler, Vail, Lake Tahoe, or any of the other top ski resorts in North America and you might just spend your vacay waiting in line to hop on the lift. So we put together this list of under-the-radar ski towns, each of which can go ski booted toe-to-toe with the St. Moritz’s of the world—without the crowds.
Taos, New Mexico.
The mountainside town is home to both abundant culture (such as ancient pueblo dwellings) and outdoorsy thrills galore. Taos Ski Valley gets a reported 300 inches of annual snowfall on its 1,294 acres of slopes, making it a skier’s powdery wonderland. Bonus: there are 110 trails and thirteen lifts, so you can easily navigate your dream route. History obsessives will want to visit Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s among the oldest communities in the nation (circa AD 1000), and indulge in dinner at The Love Apple (where seasonal dishes might include blue cornbread and grilled trout in corn husks with lime compound butter). Call it the new New Mexico.
Rossland, British Columbia.
RED Mountain Ski Resort is the oldest ski resort on the western side of Canada and huge to boot: 3,850 acres with five mountain peaks and 119 runs, nearly 20 percent of which are appropriate for beginners. In Rossland, skiers find plenty to keep them warm, including The Flying Steamshovel Gastropub & Inn. Cocktails include a Dark & Stormy made with house-spiced rum and ginger-infused simple syrup; don’t miss the fish and chips, made with sustainably sourced wild haddock in beer batter. Speaking of beer: locals love Rossland Beer Company for its brews crafted on-site using water from the Rossland slopes, including Seven Summits, a milk stout that won a gold medal in the Canadian Brewing Awards in 2015.
Enumclaw, Washington.
The very name, Enumclaw (an indigenous Salish word often interpreted as “place of evil spirits”), sounds like a rugged mountain mammal hunting for its next meal. But to the locals, it’s a ski mecca thanks to Crystal Mountain Resort. The largest ski resort in the state of Washington gets a reported 400 inches of snowfall a year on its 2,600 acres of terrain—all ripe for exploration via eleven lifts and eighty runs. Rather stay in town? Only-in-Enumclaw thrills await at the Thunder Dome Car Museum, where you can ogle everything from a 1921 Model T fire engine to a Boss 429 Mustang (only made by Ford in 1969 and 1970, but forever in our hearts). Another unmissable throwback can be found at the historical Chalet Theatre: a movie house that offers the latest films and live stand-up comedy acts alike.
Bend, Oregon.
In the sunny, high desert of Central Oregon, Bend is a beloved and burgeoning mountain destination: the population has surged from over 52,000 to 102,059 in just over twenty years, making it one of the fastest growing towns in America. No wonder. Mt. Bachelor is just a thirty-minute drive from town, and it’s chockablock with alpine wonder on its 4,300-acres of ski slopes. Average snowfall? An incredible 462 inches a year. Back in the town of Bend, you’ll find a plethora of eateries, including snowboarder favorite Kanona Cafe—beloved for its wellness-oriented menu, including dragon-fruit smoothies and avocado toast studded with microgreens.
Missoula, Montana.
Home to the University of Montana, this college town is infamous for its star turn in the book and Brad Pitt film A River Runs Through It. And although Big Sky gets much of the ski-Montana accolades, we think the Montana Snowbowl—just a twenty-minute drive from downtown Missoula—really deserves the Montana moniker the last best place. With only six lifts with cheeky names like “Grizzly Chair,” Snowbowl feels like an undiscovered, insider ski spot. Back in town, visitors won’t want to miss a homey stay at The C’Mon Inn, which has a similar feeling to a national park lodge (including soaring log framing) complete with indoor waterfalls—plus free, ample buffet breakfasts to power up for your day on the slopes.
/ Written by Kathryn O’Shea-Evans.
Photography by AleksandarGeorgiev/E+/Getty Images.
