The 12 best West Coast ski resorts

Wondering about West Coast ski resorts? You’ll discover over 1,300 miles of terrain to tear up – from California to Washington. Plus, the West Coast has something for everyone – deep pow, gnarly terrain, rad après-ski, terrain parks, family-friendly post-shred activities, and so much more. Oh, and you know what the West Coast means? Longer seasons. Yep, high altitudes mix with low temps, low humidity, and Pacific storms to deliver snow in spades – and guarantee it sticks around. Ignore the haters and green-eyed monsters calling it ‘Sierra Cement’ – where else can you soak up Fourth of July sunshine laps? 

But which West Coast ski resorts are the best of the best? Don’t worry – Dope Mag’s here with our top 12 picks across California, Washington and a sneaky Oregon cameo. And we haven’t ventured too far inland, either. We’re sticking to that classic ‘West Coast’ definition (i.e., as close to the Pacific Ocean as possible). So, get ready to save your faves and open a tab for Google Flights – you’ll want to book a West Coast ski trip ASAP. 

You’ll also want to open a tab to secure your new look. Good thing Dope’s latest range of ski pants for men and ski pants for women just dropped so you can drop in to those West Coast playgrounds. 

Top 12 ski resorts on the West Coast

Mammoth Mountain, California

Mammoth definitely earns its name. This ski resort is mammoth, with 3,500 rideable acres to rip alongside California’s highest summit elevation. We challenge you to find a rider who isn’t stoked on what Mammoth offers – from beginner slopes to expert-level freeriding and 10 terrain parks with two half pipes and over 50 kickers. Yep, it’s no surprise pro riders use Mammoth as their training base. 

Mammoth also offers one of North America’s longest seasons – perfect for satisfying your snow addiction into Spring. You can thank the Pineapple Express for that – a strong atmospheric river that builds up around Hawaii and pelts the West Coast with snow. In fact, after a Pineapple Express dumping, you’ve just got to lap Chair 23, shred the backside off Chair 14, or take a short hike into The Hemlocks’ double-black graded terrain. You’ll have epic waist-deep turns all day long. 

Alternatively, show Mammoth what you’re made of in one of its Unbound Terrain Parks. Prep for ‘Yews!’ aplenty. Then, it’s straight to Lincoln Bar at Canyon Lodge for a mammoth après sesh on the sundeck. Expect big tunes and bigger dance moves.  

Top tip: West Coast winds are definitely a thing in Mammoth. So, when they whip, keep low by riding in the trees around Chair 22 or the Rollercoaster lift. When everywhere else is windblown, prepare to have your mind blown by this awesome spot. 

Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort, California

The West Coast is all about sunshine, and nowhere else exemplifies this like Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort. Yep, this spot soaks up that Cali sunshine with over 300 sunny days a year. That doesn’t mean rubbish snow, though. Instead, Palisades Tahoe receives an average annual snowfall of over 37 feet – most of which sticks around well into July. Vitamin D and pow – what’s not to like? 

Space is plentiful in Palisades Tahoe. That’s because of Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows — two vast ski areas that make a 6,000-acre playground. If you’re after lengthy, leg-burning groomers, hike-to back bowls, and zero crowds, set your sights on Alpine Meadows. Does the idea of ridiculous steeps make you weak in the knees (out of giddiness, not gradient)? Then aim for the Olympic Valley side with its gnarly zones such as North Bowl, Hogsback, and other hike-to goodness from the Headwall Express chair. 

It’s not all pro-level, though. Palisades Tahoe is also fantastic for families with Big Blue’s groomers and fun Blue-level tree lines off Shirley. In fact, Palisades Tahoe offers over 40 beginner-level trails. And they’re not all at the bottom. You can reach serious altitude while sticking to the beginner slopes and Blues – take the Aerial Tram to the summit (and prepare for the awesome views). Then why not swap skis for ice skates at the Tahoe City Winter Sports Park? Stunning Lake Tahoe views included, of course. 

Top tip: Download Palisades Tahoe’s Mountaineer app for door-to-slope pickup and drop-off – for free! It might be our fave app ever. 

Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, Oregon

How does shredding 360-degrees around a dormant volcano sound? Pretty rad, right? Then head for Oregon’s Mt. Bachelor, the Pacific Northwest’s undisputed gem. This West Coast beauty takes radness to a whole new level, with over 4,300 acres of lift-accessed riding, a 9,068-foot summit, and an impressive 38.5 feet of snow per year. Hello, freshies! 

Tons of snow can sometimes mean savage West Coast winds and freezing temperatures descend upon Mt. Bachelor. However, it’s worth it when you can charge the speedy groomers and sidecountry off the volcano’s summit in May! Our fave trails are 100% Wanoga Way and Healy Heights – dreamy Blues on playful terrain that naturally resembles a half pipe. 

Yep, most of Mt. Bachelor’s terrain resembles half pipes because of the lava flow! Oh, and all that aforementioned wind combines with these unique lines to make super fun lips and waves to hit and play in through the trees. Just look for The Lava Tube trails – and prepare to have your mind blown! 

Top tip: Balance the sweet riding with 10 Barrel Backcountry Pub’s sour ‘Crush’ beers for après (you’ll find it at the base of the Outback lift). Grab yourself one of their insanely yummy burritos, too! 

Heavenly Ski Resort, California

Heavenly Ski Resort hosts a heavenly (sorry, not sorry) mix of Nevada and Californian terrain – basically, the best of both worlds. So, you have just shy of 5,000 acres to ride, including wide-open mellow groomers and gnarly, experts-only chutes. Oh, and free up space on your phone before you go – the jaw-dropping Lake Tahoe views will have you maxing out your camera roll for sure! 

Rip Skyline, a unique, must-hit slope. Your eyes will bulge at the scenery, including lakes, mountains, and valleys. Intermediates can also soak up the views on Ridge Run, while the expert-only Gunbarrel offers so much spectacular scenery that it’s difficult to focus on the fall line. 

Down in Heavenly Village, there’s more than enough to keep everyone occupied once the lifts stop spinning. We’re talking about packed bars, 24-hour casinos, great restaurants, and so much more. Don’t forget to take après-ski to new heights with the Toyota Air and Après, a 45-foot jump at the base of the World Cup run. No, we’re not suggesting you give it a go. Instead, sip beer and take in the vibes as athletes launch themselves off the mega kicker to a backdrop of fireworks. You can also dance to live music and high-five the athletes post-performance at Cal Lodge.  

Top tip: Catch DJ Cat, a pop-up DJ spinning at different locations every weekend. Wherever he is, awesomeness follows.

Crystal Mountain Resort, Washington

Here to find out where the best West Coast views are? Head up the Mount Rainier gondola at Washington’s Crystal Mountain and prepare for insane views of Mount Rainier itself alongside a hefty slice of the resort’s 2,600 acres. And the best part? You can pretty much ride everything you can see, including ridiculously good in-bounds backcountry. It just might take some proper exploring to do it. 

If you’re all about sticking to the slopes, though, Crystal Mountain certainly delivers for all riders – 11% of its trails are marked beginner, 54% intermediate, and 35% advanced. Cruise the mellow groomers off the Forest Queen and Chinook chairs, or take on the gnarly unmarked double-blacks if you can handle them. 

Once your legs have reached their limit, there’s no greater après spot than the Bavarian-themed Snorting Elk Cellar Bar & Deli. Order one of their hot-toddy cocktails from the bar and an oatmeal cookie from the back deli, and curl up by the roaring fire. That’s our definition of heaven. 

Top tip: Aim for the Snorting Elk Cellar Bar on Wednesdays for Local’s Night. Each week, they feature a different Pacific Northwest brewery so you can get properly acquainted with the local brews. And don’t worry about traveling far back to your accommodation – check into the Alpine Inn next door! 

Mt. Baker Ski Area, Washington

Sometimes, you want a ski resort with soul. Well, say hello to Washington’s Mt. Baker: indie, inspiring, and full of incredibly epic terrain. Powder hounds will wag their tails until they fall off with Mt. Baker’s record-breaking 55 feet of annual snowfall, extreme in-bounds terrain, and vast backcountry. 

Hit the never-ending glades off Chair 6 (bring your snorkel) or test what you’re made of on the steeps off Chairs 1 and 5. If mellow is more your thing, unwind on the winding runs off Chairs 2, 3, and 4. Bear in mind, though, that – for the most part – Mt. Baker is all about the powder, cliffs, steeps, and backcountry.

Mt. Baker is also pretty off-grid. That means zero cell reception. But that’s all part of its charm. And, things don’t get much more charming than Chair 9 Bar & Grill, the place for après-ski. It’s in Glacier, a nearby town, just 27 minutes away by car. It’s where everyone goes for live music, dining, and games night. 

Top tip: Try an Elastic Wood Bird. Confused? It’s one of the unique, awesomely named sandwiches at Glacier’s Graham’s Bar & Restaurant, running since 1972! 

Northstar California Resort, California

Exploring the West Coast with the family? Take them to Northstar. This place is the ultimate family vacay spot, with tons of gentle slopes for newbies and cruisey groomers for intermediates. Plus, you’ll find eight terrain parks and fancy accommodation. 

Okay, those infamous West Coast winds can sometimes close some of the higher-altitude lifts. But if that’s the case, head to the sheltered backside of the mountain to shred a slice of its 29-foot average snowfall – and even more after a famous Tahoe storm. Check out Northstar’s award-winning terrain parks, too. Spend all day hitting natural features in The Stash, their backcountry-style park, jib endless rails in Pinball, or stomp massive kickers in the Straits. And that’s only three terrain parks – they have five more! 

Accommodation can be spenny in Northstar – such as the mid-mountain 5-star Ritz-Carlton. However, if that’s out of your budget, stay in nearby Truckee, about a 10-minute drive. Our favorite spot is Gravity Haus Truckee-Tahoe, a boutique ‘n’ chic eco-lodge, with an outdoor hot tub and free shuttle to the mountain. Back on Northstar’s slopes, don’t forget to load up on s’mores around their many fire pits. It’s the perfect fuel for ripping the resort’s famous corduroy groomers the next morning. 

Top tip: Treat yourself to a glass of bubbles! Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Tōst, the only ski-to champagne bar, offers a complimentary glass at 2 pm. Don’t mind if we do… 

Kirkwood Ski Resort, California

Kirkwood Mountain Resort is not on everyone’s radar. But it darn well should be. This former host of the Freeride World Tour is epic, featuring one of the highest resort snowfalls in the world (50 feet!) and offering freshies, rooster tails, and face shots for days. That pow on tap is all down to the K Factor, Kirkwood’s unique microclimate that sees it regularly clock the region’s best snow. Oh, and it’s only a mere 35 miles from Lake Tahoe. 

If you don’t flinch at steeps, you’ll love low-key Kirkwood (or ‘The Wood’ as locals call it). Our top pick? The Wall. Head to this vertigo-inducing ridgeline for gnarly chutes and mega airtime off natural features. There’s also Look Out Janek, a Black diamond slope, 3,045 feet long and dropping 1,069 feet vertically. Did your stomach plummet at that fact? Imagine what it does once you’re on it!

Of course, if you’re still learning your Pizza from your French Fries, we totally get trail names like ‘Ditch of Doom’ and ‘Trench of Terror’ will probably scare the heck out of you. But don’t worry – 12% of Kirkwood’s trails are marked as beginner (and 20% intermediate) with a designated beginner area. You’ll also find tons of ski-in, ski-out accommodation for resting your legs after nailing your turns. 

Top tip: Bring your groceries! Kirkwood only has a small general store, so pack those got-to-have snacks before you leave home. 

Stevens Pass Ski Resort, Washington

Stevens Pass Ski Resort is the definition of small but mighty. In the North Cascades – just over 75 miles from Seattle – lies this 1,125-acre gem, complete with bumps, night skiing, insane off-piste, and three terrain parks. Backcountry addicts will particularly love the three wilderness areas above the highway leading to the resort. But make sure you bring your avalanche safety equipment with you, of course. 

If you’re after staying on the groomers, take the Skyline Express and Hogsback Express on the frontside for some seriously fun intermediate and advanced trails (they’re open for night skiing, too!). Looking to really test your mettle? Take the 7th Heaven chair from the top of the Skyline Express and prepare for a few serious Double-Blacks on the way down – made even more challenging with that West Coast heavy pow. Don’t worry, though – beginners and intermediates can fill their boots here, too. 11% of the terrain is marked for beginners and 54% for intermediates. 

Kicked up a thirst? Aim for the Bull’s Tooth in Granite Peaks Lodge for Happy Hour microbrews and their delicious BBQ food. You’ll definitely need it after hours of making tracks. 

Top tip: Stay in nearby Leavenworth. There’s no on-mountain lodging at Stevens Pass, but Leavenworth is an awesome alternative. Plus, you won’t forget it in a hurry – everything’s Bavarian-themed (including the beer!)

Park City Mountain Resort, Utah

The West Coast hosts Park City, America’s largest ski area. Yep, if you thought Mammoth was mammoth, you haven’t heard of Park City. This ski resort sees Mammoth’s 3,500 acres and raises it by another 3,800, giving you 7,300 acres to shred and rip!

Everyone will think they’ve died and gone to shred heaven here, thanks to Park City’s varied terrain across two mountains. There’s also the incredible Woodward Park City terrain park, an amazing après-ski scene, and super fun downtown vibes.

Park City can get packed with people, but we’ll let you in on our trick for escaping the crowds. After a dumping, Jupiter Peak is the prime playground, right? So, jump on the Crescent and Town lifts to access it before the masses, and you’ll be golden (or covered in snow, thanks to Park City’s 30-foot annual snowfall). And the best way to round off a pow day? Après-ski at the Corner Store, a local favorite. Order a beer and chicken wings, and soak up the vibes on the sun terrace. Fancy a nightcap? Head to High West for a Utah-distilled whiskey. 

Top tip: Ride rope-to-rope! It’ll take you all day, but it’s pretty impressive to say you’ve shredded the width of the US’s largest resort, right? Start at the western boundary and keep going until you reach McConkey’s. Oh, and make sure you have a trail map to hand – it’s easy to get lost in Park City! 

Sun Valley Resort, Idaho

Okay, we know venturing past Oregon and into Idaho territory might push the ‘West Coast’ definition. But how could we not include Sun Valley? After all, it’s known as America’s first destination winter resort! Oh, and the world’s first-ever chair was installed at the newbie-friendly Dollar Mountain in 1936. Yep, Sun Valley is awesome for beginners and families – especially with its impeccable grooming. In fact, 36% of its trails are marked as beginner! 

But Bald Mountain, Sun Valley’s second mountain, also has thigh-burning terrain for the experts among you. And, thanks to the Sunrise terrain expansion, you have an extra 380 acres to charge it from the top of Seattle Ridge and rip through those advanced tree runs. Just prep yourself for the 3,400-foot vertical drop *gulp*. 

Then, it’s all eyes on Ketchum, Sun Valley’s anchor point. It’s the ideal blend of warm Idaho vibes alongside some of the best après and nightlife we’ve ever seen (and trust us – we’ve seen a lot!). Our top spots are definitely River Run Day Lodge for a Bloody Mary or two, or Grumpy’s for beer out of super-large schooners. Don’t worry – freshies are a perfect hangover cure (we’ve tried and tested that theory many times!).  

Top tip: Catch mega air at Motherload Terrain Park, Dollar Mountain’s expert-level park. Its next-level features include 50-foot kickers, boxes, rails, and more. And if all that wasn’t stoke-raising enough, there’s also a 22-foot superpipe!

Snowbird Ski Resort, Utah

Some people might not view Utah as ‘West Coast’ territory, but we’ve already featured Park City, so we’re rolling with it. After all, Utah is home to the epic Snowbird. This place is the dream if you only think about awesome snow and challenging runs. That’s because nearly 75% of Snowbird’s trails are marked as intermediate and expert. And when we say ‘awesome snow’, we’re talking about 41 feet of Utah’s famously dry white stuff that’s just heaven to float through. And don’t forget to expand your horizons with one of Snowbird’s snowcat or heli tours.

Snowbird can be pretty hardcore with the likes of Mineral Basin and Mach Schnell, however, it welcomes riders of all abilities and ages. It even has a Kids Freeloader Pass, meaning anyone aged 18 and under can have a free season pass if linked to an adult’s one. Pretty rad, right? And that season pass also lasts until May thanks to Snowbird’s long season. Glade runs and goggle tan? Name a better combo! 

And for après, head to Park City just 45 minutes away. Alternatively, aim for Snowbird itself. Amenities are limited here, but they have some absolute corkers, including the 70s-inspired SeventyOne (try the French onion soup) and the Aerie (sample their awesome wine list). The Aerie is also at the Cliff Lodge, where we 100% recommend staying. It’s ski-in, ski-out with a rooftop pool and hot tub – the perfect remedy before hitting the steep ‘n’ deeps the next day. 

Top tip: Ride through the Peruvian Tunnel, North America’s only ski tunnel! Yep, it’s in Snowbird, 595 feet long, and gives you access to the extensive Mineral Basin bowl. Check out the antiques on your journey through. They pay homage to Snowbird’s rich (and freaking cool!) mining history. Excuse us while we geek out…

Wrapping up

What’s up West Coast? You’ve nailed it with your bucket loads of snow, awesome, varied terrain, super fun après, and mega-long seasons. In fact, there might be an East Coaster out there who’s now convinced to switch things up!

Have more questions about the West Coast? Or just want to say hi? Hit us up at crew@dopesnow.com. We’re here to help and talk all things ski resorts – it’s kind of our favorite passtime!

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