Some ski areas are bad, some are good, but a select few get the distinction of being popularly known as the best in a region. This list is about the ski areas that are able to transcend their competitors and become well known throughout the entire ski industry.
- Mount Bohemia, MI
Region: midwest
What stands out: snowfall and vertical drop
Bohemia stands out for two reasons. It has the largest vertical drop in the midwest, and it gets the most snow in the midwest. While the vertical isn’t anything to write home about for skiers on the coasts, the snowfall is impressive for Michigan. 273". That’s only 27 inches less than what Aspen gets.
2. Taos, NM
Region: southwest
What stands out: wild terrain
There’s nothing quite like Taos in the southwest. Sure, Arizona Snowbowl or ski santa fe might look similar on paper, but neither of them are like Taos. The sheer amount of gnarly lift serviced terrain at Taos is most of its identity.
3. Snowshoe, WV
Region: southeast
What stands out: snowfall and vertical drop
Snowshoe boasts a respectable 1,500 vertical drop and 160" of snow a year. That’s not bad for the east coast as a whole, and when you consider it is in the south, suddenly Snowshoe looks pretty solid. Where else are you going to ski glades in the southeast?
4. Jay Peak, VT
Region: northeast
What stands out: snowfall and terrain
Jay has been so beat to death at this point that I’d be surprised if you hadn’t heard about why it’s so great. They get more snow than Vail (360" a year) and have terrain that you’d think only exists inbounds on the other side of the continent. It’s pretty hard to beat that.
5. Revelstoke, BC
Region: interior BC/Inland Northwest
What stands out: snowfall and vertical drop
Revy is world famous for its vertical drop, 5,620 feet. Your legs will be absolutely burning by the time you reach the base. What’s not as often mentioned is Revy’s advertised snowfall, 413" a year. This is very impressive compared to other interior BC like Kicking Horse, Sun Peaks and Panorama. Revy also measures snowfall about ~1,000 vertical feet below the ski area summit, so in reality they probably receive more snowfall at the true summit. As far as I know (even with the 413" number), Revelstoke is the second snowiest ski area in Canada (only behind Whistler).
