Best spots to ski and snowboard in North America? Vote now
As winter approaches, we’re looking for North America’s best spots for skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. To find the best, we invited a panel of experts to nominate their favorite ski resorts, ski hotels, ski towns, on-mountain restaurants, après-ski bars, ski shops, and ski schools, as well as places for cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing.
Now, it’s your turn to select the 10 best in each of 10 categories by voting for your top picks. You can vote once per day, per category, and voting is open until Monday, November 11 at noon ET.
Click on each category below to vote:
Best Apres-Ski Bar
Which apres-ski bar is your top pick? — Photo courtesy of VisualCommunications / iStock via Getty Images Plus
When the sun goes down and the lifts shut down for the day, bars and restaurants in ski towns across North America fill up with skiers and snowboarders looking for a great time with good friends. These 20 après-ski bars offer top-notch food, drink, and atmosphere — a perfect setting to close out a perfect day on the snow.
We asked a panel of ski and snowboarding experts to nominate their favorite post-slope watering holes, and now we need your help naming a winner. Which après-ski bar would you most like to check out?
Best Cross-Country Ski Resort
Where is your favorite spot for cross-country skiing? — Photo courtesy of davelogan / E+
For a more relaxed winter sport, many turn to cross-country skiing. And while Nordic trails are often offered at traditional ski resorts, some of the best cross-country skiing is found at dedicated resorts. To find the best of the bunch, we asked a panel of ski experts to nominate their favorite cross-country resorts, and now we need your help crowning a winner.
Which cross-country ski resort would you most like to explore?
Vote: Best Cross-Country Ski Resort »
Best Place for Snow Tubing
Get in on the winter fun at these snow tubing parks — Photo courtesy of Vera_Petrunina / iStock via Getty Images Plus
Active winter sports like skiing and snowboarding aren’t for everyone, and not all snow enthusiasts have the time to learn the skills or invest in all the equipment needed for the slopes. That’s part of what makes snow tubing so appealing.
Whether it’s your first time playing in the snow or you grew up on the mountain, you can enjoy a day of slipping and sliding at these 20 places, nominated by an expert panel as the best spots for snow tubing in the United States.
Which place would you most like to go snow tubing at?
Vote: Best Place for Snow Tubing »
Best Place for Snowboarding
Which North American spot is the best for snowboarding? — Photo courtesy of JulPo / E+
Snowboarding is a kinetic thrill no matter where you are, but the right destination can elevate the experience into something truly extraordinary. From breathtaking runs to gorgeous views to brilliant terrain, USA TODAY 10Best’s panel of snowboarding experts have compiled a list of the 20 top places to snowboard across the U.S. and Canada.
Where do you think is the best place to snowboard?
Vote: Best Place for Snowboarding »
Best Ski Hotel
These hotels make great base camps for a mountain vacation — Photo courtesy of Maica / E+
What’s better than a day out on the slopes? How about an overnight or multi-day trip? These 20 hotels and resorts, selected by a panel of ski and snowboarding experts, offer perks like stunning mountain views, serene spa treatments, convenient slopeside locations, and even ski-in/ski-out service.
What’s your favorite hotel for the perfect ski-centric winter vacation?
Best Ski Resort
Which of these ski resorts is your favorite? — Photo courtesy of simonkr / E+
The leaves are starting to turn, and ski areas all across the U.S. and Canada are preparing for their winter season. To help you plan that perfect ski vacation, a panel of ski experts has nominated 20 ski resorts, selected as the best because they offer mountains with serious snowfall, varied terrain, lots of lift access, and so much more.
Now, we need your help to determine the 10 best. Which ski resort would you most like to visit?
Best Ski Restaurant
Refuel for your next run at these noteworthy restaurants — Photo courtesy of tatyana_tomsickova / iStock via Getty Images Plus
Gone are the days when ski-in dining meant a sad, overpriced sandwich and a bag of chips. These days, on-mountain restaurants are upping their culinary game. Skiers and snowboarders will find everything from craft beer bars to fine dining establishments without having to stray too far from the slopes.
A panel of experts has nominated these 20 restaurants as the best ski restaurants in North America, and now it’s your turn to decide the winner.
Which ski restaurant is your favorite?
Best Ski School
First-timers should check out these ski and snowboarding schools — Photo courtesy of 4maksym / iStock via Getty Images Plus
Even the most dazzlingly talented skiers had to start somewhere, and ski schools are a tried-and-true path to mastering the fundamentals. Top-tier ski schools bring together friendly and experienced instructors, varied terrain, the right equipment, and an eye towards safety.
USA TODAY 10Best assembled a panel of ski experts to compile a list of the top ski schools across the United States and Canada, and we need your help to crown the best of the best.
Which ski school would you rank as the best?
Best Ski Shop
Which ski shop is your go-to for gear? — Photo courtesy of VisualCommunications / E+
When it comes to gearing up for the slopes, visiting the right ski shop can make all the difference. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time skier or boarder, stop in at these 20 ski shops — nominated by an expert panel as the best in the U.S. — which offer top-notch equipment, expert advice, and exceptional customer service.
Which ski shop would you most like to check out?
Best Ski Town
These towns are made for active winter getaways — Photo courtesy of Don Miller / iStock via Getty Images Plus
Beyond fresh snow and convenient access to the slopes, what makes the best ski town? For some, it’s having access to fantastic restaurants, bars, and shops. For others, it’s about great accommodation options, a small-town vibe, or a historic atmosphere.
These 20 ski towns, nominated as the best by an expert panel, fit that bill, but we’re looking to narrow down the list. So, now it’s your turn to vote.
What’s your favorite ski town?
Remember, you can vote once per day in each category. The 10 nominees with the most votes in each category will be announced on Wednesday, November 20.
