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The 10 Best Uncrowded Ski Resorts in the U.S.

Originally posted on Powder | By Izzy Lidsky | Last updated Jan 21, 2025 11:55 AM ET

Let's face it—no one likes waiting in lift lines. It's cold, can be kind of boring, and eats into your ski day. Beyond that, skiing at crowded mountains can also be kind of scary. Dodging lots of people on the slopes isn't very fun no matter what skill level you ski at.

Luckily, most regions of the U.S. have ski mountains that are a bit more off the beaten path and still have great skiing. While you might trade some nearby amenities, convenience, or vertical drop for less crowded skiing, these mountains still hold their own, and you're way less likely to be dealing with crowds the same way.

10. Sun Valley, ID

Ketchum, Idaho's home hill, Sun Valley, might be well known, but that doesn't mean you'll be waiting in lift lines or dodging people on the slopes. The resort is spread across two mountains, Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain, each with its own base area and terrain parks. Although the mountain is home to the world's first chairlift, you'd be hard-pressed to find a lift line to wait in, even on the weekends.

9. Powder Mountain, UT

It's not just the 'Escape the Masses' slogan that makes Powder Mountain one of the most uncrowded mountains in the U.S. Just north of Salt Lake City, Powder Mountain has 8,484 acres of skiing and limits daily lift ticket sales so folks can spread out plenty over all that terrain.

Powder Mountain also only allows passholders to ski on weekends in February and has a whole section of the mountain that's only available to property owners in the adjacent housing development. It's definitely a worthy option if you're looking to escape the crowds in the Salt Lake area!

8. Brian Head, UT

Located in southern Utah, near Zion National Park, Brian Head is a little more off the beaten path than other Utah resorts and doesn't see much crowding from Salt Lake City skiers.

Brian Head has a slightly higher elevation than the rest of the area which means it still gets plenty of snow. The red rock formations surrounding the area contrasted with the snowy ski hill also make Brian Head one of the more unique and scenic ski experiences Utah has to offer. Although a bit smaller than its neighbors up north, the mountain's terrain is serviced by eight lifts, and lift tickets are usually under $100, even on holidays.

7. Grand Targhee, WY

Whether it's winter driving on Teton Pass or just its neighboring resort, Jackson Hole that keeps the crowds away, Grand Targhee is its own little powder haven in the Tetons. Targhee's rarely crowded wide open bowls and glades, and choice of steep, expert terrain, make it an ideal spot to enjoy some of the 500 annual inches of snowfall there a year.

For those not wanting to brave driving the Pass, there are daily buses that take folks between the Wyoming and Idaho sides. Targhee also has incredible backcountry terrain and when you've tired yourself out skiing all that powder, the Trap Bar has great food and frequent live music for après.

6. Wolf Creek, CO

Nestled in Colorado's San Juan mountains, Wolf Creek sees the most snow of any mountain in the state but is rarely hit with the crowds. Due to its remote location, Wolf Creek is the perfect spot to enjoy not only lift-accessed skiing but tons of backcountry and hike-to terrain.

Affordable lift tickets still draw folks from all around, and although the resort itself doesn't have any on-site lodging, there's plenty in nearby Pagosa Springs.

5. Mt. Baker Ski Area, WA

Despite Mt. Baker's reputation as some of the steepest and deepest snow in the US, its location keeps it from getting too crowded. About an hour from Bellingham and 2–3 hours from Seattle, Mt. Baker has some of the best volcano skiing the PNW has to offer, but at an affordable price and without the crowds.

Mt. Baker Ski Area has 1,000 acres of skiing accessed by eight lifts, and if you're feeling really brave, you can even camp in the parking lot to make sure you get first tracks.

4. Mount Bohemia, MI

A legendary midwest ski destination, Mount Bohemia is some of the best and most unique skiing around. Although the Midwest isn't generally known for its expert terrain, Mount Bohemia breaks that stereotype. The mountain doesn't do any grooming so you can find steep runs, cliffs, exposed terrain, and deep snow, that doesn't get tracked out too fast.

The mountain only has two lifts but 620 acres of terrain and busses that shuttle skiers from the mountain's backside to the lifts. Whether it's all the expert terrain or the remote location, you won't have a hard time finding untracked pow at Bohemia.

3. Whiteface, NY

Although home to the 1980 Winter Olympics and rich with history, Whiteface Mountain is seldom crowded. You can experience views of Lake Placid and an impressive vertical drop of 3,430 feet without the bustle of other, more crowded East Coast resorts.

Whiteface can be a bit icy and frigid in the winter (it is the East Coast, after all) but offers amazing spring skiing conditions due to its high elevation. If you're willing to make the five-hour trek from Boston or New York, you're sure to be rewarded with a stunning, serene ski experience.

2. Mad River Glen, VT

Whether or not the famous 'Ski it if you can!' slogan is made to scare folks off or not, Mad River Glen remains one of the less crowded East Coast ski mountains. Aside from the intimidation factor, Mad River Glen also limits skiers and doesn't allow snowboarders at all, which keeps the lift line on the mountain's single chair shorter. 'For skiers, by skiers,' Mad River Glen offers an authentic, east coast ski experience without having to battle the crowds.

1. Smuggler's Notch, VT

Another Vermont classic, Smuggler's Notch is known as one of the most family-friendly resorts in the area. Not far from Burlington, Smuggler's has 1,000 acres of skiable terrain and plenty of non-ski activities to cater to everyone.

The mountain is independently owned, which means no conglomerate passholder crowds, and it has eight chairlifts spread things out on busier days. A staple East Coast ski experience, Smuggler's Notch will show you all that Vermont skiing has to offer.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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