The 8 Best Resorts for Tree Skiing in North America

1. Steamboat Ski Resort, Colorado

If you ask a Coloradan where their favorite tree skiing is, odds are reasonably good they’ll mention Steamboat. Evenly spaced trees and rolling slopes make for a fun—but not terrifying—cruise off the groomed trails at this resort. That’s not to say that there’s a shortage of challenging glades to be found, though.

Steamboat’s trees vary in difficulty, and in a recent expansion, the resort added 650 acres of rugged, gladed terrain accessible by the new Mahogany Express. At Steamboat, you can choose how far you want to push the tree-skiing dial.

2. Jay Peak Resort, Vermont

With 347 inches of snow on average each year, Jay Peak is one of the East’s most powder-laden destinations. The considerable snowfall helps when you venture off-trail into the trees at Jay Peak in search of hidden stashes. These tree-stacked runs are numerous. More than 100 of the resort’s skiable acres are gladed, presenting a veritable tree-skiing buffet for adventure-minded skiers. 

3. Revelstoke Mountain Resort, British Columbia

Revelstoke’s best-known superlative is its towering vertical footprint that stretches 5,620 feet. Prolonged leg burners aren’t this British Columbian resort’s only claim to fame, though. Revelstoke also shines with its gladed offerings, which, in particular, will pique the interest of expert skiers. Venture into Revelstoke’s North Bowl after riding the Stoke Chair to access a blend of open steeps and challenging trees.

4. RED Mountain Resort, British Columbia

Nestled near the Washington border, RED Mountain Resort is a British Columbia classic. Solid average snowfall totals—RED picks up 300 inches each year—and a broad, glade-stuffed 3,850-acre terrain footprint make this resort a tree skiing shoe-in. RED’s what you'd consider a “skier’s mountain.” It’s not about the frills. Instead, the tree-dense, often challenging terrain at RED takes precedence.

5. Smugglers' Notch, Vermont

Another contribution from the East Coast comes in the form of Smugglers' Notch. This Vermont tree-skiing haven features numerous glades to peruse. Black Hole, which Smugglers' Notch rates as a triple black diamond, is a toughie that's skiable from the Madonna I lift.

Once you’ve cleared that trail, cool down with the more mellow (but still quite challenging) tree-skiing found in Doc Dempsey’s Glades. And as with other East Coast hills, don’t rely on the trail map alone. Some of the best tree-skiing stashes at Smugglers' Notch aren't on the map—you’ll have to discover them yourself.

6. Stevens Pass, Washington

Stevens Pass is located in Washington’s Cascade range. This means one thing: the snow comes in thick and heavy each season. Of course, this is Cascade Concrete we’re talking about—continental skiers may need to adjust their technique—but if you've figured out how to navigate the denser stuff, you’ll have a grand time.

In the tree skiing department, Stevens Pass delivers a bountiful harvest. 7th Heaven has plenty of options for your average advanced or expert skier. To get really rowdy in the glades, scoot skiers right off the Double Diamond lift. Be ready for some billy-goating and route-finding, though. This zone isn’t for the faint of heart.

7. Mad River Glen, Vermont

Mad River Glen’s ethos may be best epitomized by its single-seater chairlift, which first sputtered to life in 1948. The mountain is a shrine to all things skiing and provides a refreshing break from the breakneck pace of other destinations. Adding to Mad River Glen’s unique stature is its cooperative operating plan. Local community members can buy into the co-op for $2,000. The glades are another standout. This ski area offers challenging, narrow tree runs that’ll make your legs ache and your soul sing.

8. Alpental, Washington

Alpental shares some similarities with Stevens Pass. The snow is dense, and the tree skiing can be difficult to navigate without local insight. If you link up with someone who knows their way around Alpental, though, you’re in for a treat. Within the resort’s boundaries, there’s plenty to choose from, but the backcountry gates are where the action’s really at.

Head through the upper Nash Gate—now accessible by the new Internationale chair—and revel in a glorious network of unmarked glades. A path below the Back Bowls provides a return avenue from the sidecountry. Just make sure you have your avalanche safety ducks in a row before entering the gated terrain.

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