According to a recent survey of UK snow-sports enthusiasts, when it comes to selecting a ski holiday destination, size matters! The survey of 17000 skiers showed that size of the ski area was one of the most important factors when picking a resort for your next ski holiday.
If you’re looking for a mega-resort where you’ll never have to ski the same run twice, then here’s our run down on the seven contenders for biggest ski area in North America.
Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada (8,171 acres)
Whistler Blackcomb is recognised as the largest ski resort in North America. The resort has more high speed quads and Gondolas than almost everywhere else and has one of the fastest lift networks you’ll ever ski with a skier uplift capacity of 69,000 skiers per hour. Both on and off the slopes Whistler has it all and sets the benchmark as the #1 ski resort in North America.
Park City, Utah, USA (7,300 acres)
Vail resorts now owns and operates Park City Mountain Resort. The recent acquisition included the neighbouring resort of the Canyons ski area and following a massive investment in infrastructure upgrades over the last few years, Park City is now one of the best ski areas in the world and the largest ski area in the USA.
Big Sky, Montana, USA (5,800 acres)
Big Sky used to be the biggest ski resort in the USA before the expansion of Park City. It has trademarked the name ‘The Biggest Ski Area in America’ and has announced plans of their intention to further expand the resort to reclaim the top spot in the US.
Vail, Colorado, USA (5,289 acres)
Vail is the third largest single mountain resort in North America. The interconnected ski area offers several zones all of which offer differing terrain from open bowls, tree skiing in Blue Sky basin and miles of prepared runs on the front-side of the mountain.
Heavenly, California, USA
Heavenly is also owned by Vail Resorts and is located on the Nevada and California state line. Heavenly offers a unique setting where you can stay, play and enjoy Casino nightlife and then ski one of largest resorts in the USA. The views of Lake Tahoe are also amazing.
Sun Peaks, British Columbia, Canada (4,270 acres)
Sun Peaks is the second biggest ski resort in Canada and has just announced plans to expand further in the near future!
Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada (4,200 acres)
Lake Louise is set in the spectacular Banff National Park and is Canada’s third largest ski area.
Snow Unlimited offers tailor made ski holidays to the most exciting resorts in Canada and the USA. For more advice on which resort is best for your group contact our ski specialists on ski@snowunlimited.co.uk