Must-book ski trips: expert picks & what to pack

“It just doesn’t stop snowing. Way more than anyone called for, way too late in the season to make sense,” says Travis B., recounting his April 2026 trip to the Eastern Sierra resort, known for record snowfall totals (and one of the longest ski seasons).

What started as a quiet forecast turned into a storm that buried the mountain overnight, and Travis and his friends had it almost entirely to themselves. “Almost nobody knew it happened,” he says. “That’s exactly why it was unreal.”

But it’s not just about the potential for big storms. “It’s the mountain I grew up on — trips with my dad and brother as a kid, learning to ride, all those early seasons that made snowboarding stick,” Travis says. It shows how welcoming Mammoth is for families and beginners, too.

There’s a variety of terrain, but if you luck into a powder day like his, Travis says head straight for “the good stuff” — Cornice Bowl, The Noids and Chair 23.

His tip for first-time visitors:

“Don’t trust the forecast too much. Some of the best days come out of nowhere. If the report says ‘small chance of snow’ and you’re already thinking about going, just go. Mammoth’s the kind of mountain that can turn a forecasted-nothing-day into the best powder day of your season.”

Jackson Hole has a reputation for going big, with steep, rugged terrain and the longest continuous vertical drop of any U.S. resort. For Dillon S., that’s the draw: it’s challenging, but never boring. “It feels like a real mountain adventure rather than a normal day at a resort,” he says. “It’s the kind of place that makes you want to keep riding all day just to see what else you can find.”

Dillon recommends the terrain off Sublette and Thunder for a mix of trees, open runs and steeper sections, and Rendezvous Bowl for a long ride down from the tram with the Tetons in full frame.

Arriving early matters for more than just parking — Dillon says use the far lots and bus in — it also buys you the full day Jackson’s terrain deserves. “It can be intimidating your first time, so start with a few easier laps to get a feel for the mountain before heading into the more technical terrain.”

And take the tram at least once. The views alone are worth it.

Ryan S. has visited many Colorado resorts with his 12-year-old daughter, but Monarch Mountain last winter stands out as a favorite.

“Monarch is a chill independent mountain with amazing terrain,” Ryan says, pointing to Mirkwood Basin as the highlight. The zone offers 129 acres of off-piste, including open-faced bowls, chutes and glades — but you have to earn it. Getting there requires a steep 15-minute hike, peaking at over 12,000 feet. “It’s a big hike, especially for 12-year-olds!”

But Ryan says it pays off.

“My daughter and her friends dominated the hike. They dropped into the main chute, which for a marginal snow year had pretty fantastic snow and coverage. My daughter still talks about those laps nine months later, so you know they were good ones.”

With no lodging on-site, Ryan’s home base of choice is Salida, close by with a vibrant downtown and tasty food options. Just make sure to leave early — Monarch’s smaller parking lots can fill up fast. “When they run out of spots, they run out.”

Ryan suggests capping the day with a soak at Mount Princeton Hot Springs. The ideal way to unwind after skiing, whether you hiked for your turns or not.

Jay Peak sees more natural snowfall than any other resort east of the Rockies, thanks to the “Jay Cloud,” a microclimate that drops extra snow even when nearby mountains come up dry. On a Presidents’ Day trip, Nathaniel B. experienced it firsthand: 9 inches overnight, another 18 by afternoon. “The conditions were perfect.”

Nathaniel says the 100+ acres of legendary off-piste glades are what makes Jay special, especially when the snow starts falling. “You can ski basically any of the woods,” he explains. “You can dip into the trees anywhere you’d like and you’ll come out happy at the other end. Just be aware of ski boundaries.”

Nathaniel’s advice: show up early and with fresh legs to make the most of Jay’s glades, steep pitches and fast runs. There’s plenty of green and blue terrain, with the technical stuff up top via the Aerial Tram. To avoid a long tram line, try Nathaniel’s workaround — take Flyer Quad up and hike the half mile to the summit.

Megan S. has been to Revelstoke more than once and still hasn’t seen it all. “You can explore all day and feel like you’ve barely scratched the surface,” she says. It’s a true big-mountain experience, with “seemingly endless” terrain for every ability, from long cruisers and wide-open alpine to technical trees and chutes.

Her most memorable visit came a few years back, with her best friend.

“We had waist-deep snow, fresh tracks, and some of the best runs I’ve ever had. It was one of those days where everything came together perfectly. The mountain, the conditions and the person I got to share it with. It’s a day of riding I’ll never forget.”

When planning your trip, Megan suggests giving yourself more time than you think you need. “But don’t worry about trying to cover it all,” she adds. “Pick an area, explore and enjoy it.”

The town is worth building time for, too. Megan says not to treat it as a ski-only trip, and Revy’s laid-back charm and solid food and drink scene make a case of their own.

If you’re up for going overseas, Reid B. says you can’t pick a better place than Japan. He spent 18 days skiing Niseko United, a complex of four interconnected ski areas on Hokkaido.

“It snowed 6+ inches every day we were there and it was the highest quality powder I’ve ever skied,” Reid recalls. The powder would’ve been enough, but Reid says the incredible food, friendly people and villages at the base of the mountain took it to another level.

Reid says the night skiing is worth trying, and for backcountry skiers, Niseko has several access points for terrain beyond the resort boundary (just make sure to bring a beacon, probe and shovel).

Bringing your own skis or snowboard? Reid recommends using Yamato Transport (known as “Black Cat”), to ship your gear to your accommodations. “It’s very affordable and much easier than lugging a humongous ski bag on the train or around the cities and towns.”