Determining which state has the most ski resorts often leads to the assumption that it must be a Western state like Colorado or Utah. These destinations are synonymous with the Rocky Mountains, deep powder, and large-scale, world-renowned winter sports complexes. However, the state that actually boasts the highest number of operating ski areas is a surprising one, located far from the high-altitude peaks of the West. The answer depends entirely on how one defines a “ski resort,” distinguishing between sheer quantity and massive scale.
The State with the Most Ski Resorts
The state with the largest count of ski areas is New York, which consistently operates between 50 and 52 resorts across its diverse geography. This number is significantly higher than any other state in the country. The high concentration is due to the historical development and nature of these facilities, which are widely distributed and highly accessible to the state’s large, dense population.
Many of these locations are smaller, community-focused hills rather than sprawling destination resorts. They serve as local training grounds and weekend day-trip spots, often featuring lower vertical drops and fewer trails compared to their Western counterparts. This model allows skiing to be a viable, cost-effective hobby for many New Yorkers, who can drive to a slope within 90 minutes of nearly every major metropolitan area. The state’s geography, including the Adirondacks and the Catskills, provides ample terrain for these smaller operations.
While the majority are local hills, New York also features major mountains that draw regional attention. Notable examples include Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks, which hosted the 1980 Winter Olympics and offers the highest vertical drop in the Northeast. Other significant areas, such as Gore Mountain (the state’s largest ski area) and Catskill destinations like Hunter Mountain and Windham Mountain, contribute to the state’s variety. The quantity of these areas, from small municipal slopes to large regional centers, secures New York’s position at the top.
The Top Contenders and the East vs. West Difference
Following New York, the next states on the list are typically found in the Midwest and the East, further illustrating the distinction between resort count and size. Michigan is the second-ranked state, home to over 40 ski areas. Colorado and Wisconsin often compete for the third spot, with approximately 32 to 34 resorts each. This grouping highlights a clear East vs. West phenomenon in the American ski industry, where Eastern and Midwestern states prioritize a high quantity of smaller, local ski areas that cater to day-trip traffic.
In contrast, Western states like Colorado and Utah have fewer resorts, but they are characterized by massive scale and vertical drop. Colorado is home to some of the largest and most famous destination resorts in North America, such as Vail and Aspen. Despite New York’s high number of resorts, its total skiable acreage is actually less than the skiable footprint of Vail Mountain alone. This difference means that while New York has the most places to ski, it ranks much lower, around 11th, in terms of total skiable terrain.
The Western model focuses on large-scale, high-altitude mountains that attract destination travelers seeking deep powder and extensive terrain. The answer to which state has the most resorts depends entirely on the metric used: New York wins by the number of individual ski areas, but a Western state would dominate if the measure were total skiable acreage or vertical feet.