World’s largest vacation rental marketplace expands annual index to further simplify ski season planning
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. – HomeToGo revealed the results of its annual 2023-24 Ski Season Report. The report assesses the top 48 ski destinations in North America, evaluating them based on traveler interest and affordability. After shredding through bundles of snow-covered data ranging from lift ticket and accommodation prices to chairlift capacity and average snow depth, HomeToGo has unveiled this year’s top destinations for fresh powder enthusiasts. The report also unveils additional insights such as the average lift ticket prices for the season, the most expensive and budget-friendly destinations, the destinations with the highest slope count and more.
Park City, UT
“With the warm days of summer behind us, many travelers are starting to set their sights on snowy winter getaways,” said Mike Pearce, a HomeToGo Spokesperson and Travel Expert. “Crafting a successful ski trip today presents a challenge, considering factors like cost, weather conditions and estimated time on the slopes, so we have expanded this year’s report to encompass aspects such as average snow depth and slope count to ensure travel planning is even more seamless for skiers looking to maximize their holidays this year.”
HomeToGo has compiled scores, based on an array of factors for each destination featured in its 2023-24 Ski Season Report, encompassing 13 states in the U.S. and the provinces of British Columbia and Quebec in Canada. Here’s a glimpse of the top ski destinations spanning North America for the upcoming season:
Top Ski Spots in North America for 2023-24 Ski Season
| Ski Area | Lift Ticket Score | Lodging Score | Search Popularity | Snow Depth Score | Ski Lift Score | Size Score | Total Score |
| 1. Schweitzer Mountain, ID | 8.90 | 9.30 | 9.70 | 10 | 6 | 5.7 | 49.60 |
| 2. Park City, UT | 5.20 | 8.00 | 9.5 | 5.8 | 10 | 10 | 48.50 |
| =3. Whistler Blackcomb, BC | 6.9 | 8.2 | 9 | 6.30 | 9.3 | 8.6 | 48.30 |
| =3. Mount Baker, WA | 9.4 | 8.8 | 9.2 | 9.2 | 5.9 | 5.8 | 48.30 |
| 5. Palisades Tahoe, CA | 7.3 | 9.8 |
7.3 |
8.4 | 9.6 | 5.8 | 48.20 |
| 6. Mount Hood Meadows, OR | 7.8 | 9.2 | 9.6 | 9 | 6.4 | 5.6 | 47.60 |
| 7. Silver Star, BC | 8.4 | 9.1 | 9.2 | 8.4 | 6 | 6.3 | 47.40 |
| 8. Vail, CO | 5.2 | 7.4 | 9.5 | 6.1 | 9.1 | 9.6 | 46.90 |
| 9. Mount Bachelor, OR | 8.3 | 10 | 9.7 | 5.9 | 6.9 | 5.8 | 46.60 |
| =10. Alta Ski Area, UT | 7.5 | 7.8 | 9.5 | 9.6 | 5.7 | 6.3 | 46.40 |
| =10. Sun Peaks, BC | 7.6 | 8.8 | 9.8 | 7.3 | 6.10 | 6.8 | 46.40 |
Additional Key Findings for the 2023-24 Ski Season
- Ski Bliss on a Budget: Budget-conscious ski lovers can enjoy a snow-filled escape in Mission Ridge Ski Area, Washington (#13 in HomeToGo’s Ski Season Report) where the average price per day, per person for accommodations and a lift ticket is $178. The Pacific Northwest overall is the least expensive region boasting an average price of $214 per day including both accommodations and lift ticket costs.
- Riveting Experiences in the Rockies – Luxe-loving travelers chasing snow-crowned luxury can venture to Aspen Mountain, Colorado (#46 in HomeToGo’s Ski Season Report) which stands as the king of expensive slopes. Here, skiers are estimated to pay $608 per day for accommodations and lift tickets, followed by Deer Valley, Utah at $577 per day; Beaver Creek, Colorado at $517 per day and Vail, Colorado at $486 per day.
- Average Ski Lift Ticket Price: Among the showcased ski destinations in this year’s report, the average price for an adult’s daily ski lift ticket comes in at $198. For the budget-savvy, Sunday River, Maine (#18 in HomeToGo’s Ski Season Report) offers the most wallet-friendly lift ticket at $65, while Deer Valley, Utah (#44 in HomeToGo’s Ski Season Report) scales the heights with the most extravagant lift ticket price at $279.
- Unveiling a Snowy Treasure: For snow enthusiasts who seek the road less taken, this ski season’s hidden gem is Kimberly (#32 in HomeToGo’s Ski Season Report), the destination with the lowest search popularity on HomeToGo and other search engines. Nestled in the breathtaking Canadian Rockies of British Columbia, Kimberly offers a grand total of 80 slopes and an average of six inches of snow depth, promising a pristine adventure for those in the know.
- The Apex of Snow: This year’s champion in the report, Schweitzer Mountain, Idaho, reigns as the snowiest destination, receiving a flaky average of 78 inches from December through March. Ski enthusiasts can glide through this snowy paradise, shredding through 95 slopes with pure powder delight.
- Rising High and Riding Fast: Across all the featured destinations, the average chairlift capacity stands at 29,889. For those who love swift ascents and rapid descents, Park City, Utah (#2 in HomeToGo’s Ski Season Report) takes the lead with the highest chairlift capacity, whisking more than 81,000 skiers up the slopes every hour.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
