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With another new ski season rapidly loading, there’s no time like the present to take stock of this past year in the wide world of skiing. Did you get new skis this past year? Start a new workout routine? Take a bucket list trip?
As we get ready to ring in 2025 in a few days that are guaranteed to fly by, here’s a roundup of some of SKI’s “bests,” from the skis that won big at our annual SKI Test to the trips, tips, and trends that made 2024 a year to remember.
The Best of Everything 2024
Best of Resorts and Travel
When our annual Reader Resort Survey goes out at the end of each ski season, we never know what you, our dear readers, will bring to the fore. Sure, we expect to be regaled with stories of unreal powder days, luxe slopeside digs, and memorable après moments. And we also expect the typical gripes of modern-day skiing: crowded slopes, long lift lines, and pricey, well, everything.
This year we got all of that and more, including a brand new No. 1 in the West, a few ski areas making big jumps in the rankings, and one ski area making its debut in the Top 50—at a very respectable rank, to boot.
Here are the Top 3 Resorts in the East and the West going into the 2025 ski season.
Top 3 Resorts in the West
No. 1: Snowbasin Resort, Utah
Clinching the No. 1 spot for the first time in this year’s ranking, Snowbasin’s combination of expansive terrain, modern lifts, and attentive service and amenities won over SKI readers.
- Last Year’s Rank: No. 2
The notion that the No. 1-ranked ski resort in North America could be considered a “best-kept secret” or a “hidden gem” seems inconceivable. Yet those are the words that filled Snowbasin’s comment section in our annual SKI Reader Resort Survey. While it’s true that the Wasatch Back ski resort isn’t a household name, survey data pinpoints exactly why Snowbasin resonates with people: The resort combines easy access, a fast lift network, and reliable snow coverage with great customer service that’s focused on the quality of the ski experience. In an age where crowded slopes and long lift lines dominate the conversation every winter, this effort didn’t go unnoticed. “The staff is friendly and you can tell they love to work there,” commented one Snowbasin skier.
No. 2: Aspen Snowmass, Colo.
With four mountains to choose from and one of the continent’s most iconic ski towns, Aspen Snowmass just might be the most well-rounded ski resort on this list.
- Last Year’s Rank: No. 4
It’s fair to say that Aspen Snowmass’s glitzy reputation precedes it. But it would be unfair to buy into the idea that this place is one-dimensional or only for the wealthy. The truth is that the town of Aspen and its four disparate mountains offer one of the most well-rounded ski vacations out there, with terrain for all skill levels and amenities for all budgets—despite what you might have heard. “The on-mountain dining was not shockingly expensive relative to other ski resorts, but was way better quality,” opined one reader.
No. 3: Banff Sunshine, Alb.
After dropping off the rankings last year, Banff Sunshine roars back into the Top 3 thanks to its natural snow, tough terrain, and unique character.
Banff Sunshine’s unique set-up gives this Canadian Rockies resort a particularly remote vibe. Skiers park their car or take a shuttle to Sunshine’s large parking lot, then board the eight-person gondola for the 20-minute ride to the base village. But since there’s only one hotel in the village, the 84-room Sunshine Mountain Lodge, only a relative few get to spend the night under the pristine, star-filled sky, where they can soak in the swimming-pool-sized hot tub and nab first tracks in the morning.
Read the full resort reviews here.
Top 3 Resorts in the East
No. 1: Mad River Glen, Vt.
Mad River Glen returns to the top of the rankings for its second year in a row, and remains beloved for its unique mix of rugged terrain and diehard community.
Any resort scoring No. 1 in both the survey categories of overall satisfaction and likelihood to return is obviously doing something right. And yet Mad River is definitely not for everyone. It’s not for snowboarders, for one. It has been more than 30 years since a snowboard has graced Mad River’s slopes, and the shareholders—the resort has been owned by the collective Mad River Cooperative since 1995—don’t have any plans to change. Unsurprisingly, the result is a skier’s ski mountain, where the focus is on what many believe is the best expert terrain in the East, catching powder when it falls from the sky, and turning young beginner skiers into older expert skiers. “By learning to ski at Mad River Glen, I can comfortably and confidently say I can ski any mountain in the world,” shared one MRG lifer.
No. 2: Saddleback Mountain, Maine
Making its debut in the rankings, this remote and wild Maine ski area wins hearts with its fast lifts, natural terrain, and old-school ambience.
- Last Year’s Ranking: n/a
New to the ranking this year, Saddleback didn’t land near the top of this list because of its convenience. The drive up from Farmington into Rangeley can be winding and bumpy. It’s probably why people’s overall satisfaction ranked high, but their likelihood to return is middle of the pack. It’s great for families who want to hit the grocery store and basecamp at the condo or powder nuts who want to churn bumps until their legs fall off.
No. 3: Jay Peak, Vt.
Come for the powder, stay for the classic Vermont steeps, winding wooded runs, and fun family water park at this remote, often uncrowded ski area.
Why do people travel the length of Vermont up to Jay, where you can dial in French-speaking radio stations from Canada? Quite simply, the snow. At 350-plus inches of annual snowfall—thanks to the “Jay Cloud”!—no other mountain in the East can stack up with Jay’s frequent dumpings. Combine that with plenty of steeps and it’s worth an extra couple hours in the car. The Tram is pretty special, too. On a clear day, you can see four states and Quebec from the 4,000-foot Sky Haus peak, and the Face Chutes you can drop into will challenge even the most technical skiers.
Read the full resort reviews here.
Best Bucket-List Adventures
Why Skiing in Kyrgyzstan Is Bucket List-Worthy
Is skiing top of mind when you hear “Kyrgyzstan?” It wasn’t top of ours either, until Colorado-based writer John Plack pitched us his narrative on why skiing in the central Asian country’s spectacular mountains should be on every adventure traveler’s go-list. From pristine and powdery slopes to the warmest local hospitality, it’s an off-grid adventure he won’t soon forget. Read the article here.
Why Would Anyone Compete in the World’s Most Unbelievable Ski Race?
That’s a question answered last spring by our fearless Editor in Chief, Sierra Shafer, who entered the Inferno, a grueling race held annually in the Swiss village of Mürren. A combination of hard partying and very serious vertical, the Inferno was a challenge, but not one that came without a silver lining. Click here to find out where she placed.
This Remote National Park Ski Area is Well Worth The Trek
It’s not too often that a destination that’s national-park status can honestly be called a hidden gem, but Canada’s Jasper National Park is one of those unicorns. SKI’s Digital Editor Jamie Aranoff visited the park, and its ski area, Marmot Basin, and found an unspoiled ski area rich in scenery, culture, and its own unique vibe. Here’s why it’s so special.
Best of Gear
It was another exciting year in the world of gear, with new winners surfacing after our week testing skis at Mt. Rose, Nevada last March and some old favorites reminding everyone why they’re the cream of the crop. Here’s a glimpse of the equipment that wowed our test crew over this past year..
Best Unisex Carving Ski: Head WC Rebels e-Speed ($949)
Pros and Cons
- ⊕ Very stable at speed
- ⊕ Superior carving chops
- ⊕ Dependable on firm snow
- ⊗ Stiff and burly
- ⊗ Not forgiving
It’s no secret that Head dominates on the World Cup, so it’s not a surprise that the e-Speed rose to the top of the podium in our Carving SKI Test at Colorado’s Eldora Mountain. It demands a skillful operator to perform at its best, but not necessarily one with quads of steel. Read the extended review here.
Best Women’s Frontside Ski: Blizzard Black Pearl 88 ($700)
Pros and Cons
- ⊕ Excellent energy and rebound
- ⊕ Suits a range of ability levels
- ⊕ Lots of available lengths
- ⊗ Feels heavy in bumps
- ⊗ Takes muscle to bust crud
The Black Pearl 88 has some serious history—not only because it’s been a top-selling ski for multiple seasons, but also because the line has been around for more than a decade. After years of tweaking and perfecting, we thought there wasn’t much left to improve. We were wrong. Read the extended review here.
Best Unisex All-Mountain Ski: Salomon Stance 96 ($750)
Pros and Cons
- ⊕ At home in any conditions
- ⊕ Great stability on firm snow
- ⊗ Average flotation
- ⊗ Slightly hooky tail
The Stance 96 earned the highest ranking at our 2024 SKI Test at Mt. Rose, Nevada after impressing testers with its supreme versatility in a very competitive field. It’s a chameleon, adapting seamlessly to everything from groomers to chutes to bowls to bumps—making it the very definition of a great all-mountain ski. Read the extended review here.
Best Women’s All-Mountain Wide Ski: Rossignol Rallybird Soul 102 ($700)
Pros and Cons
- ⊕ Supremely versatile
- ⊕ Energetic yet stable
- ⊕ Available down to 150 cm length
- ⊗ Not the most reliable on hardpack
This year’s top-performing women’s ski in our All-Mountain Wide category is exactly what it sounds like: the lovechild of the young Rallybird and the old Soul 7, albeit with its own modern shape. Given its pedigree, it’s no surprise testers were huge fans, giving it first place in the versatility, playfulness, and responsiveness scoring categories—and second place in forgiveness and crud performance. Read the extended review here.
Best Unisex Powder Ski: Peak 110 by Bode ($869)
Pros and Cons
- ⊕ Versatile
- ⊕ Smooth
- ⊗ No twin tip
- ⊗ Might be too directional for some
On the spectrum of skiing style, racing and skiing powder land on opposite ends. While racing typically rewards precise form, soft snow requires a looseness that’s sometimes hard to figure out. So when we clicked into the Peak 110 by Bode at our 2024 gear test at Mt. Rose, Nevada, we weren’t sure what to expect—a fat-bodied charger, or a loose cannon like Bode himself. In the end, this ski defied all of our expectations to claim the top spot in the 2025 powder ski category. Read the extended review here.
Best Men’s Alpine Boot: Tecnica Mach1 LV 130 ($800)
Pros and Cons
- ⊕ Nice blend of power, quickness, and balance
- ⊕ Comfortable low-volume fit
- ⊕ Feels soft against the foot without packing out
- ⊗ Some found the boot hard to get on and off
We could dazzle you with data but let’s just cut to the chase: this was the highest scoring boot in our entire test.
The precisely contoured shell shape provides a very close fit through the instep, ankles, and heel, but with enough curvature to encompass—rather than crush—bony protrusions. A low-friction panel at the rear of the liner enhances heel glide during entry. Testers noticed and praised both of these features straightaway. Read more here, and see the rest of the top-ranking men’s alpine boots.
Best Women’s Alpine Boot: Tecnica Mach1 MV 115 W ($750)
Pros and Cons
- ⊕ Best-in-class all-mountain performance
- ⊕ Generous fit at the calf, toebox, and forefoot
- ⊗ Might be too roomy for those in between LV and MV fits
This boot not only received perfect 5.0 scores in three of our on-snow performance metrics (dynamic balance, quickness and steering, and edge power), but it also impressed testers with its supreme comfort.
How is it that the Mach 1 can be so comfy and yet ski with race-worthy power and quickness? For one, the boot’s stance angles have been refined over several years to hit that Goldilocks sweet spot: not too flexed, not too upright, and dead-flat edge-to-edge underfoot. The Mach 1 boots also use a polyurethane plastic with a thickness adjusted to enhance vibration damping and stability. As for comfort, credit the shell’s anatomical shape, which seamlessly contours the foot, and its thoughtfully designed liner. The padded liner is pre-molded to cup the ankles, eliminating hot spots. Read more here, and see the rest of the top-ranked women’s alpine boots.
Best Boots With Boa Technology: Nordica Speedmachine 3 130 Boa ($800)
Pros and Cons
- ⊕ Great combination of skiing power and comfort
- ⊕ BOA closure makes it easy to dial in fit
- ⊗ Takes a little time to break in
Various iterations of the Speedmachine have been sitting on our boot test podium for nearly a decade. It’s back there again this year, fitting and skiing perfectly with no deal-breaker glitches—and with the addition of a new BOA system closure that ups its fit game even more.
It was the first of the medium destroyer-class performance models to fit like a 110 but ski like a 130—meaning, the liner feels as comforting as a softer flexing model while still gripping the ankle and instep enough to tip a ski on edge and hold it there at mach speeds. It never faltered, even when trail blazing through chopped chunder and breakable melt-freeze on Oregon’s Mt. Bachelor.
Best of Instruction and Fitness
The ways to improve your skiing are nearly endless, and can be accomplished both on the mountain and off. You don’t need to invest in pricey lessons to become a better skier—it comes down to the fundamentals. Put in the time, and reap the rewards.
Prevent Ski Injuries with 5 Essential Exercises From a Physical Therapist
Skiing is risky, whether it’s early season or peak winter. Hazards like hidden rocks and trees, unexpected terrain, or collisions can cause injuries at any time. Prevention is key. While you can’t control everything, there are steps you can take to stay safe. Physical therapist Dr. Matt Hastings takes us through the five exercises every skier should do to prevent ski injuries this season.
Debunking 5 Common Ski Tuning Myths
Ski tuning isn’t rocket science, and mere mortals can, in fact, learn how to keep their skis in good shape at home. All you need is the right set of tools, the know-how, and a good amount of patience. But there are other misconceptions floating around the ski universe that are so common they’ve become ski tuning lore and led more than one well-intentioned skier astray. Outside’s Gear Editor, Jenny Wiegand, debunks five common ski tuning myths in hopes of pointing you on the right path.
Thinking of Teaching Your Kid to Ski? These Tools Can Help.
Teaching your young kids to ski can feel daunting. Heck, getting young kids to the mountain, dressed properly, and clicked into their skis can be daunting, let alone teaching them to ski. We’re here to help.
But first things first: How do you know your kiddo is ready? We asked Brian and Aleks Smith, PSIA instructors at Aspen Snowmass and parents of two daughters. The Smiths work with the youngest sliders all winter, and what’s more, they went through the process of introducing the sport to their own girls not too long ago. In other words, the instructor pair is a wealth of information when it comes to the how and when to get the groms sliding.
Watch the video tutorial and get the tips here.
Best of Ski Racing
Mikaela Shiffrin Is on the Brink of History—Here’s Why This Record Matters
Mikaela Shiffrin has never liked talking about numbers or records. She would rather focus on laying down perfect—and perfectly timed—carved turns. Or talking about her teammates—four in the top 11 at the opening Sölden World Cup (the best team result in 39 years)!
But now, thanks to an ambassadorship with the Share Winter Foundation, Shiffrin has a new view on these “best ever” and “most ever” conversations. She’s using her platform to inspire the next generation. Read the full story here.
Lindsey Vonn Inducted into Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame
Surrounded by young athletes from Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, each of whom held a balloon to represent one of her 82 World Cup wins and three Olympic medals, Lindsey Vonn was inducted into the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame on Sept. 8 in her former hometown of Vail, Colorado.
During the presentation, the 39-year-old downhill legend joked that she likes “to do everything fast” and would win for fastest induction speech, which she indeed did, thanking former U.S. teammate Chad Fleischer and ski industry icon Bill Jensen for nominating her, her friends, family, and everyone who helped her along the way to becoming the winningest female skier of all time. Read Vonn’s interview with SKI here.
