4 regional resorts make Ski’s top 30 list
Each year Ski magazine publishes what it thinks are the best resorts in the country. It’s divided by East and West. The 23rd annual edition is on newsstands now. Several Sierra Nevada resorts are mentioned in various categories.
On the last page of the compilation of stats are results for readers.
Here are the “local” Overall top 30 Western Resorts and what the magazine says about them:
• Mammoth, No. 12 – “Big and beautiful, underrated mountain. Not pretentious.”
• Heavenly, No. 13 – “Combo of Vegas nightlife and California weather rocks. Love the lake views.”
• Northstar, No. 15 – “Northstar has changed from a sleepy to a top-notch resort.”
• Squaw, No. 17 – “Best resort in Tahoe. Great mountain. Snow, sun and après fun.”
No regional resort made the Top 10 for lodging.
Terrain:
• No. 2 – Squaw
• No. 3 – Mammoth
• No. 10 – Kirkwood
Parks:
• No. 1 – Mammoth
• No. 3 – Northstar
Snow:
• No. 6 – Kirkwood
• No. 9 – Mammoth
Challenge:
• No. 3 – Squaw
• No. 9 – Mammoth
On-mountain food:
• No. 10 – Northstar
Grooming:
• No. 3 – Northstar
• No. 7 – Mammoth
Family programs:
• No. 4 – Northstar
In the reader survey no Tahoe area resort scored in the categories of Weather, On-mountain food, Lodging, or Dining.
Here is how the magazine’s readers scored the resorts:
Snow:
• No. 6 – Kirkwood
• No. 9 – Mammoth
Grooming:
• No. 3 – Northstar
• No. 7 – Mammoth
Terrain variety:
• No. 2 – Squaw
• No. 10 – Kirkwood
Challenge:
• No. 3 — Squaw
• No. 9 — Mammoth
Value:
• No. 7 – Kirkwood
Lifts:
• No. 1 – Mammoth
• No. 10 – Northstar
Service:
• No. 8 – Northstar
Access:
• No. 10 – Squaw
Après ski:
• No. 3 – Heavenly
Off-hill activities:
• No. 3 – Heavenly
Family programs:
• No. 4 Northstar
Scenery:
• No. 1 – Heavenly
Terrain parks:
• No. 1 – Mammoth
• No. 3 – Northstar
Overall satisfaction:
• No. 5 — Mammoth