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