5 Epic Ski Trips for College Students

I've reached the age where snow and skis aren't needed for a spectacular crash 'n burn.  

S E E D E D   C O N T E N T

The college  ski vacation . It’s one of those universal experiences for lifelong skiers. For those of us who have already graduated to the “real world,” we often look back on our college ski trips through rose-tinted glasses.

Was the snow actually good that one time at that one resort? Maybe. But that midnight walk through the resort village during a snowstorm because  someone  forgot to pay attention to the bus schedule was undoubtedly memorable and maybe, in retrospect, kind of fun.

That’s the best part of cutting loose after studying like a dog for several months: Even when sh*t goes wrong, you’ll have something to laugh about with your friends.

This category of ski trip adheres to a different set of parameters. If you’re a college student looking for a town to explore and ski during a vacation with your best buddies, the phrase “world-class lodging and amenities” is probably the opposite of what you’re looking for. A  cheap place to crash , a few fun bars to check out (if the  après scene  is your jam) and  deep snow  are the only necessary ingredients for a good college ski trip. Exquisite, complimentary body wash and room service aren’t part of that equation.

These are five of the best ski resorts for college students to visit.

1. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia

Whistler Blackcomb , British Columbia, is the king of superlatives. Top-notch skiing and après are both on offer. Slopeside, Whistler Blackcomb is as good, if not better, than it’s cracked up to be. Deep snow is regularly on tap. Terrain that suits everyone, from   beginner   to seasoned expert, is available, meaning your whole crew will find something that piques their interest.

You won’t get bored having to ski the same runs all day; this colossal resort sprawls across two mountains. For pro spotting, hit Whistler’s Peak Express on a powder day. If you’re lucky, you might catch a famed throw-down on Air Jordan, an imposing line visible from the lift’s lower terminal.

Whistler Blackcomb does have some drawbacks, though. For one, it can get crowded. The whole world and a vast portion of Vancouver’s metro residents know it’s the place to be now, so lines, at least during the earlier portion of a powder day, can stack up. The other challenge is affordability, which is easier to navigate with a bit of pre-planning.

The Whistler Lodge Hostel   offers relatively cheap stays in its shared rooms (there are women’s-only dorms available), and, thanks to the   Epic Pass , the lift tickets don’t have to burn a hole in your ski pants pocket. To throw some post-skiing dance moves, hit   Garfinkel’s   or   Buffalo Bills.   Of the ski resorts on this list, Whistler Blackcomb is the most party-friendly.

2. Alta Ski Area, Utah

Alta  Ski Area, Utah, gets a lot of attention. The snow, the scene,  the Frank , the bombs—you may have caught wind of these Little Cottonwood Canyon signifiers, and, if you’re wondering, yes, the rumors are true: the skiing is really, really good at Alta.

And while the base area nightlife isn’t out of control, you’ll be able to score some post-ski pints at the Alta Peruvian Bar, known affectionately by locals as the “P-Dog.” For a midday energetic buzz, grab an Alta Bomb from the Goldminer’s Daughter Lodge. This concoction features PBR and espresso—two liquid supplements favored by skiers the world over. Both the  Mountain Collective  and the  Ikon Pass  offer days at Alta.

To find a cheap place to rest your head, check out the Alta Lodge, which offers shared lodging. Crashing at an Airbnb in  Salt Lake City  is an option, too, but be wary of the drive through the canyon. When the snow starts to stack up, Highway 210, which provides access to Alta, often closes due to avalanche risk. The benefit of staying in Salt Lake City is that there’s much more to see and do once the ski day is over. But if skiing’s the primary goal of your trip—and let’s be real, it probably is—you should stay at the base of Alta.

3. Winter Park Ski Resort, Colorado

Colorado is home to a vast range of ski resorts, from humble mom-and-pop hills to sprawling, glitzy mega-destinations. Somewhere in the middle stands  Winter Park , a 3,081-acre ski resort with 23 lifts and 171 named trails. In the vicinity of Winter Park are numerous Airbnbs and hotels, so there’s no shortage of lodging.

The  Lift Winter Park Transit , which is free, makes going between the resort and the neighboring towns a breeze. And if you’re traveling from  Denver , try the recently improved  Winter Park Express . Riding a train Euro-style beats sitting in ski traffic any day of the week.

During the ski season, Winter Park offers its  Mountaintop Après  series, which is held at the mid-mountain Sunspot Lodge every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and features live music, drink specials and an opportunity to rub shoulders with fellow skiers. In town,  Devil’s Craft  is a good place to visit if you’re in search of a late-night watering hole.  Hernando’s  has your post-skiing pizza cravings covered.

4. Mammoth Mountain, California

It’s tough to go wrong with  Mammoth  Mountain. Ample above-treeline terrain will satisfy big mountain-inclined skiers, while the resort’s enormous network of Unbound  terrain parks  (there are 10 in total) cater to every level of  freestyler .

Hitting jumps and rails isn’t reserved for Red Bull athletes at Mammoth—the resort makes dipping your toes into the world of jibs easy. And when the conditions align, the snow can   really  stack up here. During the  2022-23 ski season , the resort received more than 700 inches of the white stuff. Unlimited  Ikon Pass  access sweetens the deal at Mammoth.

And the town of Mammoth Lakes, which borders the resort, is jam-packed with places to stay. The  Motel 6  is an obvious budget-friendly option, but you could also split an Airbnb with your friends. Fuel up at  The Stove  before you hit the hill, and if you’re craving an after-skiing mai tai, visit  LakaNuki .

5. Telluride Ski Resort, Colorado

Telluride  Ski Resort, Colorado, combines serious vertical with a lively nightlife scene. In the town of Telluride, there are numerous evening hangouts, including the local favorite,  The Bar at the New Sheridan Hotel . Other beloved spots include  O’Bannon’s Irish Pub  and the  Last Dollar Saloon .

A  free gondola  links the town and the ski resort—just keep your eye on the time if you’re staying at the resort, as the gondola closes at midnight. Another consideration if you’re considering a nighttime bar-hopping session: Telluride sits at an elevation of over 8,000 feet, so those lite beers might catch up quicker than you’re used to.

Telluride, of course, is far more than bar crawls, though—drinking is in no way necessary to have a killer time. The mountain covers more than 2,000 acres of skiable terrain, with everything from gentle greens to challenging steeps on tap. The crown jewel for go-getter skiers might be Palmyra Peak, which is accessible via an inbound hiking route. From the peak, numerous double blacks, like Roy Boy, beckon below.