7 Up-and-Coming Ski Resorts to Check Out This Season

So, you want to ski somewhere different, that’s understandable. In a day when mega-passes reign supreme and weekend lift lines stack up, traveling to a lesser-known yet up-and-coming ski resort can be quite desirable.

The following resorts are leading the charge when it comes to new development and expansion. Get the scoop before these spots are known by everybody!

1. Tamarack Resort, Idaho

Tamarack takes the top spot on our list of up-and-coming ski resorts due to a massive expansion plan that’s currently in the works.

The ski resort is already quite large by North American standards, with 2,800 feet of vertical and over 1,100 acres of skiable terrain, but Tamarack has big plans in the near future. Their most recent expansion proposal includes eight new chairlifts, more than 2,000 acres of new terrain, and countless new trails.

Having opened only in 2004, Tamarack seems to improve their ski terrain, lift infrastructure, and base village with each passing season. The resort announced in the Fall of 2024 that six new trails were cut for the season, and “thousands” of dead or dying trees were removed during the summer to improve the skiing experience.

Located just two hours north of Boise in snowy western Idaho, Tamarack is poised to establish itself as a major ski resort destination in the years to come.

2. Powder Mountain, Utah

Powder Mountain has been in operation since New Year’s Day 1975, but the sale of the resort to billionaire Netflix founder Reed Hastings in 2023 has PowMow (as the locals call it) on a different path.

As of winter ’24/’25, Hastings and his new management team have created a semi-private ski resort at Powder Mountain with multiple lifts and terrain reserved exclusively for homeowners. Hastings appears to be sparing no expense as Powder Mountain installed and replaced four new chairlifts during the offseason.

Transitioning from the mom-and-pop, hometown ski area vibe to a semi-private resort has been challenging for Powder Mountain from a public image perspective, but the resort doesn’t show any signs of stopping. “We believe this blend of public and private skiing secures us decades of exceptional uncrowded skiing for all, funded partially by real estate,” says Hastings.

3. Silverton Mountain, Colorado

“Have you been to Silverton yet?” It’s a question commonly asked by skiers in bars and on chairlifts across the country. The reputation for big mountain terrain, deep snowfall, relatively inexpensive heli-skiing, and uncrowded slopes has spread like wildfire amongst passionate skiers from coast to coast.

Silverton currently has just one chairlift, with the majority of its big mountain terrain only accessible by ski touring or helicopter, but additional chairlift expansions have been floated in recent years. Regardless of the minimal uphill capacity, Silverton is a wild, rough, and rugged alpine environment intended only for expert skiers.

Silverton doesn’t groom it slopes or utilize snowmaking equipment. Instead, the ski area serves up a raw experience that’s not replicated by any ski resort or area in the country.

4. Cherry Peak, Utah

Cherry Peak is the newest ski area in Utah having first spun its chairlifts on December 21, 2015. Located near the Idaho border, Cherry Peak has become a staple for students at Utah State University and for skiers and riders who don’t want to travel south to the more popular ski resorts in the Wasatch Range.

Cherry Peak gets even better when their lift ticket prices are taken into consideration. An adult day lift ticket costs just $55, no matter the day of the season. That’s nearly 500% cheaper than some of the mega-resorts located closer to Salt Lake City.

5. Skeetawk Ski Area, Alaska

The name Skeetawk is derived from the Dena’ina word Shk’ituk’t, which means “where we slide down,” and was chosen by HAX, the non-profit that owns and operates Skeetawk, as a way to honor its native predecessors.

Skeetawk is the newest ski area in the United States, having just opened with lift-served skiing during the winter ’20-’21 season. The ski area currently operates one chairlift that provides access to 12 trails and terrain parks on 300 feet of vertical, but massive expansion plans are in the works.

When Skeetawk’s development is completed, which is expected to be rolled out in phases through 2035, it will be Alaska’s largest ski resort. HAX has laid out extensive plans to build three more chairlifts, add snowmaking, and create avalanche mitigation systems to unlock Skeetawk’s high alpine potential.

Keep an eye on Skeetawk in the years to come, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself booking a trip in the next decade.

6. BIG Snow American Dream, New Jersey

BIG Snow American Dream is the only indoor ski resort in North America. While the indoor slope is rather small in size, it’s proven to be a test case for the viability of indoor ski resorts across the continent.

The “Fridge,” as some skiers and riders call it, has also grown in popularity amongst pro riders looking to score offseason terrain park sessions. BIG Snow has yet to cement its claim as being a cool place to ski and ride, but momentum is shifting as the reality of climate change is settling in.

BIG Snow offers a unique experience in North America, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see other urban areas follow suit in the years to follow.

7. Brundage Mountain Resort, Idaho

Located just up the road from Tamarack Resort, Brundage Mountain Resort truly feels like a hidden gem buried in the remote reaches of central Idaho, but that’s far from the truth.

It takes just under three hours to drive from Boise to Brundage, and the recent influx of residents to the nearby town of McCall, Idaho has figuratively put Brundage on the map. The resort is currently undergoing a transformational period as it builds and sells luxury ski-in, ski out properties, and explores expanding its boundaries.

The current footprint of Brundage is quite large (1,920 ac.), but with special use permits for cat skiing and backcountry access on peaks adjacent to the current boundary, Brundage is poised to expand.

If you’re looking to ski two up-and-coming ski resorts with one stone, if you will, consider booking a trip to Tamarack and Brundage.