25+ Ultimate Destinations in the US for Winter Sports

Our friends at Wanderu put together an infographic with up-to-the-minute information of the top 10 ski destinations in the US plus the top 5 for each region. Below is a run-down of how our Travelstoke users enjoyed the snow in the US this winter.

Editor’s note: These spots are all taken directly from travelstoke®, a new app from Matador that connects you with fellow travelers and locals, and helps you build trip itineraries with spots that integrate seamlessly into Google Maps and Uber. Download the app to add any of the spots below directly to your future trips.

Stargaze Yurt

 Stargaze YurtLowman, United StatesJust a 1.2 mile Nordic ski or Snowshoe trek from Highway 21, the Stargaze Yurt is the perfect winter base for night photography, telemark skiing, or snowshoeing around old forestry roads. The yurt is fully stocked with firewood, kitchen supplies, cards and board games. It sleeps 6, dogs are welcome, and there’s a big deck with a panoramic view of the Sawtooth Mountains and Payette River Canyon. Book through the Idaho Parks and Rec website. #snow #camping #extreme #winter #yurt #snowshoe #ski #stargaze

Watchman Overlook

 Watchman OverlookKlamath County, United StatesWant this view in the winter? Be prepared to snowshoe your buns a total of 6-8 miles at 7,000+ feet to get this Instagram-worthy snapshot. However, in the summer, it’s only a few hundred feet from the road. #winter #snowshoe #workout

Dewey Point

 Dewey PointMariposa County, United StatesGreat place to try snowshoeing. And then there’s that view. #snowshoeing #snow

Hole In The Wall

 Hole In The WallMammoth Lakes, United StatesThis was the coolest thing I ever did on a snowboard! A little backcountry traverse and straight through the Hole In The Wall! #snowboarding

Mammoth Mountain

 Mammoth MountainMammoth Lakes, United StatesCan you say BURIED in powder?! This was the best snow I’ve ever been in to date! Mammoth Mountain is my favorite place to snowboard in the US! #snowboarding

Squaw Valley Resort

 Squaw Valley ResortOlympic Valley, United StatesSquaw Valley – the best ski resort in CA! This shot is hiking Granite Chief Peak on a bluebird powder day. Paradise! #snow #skiing #snowboarding #pow

Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort

 Snowbird Ski & Summer ResortSandy, United StatesSnowbird is one of Utah’s most amazing ski spots. Winter doesn’t seem so bad from this angle. #snow

Creamers Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge

 Creamers Field Migratory Waterfowl RefugeFairbanks, United StatesThe Fairbanks landscape offers so many great trails for cross country skiing. We headed out to the abandon creamery to stretch our legs. #snow #extreme #hiking #crosscountryski #Fairbanks #Alaska #ExploreFairbanks #free

Big Four Ice Caves

 Big Four Ice CavesGranite Falls, United StatesA short path leads you to these famed ice caves on the mountain loop highway between Grant’s Pass and Darrington, Washington. The first time I went was in the summer and I wouldn’t dare enter even without seeing the memorial to a young girl who was killed by an ice fall. The creepy creaking noises and hot day were enough to keep me from entering. This proved to be the right hunch because the next year during the summer four people were killed here. The second time I went was in the dead of winter before that second tragedy. I felt completely safe walking around here in the winter, everything was frozen solid including the treacherous path to the caves (I slipped and fell hard 4 times that day. My SoCal feet don’t know what to do on ice). I don’t know what the status of these caves are after that last time people are killed but I don’t think they can keep people away. If you go in the summer (or probably spring or fall too) don’t go inside. It is really dangerous. Only go in on a really cold winter day if you do. And it’s worth it. It’s pretty magical inside the caves and even if you don’t feel comfortable going in the area and mountains around are absolutely stunning. #hiking #snow

Mendenhall Glacier

 Mendenhall GlacierJuneau, United StatesBringing the #ice age up close and personal! #alaska glaciers are so cool. 🙃 #snow #history #hiking #glacier

Watchman Peak Trail, Crater Lake

 Watchman Peak Trail, Crater LakeKlamath County, United StatesCrater Lake is certainly a site to see. In the winter the close off the loop road to cars, however you can still ski, hike or snowshoe it! #camping #snow #hiking

Klamath County

 Rim Village Café and Gift ShopKlamath County, United StatesIf you don’t want to snowshoe or cross country ski across avalanche zones and otherwise sketchy terrain, you’ll be happy to know that this view exists from the parking lot of Rim Village. As long as the road is open, you can get up to this vista within a minute. Kids can play here and you don’t need snowshoes, but be mindful of the (marked) edges. The coffee sucks and wifi is $4 for an hour, but if you’re desperate, it’ll do the trick. #snow #nationalpark #winter

Timberline Lodge Trailheads

 Timberline Lodge TrailheadsGovernment Camp, United StatesMount Hood is covered with trail heads, but the Timberline trail is the longest and most beautiful. Hard hiking, pack for three days minimum #outdoors #hiking #extreme #snow #camping

Sawtooth National Recreation Area

 Sawtooth National Recreation AreaKetchum, United StatesSun Valley has the best backcountry in the West, at the center of the Sawtooth, Boulder, Soldier and Pioneer mountain ranges. Too many mountains for such few skiers! Try ski touring, heli skiing, or on a day like today, SLED skiing. Snowmobile up the hill, ski down. Repeat. Now that’s efficiency! #skiing
#sledski #extreme #snow

Sahale Glacier Campground

 Sahale Glacier CampgroundChelan County, United StatesOne of the most amazing places I’ve camped in the Cascades. It is a 4000 foot climb in 6 miles up but you get to camp at the base of Sahale Glacier so the hike up is worth it. This was our campsite for the night.
Just be sure to get a permit before you plan on camping there.
#camping #hiking #snow

Heybrook Lookout

 Heybrook LookoutGold Bar, United States#hiking #snow

Mount Hood

 Mount HoodMount Hood, United Stateswe were tryibg to see crater lake but were detoured because of all the snowfall. a bit further down the road was the entrance to the park with this incredible view and families sledding. it was magical #nature #oregon #snow

Chena River State Recreation Area

 Chena River State Recreation AreaFairbanks, United StatesDrive just outside Fairbanks to catch the Northern Lights. There are so many great locations around the city to view the Aurora. Make sure to dress warm, check the Aurora forecast, bring extra batteries, and something warm to drink. Plan accordingly as the Aurora is best viewed around 1-2AM.
Check out AlaskaAuroraCam.com for a live view of the Aurora, and if you want, take an awesome Aurora Photography Workshop at www.seankurdz.com #extreme #hiking #snow #NorthernLights #free #Aurora #Fairbanks #Alaska #ExploreFairbanks #Photography

Trail Creek

 Trail CreekHailey, United StatesSki tour out Trail Creek for untouched powder skiing. Hike up Morgan Ridge for 1700 vertical of skiing. Leave early and you can score a few runs before the sun goes down! #skiing #extreme #snow

Durand Eastman Park

 Durand Eastman ParkRochester, United StatesThe first snowfall of the year has arrived in my hometown of Rochester, New York! That means it’s time to dust off the old snow shoes and go have some fun! #snow

Kirkwood Mountain Resort

 Kirkwood Mountain ResortMarkleeville, United StatesGreat mountain for #ski and #snowboard enthusiasts. Good for intermediate to advanced level with black diamond runs.

Icehouse Canyon Trailhead

 Icehouse Canyon TrailheadMount Baldy, United StatesSNOW! Who knew that less than 1 hour from LA there is a winter wonderland for hiking, snow shoeing and skiing!
The San Gabriel Mountains are located just east of Los Angeles and one of the tallest peaks is MT. Baldy. To get there find your way to Hwy 210 and get off on Mt Baldy Road. After making your way up the canyon, stop in the little town to pick up a parking pass for $5. Continue up the canyon to the fork in the road. To the right is the Icehouse Canyon Trailhead and parking lot. Complete the free permit at the beginning of the trail, and let the adventure begin! This trail is open year round. When we were there in January the area was covered in snow! There are numerous hiking options from a mellow walks along the creek, to serious summiting. Bring water and snacks, and dress properly for the day. Dogs are allowed on leash.
To the left at the fork in the road, is a small ski resort. The old two seater lifts give access to some pretty amazing terrain. Buy your tickets online in advance and get some sweet deals, like $25!!! No parking pass needed.
The San Gabriel Mountains and The Angeles National Forest are full of adventure opportunities year round. It is amazing how close the mountains are to Los Angeles! Go get some!
#hiking #snow #skiing #snowboarding #mtbaldy #angelesnationalforest #jeeptrails #scenicviews

Hunter Mountain

 Hunter MountainHunter, United StatesGet here by 8:30 am and you’re golden. #newyork #snowboarding

San Jacinto Peak

 San Jacinto PeakRiverside County, United StatesWhen you reach this old stone shelter, you know you are almost at the summit of Mt San Jacinto–Peak five in the Six-Pack of Peaks.
Most people hike it from May to September, but when conditions are right it’s great for snowshoeing in the winter.
#snowshoeing #hiking #snow #sixpackofpeaks #camping

The Westin Snowmass Resort

 The Westin Snowmass ResortAspen, United StatesGreat time in Snowmass #snow