You’ve probably heard the old saying, “No friends on a powder day.” The idea is simple, powder gets tracked out fast, and it’s every skier or snowboarder for themselves. But what if it didn’t have to be that way? Sure, you could head into the backcountry… or you could find a ski resort that’s not packed with crowds. No matter which season pass you have, we’ve rounded up 7 of the least crowded ski resorts to visit this winter so you can skip the lift lines and enjoy fresh turns with your crew.
How We Found the Least Crowded Ski Resorts: Our Insider Insights
We have personally visited more than 100 ski areas over the years, and this list is based on both our firsthand experience and data, like average skier visits and lift capacity, to make an educated guess at the least crowded ski resorts. We won’t claim to be infallible, but there is a common thread we’ve noticed: uncrowded resorts are often a bit farther from major international airports or large cities. In other cases, they’re lesser known gems overshadowed by a bigger neighbor, like June Mountain quietly sitting next to Mammoth Mountain.
Whitefish
For The Powder Hound
Mountain Stats
Non-existent lift lines because even 2025 (record season) only had 500,000 ski visits!
Size: 3,000 acres, 11 lifts, 111 Trails
Lift Capacity: 26,300 / hour
Snowfall: 300 inches
Locals still call it “Big Mountain,” and for good reason—it towers over the town of Whitefish like a snow covered sentinel. There is a reason we chose this place to get married. It skis way bigger than the stats suggest. A four inch powder day here feels like a foot anywhere else. And the best part? Nearly the entire mountain is skiable. No random uphill slopes in bounds, no off limits vibes, just wide open terrain waiting to be explored.
While exact skier numbers are a closely guarded secret, we did some digging. Based on 2016/2017 averages and current growth trends, you’re looking at around 3,600 skiers per day. That is way below the crowd levels at the big name resorts. And since it’s not on the Ikon, Epic, or Indy Pass, chances are it’s going to stay that way.
Sun Valley Resort
For The Lap Of Luxury
Learn more about Sun Valley & the town of Ketchum
Mountain Stats
Non-existent lift lines because average 3,500 skiers / day and peak holidays less than 6,000 skiers / day
Size: 2,500 acres, 17 lifts, 120 Trails
Lift Capacity: 23,380 / hour
Snowfall: 200 inches
They say the proof is in the pudding, and based on our experience skiing Bald Mountain, lift lines are virtually nonexistent. Your legs will give out long before the mountain does. For the speed demons out there, racking up 70,000 vertical feet in a day is totally doable. And for those taking it easy, maybe stopping for a hot toddy or two, you can still knock out 20,000 to 30,000 feet without breaking a sweat. With no lift lines, high speed lifts, and 3,000+ feet of vertical per run, you’re in for a lot of downhill skiing. Now, let us address the elephant in the room: yes, it may not have those jaw droppingly steep chutes. But honestly, who cares when the terrain delivers such consistent, exhilarating fall line skiing?
Lost Trail Powder Mountain
For The Purist
Mountain Stats
Non-existent lift lines because only 45,000 visits ANNUALLY (2015)
Size: 1,800 acres, 8 lifts, 69 Trails
Lift Capacity: 6,500 / hour
Snowfall: 350 inches
As parts of Montana continue to grow rapidly, Lost Trail remains just far enough off the beaten path that you can still score epic powder days without the crowds. Like many resorts on this list, there isn’t a ton of public info on current skier visits, but back in 2015, they logged only 45,000 visits a year. Even if that number has grown, it’s still lives up to its name Lost Trail Powder Mountain. Slopeside condos? Nope. A fancy base village with heated walkways? Nuh-uh. Lost Trail is proudly a locally owned mom and pop ski area that keeps the focus where it should be, on the skiing. The terrain delivers too. From steep, challenging descents to plenty of beginner and intermediate options, there is something for everyone. As Mr. Spicoli once said in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, “All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I am fine.” That is the vibe here, except it is all about tasty turns in that famously dry Montana snow they like to call coldsmoke.
Brian Head Resort
For The Family
Mountain Stats
Known for short lift lines & uncrowded slopes because it’s far enough away from SLC crowd
Size: 650 acres, 11 lifts, 71 Trails
Lift Capacity: 18,110 / hour
Snowfall: 350 inches
With Salt Lake City’s metro area now home to over 2.8 million people and offering easy airport access, skiing “the greatest snow on Earth” often comes with crowds and high prices. But if you’re looking for affordable turns without the chaos, consider heading south to Brian Head Resort. Located more than 200 miles from the nearest major airport (Las Vegas), its remote setting keeps day trippers to a minimum. Brian Head is especially well-suited for beginners and intermediate skiers, making it a perfect spot for families and first timers. But don’t worry there are still plenty of powder stashes and advanced terrain to explore (as you can see in the photo above). Best of all? Visit on a weekday, and you might just have the whole mountain to yourself.
June Mountain
For The Ikon Skier
Learn more about June Mountain
Non-existent lift lines because peak days no more than 2,000 skiers / day and most are beginners
Lift Capacity: 10,000 / hour
Size: 1,500 acres, 7 lifts, 43 Trails
Snowfall: 276 inches
Mammoth is everything that it’s cracked up to be. Big bowls, lots of snow, and tons of acreage. It’s a must for “Ikon”-ic powder days. But if you’re looking for a more relaxed vibe, consider heading to their sister resort just down the road – June Mountain! This quiet ski area is nestled above the town of June Lake and even on the busiest days gets at most 2,000 skiers. While the queue for the 1st lift can get a bit long, once you’re up top, you’ll feel like the only one on the mountain! Lastly, for those with kids 12 and under, they can ski and snowboard for free at June Mountain – every day of the season, including holidays. For those that need a bit more coaxing, here’s 6 reasons to visit June Mountain. And with June Lake itself going through a renaissance, you may want to stay in town as well.
Kicking Horse
For The Epic Pass Holder
Learn more about Kicking Horse
Mountain Stats
60% of terrain is rated expert keeping beginners away & located far from airport
Lift Capacity: 3,000 / hour
Size: 3,486 acres, 5 lifts, 120 Trails
Snowfall: 240 inches
The Powder Highway in Canada is truly heaven for skiers & snowboarders. The amount of cat, heli, and lift-accessed skiing operations available to you is just staggering. For those on the Epic Pass, Kicking Horse should be on your to do list now before the secret gets out. Just on facts alone, the ski resort has 4,314 vertical feet of butt-puckering terrain. 5 alpine bowls that fill in with the light dry powder that we all love. Definitely a great option if you feel like hitting a ski area outside of your local haunts.
Saddleback
For The New Englander
Mountain Stats
Least crowded ski area because current average of 90,000 skier visits annually less than neighboring resorts like Sunday River which has 500,000 visitors.
Lift Capacity: 7,773 / hour
Size: 600 acres, 6 lifts, 68 Trails
Snowfall: 225 inches
The East is packed with legendary ski resorts and iconic terrain. The front four at Stowe. The bumps on Outer Limits at Killington. But since its reopening, Saddleback has quietly entered a renaissance of its own. As the third largest ski area in Maine, Saddleback has seen skier visits grow to around 90,000 annually. Still, that is a fraction of what other East Coast resorts pull in. Sunday River sees around 500,000, and even the smaller Jiminy Peak logged 250,000 back in 2009.
But what Saddleback offers is something even more special. It’s one of only seven ski areas in all of New England with a top lift elevation over 4,000 feet. Add in a 2,000 foot vertical drop, plenty of steep glades, and more than 225 inches of snow each year, and you have got a mountain that delivers big adventure without big crowds.
So for this winter, if you want to avoid the crowds, pick one of these. These 7 of the least crowded ski resorts will ensure you come home with a smile and stories to tell. Looking for more trip ideas or inspiration for your next vacation? Check out our in-depth guide: Ski Trip Planning – Plan The Best Ski Holiday Ever! We give you tips on when to visit certain ski areas, highlight Indy ski areas that feel less corporate and have big personalities, and even how to avoid crowds.
