The 2025-2026 SKI Magazine Rankings are In

[kbroderick]

Is there still an actual SKI "magazine"? If not who is taking this poll? Never been to their website...

It's part of the Outside empire. They've struggled to figure out what to do with some of their brands since killing the actual print magazines years ago. It seemed like they were making an effort recently to provide real content on the websites, but I think there was some more turmoil recently that included more job cuts.

With a lot of the properties, they were facing an uphill battle since the magazines had been selling eyeballs and giving away subscriptions for years, with a corresponding lack of content that wasn't either advertorial or carefully engineered to avoid offending advertisers or readers.

With some of the huge swings in ranking, I wonder what the sample size actually is and how much resorts were able to swing their results by encouraging fans to participate.

 

[jimmywilson69]

The free spots fill super early and yeah it's a super pain in the ass but im just a cheap bastard. I've not been in 4 or 5 years so I dont know the current status of those spots.

Years ago I used to go with a buddy and his high school friend was living in Summit County (working a real job) and he knew where all the free spots were in Vail. We played that game then.

 

[machski]

Having two Maine areas top the list on the east is very interesting. It shows how far Saddleback has come.

I find interesting that Killington is not higher. I think that it should move up next year after more improvements and local ownership continues to implement their plans.

I also find it interesting that MRG dropped so far and based, at least in part, about "parking" issues. That seems pretty odd to me.

Looks like Jay got dinged for its aging lift infrastructure and resulting lines. Makes sense.

No Sunapee at all. That is weird as it is a very busy area.

I think Killington and SR are having the same problem moving up. Both are noted in the writeups as being very pricey to many. That may continue to tamp both of them down in these rankings, considering SL and Saddleback scored seemingly with their cost value.

 

[VTSkiBike]

I also find it interesting that MRG dropped so far and based, at least in part, about "parking" issues. That seems pretty odd to me.

The parking comment at MRG puzzled me. I find the parking there to be great - I usually arrive at 8:15ish and can always get a good spot and make the short walk to the lift. It can be dicey trying park later in the day but most resorts become a parking free for all once the parking attendants are done for the day.

MRG is one of the few places where I don't feel like I have to rush to get a good spot. Sugarbush on other hand......

 

[oldfartrider]

I think the info in that vid is useless and have already forgotten the ranking

 

[thetrailboss]

With some of the huge swings in ranking, I wonder what the sample size actually is and how much resorts were able to swing their results by encouraging fans to participate.

This. I have always wondered about the sample size and influence of resorts. For example, Holiday Valley beats a lot of resorts and has in this "ranking" for years. This happened long before SKI's recent demise. Not taking anything away from Holiday Valley, but it has always been clear to me that they push their skiers and riders to vote for them and they draw a lot of folks from a region that has no other real options.

 

[Internet Ski Pro]

#20? Seven Springs? i havent been there, i know some people that have, with positive reviews, but you really fell off the ladder as far as #19 being Okemo, and Seven Spring is the next in line...lol. like i get it, been to Okemo, its ok, not the most challenging place, but its way better than anything in PA that will always rely on snowmaking. Just seems like the gap between 19 and 20 is ridiculous. i guess its all in their metrics as far as the ranking goes, but 7S weakness is terrain variety and value. so, as long as you dont go there to ski, its a great place?


Remember when Camelback was rated really high or even #1 resort in the country by some poll? that was funny. Could you imagine someone from the west saying they wanted to travel to Camelback to ski???? lol.

Blue Mountain in PA would definitely take the cake for being #1 shit show regularly. some times things are so messed up there its hilarious.

 

[BenedictGomez]

The comments for Park City do not match the ranking. And the comment that operations in 2024-2025 were better than in the past was very odd considering that last year was the strike over Christmas.

I just hope this pays dividends for me this season!

 

[4aprice]

#20? Seven Springs? i havent been there, i know some people that have, with positive reviews, but you really fell off the ladder as far as #19 being Okemo, and Seven Spring is the next in line...lol. like i get it, been to Okemo, its ok, not the most challenging place, but its way better than anything in PA that will always rely on snowmaking. Just seems like the gap between 19 and 20 is ridiculous. i guess its all in their metrics as far as the ranking goes, but 7S weakness is terrain variety and value. so, as long as you dont go there to ski, its a great place?

Remember when Camelback was rated really high or even #1 resort in the country by some poll? that was funny. Could you imagine someone from the west saying they wanted to travel to Camelback to ski???? lol.

Blue Mountain in PA would definitely take the cake for being #1 shit show regularly. some times things are so messed up there its hilarious.

I got the pleasure (cough) of skiing 7 Springs when my son raced in high school. Was not impressed. Was much like the Pocono's only 6 hrs away. Kept thinking had I drivin in another direction I could be in very Northern New England. The only thing Camelback is number 1 in is in being a short easy drive away. I do not regret the years we spent skiing in PA. It was a great place to teach the kids. The Poconos are in our back yard so they are useful, however rankable? Not with what is 200 miles to the north. I'll ski them in December and January when things are just ramping up.

 

[1dog]

It's part of the Outside empire. They've struggled to figure out what to do with some of their brands since killing the actual print magazines years ago. It seemed like they were making an effort recently to provide real content on the websites, but I think there was some more turmoil recently that included more job cuts.

With a lot of the properties, they were facing an uphill battle since the magazines had been selling eyeballs and giving away subscriptions for years, with a corresponding lack of content that wasn't either advertorial or carefully engineered to avoid offending advertisers or readers.

With some of the huge swings in ranking, I wonder what the sample size actually is and how much resorts were able to swing their results by encouraging fans to participate.

Call me skeptical on objective rankings- in old days it was the largest advertisers in the mags, now, Outside has some decent material from time to time on their channel- some Warren Miller films and a few back country ski outing videos- good late night stuff. I forget their advertisers on the channel honestly. But its like anything else - follow the money. Think with 15% of all ad spending on cable the 'news' is gonna point out any bad news from Big Pharma? ( 15% of all is 3x the next largest spender - insurance co.'s)

Still fun to well, poke fun at 'em. But they do have influence with potential customers- as a new skier I took a lot of that stiff as gospel. . .as a 22 year old. . .

 

[ceo]

Kind of amused that Saddleback got #1 for parking. The lots are reasonably close, but they're uphill from the base lodge, which feels kind of unfair at the end of a long ski day.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Nobody should take these rankings seriously.

Exhibit A: Powder Mountain's recent ranking

2023 - Powder Mountain = #1 resort destination in the west!
2024 - Powder Mountain = Not ranked at all as it didn't make the top 30

LULZ . The entire thing is a joke.

FWIW, PowMow not being ranked in the top-30 in the West is the correct call. Being ranked #1 western resort makes a mockery of their rankings.

 

[skef]

Nobody should take these rankings seriously.
[...]

I was half expecting, as I scrolled to see #1, to find https://www.bigsnowamericandream.com/ (and I'm only half kidding)