9 Couple-Friendly Ski Resorts in the US and Canada

One of the best places to ski in all of Canada, this is the ideal spot in the Pacific Northwest for snowy adventures.

Skiing in the Pacific Northwest has its perks and one of the biggest is the climate. Although the snow may not please those accustomed to the soft, fluffy powder of the Rockies, temperatures in this gorgeous British Columbia town tend to be more mild, thanks to its proximity to the coast. The mountain—Whistler-Blackcomb—is enormous, and one of the best views of the land is via a gondola ride connecting Whistler and Blackcomb.

Nita Lake Lodge isn’t a ski-in, ski-out accommodation, but you can access the chairlift via a short walk from the property’s front doors. Or, hop on the free (reliable) shuttle if you’re laden with equipment. Rooms at this boutique lodging, many of which look out onto the namesake lake, are spacious and include fireplaces for cozying up after a day on-piste. Round out the holiday with a couples massage at the on-site spa, where, in addition to having a therapist work through your knots, you can chill out in the outdoor hot tub.

Big Sky, Montana is steadily emerging as a world-class ski destination, and a stay a few miles away from the mountain is rich in remote wonder.

The secret’s out: Big Sky, Montana’s skiing is some of the best you’ll encounter in the United States and Canada. Its 6,000 acres of skiable terrain do a fine job of making you feel all alone up there. While you can of course find a great steak in this town, the restaurant scene offers much more than the expected and enough to keep your appetite enthralled and your body fueled for days.

Lone Mountain Ranch, open since 1915, unsurprisingly packs a ton of charm in its 148 acres. There are only 27 cabins on site, ranging in size from one-bedroom to six—the latter, a fine option for couples traveling together. Claw foot tubs, wood-burning stoves, and the sweet sound of soft snow all-around make this the ultimate option for those seeking a true in-the-woods experience. Don’t miss the Sleigh Ride Dinner, one of the most memorable dining experiences you’ll ever have. 

Park City and Canyons Mountain offer world-class skiing, and this historic property provides a world-class stay.

Utah claims it has the best snow on the planet, and after just a few hours swooshing down the impressive runs of Park City and Canyons, it’s hard to argue with the oft-repeated tag line. On top of fabulous mountain conditions, add world-class dining, upmarket boutiques, and art galleries that will do their very best to turn you into a collector, and you have a recipe for an utterly divine vacation.

It’s been 10 years since the total gut renovation of this 1889 limestone school building. Named after George Washington, the darling accommodation, once functioned as a school, and as The Washington School House demonstrates from top to bottom, there may be no place more unique than this. Eight rooms are housed in the historic building, and a suite across the street is just as chic as the rest of the property. Aprés ski fare is included, but you’ll have to spring for the private dining if that appeals.

Instead of traveling overseas to Europe for that quintessential European ski town charm, just head here, where a darling town and a fantastic mountain beckon sophisticated visitors.

Often likened to a quaint European ski village, Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont offers the full monty: fantastic mountain conditions (with plenty of freshly groomed trails as well as discoverable backcountry); adorable restaurants (we’re talking authentic fondue!); and enough local, craft breweries to keep you hopped and happy. 

While it’s not always the case that the newest game in town is also the best, in the matter of Tälta Lodge, the sentiment rings true. Fancy a muscle-relaxing swim and sauna hang after a day on the mountain? How about an aprés ski Bloody Mary by the outdoor fire pit? Tälta Lodge’s 51 rooms, seven of which are dog-friendly, lean toward minimalism, but include everything you might need for a ski trip to this part of the Green Mountain State, such as modular walls for hanging equipment and strong, reliable WiFi.

• High-definition smart TV
• In-room Sonos speakers
• Bath amenities from Grown Alchemist

How often will you get to go skiing and return to an enormous castle afterwards? This is one of Fairmont’s finest properties from soup to nuts.

Banff National Park, a part of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada, offers premier skiing with an exceedingly gorgeous backdrop in a designated UNESCO Heritage site. Diverse terrain to please all levels of skiers and snowboarders can be found across the region’s three ski resorts: Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Mt Norquay. An impossible number of bluebird days elevate the already laudable mountain.

For ultimate ski-in, ski-out luxury, Fairmont Banff Springs gets the win. Dubbed Canada’s “Castle in the Rockies,” as if the building’s grand exterior wasn’t enough, a stay inside includes stunning accommodations, attention to details, and personalized service—the latter in spite of its impressive size, holding 757 guest rooms and suites. Unwind with a drink in The Vermillion Room, where selecting one of the signature’s cocktails is no easy feat, though you might just opt for the Bartender’s Special if you can’t make up your mind.

Less discovered than many of its Rocky Mountain Colorado siblings, a ski vacation in Telluride not only sounds fancy, but it is, albeit with plenty of Old West peppered in for authenticity.

Although seasonal flight service has made Telluride a bit easier to access, slightly more effort is required to arrive here than to any number of Colorado ski spots. One look around this Western ski town with its smattering of upscale dining and shopping just off the formidable mountain, and you’ll be glad you made the trek.

Part of the Auberge Resort Collection, Madeline epitomizes the luxury ski resort. Expect alpine design with a refined flair and modern sensibility. Mountain- or village-facing balconies add to the spacious, airy feel of many rooms, and the aptly-named spa service Mountain Love Journey for Couples, complete with bubbles and bites, will set you up for another day on the slopes.

In recent years, Jackson has welcomed a slate of extremely high-end properties, so this gently-priced rustic lodge which maintains its Old West charm following a renovation is a real stand-out.

Jackson Hole joined the Ikon Pass a few years ago, and adrenaline junkies promptly put it on their bucket ski list. This is not a mountain for the uninitiated, however, considering 90% of its terrain is designated expert and intermediate. But the payoff for thrill seekers is evidenced in the bragging rights attached to conquering the resort’s 4,139-foot vertical drop. 

Recent years have seen major development in the accommodations category, but in fact, overlooking the recently reimagined The Virginian is ill-advised. It’s here you’ll get a real taste of Wyoming’s Old West roots and genuine hospitality. Free WiFi, an on-site liquor store, and redesigned rooms boasting rich leather furnishings are a sight for sore eyes, er, feet.

The epitome of luxury in a town that’s no stranger to high-end accommodations, Hotel Jerome’s commitment to its history combined with its embrace of modern comforts makes it a winner.

Few ski resorts in North America are held in such high esteem as Aspen Snowmass. While there is a bit of a see-and-be-scene crowd here, particularly during busy holiday periods, Aspen retains its artsy origins and low-key vibes via a creative community of artists. The mountain itself competes with the best of Europe’s offerings. 

Hotel Jerome, also part of the Auberge Resort family of posh properties, has been around since 1889, so if it’s a taste of history set in luxe digs you’re after, you have come to the right place. Rooms and suites, some as large as 1265 square feet, feature floor-to-ceiling windows, cowhide chairs, and mounted deer, lest you forget the Old West origins. The concierge can arrange such excursions for two as a horse-drawn carriage tour or taking a snowcat to a cozy cabin in the woods for dinner—that is, if you can peel yourself away from the eminently comfortable J-Bar with its high-back, leather bar chairs, and friendly bartenders.