10 Couple-Friendly Ski Resorts in the US and Canada

Vermont's largest ski resort also has one of the longest ski seasons in the Eastern United States. In addition to having six separate base lodges, the skiing is acclaimed and diverse. The all-natural terrain park lures adventurers with its 500-foot-long superpipe with 18-foot walls. The nightlife in Killington is bustling during the winter season, too, so you won't be bored.

Where to Stay: Mountain Top Inn & Resort, 30 minutes from Killington, offers spacious, private cabins in addition to its main rooms. They include king-sized beds and wood-burning fireplaces for that winter wonderland feeling.

Not only is the powder pristine, but the village at Mont Tremblant is devastatingly charming. It's colorful and European-looking and offers plenty to do off the slopes, from clothes shopping to gambling at the on-site casino (yes, really).

Where to Stay: Fairmont's luxe Mont Tremblant property features a spa and health club with whirlpools and swimming pools. It's a short walk from the pedestrian village and ski area.

This former Olympic Village in Lake Placid has morphed into an Olympic Sports Complex, hosting the highest vertical drop east of the Rockies. Thrill-seeking couples will love exploring the Olympic cross-country ski trails and hurtling down the bobsled run. Doesn't sound romantic? Take the gondola up to the observation deck for a picturesque winter picnic.

Where to Stay: The bathtubs are for two at the luxurious Mirror Lake Inn. Not all the accommodations have them, though, so ask for one of the Colonial House Luxury Suites, which also offer unobstructed views of the Lake. You can warm up with a couples massage in the spa or quaff a local craft beer in The Cottage. 

Utah's towering Wasatch Mountains are home to one of the largest ski resorts in the country. When you're not shredding the gnar, Park City's dynamic downtown area offers a great selection of restaurants, boutiques, and bars for après-ski. Avoid going during the annual Sundance Film Festival, though, which takes place from the end of January to the start of February.

Where to Stay: There's a wealth of exceptional resorts here, many with amenities that offer the ultimate in luxury. You can get your own ski butler, for instance, at the Waldorf Astoria Park City.

Picnic at 9,000 feet, soak in natural hot springs, go snowmobiling, hot-air ballooning, kayaking, for a romantic sleigh ride, and more at this resort on the Nevada-California border. Skiers appreciate the wide-open terrain (4,630 acres) and views of the lake as they make their way downhill. In the evenings, a lively nightlife scene awaits.

Where to Stay: Although Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort is located lakeside—with its own beach—the hotel offers complimentary shuttle service to and around Incline Village. There's a heated outdoor whirlpool just for adults and you can dine fireside at Lone Eagle Grille.

Taos Ski Valley at the southern end of the Rocky Mountains is where folks go for uncrowded slopes. This resort in the legendary Sangre de Cristo range is a confluence of the Southwest's Spanish Colonial, European, and Native American cultures. Ski until your heart's content, then hop on a snowmobile. The area's bustling art scene also makes Taos and nearby Santa Fe appealing.

Where to Stay: The one-of-a-kind, eco-chic El Monte Sagrado has a lush indoor spa, complete with its own waterfall and saltwater pool for tense muscles. Stay warm by the kiva-style fireplace in your room.

Vail is the mother of all American ski resorts, spreading across 5,289 acres that receive an average snowfall of 354 inches every year. You certainly won't have the slopes to yourself, but you just might brush shoulders with someone famous—this is the place to see and be seen. While the majority of its terrain is for advanced and expert skiers, its professional ski school can get beginners on the slopes, too. For non-skiers, there's plenty to do.

Where to Stay: Vail has many wonderful hotels, but one of the best for couples is The Arrabelle at Vail Square. The rooms are decorated in the clean, elegant Biedermeier style and feature gas fireplaces. Keeping things cozy and regal, the beds feature a floor-to-ceiling draped canopy.

New Yorkers often make the trip up north to ski Windham Mountain, which is less frenetic than nearby Hunter Mountain and offers 285 skiable acres (with 97 percent snowmaking). After the slopes, you can make your way to the spa for massages or to the on-mountain sushi bar.

Where to Stay: Roxbury Motel isn't the closest, but it's worth the 30-minute commute. A fantasyland for adults, this place is full of themed rooms, all uniquely designed. The Golightly-a-Go-Go room, for instance, is decorated Tiffany blue.

Aspen Snowmass encompasses four mountains—3,339 acres of terrain—making it possible to never ski the same run twice. Couples who like their ski vacations with a side of adventure can try out the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster, which takes you on a mile-long journey through woods and glades. It's especially romantic under a starry night sky.

Where to Stay: In-room fireplaces and decks that face the mountain may make you want to linger at The Little Nell. The hotel even has a ski concierge who stores gear overnight and warms boots before you put them on.

The ski resort Vancouverites visit most (about an hour, 30-minute drive from the city), is Whistler Blackcomb. This extreme playground has the most skiable terrain and one of the most advanced lift systems in the world. It covers 8,171 acres across two colossal mountains with more than 200 marked trails. Down in Whistler Village, you'll have no problem finding high-end restaurants, shopping, and bars.

Where to Stay: There are several first-class resorts in Whistler, including the Four Seasons and Fairmont Chateau Whistler. But if you're the kind of couple who values funky over fancy, consider the Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel, a five-minute walk from downtown. It's next to Whistler Village Market and operates a complimentary ski shuttle.