It seems like skiers and snowboarders have many different (and sometimes passionate) opinions about the best ski resort in the US. Which has the best steeps? The lightest powder? The coolest vibe? The most killer après-ski? We can argue about these topics well past the time the chairs stop turning, but one way to measure the popularity of ski areas is by the number of Foursquare check-ins. While this is far from a perfect indicator, it is interesting to see which make the list for top ski resorts – some might surprise you.
According to Foursquare data for the 2012/13 season, the ski resorts with the most check-ins were typically large ski areas, especially in California, Colorado, and Vermont – but not always. Some of the largest ski resorts in the country didn’t even make the top ten. And some smaller ski resorts punched way above their weight class in terms of Foursquare presence.
Your favorite ski resort not on the list? Maybe that’s a good thing, since it means you probably enjoy the shorter lift lines, stealthy tree runs, and not sitting on the lodge steps to eat lunch. Keep it your secret!
1. Jackson Hole
Rating: 9.7 out of 10
Jackson Hole topped SKI Magazine’s reader survey for the first time this season, and it’s also the #1 ski area on Foursquare. Deep snow, steep runs, exceptional lodging, and a solid social media presence combine to make it top for check-ins.
2. Sun Valley
Rating: 9.7 out of 10
One of the most historic ski areas in the US, Sun Valley also shows its modern side by ranking #2 for check-ins on Foursquare; must be all those snowboarders and twin-tip skiers lapping the Superpipe on Dollar Mountain.
3. Breckenridge
Rating: 9.7 out of 10
Breck is typically the most visited ski resort, with about 1.6 million skier visits per winter season. The Vail Resort ski area draws snowboarders and skiers from the Denver area and across the US, making it #3 on Foursquare.
4. Alpine Meadows
Rating: 9.6 out of 10
The top California resort, Alpine Meadows ranked #4 on Foursquare in 2012/13. Bay Area residents love their mobile devices and make up a big portion of the population of skiers and snowboarders at Alpine.
5. Northstar
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Another North Shore Tahoe ski area, the family-friendly Northstar has great groomers, a lively base village, and plenty of kid-friendly activities. Northstar is the second Vail-resorts owned ski area on the list.
6. Mount Snow
Rating: 9.6 out of 10
The top east-coast ski area on the list, Mount Snow has been in the Foursquare game for a while. Rumor is that Dennis Crowley, Foursquare’s founder, skis at Mount Snow, which provided a prime parking spot for the mayor of both Mount Snow and Carinthia.
7. Heavenly
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Between all the skiing, gambling, and partying, Heavenly customers find enough time to check-in on Foursquare – probably on the gondola.
8. Waterville Valley
Rating: 9.7 out of 10
The only New Hampshire ski area on this top 20 list, Waterville promotes Foursquare heavily around the resort, offering badges and specials for multiple check-ins.
9. Sunday River
Rating: 9.6 out of 10
Sunday River is Maine’s lone representative on the list. A ski area dispersed broadly across 6 different peaks, Sunday River must provide great WiFi coverage for skiers to check-in between laps on all the different mountains.
10. Keystone
Rating: 9.7 out of 10
Keystone Resort, a sister ski area of nearby Breckenridge, rounds out the top 10 and is the #2 Colorado ski area on the list. There is plenty of time to check-in, update your status, text your mom, and post to Instagram while on the Keystone Gondola.
11. Squaw Valley
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
The sister resort to Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley is the fourth and final California ski area on the Foursquare list. Widely popular with diverse groups of skiers and riders, this mountain features a ski-through Starbucks on-hill. I wonder where that Starbucks would rank on Foursquare?
12. Vail
Rating: 9.6 out of 10
For Foursquare check-ins, Vail, the big daddy of US ski areas, ranks #12. The vast skiing acreage and tons of nightlife must mean people are too busy enjoying themselves to check-in.
13. Park City
Rating: 9.4 out of 10
One of Utah’s most popular ski areas, Park City Mountain Resort is the top Foursquare resort in the Beehive State. Variety of terrain and the nearby town of Park City, with its restaurants and entertainment, are the strengths that draw visitors to this mountain resort.
14. Copper
Rating: 9.2 out of 10
Rounding out Colorado’s Foursquare ski areas, Copper Mountain is the #14 resort for check-ins. Easily accessible off I-70, Copper has great terrain and tons of lodging options in the base village, making it a favorite of Denverites and out-of-staters alike.
15. Stevens Pass
Rating: 7.9 out of 10
Stevens Pass is somewhat of an anomaly on this list – the only day area (no overnight lodging) in the top 20. Foursquare is very popular in Seattle, Stevens Pass’s primary market, and the resort is well-known for getting the most snow in the US.
16. Killington
Rating: 9.3 out of 10
“The Beast of the East” is going through rejuvenation, with the recent re-opening of the Peak Lodge, the highest structure in Vermont. Between steep bump trails and a wide panoply of restaurants on the Access Road, Killington offers something for everyone.
17. Stratton
Rating: 8.9 out of 10
Stratton is well-liked with skiers and riders from New York City, where Foursquare is headquartered. The grooming is so good at Stratton that you could probably check-in while riding the corduroy.
18. Canyons
Rating: 9.1 out of 10
Recently acquired by Vail Resorts, Canyons is the largest ski area (acreage-wise) in Utah. Numerous on-mountain dining options, high-end lodging at the base area, and easy access from Salt Lake City airport make Canyons an attractive destination.
19. Hunter
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Hunter Mountain, New York’s historic ski area in the Catskills, offers great terrain, award-winning learning programs, and luxury accommodations (not to mention, its “Fuggedaboudit” charm) making it the #19 ski area on Foursquare.
20. Camelback
Rating: 8.2 out of 10
Rounding out the list, Camelback is an under-appreciated Poconos ski area and well worth a visit. It draws from several large East Coast metro areas (including NYC and Philly) and is developing a reputation as being an excellent place to learn to snowboard and ski.
Foursquare is a great way to keep track of the mountains you’ve conquered, but so is Liftopia’s Where I’ve Skied App! Take the challenge and let us know how many ski areas you’ve been to in the comments below!
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