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5 Under-the-Radar Ski Resorts to Visit in 2020

A few incredible resorts that deserve your turns this season. You won't be disappointed.

By: Kyle Frost + Save to a List

RED Mountain, British Columbia

There’s something delightfully old-school about RED. Show up, park where there’s room and get going from the no-frills base area. Don’t stop skiing until your legs do. While I would definitely consider RED "under-the-radar", it also breaks into the top 10 largest resorts in North America, and hosted POWDER Week last year. If you're looking for the steep and deep, a trip to Rossland, BC (a charming town of 8k) and some time at RED has to be on your radar. Hop on a flight to Spokane, and it's only an easy 2-hour drive from there to paradise. Looking for a place to stay? RED just added boutique slope-side accommodations with the Josie Hotel, as well as the Nowhere Special Hostel -- both walking distance to the lifts.

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Photo credit: Kyle Frost

Monarch Mountain, Colorado


About 3 hours from the Front Range, Monarch is always worth a weekend trip -- at the very least to avoid some I-70 crowds. This resort on Monarch Pass, near Salida has plenty of fun terrain and hardly any crowds. This resort has a mom-and-pop feel, with a no-frills base area and plenty of locals. We headed to Monarch after a massive storm last season and enjoyed lap after lap of fresh turns while friends at I-70 resorts dealt with lift lines and crowds.

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Grand Targhee Resort, Wyoming


You know about Jackson. So does everyone else. But head over to the west side of Teton pass, and there's a whole world on the backside of the Tetons with a fraction of the crowds and a decidedly different vibe. Targhee may be smaller than Jackson Hole but it's higher, and gets more snow on average. Because the resort sits on the west side of the Tetons, storms from the Pacific often get trapped here (and don't make it to Jackson), resulting in some epic powder days.

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Photo Credit: Powder Day Photography/Grand Targhee Resort

Whitewater Resort, British Columbia


A short 20 minute drive from downtown Nelson, BC, Whitewater has only 3 lifts here, but a surprising amount of terrain — most of which will satisfy even the strongest of skiers. With over 40 ft of snowfall a year, and seemingly unlimited lift-accessed backcountry, there's no shortage of incredible skiing in this corner of the Kootenay's. It's the only resort I know of that has so much accessible backcountry that they offer one-off "bump" lift tickets to get that quick 1000k of vert before heading up to the steep, aesthetic lines that surround the resort. Many of the lines drop you right back at a lift so you can jump on and do it again!

Don't miss the Whitewater segments in Matchstick Productions "Return to Send'er" this year!

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Photo credit: Kyle Frost

Alyeska Resort, Alaska


Just 40 miles from Anchorage in nearby Girdwood, this resort is more accessible than you think. With direct flights from much of the west coast, (and easy connections from Denver) you could jump on a flight and ski Alaskan powder for a weekend. Whether you're looking for the steep and deep (head to the North Face or Headwall zones) or just enjoying groomers, there's something here for riders of all types. Along with 660" of snow a year, Alyeska does come with its caveats -- you'll likely want to plan a trip for later in the  season when daylight hours are a bit longer!

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Photo credit: Ralph Kristopher

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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