This season has been one for the record books. Our contributors visited more than 70 resorts across the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan. We are excited to share our most memorable runs from the deepest season out West in more than four decades. Plus, highlights from our long-awaited international adventures.
Now is the perfect time to plan ski travel for next season. Fill out this form or drop us a line at hello@theavantski to consult with our team of experts and unlock perks for your next mountain adventure.
Season passes are the best way to access resorts at the lowest prices. Help support Avant Ski by purchasing your pass with us today.
*Resort names in blue link to the related Avant Ski Resort Guide.
The Alps
1."Stratofana at Tofana Ski Area, Dolomiti Superski. Better known as the Olympia delle Tofane piste, I skied this iconic Olympic trail with a great group while admiring the views of Cortina d’Ampezzo below. The top was super steep and a bit intimidating, but we were there on a warm, March day and no matter how steep it was, my edges were holding nicely and I could admire the view while carving gorgeous turns." – Alli Widman
The American West
2. “Rock Garden at Palisades Tahoe. Rock Garden, off of KT-22 is a unique area with sneaky chutes, cliffs, and hidden lines if you’re willing to explore all the nooks and crannies. During a midweek storm day in January, this area was refilling faster than you could ski it and we spent the entire day exploring cool lines and features in near perfect conditions.” – Nick LeDuc
3. "Tycoon at Deer Valley is one of the most thrilling groomers around. I love Tycoon located on Bald Mountain. This steep groomer switches fall lines a handful of times and wraps around in a big right-hand direction. It's easy to pretend you're a World Cup racer while enjoying Deer Valley's perfectly groomed snow." – Lexi Dowdall
4. "Lone Pine at Brighton really stood out this season. Less of a defined trail and more of a wide open playground accessed by the Milly Express chair, this entire run is filled top to bottom with steeps, cliffs, chutes, and other super fun features. Mix in 900+ inches of snow on the season and you're in for a wild ride!" – Sam Handy
5. “Beaver Dicks at Grand Targhee is long, wide open, cruiser with some of the best pitch at the Ghee. This run has it all. The top half rolls westward towards Teton Valley in classic Targhee fashion before the taking a turn south where it finishes with the steepest groomed turns on the hill. It’s just one of many great runs on Grand Targhee’s new Colter Lift. Plus it’s got a great name!" – Skyler Kauf
6. "Stone Creek Chutes at Beaver Creek. I veered off into the newly opened Stone Creek Chutes to try something a little steeper. The zone starts with a narrow access trail with chute options on the skier's right that empty into a run-out to the Rose Bowl lift. This part of the resort looks nothing like the rest. My line started steep through trees, opening up to a face littered with drops and varied terrain. Quiet and remote, it was an enjoyable and challenging break. With a half dozen or so entry points, you could poke around Stone Creek Chutes all day. Beware, the signs warning of cliff drops and hidden terrain are no joke." – Jeff Zieba
7. “Tower 16 at Palisades Tahoe. Known for being a sun-drenched mogul run in clear view of the lower mountain, Palisades Tahoe went out of its way to groom the open face on a few occasions this spring, creating an opportunity for some amazing open groomer turns. This run was already high on my list, but stepped up a notch or two this season!” – Mike Freice
8. “Dick's Ditch at Jackson Hole. It was hard to beat Jackson's half pipe on a warm March weekday. I met a couple on Thunder, and we ended up skiing together and Dick's was the last run we did together that day and even though I've forgotten their names, I won't forget them or that run." – Jack Benham
9. “Stein's Way at Deer Valley. You can't beat the views from the top of Bald Mountain. This gorgeous run is unrivaled on a bluebird day, with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and the Jordanelle. Though rated Black, it's a manageable, groomed run for intermediate skiers, with only a couple steep pitches.” – Christine Wells
10."Upper Silver Fox at Snowbird. No lifts provide direct access to this beautiful, steep face. High and close to the ridge, it benefits from blowing snow deposits, which means it always has fantastic soft snow. Our local guide noted its in perfect position for leeward loading. And it's steep enough many will be scared away so you have the run to yourself!" – John Gelb
The Northeast
11. "Goat at Stowe is my go-to within the ropes for steep bumps and interesting fall lines. After plenty of late season snow and a few abnormally warm days this April, Goat offered some of the mountain's best terrain - soft snow, challenging obstacles and no one in sight. The best spring skiing we've had in years!" – Jeff Zieba
12. "The Backside Snowfields at Sugarloaf were in prime condition after a several year hiatus. This past March finally provided the boost needed to open up the backside, and the skiing delivered! My favorite run starts above the tree line at the peak, runs through the wide open Snowfields, and empties out into Brackett Basin for a long run through the trees. There are few runs like it on the East Coast!” – Sam Handy
Canada
13. "Bubbly at Kicking Horse. So appropriately named, the surface of this long, steep and very deep after 20cm of snow the night before, trail appeared bubbly. Our local guide told us to try to hit the peaks of the vaguely shaped bumps. Best tip ever, these were some of the softest turns all season. Accessible by a 12-minute gondola ride, we froze going through the bowl to reach Bubble, but were feeling very warm and bubbly by the end.” – Alli Widman
14. "Upper Boomerang at Lake Louise Ski Resort. The small hike to this top ridge of Boomerang Bowl is worth every untracked, deep powder turn you get before dropping into the main bowl. Rope drops happen around 10am and I managed to get two this season!! The top offers a great vantage point to take in views of all the back bowls, chutes and gullies. Stand at the top and and scope out your next lines for the day! Powder chasers – this is the run for you." – Avery Price
Japan
15. Snorkel to Super on the frontside of Hirafu at Niseko. Spring conditions were in full effect during our visit to Hokkaido the first week of March. Still in pursuit of the classic Japow experience, I most enjoyed a short hike up from the Hirafu Gondola, taking in breathtaking views of Mt. Yotei, then skiing down through some trees and to one of the tastiest ramen lunches I've had on a mountain, just below the Gondola at Bo-yo-so." – Alli Widman
Summary of our 15 Favorite Trails for the 2022-23 Season
Stratofana, Tofana Ski Area
Rock Garden, Palisades Tahoe
Tycoon, Deer Valley
Lone Pine, Brighton
Beaver Dicks, Grand Targhee
Stone Creek Chutes, Beaver Creek
Tower 16, Palisades Tahoe
Dick's Ditch, Jackson Hole
Stein's Way, Deer Valley
Upper Silver Fox, Snowbird
Goat, Stowe
Backside Snowfields, Sugarloaf
Bubbly, Kicking Horse
Upper Boomerang, Lake Louise
Snorkel to Super, Hirafu at Niseko
For the latest updates, exclusive giveaway access and top tips to make the most of your ski season, Subscribe to the Avant Ski mailing list!
