The 10 Best Ski Resorts in North America for Seniors

These mountains prove there's no age limit on winter fun.

Next time you board a lift at your favorite mountain, there's a good chance a senior skier or two will be riding along with you. Powder hounds in their 60s and 70s (and beyond) are an increasingly common sight on the slopes thanks to the millions of baby boomers hitting retirement age, and their love for the sport is starting to impact its national demographics. In the 2020–21 season, riders age 65 and up accounted for more than 16 percent of all visits to American ski resorts, according to the National Ski Areas Association.

In contrast to the stereotype of sun-seeking snowbirds, many older adults head straight to their favorite ski resorts when winter hits. But some mountains are better than others at catering to the needs of senior skiers. Riders of retirement age may not have the funds to afford pricey lift tickets, and they may not have the joints to take on precipitous headwalls and monster bumps. At the same time, though, some older visitors want challenging terrain and a lively après-ski scene. The best ski resorts for seniors offer varied terrain, from advanced runs down to grandkid-ready bunny slopes, and short lift lines don't hurt either. Need to find that perfect place? These 10 North American ski resorts roll out the red carpet for their senior skiers.

Related: These Are the 10 Coolest Ski Destinations in America Right Now — Plus Tips for the Perfect Trip

Waterville Valley Resort, New Hampshire

Ski-loving seniors can find a thriving social scene at Waterville Valley Resort. The long-running Silver Streaks program, designed for visitors age 50 and up, offers midweek skiing and other events for veteran riders and (thanks to a dedicated staff of instructors) late-in-life newcomers to the sport. The program includes both Nordic and Alpine groups, and it meets on almost every winter weekday. But Waterville's appeal for older skiers doesn't stop there. Lift tickets are always free here for riders age 80 and up, and 100 percent of the mountain's terrain is groomed daily, making for soft, fresh corduroy that's gentle on aging knees. Visitors who want a challenge can try the resort's longest trail, Oblivion, which stretches an impressive 1.9 miles.

Powder Mountain, Utah

Blessed with over 500 inches a year of what's often called "The Greatest Snow on Earth," Powder Mountain is aptly named. With more than 8,400 skiable acres, this is the largest ski resort in North America in terms of physical size, but its modest crowds make it perfect for those who want to take their time on the slopes. Guests 75 and older ski for free at Powder, while those between 65 and 74 receive lift tickets at a discount — usually around $50 lower than the standard price. With 40 percent of the park's 154 runs labeled "blue," visitors here can cruise on some of the country's best intermediate terrain. Powder Mountain official Ian Matteson shared, "We offer slopes and terrain perfect for all riders of any age. We welcome seniors to come and enjoy the vastness of the Wasatch Mountains without feeling the pressure to hurry around the mountain."

Smugglers' Notch Resort, Vermont

Though it's known as a great resort for kids, Smugglers' Notch is also ideal for seniors. The Smuggs 55+ Club, fondly referred to as a "senior center on the slopes," offers skiing, boarding, and snowshoeing every Wednesday on the mountain's mostly beginner and intermediate terrain. And if you're traveling with multiple generations, the resort makes that easy, too. Smugglers' Notch offers spacious condos (up to six bedrooms) equipped with full kitchens, dining rooms, hot tubs, and an on-demand shuttle for getting around the property. Skiers age 65 and up receive a discount of about 20 percent off daily lift ticket prices, and savings are extra-steep for season passes — riders age 70 and above get unlimited access for $299, compared to $699 for non-senior adults.

Kimberley Alpine Resort, British Columbia, Canada

Seniors are connected and involved at Kimberley, thanks in large part to the mountain's Volunteer Resort Host program. The hosts' primary job is to provide daily tours to new resort visitors, but since the position is largely filled by retirees, the host program has also become a de facto senior social group. When they're not sharing local knowledge and meeting guests from around the world, hosts ski together and enjoy weekly après-ski social time. Seniors will also appreciate this resort's reasonable prices. The vacation rental company HomeToGo recently ranked Kimberley the second most affordable ski resort in North America, and the resort offers steep discounts for senior riders. Skiers ages 65 to 74 receive about 20 percent off the standard season pass rate, while those 75 and older can ski all season for as little as $99.

Shawnee Mountain, Pennsylvania

Located in the Poconos, where snow accumulates quickly and often, Shawnee Mountain offers wide, groomed slopes that are just what the doctor ordered for senior skiers. Those 70 and older ski for free, making it easy for retired guests to enjoy the mountain's pristine first tracks every morning, if they wish. "We want our skiers to be able to enjoy skiing for as long as possible and hopefully bring future generations skiing as well," Rachel Wyckoff, Shawnee's marketing director, explained. "It is our way of thanking them for keeping the sport alive and to offer an affordable way to continue as well. We have quite a few seniors who have been coming in groups together for a long time. They tend to meet by the fireplace early on weekday mornings to get dressed and have coffee before heading out for the day."

Related: North America's Best Uncrowded Ski Resorts

Purgatory Resort, Colorado

Located in the diverse and rugged terrain of the San Juan Mountains, Purgatory Resort offers both challenging tree skiing and gentler glades. Since 45 percent of the resort's 105 trails are rated intermediate, it's especially good for senior riders who want to enjoy a wide range of Goldilocks runs — neither too difficult nor too easy. Purgatory's Super Senior season pass offers free unlimited skiing for ages 75 and up both here and at Purgatory's eight sibling resorts across the American West. Purgatory benefits from Colorado's high elevation and abundant snow, but it's tucked away deep in the state's southwest, far from the I-70 corridor that houses most of the major Colorado resorts. This means visitors get world-class skiing (and a lively après scene) with little traffic on the roads or in the lift lines.

Gunstock Mountain Resort, New Hampshire

Gunstock Mountain Resort opened in 1937, so it's a favorite among seniors who skied here in the park's early decades and watched it evolve into a four-season resort. Daily lift tickets are free for folks 70 and up who are willing to wait in line at the ticket window, but regular visitors may want to invest in a Golden Pass. For $49, this pass allows seniors to go straight from the car to the lift all season long. If you'd like to visit with family, Gunstock offers enough activities to keep the whole crew entertained, from tubing to guided snowshoe tours.

Pomerelle Mountain Resort, Idaho

Pomerelle is home to some of the best beginner and intermediate terrain in Idaho. The main beginner trail, Milk Run, is super wide with a gentle pitch that's immaculately groomed — perfect for seniors seeking a ski day that's easy on the joints. If you're looking for refresher lessons, you'll find no shortage of instructors who understand the senior skiing experience. Several teachers here have been with the resort for more than three decades, such as Barry Whiting, the mountain's former director of ski instruction and a Pomerelle skier since the 1960s. The cost of entry is appealing here, too — tickets for riders age 70 and up start at $27 for a single day and $199 for the season.

Swain Resort, New York 

One of the oldest ski resorts in New York State, Swain provides free lift tickets to seniors 75 and older and $10 season passes should they want to skip the ticket window. Riders between the ages of 65 and 74 can also score discounts, with day passes starting at $29. Swain ensures that the most popular trails are groomed quickly and early so terrain is easy to navigate. Many seniors enjoy the casual ambience of the Shawmut Grille for après-ski, especially on weekday afternoons. Suzy Male, marketing director, explained, "Our senior skiers are the heart and soul of this community. Many of them are responsible for multiple generations of skiers and riders. They understood how to keep our industry moving forward. It's great to be able to give back to them."

Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, New Mexico

There's something special about skiing in New Mexico, where the delectable food and rich history rival the excellent skiing. Pajarito Mountain offers free skiing for riders age 75 and up, and 70 percent of its 44 trails are rated beginner or intermediate. But the perks for older visitors don't end there. Pajarito is located just outside of Los Alamos, where the first nuclear bomb tests were conducted, and the resort was actually founded by nuclear scientists looking to hit the slopes after long days in the lab. History buffs will love riding in the tracks of Enrico Fermi and Robert Oppenheimer, who both skied here in the days when this area was simply known as the Los Alamos Ski Club.

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