Planning a January Ski Trip? These 7 Destinations Stand Out in 2026

It’s January, the first month that, by our estimations, qualifies as the “mid-season.”

The crazed holidays have passed, and ski resorts are settling into the routines that will guide them for the rest of the winter. And you, dear skier, probably want to know which ones you should consider visiting.

That’s where this list comes in. Without a crystal ball, we can’t say for sure that all of these mountains will have stellar conditions all month—skiing is, after all, one of the most fickle and weather-dependent sports on the planet.

Still, given the recent storms, these mountains are in good shape as 2026 rolls on, with solid snowpacks and varied event calendars, to boot.

If your New Year’s resolutions involve skiing more (good choice, by the way), you’re in the right place.

The 2026 POWDER Photo Annual is here! Look for a print copy on a newsstand near you, or click here to have a copy shipped directly to your front door.

1. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia

Winter’s gotten underway quickly at Whistler Blackcomb, with the ski resort seeing consistent powder refreshes. The storm track that reliably benefitted parts of British Columbia seems set to persist into early 2026, too. More powder is expected there in January. That includes Whistler Blackcomb.

Off the slopes, the ski resort is set to host several events that should keep this month lively, including a 60th Anniversary celebration and the long-running Fire & Ice show, which happens every Sunday evening.

2. Alta Ski Area, Utah

Alta Ski Area, like its neighbors in Utah, started this winter off on the wrong foot. The temperatures were high, and the snowfall was meager, prompting opening day delays and souring the moods of local skiers. That changed as 2025 wrapped up, though. Since New Year’s, 50 inches of snow have fallen at Alta Ski Area. While the coming days look less snowy, clear and cool weather never hurts—groomers were invented for a reason.

3. Snowbird, Utah

When you’re talking about Alta Ski Area, you may as well throw its stellar neighbor, Snowbird, into the mix, too. Both mountains sit in Utah’s famous Little Cottonwood Canyon, which is known for its massive storms and deep snow. Snowbird’s varied and sprawling slopes sweeten the deal. And with an Ikon Pass, you can spend one day at Alta Ski Area and visit Snowbird the next. 

4. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, British Columbia

Kicking Horse is, to put it succinctly, for tough cookies. The ski resort has some of the wildest inbounds terrain in North America, complete with exposure, cliffs, and tight chutes. It’s also seen plenty of snowfall, enjoying the same northern storm track as Whistler Blackcomb. Over 200 inches have piled up at the ski resort so far. Plus, a modest storm is expected to tally more snow by mid-month.

5. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming

Another ski area challenged by the disappointing start to the 2025-26 ski season out West, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has managed to mount an impressive comeback. At its summit, over 200 inches of snow have fallen. Plenty of that snow arrived in early January, when several feet of powder fell. 

Our advice? Go ski at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort this month. But if you have a longer timeline in mind, consider arriving between February 7 and February 14—that’s when the Kings and Queens of Corbet’s competition is set to go down. The event involves skiers and snowboarders launching off the towering Corbet’s Couloir, throwing spins and flips as they soar through the air. 

6. Grand Targhee, Wyoming

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s sleepier counterpart, Grand Targhee, also has plenty to be thankful for in 2026. The mountain’s fresh off the same storm that hit other mountains in the West, with clear skies in the short-term forecast. 

Beyond the powder—which hopefully sticks around for a while—Grand Targhee is hosting a free Black Crows ski demo on January 23 and January 24. Also, Toyota drivers, you should think about making a trip to the ski resort on January 30. That day, anyone driving a Toyota can ski for free at Grand Targhee (and no, showing up in a different car and telling them you own a Toyota won’t work, we checked). 

7. Deer Valley, Utah

Winter—or the lack thereof—also threatened to dampen what was shaping up to be a historic season at Deer Valley. The ski resort is amidst an enormous terrain expansion that has added ten new chairlifts since December 2024, seven of which are set to open this season. But without enough snow, more trails and lifts don’t mean much.

It’s helpful, then, that Deer Valley also benefited from the storms that hit Alta Ski Area. While the mountain isn’t open wall-to-wall yet, a majority of its chairlifts are now running, offering a glimpse of Deer Valley’s evolving terrain footprint. Consider visiting later in January so the resort has the time to get more of its slopes open.