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It's Bowl Season! Here Are 6 Spots to Find the Best Bowl Skiing in North America

Strap in — it's time to ski some powder.

By: Sara Sheehy + Save to a List

We're deep into ski and boarding season, and it's that time of year when the bowls at many resorts get good...really good.

Maybe it's a mix of months of snowpack combined with consistent fresh snowfall, or perhaps it's the first hint of the spring skiing that's just around the corner. No matter what it is, bowl skiing is the best, and it's time to head out and take advantage.

Here are a few of our favorite in-bounds spots to get into some deep, open powder.

Aspen, Colorado

Photo by Hillary + Matt

The bowls at Aspen Highlands are perhaps some of the most famous in North America, and for a good reason. A run down Highland Bowl, which is accessible only via hiking, is what many call "the run of a lifetime." The line of hikers on the weekends or fresh powder days can get extreme, so plan accordingly.

Sun Valley, Idaho

Photo by Idarado Media

Think bowl skiing is only for experts? Think again.

Sun Valley's dozen-plus lift-serviced bowls range in difficulty from beginner to double black diamond. The resort's Mayday lift makes doing bowl hot-laps a breeze, and the panoramic views into the Boulder and Pioneer Mountains will make your jaw drop.

Park City, Utah

Photo by Chris Englesman

Park City is America's largest ski resort with 17 mountain peaks, over 300 trails, and over 7,300 skiable acres. It also has 14 bowls filled with Utah's famous powder. Intermediate skiers will want to check out the Silverado Bowl, accessible from Canyons Village, while expert skiers can try their meddle on remote O-Zone, which requires three lift rides and a hike to reach.

Lake Louise, Alberta

Photo by Kyle Frost

At Alberta's Lake Louise, the bowl's aren't just a section of the mountain, they are the entire back of the peak. These legendary "Back Bowls" are an expert skier's paradise. The weather patterns around the peak often drop more snow on the Back Bowls than anywhere else at Lake Louise, and the larch-lined bowls hold powder for longer, too.

Mammoth, California

Photo by Mammoth Mountain

Mammoth Mountain's expansive bowls are just the start of the story at this California resort. Boasting one of the longest ski seasons in North America, Mammoth's annual snowfall averages a whopping 400 inches a year. Make use of all that powder by heading to the expert-rated bowls off The Summit, or take a mellower ride down Saddle Bowl or Center Bowl.

Cover photo by Mike Fennell

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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