When it comes to “cool” ski resort towns in North America, according to one source, Truckee is the coolest.
The iconic Lake Tahoe town of Truckee was recently named the coolest ski town, according to a report from Matador Network. A travel and lifestyle publication, Matador Network recently ranked North American’s top 21 coolest cities.
Located in North Lake Tahoe, Truckee features a quaint strip of eateries, bars and shops in its downtown area. It also resides within a 20-minute drive of major ski resorts such as Northstar California, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows and Sugar Bowl.
Smaller resorts like Homewood, Diamond Peak and mid-sized Mt. Rose are relatively close to Truckee as well.
The independent website praised Truckee for playing host to an array of available ski areas, including world-famous Squaw Valley, which hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics.
Aside from its energetic and entertaining atmosphere during the winter months, Truckee is also a prime location for summer activity like cycling, rafting and fishing along the Truckee River, and hiking across nearby snow-barren peaks.
Matador Network wrote that “Truckee is rad because it sits in the middle of more ski areas than anywhere else in the West, and yet has none of the glitz of places like Aspen or Jackson. Squaw deserves special mention as host of the 1960 Winter Olympics and home to crews of wilderness athletes such as the late Shane McConkey.”
Another California ski resort that made the list was Mammoth Lakes, which Matador Network noted may have the best wilderness access in the lower 48 states, with the exception of Jackson, Wyo.
In assembling its list, Matador Network paid special attention to a town’s physical terrain – during all four seasons – and the quality of nearby ski hills.
“Some, like Olympic hosts Sun Valley, Squaw Valley or Whistler, are already famous,” according to Matador Network. “And yet others like Davis, West Virginia or Burke, Vermont have just as interesting and fiercely proud local characters and stories. Wherever you find yourself traveling (and hopefully carving) in 2018, here’s to fresh tracks and spreading stoke.”
Matador Network’s Coolest Ski Towns in North America:
- Truckee, California
- Revelstoke, British Columbia
- Valdez, Alaska
- Davis, West Virginia
- Bethel, Maine
- Bend, Oregon
- Silverton, Colorado
- Mammoth Lakes, California
- Taos, New Mexico
- Nelson, British Columbia
- Burke, Vermont
- Sun Valley, Idaho
- Crested Butte, Colorado
- Golden, British Columbia
- Missoula, Montana
- Whistler, British Columbia
- Lake Placid, New York
- Jackson, Wyoming
- Steamboat Springs, Colorado
- Fernie, British Columbia
- Pinedale, Wyoming
