Were talking about ski areas that are literally in the middle of nowhere. They might have a small town nearby, but other than that, theyre far away from the hustle and bustle of bigger ski destinations.
Theres a clear trade-off here. If youre someone who loves amenities, you might be disappointed by these remote areas. They usually dont have high-speed lifts, heated bathrooms, or fancy ski-in, ski-out lodges.
But for the adventurous types, none of that mattersthe skiing is what counts. If that sounds like youor if you’re just curious about the unexpected places where ski areas pop upyoure in the right place. Here are seven of North Americas most remote ski spots.
1. Mt. Bohemia, Michigan
Mt. Bohemia is truly off the beaten path. Located near the northern tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, this spot offers deep lake-effect snow and challenging terrain, completely changing the typical Midwest ski experience. On average, it gets over 270 inches of snow each season.
The best part? Lift tickets and passes are super affordable, at just $95 and $109. But here’s the catchgetting there isnt easy. Whether you’re coming from Michigan or beyond, youll likely need to drive for a while. The upside? That means fewer skiers, so you wont have to fight for first tracks at this hidden gem.
2. Hurricane Ridge, Washington
The Olympic Peninsula is a rainforest filled with towering trees and dense, lush vegetation. Its often linked to the Twilight series (have you been to Forks?!), but its not usually on the list of top ski destinations.
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And honestly, that makes sense. Hurricane Ridge, a small, community-run ski area on the Peninsula, isnt what you’d typically think of as a “resort.” Theres no massive condo complex here. Instead, youll find a few surface lifts and lots of snowHurricane Ridge averages around 400 inches of snow each winter.
3. Cape Smokey, Nova Scotia
The East is a busy place, so its not easy to find a ski area far from a big city. But if you’re willing to head north, there’s a great chance to escape the crowds and hit the slopes. Cape Smokey in Nova Scotia is right by the Atlantic Ocean and is home to the regions only gondola.
If you’re heading to Cape Smokey, make sure you have some sturdy gearthe weather can get pretty wild at this roughly 85-acre ski area. For example, during the 20232024 season, they got 60 inches of snow in just one week! Cape Breton Island, where Cape Smokey is located, saw nearly five feet of snow that week.
The good news? The snow here skis great, and it wont cost you a fortune to enjoy it. A day pass costs CAD$69.99, and season passes can be as low as CAD$399if you grab them in the spring. There are also plenty of places to stay nearby, like Lantern Hill & Hollow, which even offers ski-and-stay packages.
4. Red Lodge Mountain, Montana
Just outside the small town of Red Lodge, you’ll find Red Lodge Mountain, which is a little off the radar compared to places like Bozeman, Montana, and Big Sky Resort. While it doesn’t have high-speed six-person lifts, it makes up for it with charm and some serious vertical2,400 feet of it! With 1,635 acres of terrain and 70 named runs, theres plenty of skiing to enjoy.
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And dont worryjust because its remote doesnt mean youll be short on places to unwind after a day on the slopes. In Red Lodge, youll find Prerogative Kitchen, a 2023 James Beard Award nominee, plus coffee shops and lively bars. The Pollard Hotel is where you can crash for the night.
5. Moose Mountain, Yukon Territory
In 2024, Peter Landsman, the founder and editor of LiftBlog, finished a years-long journey to visit every ski area and chairlift in North America. His last stop? Moose Mountain in the Yukon Territory. And when we say “out of the way,” we mean it. Moose Mountain is the local hill for Dawson City, a tiny town with just 2,000 to 3,000 people. It has one T-bar lift, runs mostly with a volunteer crew, and stays open even when temperatures drop below freezing.
Moose Mountain isnt a typical vacation spotits more for the local community than tourists. But if youre looking for a truly unique skiing experience, this place definitely delivers.
6. Mount Cain, British Columbia
Ucluelet and Tofino, two small towns on Vancouver Island, are well known for surfing, but they also have something for skiersMount Cain. This hidden gem of a ski area has three surface lifts, 21 runs, and gets an impressive 456 inches of snow each year.
If you bring up Mount Cain while chatting with people in British Columbia, dont be surprised if you get some confused looksor, like one Redditor found, outright denial. Mount Cain doesnt exist, one reply said. Its definitely a local secret, and getting there is part of the adventure. To reach Mount Cain, youll first need to take a ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo, then drive for another three hours. No wonder most of the crowds head to Whistler Blackcomb!
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7. Smokey Mountain Ski Club, Newfoundland and Labrador
The Smokey Mountain Ski Club, founded in 1961, is located in Newfoundland and Labrador, not to be confused with Cape Smokey. Its just outside the small town of Labrador City, which was built near one of the worlds largest iron ore deposits. The ski area keeps things simple with about 80 acres of terrain, a few lifts, and 24 runs. Smokey Mountain is the only place in eastern Canada where you can enjoy lift-served skiing above the treeline.
Lift tickets are priced at CAD$42, and season passes cost CAD$352.94. In the town, you’ll find a few places to eat and stay, including Iron Rock Brewing Company, Labrador’s first craft brewery. Despite its remote location, theres a small regional airport nearby for easy access.