5 Best Ski Resorts For College Students

You'll know as you drop over the Wyoming side of Teton Pass on the way to Jackson Hole that you've landed somewhere special. Some call Jackson Hole, "the last of the old west," and while there may be slightly more "western" towns scattered across the state, you won't find one with 4,000 vertical foot drops to ski down.

Jackson Hole made a name for itself as a big mountain adventure mecca throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and it is now a world-class destination resort. This comes with its downsides: mainly costly lift tickets and lodging, but college students can find discounts for the former and cheap(er) digs for the latter. Overall, it's a young-at-heart community with an undertone of sophistication -- and simply not-to-be-missed as a check off any skier's bucket list.

Best For: A pilgrimage to the mecca of North American big mountain skiing; the classic ski town adventure.

• Stay…at The Hostel, the only remaining value option in Teton Village; dorm and private rooms are available, as well as a communal kitchen at the base of the resort.
• Ski…Saratoga Bowl of Après Vous for secret stashes on a powder day; regardless of your ability, be sure to take a ride up the legendary aerial tram – advanced skiers can drop into Rendezvous Bowl, and others can grab a waffle in Corbet’s Cabin before taking the tram back to the base.
• Eat…at Pearl Street Bagels, a local favorite in Wilson. They have bagels, sandwiches, salads, and more.
• Après…at the Mangy Moose; this place gets packed on weekend afternoons when local bands start playing. Kick back with classic après grub like nachos and parmesan truffle fries.
• Nightlife…You’ll find the most variety in downtown Jackson, including the popular Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and Silver Dollar Bar.
• Off The Slopes…Spend some downtime walking around town – there are some great outdoor gear shops and funky western wear stores. 
• Don’t Miss…Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s annual outdoor spring concert series, Rendezvous Fest, which takes place at the end of March.

See Jackson Hole Ski Packages

When you pull into the Bridger Bowl parking lot, you'll see a sign with the ski area's motto: "Ski the cold smoke" -- and they're not kidding. Bridger has a special quality of bringing in some of the lightest density powder known to North America. We love Bridger Bowl because it's old school: as a not-for-profit ski area, you won't see any over-commercialized condos, stores, or village area -- just a vibrant community of local skiers looking to get some face shots and have a good time. It's located 20 minutes from downtown Bozeman, which is home to Montana State University and plenty of good nightlife. Major live music acts frequently drop into Bozeman, and the community is chock full of outdoors enthusiasts who like their food organic and their IPAs hoppy.

Best For: Hardcore skiing in a vibrant university town; all the big mountain and nightlife perks of a major resort without the hefty price tag.

• Stay…at the Lewis and Clark Motel, located in downtown Bozeman with proximity to Main Street’s bars and restaurants.
• Ski…Be sure to hike the Ridge off Bridger Lift if you have the backcountry experience and gear; traverse the skier’s left for powder curtains, and the skier’s right for locally named chutes off The Nose.
• Eat…at Montana Ale Works for hearty bison burgers after the day at Bridger; the space is huge, the bar lively, and a solid option for big groups.
• Après…at Grizzly Ridge Station with old-school ski bar eats; you’ll be brushing shoulders with local legends while watching clips of famous ski movies on the TVs.
• Nightlife…The Molly Brown Bar is the best spot for shooting pool or catching a Tom Petty cover band; it’s also conveniently located in the “Bermuda Triangle” – 3 downtown bars that cluster around one small parking lot behind Main Street.
• Off The Slopes…Drive 30 minutes out of town to Chico Hot Springs; there’s a developed outdoor pool fed by hot natural spring water, a restaurant, and live music most weekend nights.
• Don’t Miss…Catch local pros and gutsy amateurs send it big in the Bridger Gully Freeride competition, usually held in February.

Breckenridge is at the top of this list for its fun-loving atmosphere, varied terrain, proximity to major Colorado schools, and season access under the Epic Pass Program. Breck boasts nearly 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, world-famous terrain parks, and some of the best snow in Colorado because of its location within the Rocky Mountain Range. Some vacationers go for the glitz and glam, but at heart, Breck is suited for any budget and attracts masses of college students – especially during Spring Break. Regional and national live music acts frequent the town; the outdoor concerts in late March are the best.

Best For: Day-trippers from Dillon, weekenders from Denver and Boulder; spring break destination for sun-loving skiers.

• Stay…at the Pine Ridge Condominiums for ski-in/ski-out access and decent prices (if you go with some friends).
• Ski…Peak 8 for the most variety, Peak 10 for the fewest crowds, and Peak 8 summit for some difficult hike-to terrain.
• Eat… at HD Tavern for affordable dogs and sausages, and drink specials.
• Après…Soak up the sun at T-bar, located at the base of Peak 8, with daily food specials and many other skiers and riders sprawl out across the patio on sunny afternoons.
• Nightlife…Most clubs are 21+; if you’ve got that going for you, head to Cecilia’s for late-night dancing to spinning DJs.
• Off The Slopes…Take a day to drive to the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs in Nathrup.
• Don’t Miss…Spring Fever, Breck’s blowout end-of-season festival, with pro competitions, beer and food tastings, and outdoor concerts.

See Breckenridge Ski Packages

Whistler likes to party, so if you're looking to let loose at European underground-style nightclubs between days on the slopes, this place is for you. What can we say? Whistler has skiable terrain that spans over 8,000 acres, with thousands more accessible in neighboring backcountry. Après is a way of life, the parties are off the hook, and you can find at least 5 different types of international cuisine. In terms of lodging, most condos and houses require you to be over the age of 25 to book; here we listed a hostel as a solid alternative.

Best For: Nightlife for ages 19+ and the best overall place for outdoor and social pursuits.

• Stay…at Blackcomb Lodge, located in the heart of Whistler Blackcomb, offers private rooms but they cannot guarantee the rooms being noise-free. If prefer a more noise-free location, opt for First Tracks Lodge.
• Ski…the ridge off the Harmony 6 Express lift; Glacier Bowl is a go-to for great snow on a powder day.
• Eat…at Tacos La Cantina for massive takeaway burritos; Sushi Village makes a mean sake margarita and their famous udon noodle soup.
• Après…Kick back on the deck of Merlin’s Bar & Grill with local beers and heaping plates of nachos; this is the spot to meet a fun young crowd before a night on the town.
• Nightlife…Garfinkel’s has a theme for every night of the week (Fridays and Saturdays are always packed); get there by 11 – DJs start spinning the good stuff around 12.
• Off The Slopes…Book ahead for a thrill at Whistler Bungee; jumps are facilitated off a bridge 15 minutes south of Whistler Village – rides are available, as well as group discounts.
• Don’t Miss…The biggest seasonal festival is the World Ski and Snowboard Festival, featuring outdoor concerts, food and drink events, and more in April.

See Whistler Blackcomb Ski Packages

There’s not too much going on at Sunday River compared to major resorts in the West, but the resort does its best to cater to college students with events like College Ski Week in early January, a 5-day run of lodging deals, and special events. There’s also the competitively priced New England College Pass, which offers access to Sunday River, Sugarloaf, and Loon. Sunday River is just far enough north to dodge the tristate area weekender crowds, so lift lines aren’t as crowded and snow quality stays throughout the day. This is the place to go if you want to get in some turns, hang with friends, and kick back at, like, three bars. (But hey – they’re great bars!)

Best For: New Englanders looking for a local getaway; long days on the slopes and fun nights at the Foggy Goggle.

• Stay…Rent a condominium in Bethel at a decent price or stay at the affordable Inn at the Rostay. You can also get a discount if you stay at the Snow Cap Inn.
• Ski…Lap Locke and Barker Mountains in the morning, then head to the glades off Oz for some tree line thrills.
• Eat…at Smokin’ Good BBQ at Bethel; chefs smoke fresh meats dry-rubbed with a secret spice recipe in a traditional smoker to serve up the best BBQ in Maine. Good prices, too.
• Après…at the Foggy Goggle. You’ll find loud crowds, live music, and pretty good pub grub; all ages are welcome.
• Nightlife…Head to the Matterhorn Ski Bar for live music, beer, and craft brews.
• Off The Slopes…There are other winter activities to be enjoyed including Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, and ski biking.