Original story and post written by Eric Mees:  For the full story and ski area details, visit his post HERE

With ski season right around the corner, we’ve compiled a list of seven of our favorite affordable and uncrowded ski destinations around the United States (plus a few honorable mentions, too).

Any blog can give you the top ski destinations in the U.S. or the world. (Just for the record, your bucket list should include Whistler Blackcomb in Canada, Zermatt and the Matterhorn in Switzerland, Hokkaido in Japan, or Vail and Aspen in Colorado.)

But what about those hidden gems? The places that are the least crowded ski resorts, don’t cost an arm and a leg, and are close enough to non-resort towns where the pizza isn’t $15 a slice (and pepperoni is extra).

Here’s our take on some ski areas that offer amazing snow, represent great value, and probably weren’t on your radar—until now. Time to get those skis and boards out of storage and crash some pow-pow, as the kids might say.

Any guesses about affordable and uncrowded ski destinations we found in these states?

• The Bicentennial State
• The Golden State
• The Pine Tree State
• The Cowboy State
• The Grand Canyon State
• The Beaver State
• The Treasure State

Below is the quick list – make sure you read the full article for details and rundown on what makes each area a hidden gem!

1. Colorado:  Ski Cooper
2. California:  Dodge Ridge
3. Maine: Sugarloaf
4. Wyoming: Snowy Range Ski Area
5. Arizona:  Snowbowl
6. Oregon:  Hoodoo Ski Area
7. Montana:  Whitefish Ski Area

FULL ARTICLE