It’s no secret that the U.S. is home to some of the world’s best ski resorts. However, you may be surprised to discover that many of the top ski resorts are also home to incredible golf courses. From high-altitude fairways to greens with breathtaking views to championship course designs, ski resorts across the country combine stunning landscapes with challenging courses. You simply don’t want to sleep on summer at America’s great ski resorts. Below are some of the top ski resort golf courses.
The Best Ski Resort Golf Courses
Telluride Golf Club, Telluride, Colorado
Situated at an elevation of 9,417 feet, the Telluride Golf Club is one of the highest golf courses in the world, making it an incredibly unique experience. Designed by architect Ken Kavanaugh, Telluride Golf Club has immaculate facilities, including a 350-yard hitting area, a 7,900-square-foot chipping area, and a putting green. The course is an 18-hole, par 70 masterpiece known for its challenging layout and dramatic views of the surrounding San Juan Mountains. Telluride Golf Club’s high elevation and thin mountain air, affecting ball trajectory and distance, brings unique challenges that you won’t find at just any golf course. It makes for a one-of-a-kind Colorado golf experience..
Copper Creek Golf Course, Copper Mountain, Colorado
Copper Creek Golf Club, a beautiful 18-hole, par 71 course built by Pete and Perry Dye Design, is at the heart of Copper Mountain Resort. The course features dramatic views of the surrounding peaks and offers a variety of challenges for golfers, including narrow fairways, water hazards, and strategically-placed bunkers. With a focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship, the course integrates seamlessly into the natural landscape. It delivers an amazing golf experience to the backdrop of the gorgeous Ten Mile Range. Copper Creek Golf Course also boasts some of the most reasonably priced greens fees that you’ll find for such a beautiful course in Colorado. If you’re a local, check out Copper’s season pass, which is structured similarly as a ski pass.
Omni Mount Washington Resort and Spa Golf Course, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Located near Mount Washington, Bretton Woods is one of the most scenic golf destinations in New England, home to an award-winning 18-hole course and a 9-hole championship course. The Mount Washington 18-hole, par 71 course boasts panoramic views of the White Mountains and has been recognized as one of the top courses in New Hampshire. Designed by golf architect Donald Ross in 1915, it’s known for its immaculate maintenance and challenging layout. In 2024, the course had a number of top rankings, including a no. 1 ranking in Golfweek for “Best Courses You Can Play.” Additionally, it has been voted as Golfweek’s “Best Course You Can Play in New Hampshire“ since 2009. The 9-hole Mount Pleasant Course, first opening in 1895, has hosted generations of golfers over the years. It makes for a fun, but no less challenging, round of golf along the Ammonoosuc River.
Park City Canyons Course, Park City, Utah
Located at Park City Mountain Resort’s Canyons Village, the Canyons Golf Course was designed by famed architects Gene and Casey Bates. It’s a 18-hole, par 70 course, characterized by dramatic, sweeping views of the Wasatch and challenging, but memorable shots. Its high elevation in Park City means cooler temperatures during the summer, making it an ideal summer golf retreat for those looking to beat the heat. Canyons Golf Course is full of unique elements, including Hole 18, a true island green that is 100% surrounded by the Willow Draw Stream. Make a long weekend of it in Park City, which we named one of the best ski towns to visit during the summer.
Trail Creek Course, White Clouds Course, And Elkhorn Golf Club, Sun Valley, Idaho
Sun Valley Resort is a true destination for golfers, home to three distinct courses, each of which showcases the unique terrain and charm of the Sawtooth Mountains. Altogether there are 45 holes, two driving ranges, and lots of putting greens to practice your short game. Well-known golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., son of the legendary Robert Trent Jones, designed the 18-hole Trail Creek championship course, which spans 6,968 yards. Elkhorn Golf Course has 18 holes spread across 7,214 yards with more than 100 strategically placed sand traps to really test your skills. Last, but not least, White Clouds offers an alpine 9-hole course with 3,600 yards of play and 360-degree views of the Wood River Valley. Golf Digest has recognized Sun Valley as one of the best golf destinations in Idaho.
After a day of golfing, Sun Valley Club is the perfect place to wind down. Guests can enjoy a restaurant, bar, wraparound terrace, a pro shop, locker rooms, club storage, and club rental.
Big Sky Resort Golf Club, Big Sky, Montana
Big Sky Resort Golf Course is an award-winning 18-hole par 72 course positioned 6,500 feet above sea level in Montana. Originally designed by one of the most renowned golfers of all time, Arnold Palmer, the course features spectacular views of Lone Peak as you play along the West Fork of the Gallatin River. Big Sky hosts daily lessons and several tournaments throughout the season, making it the perfect place for a summer getaway. Big Sky Resort is also home to a stunning array of wildlife, including elk, deer, and various bird species that you may get a glimpse of while enjoying the course. It’s not an experience you’ll have just anywhere.
Locals can take advantage of one of Big Sky’s memberships, featuring savings, golf range access, and more.
Northstar Golf Course, Northstar, California
Described as North Tahoe’s best golf course, Northstar Golf Course is an 18-hole par 72 course designed by architect Robert Muir Graves. The front holes, aka “Meadow Nine,” are open and easy-going while the “Mountain Nine” are smaller and lined with trees. It makes the front nine and back nine feel like completely different golf courses. Travel light and take advantage of Northstar’s full-service club rentals for every skill level. With the awe-inspiring Sierra Nevada mountains as the backdrop, every player, from the passionate to the casual, can find something to enjoy at Northstar Golf Course. After a day of hitting the links, head up to the Village at Northstar, or to The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, for drinks and dinner.
Sugarloaf Golf Club, Sugarloaf Resort, Maine
Located at Sugarloaf Mountain Resort in Maine, this 18-hole, par 73 championship course, considered one of New England’s top courses, is known for its combination of sweeping views and tough challenges. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., it winds through the picturesque mountains with holes that offer varying elevations, water hazards, and plenty of natural obstacles. Sugarloaf Golf Club is celebrating its 40th year of operation in 2025, promising a stunning experience from the first tee to the final putt. Head to Strokes Bar & Grille for a bite to eat after a day on the course. Make a whole weekend of it by staying at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel. Guests who book their tee time at the Sugarloaf Golf Club automatically qualify for discounts on lodging.
Sunday River Golf Club, Sunday River, Maine
Just a short distance from Sunday River Ski Resort, the Sunday River Golf Club is one of the best golf courses in Maine. The par 72 course features 18 holes that take players through lush fairways, dense forests, and stunning mountain views. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the course blends challenging holes with the breathtaking scenery of the Mahoosuc Mountains. The layout follows the land’s natural topography and offers an inviting challenge for golfers looking for a mix of natural beauty and technical play. The course also features a clubhouse, a bar and restaurant, a pro shop, and a practice range. Are you a New England local? Sunday River Golf Club offers discounts on select days for both Maine and New Hampshire residents.
Killington Golf Course, Killington, Vermont
Known to skiers and riders as the “Beast of the East,” Killington also offers an impressive 18-hole, par 72 golf course. Designed by Geoffrey Cornish, Killington Golf Course is nestled among the stunning Green Mountains and spans 6,186 yards. The layout features large, rolling fairways, water hazards, and elevation changes, challenging both newer and experienced golfers. Killington also has a 12,000-square-foot putting green and practice bunker. Round out your day on the links at the Clubhouse Bar and Grill. Boston Magazine rated Killington Golf Course’s par 4 no. 15 as the no. 4 “Best Hole in New England.”
Stratton Mountain Golf Course, Stratton, Vermont
Stratton Mountain Golf Course, featuring a 27-hole layout, is a scenic beauty, set to the backdrop of the Green Mountains, which Golf Digest describes as one of the top resort courses in New England. Designed by architect Geoffrey Cornish, it was a six-year stop on the LPGA Tour. The mountain terrain, combined with the strategic design of the fairways and greens, provides both beginners and experienced golfers with a challenging yet enjoyable round of golf. Other highlights include a driving range, practice green, and a clubhouse with dining options. Stratton Mountain Golf Course is also home to a great golf academy for those looking to level up their game with professional instruction.
The Raven Golf Club, Snowshoe Mountain Resort, West Virginia
The Raven Golf Club, located in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, was designed by Gary Player, considered one of the world’s best golfers in history. The course, considered West Virginia’s top public course, is 18 holes and was designed to be enjoyed by beginners and pros alike. Locals and frequent travelers to Snowshoe should consider the Snowshoe Raven Golf Pass, which pays for itself after just a few rounds, and features a number of great discounts. The Raven Grille is the perfect spot to stop after a day out on the green to grab a bit and a drink. Make a whole weekend of it, as Snowshoe hosts great festivals and tons of other activities during the summer.
The Highlands, Michigan
The Highlands is home to four award-winning golf courses. These four courses are part of Boyne Golf’s Michigan Magnificent Ten and are continually ranked as some of the best golf courses in the U.S. The Heather, designed by Robert Trent Jones, is considered the headliner. In 2019, it won the National Golf Course Owners Course of the Year. It’s an 18-hole course with lush greenery and large lakes that really put your putting skills to the test. The Arthur Mills course, considered one of the most player-friendly courses of the four, is lined with stunning white pines and a fully equipped practice center. The Moor, designed for players of all levels, is characterized by numerous doglegs, marshes, and water holes along its 6,850 yards. Lastly, there is the Donald Ross Memorial course, a compilation of 18 of the best-designed holes in the sport. Think of it as a “greatest hits” course, perfect for huge fans of the sport.
Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek, Michigan
Last, but not least, Shanty Creek, located in northern Michigan’s Chain of Lakes region, is home to five championship golf courses. Cedar River, designed by Tom Weiskopf, is among “America’s Top 100 Resort Courses” according to Golf Week and one of the “Top 1,000 Courses in the World,” according to Rolex. The Legend Golf Club, designed by Arnold Palmer and debuting in 1986, has garnered a challenging reputation due to its multiple elevation changes, doglegs, water hazards, and well-placed traps. The Legend features fantastic views of Lake Bellaire, while the resort’s namesake, Shanty Creek, winds through the course.
Shanty Creek’s other golf courses include Hawk’s Eye Golf Club, designed by John Robinson, opened in 2004; Schuss Mountain Golf Club, designed by Warner Bowen, opened in 1972; and Summit Golf Club, designed by William Diddel, opening in 1965. It’ll take you all week to golf 90 holes. It’s no wonder why Shanty Creek is one of the top golf destinations in America.
Header image ©Sun Valley Resort, Photographer: Idarado
April 15, 2025
