Skiing in the US: Where Sleek Slopes Meet Heavenly Hot Chocolate

For many, the rich, velvety taste of Lindt Patisserie Milk Hot Chocolate enjoyed fireside in a cozy alpine lodge defines the perfect winter getaway, not just skiing down the pristine slopes throughout the U.S.  

Each year, around 60 million skiers flock to America’s resorts in pursuit of pristine snow, runs, and a great après-ski scene. Home to some of the world's most renowned ski destinations and challenging slopes, America’s mountains offer a diverse range of experiences for skiers of all levels.  

Each restaurant, hotel, cafe and bar across U.S. slopes offer classic and unique versions of  the beloved beverage. In Vail, Colorado, for example, one of the world's most luxurious hot chocolates can be found at the Four Seasons. The show-stopping drink comes complete with a house-made marshmallow, handcrafted chocolate lattice and chocolate shavings - this will, however, cost skiers $25. 

Given the important role this indulgent beverage plays in ski culture, Lindt USA analyzed data from over 400 American ski resorts to determine which are the best (and worst) for hot chocolate. The research focused on the average price of a hot chocolate, availability in restaurants, cafes and bars, and finally online review ratings. Each factor was scored individually, and every resort was then assigned a 'Lindt Ski & Sip' score out of 100 before being ranked accordingly. 

Based on the comprehensive scoring system, the best hot chocolate can be found at Badger Mountain, which earned a Ski & Sip Score of 94.15 out of 100. Located in Waterville, Washington, this small, family-friendly resort has local charm and a nostalgic feel compared to larger commercial destinations, making it an idyllic setting for a wintry hot drink. It also boasts the lowest-priced lift ticket in North America.

Based on the data, the following resorts are the top five Ski & Sip resorts for hot chocolate lovers based on their good quality, good availability and reasonably priced cups of cocoa:  

1. Badger Mountain, Washington (94.15)
2. Winterplace, West Virginia (87.77)
3. Snow Trails, Ohio (87.32)
4. Caberfae Peaks, Michigan (86.57)
5. Arrowhead, Massachusetts (86.49)

The ski resort that scored the least based on the criteria was Mount Jefferson in Lee, Maine. The resort is small local hill, meaning it is smaller and less commercial than major resorts. As the focus here is on local skiing rather than big resort amenities, it scored low in the Ski & Sip ranking.

These were the bottom five Ski & Sip resorts for hot chocolate lovers overall:  

1. Mount Jefferson - Lee, Maine (35.78)
2. Kanc Rec Area - Lincoln, Massachusetts (41.02)
3. Sugarloaf - Carrabassett Valley, Maine (52.84)
4. Franklin Veterans Memorial Recreation Area - Franklin, Massachusetts (54.34)
5. Lost Valley - Auburn, Maine (55.24)

●      Hot chocolate is widely available on Colorados slopes, with an around 89% of establishments having it listed on the menu

●      The price of hot chocolate is on the higher end of the scale in Colorados ski resorts, costing $5.75 on average 

●      Consumers are impressed by the restaurants and cafes here, with an average online review of 4.55 out of 5 

Overall weighted score out 100 was applied based on each factor. 

Colorado ski resorts are famous for their high-quality ‘Champagne Powder’ snow, and it’s widely considered the most popular skiing state, particularly in terms of skier visits and popular resorts like Vail and Aspen. According to the research, a hot chocolate can be purchased in 89% of restaurants, cafés, and bars. When skiers here do settle down in a ski hut with a hot up of cocoa, it will come at an average cost of $5.75, which is the fourth most expensive state on the list. Ski resorts in The Centennial State also received a commendable average online rating of 4.55 out of 5.  

●      Hot chocolate is widely available on Colorados slopes, with an around 89% of establishments having it listed on the menu

●      The price of hot chocolate is on the higher end of the scale in Colorados ski resorts, costing $5.75 on average 

●      Consumers are impressed by the restaurants and cafes here, with an average online review of 4.55 out of 5 

Overall weighted score out 100 was applied based on each factor. 

The Beehive State is famous for its upscale food and drink scene, and its ski resorts are no exception. Cafés and restaurants on Utah’s slopes boast an impressive average user rating of 4.55, the second highest in the country, tied with Colorado. This quality does come at a premium, though, as Utah tops the list for the most expensive hot chocolates, averaging $6 each. Still, with 500 inches of snowfall annually and around 125 sunny days a year, there’s no better place to sip a hot chocolate while taking in the mountain views. 

●      It’s easy to find a hot chocolate on the Caifornian slopes, with 92% availability across all resorts 

●      Hot chocolate prices are the second most expensive overall, at around $5.81 per cup

●      The high prices are not reflected in the online customer review ratings, with an average of 4.29 out of 5

Overall weighted score out 100 was applied based on each factor. 

While California is often associated with the year-round sunshine of cities like Los Angeles, its remarkably diverse climate also makes it the second most-visited U.S. state for skiing and snowboarding. Frequently ranked as one of the most expensive states, it’s no surprise that a hot chocolate on California’s slopes comes with a premium price tag, averaging $5.81, the second highest in the ranking overall. However, the quality doesn’t quite match the cost: the average online rating for Californian slope-side hot chocolates is just 4.29, notably lower than both Colorado and Utah.

●      It’s harder to find hot chocolate on Vermont's slopes, and is only available in 65% of establishments on the slopes

●      Hot chocolate at Vermont’s resorts offers better value than in Colorado, Utah, or California, averaging $5.00 per cup

●      Skiers in Vermont are happier with the culinary options than those in California, with an online review rating of 4.38 out of 5

Overall weighted score out 100 was applied based on each factor. 

While California is often associated with the year-round sunshine of cities like Los Angeles, its remarkably diverse climate also makes it the second most-visited U.S. state for skiing and snowboarding. Frequently ranked as one of the most expensive states, it’s no surprise that a hot chocolate on California’s slopes comes with a premium price tag, averaging $5.81, the second highest in the ranking overall. However, the quality doesn’t quite match the cost: the average online rating for Californian slope-side hot chocolates is just 4.29, notably lower than both Colorado and Utah.

When it comes to pricing, the average cost of hot chocolate across U.S. ski resorts is $4.85. However, this varies state to state and resort to resort.  

Of the states with 10 or more ski resorts, Utah has the highest average hot chocolate price at $6. Exclusive ski resorts like Deer Valley contribute to prices being higher than those in other popular ski states such as Montana and Vermont. And while North Dakota isn’t exactly known for alpine getaways, its cosy slopes serve up the most affordable hot chocolate in the country, averaging at just $3 a cup.

Lindt US’s extensive research indicates that the quality, price, and availability of hot chocolate vary both within and between states. For those looking for a hot chocolate that meets all criteria, Badger Mountain in Waterville, Washington, is the ideal destination, with an impressive overall score of 93.9 out of 100. By contrast, Mount Jefferson in Lee, Maine, scores just 35.8, lacking in value, quality, and availability. 

For skiers prioritising cost, North Dakota resorts offer the most affordable option, with the average hot chocolate priced at $3. This is around 38% cheaper than the national ski resort average and $10 less than the most expensive hot chocolate at Carrabassett Valley, Maine. On the other hand, resorts in Maryland and Utah should be avoided by cost-conscious skiers due to their high average hot chocolate prices. 

If you're not near a ski resort, we invite you to discover the delicious hot chocolate items at a Lindt Retail Store. Click here to find a store near you. The LindtUSA.com website also offers hot chocolate mixes as well as a collection of recipes to create the perfect hot chocolate, ideal for enjoying in the comfort of home. From a classic dark hot chocolate to coffee-infused creations like a hot chocolate mocha, these famous flavor combinations and luxurious chocolate ingredients make every sip feel like a journey to the snowy Rocky Mountains. 

Methodology  

• Ski resorts across the US were analysed for this research and ranked based on their ski slopes, ensuring both larger and smaller resorts were included in the data.
• The following factors were then gathered and assessed for each ski resort:
  • Average user rating of cafes, bars, and restaurants
  • Average cost of hot chocolate
  • Average percentage of establishments serving hot chocolate
• Each factor was assigned an individual weighted score, resulting in a total score out of 10. This score was then scaled to produce an overall rating out of 100. 

Sources used

https://nsaa.org/webdocs/Media_Public/IndustryStats/Historical_Skier_Visits_2024.pdf

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/12/americas-10-most-expensive-states-to-live-in.html