BOULDER, Colorado — SKI Magazine’s annual “Top 50 Resort Guide,” the definitive ranking of North American ski resorts, names Deer Valley, Utah as the No. 1 ski resort in its October issue, on newsstands September 25. Deer Valley returns to the top spot after being ranked second in last year’s survey. Perennial favorite Tremblant, Que. is again ranked No. 1 on the East Coast, a tribute to consistent standards of excellence.

Luxury favorite Deer Valley, Utah, captured the top spot for the third time in the survey’s 20-year history. Much lauded by SKI readers for its topnotch service, grooming and dining, Deer Valley received top ten finishes in 11 of the 18 categories ranked. Deer Valley was also voted the best spot for a Luxury Ski Trip in the lifestyle rankings. Utah resorts heavily dominated the lifestyle rankings with Snowbird, Utah being voted the Best Skier’s Mountain and Alta, Utah coming in as the best Weekend Escape.

“SKI readers are an astute, not to mention well-traveled, bunch and their consensus is convincing,” says SKI Magazine’s executive editor Greg Ditrinco. “You’d do well to consider them advance scouts as you plan this year’s ski vacation. They won’t let you down.”

On the overall rankings Vail, Colo., came in at No. 2, leading a group of six Colorado resorts in the top ten, more then any other state. Whistler Blackcomb, B.C., moved up one spot to No. 3 on the list. Tony Aspen, Colo., saw the largest increase of any of the resorts in the top ten, moving up three spots to No. 4 with sister resort Snowmass, Colo., coming in at No. 5. Beaver Creek, Colo., Steamboat, Colo. and Sun Valley, Idaho maintained their previous top ten rankings at No. 8, No. 9 and No. 10 respectively.

In the East Coast, the top three spots were maintained by the previous year’s winners (Tremblant, Que., Smuggler’s Notch, Vt., Whiteface, N.Y.) but there was plenty of movement among the remaining slots. Stowe, Vt., moved up two spots to No. 4 while Holiday Valley, N.Y., moved up four spots to No. 5. Sugarbush, Vt., coming in at No. 7, was a new addition to the top ten list. Bretton Woods, N.H., the only New Hampshire resort in the top ten, moved up one spot to No. 9. Smuggler’s Notch, Vt., raking No.2 for the second year in a row, also pulled top honors as the nation’s top resort for a Family Ski Trip in the lifestyle rankings.

The top 10 resorts according to SKI Magazine’s readers:

1. Deer Valley, Utah
2. Vail, Colo.
3. Whistler/Blackcomb, B.C.
4. Aspen, Colo.
5. Snowmass, Colo.
6. Park City, Utah.
7. Breckenridge, Colo.
8. Beaver Creek, Colo.
9. Steamboat, Colo.
10. Sun Valley, Idaho

The top 10 resorts in the East according to SKI Magazine’s readers:

1. Tremblant, Que.
2. Smugglers Notch, Vt.
3. Whiteface, N.Y.
4. Stowe, Vt.
5. Holiday Valley, N.Y.
6. Sugarloaf, Maine
7. Sugarbush, Vt.
8. Killington, Vt.
9. Bretton Woods, N.H.
10. Okemo, Vt.

For a complete look at the “Top 50 Resort Guide,” pick the October issue of SKI Magazine or visit www.skinet.com.