All year, skiers everywhere have been hoping and praying that this winter will be different than last. That this winter, we will actually have a chance of getting some decent snow.

The temperatures are clearly low enough here in Washington, so all we are waiting for is some precipitation up in the mountains. But how is the rest of North America looking this season?

Here is a wrap-up of the top five ski resorts to visit this winter.

1. Jackson Hole (Jackson Hole, Wyoming)

Not only do the Teton Mountains get an insane amount of snow each year, but the resort has also added new lifts to make it more accessible to the public. This year, the mountain is celebrating its 50^th anniversary, and you will not want to miss a chance to check out what’s in store with this mountain.

2. Snowbird (Salt Lake City, Utah)

Snowbird consists of 3,240 feet of terrain. While the mountain is steep and relentless, don’t let the difficulty stop you from enjoying the fresh powder it gets every year. This year, the mountain is using $35 million to upgrade new amenities for the upcoming season.

3. Whistler-Blackcomb (Whistler, British Columbia)

Whistler has made the list of top ski resorts in North America year after year. The largest resort in North America also receives one of the largest amounts of snow each year. You can ski the Whistler-Blackcomb mountains every year and you will discover new terrain that you haven’t conquered every year.

4. Alta (Alta, Utah)

Alta is one of the most popular ski resorts out there. Even though the mountain suffered last year with the lack of snow, this year it is back in action. The terrain you will ski is very organic. You never know what you are going to get down a run: trees, rocks, and cliffs. But don’t let that stop you from getting a chance to set your skis down in the deep powder.

5. Vail (Vail, Colorado)

Vail is considered by most to be the biggest brand in skiing. You say the name “Vail,” and most people will know you are referring to the mountain that has the highest-ranking snow. Snow aside, what makes Vail stand out is that it offers its guest the Epic Pass. The Epic Pass allows guests to ski not only at Vail, but any other resort in the country that Vail owns. That includes resorts in Utah, Colorado, Tahoe, and some in the Midwest.

My hopes are high this winter that I will be spending my Christmas break in the mountains in Park City, Utah. I can only pray that this winter will be nothing like the last, and that global warming will take a backseat to the snow this time.