The Top 5 American Ski Resorts
Monday, February 4, 2008
How do you fancy a ski vacation this winter, perhaps with a bit of snowboarding thrown in? There’s nothing better than planning your winter vacation, packing your ski bag and looking forward to a weekend on the slopes. All you need do now is to grab your backpack and head off for the airport, or even just jump into your car and off you go.
But where to? Where are people going this winter? What are the top American ski resorts at the moment? Well, to be truthful it is very difficult to say, and my five would not be your five, but here’s where I would be heading for if I had the choice – and lucky enough to have the opportunity!
Number 5: Alta, Utah
Just 45 minutes drive from Salt Lake City International, this fabulous resort is great for skiers of all abilities. With a 200 foot vertical drop, Alta has upwards of 115 runs with deep powder and a variety of terrain to suit advanced skiers and beginners alike. This resort would have been listed higher due its magnificent scenery were it not for the absence of snowboarding. No need for your snowboard bag on this trip, unfortunately, but the skiing just about makes up for it.
Number 4: Squaw Valley, California.
Famed for its beautiful views of Lake Tahoe, Squaw Valley is one of the USA’s Olympic resorts and night skiing on the 3.2 mile mountain run is worth packing your wheeled duffel bag for. There is also the Riviera Superpipe, and if your family are not into skiing like you then there are lots for them to do and see at the Ice Pavilion and Olympic Museum where they can soak up the history of the 1960 Winter Olympics. Alternatively, soak up the sun in the Swimming Lagoon and Spa or relax on your comfort pillow on a sundeck at the Gold Coast Lodge.
Squaw Valley has a great deal to offer, and is especially good for a family holiday where nobody will be bored, whether they are into skiing and snowboarding or not.
Number 3: Vail, Colorado
Vail calls itself ‘America’s Favorite Resort’, with which it is difficult to argue. It is the largest individual ski resort in America, with three different parts of the mountain being distinctly different in what it has to offer. It doesn’t matter what you like doing, you will find it here.
You can ski, snowboard or try a high speed quad. If these don’t tickle your fancy, how about putting on the backpack and trying a bit of dog sledding or snowmobiling up into the mountain. For those seeking more cerebral entertainment, there are museums and several art galleries. Add some hockey and ballooning to that and you will begin to get an idea of the scale of this place.
It might have reached number one, but does not quite match the other two for its pure skiing variety. However, it is big and you will find no fewer than four skiers for each acre of snow on a busy day. It doesn’t matter how bad you are – nobody is going to see you!
Number 2: Stowe Vermont
The 200 year old village of Stowe could also have been the top pick, if only for its charm, but what else would you expect of a typical New England ski resort. It actually consists of the two areas of Spruce Peak and Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest mountain. It also has a lift-link to the family resort of Smuggler’s Notch, which makes Stow a great destination for a full family vacation.
You can snowboard and snowshoe as well as ski, and you will not be short of shopping with over 90 shops from which to choose. This area of New England has a lot going for it and is an excellent choice for a summer or winter vacation.
Number 1: Aspen, Colorado
Aspen has to get top spot for the only reason that this is a list of the top 5 ski resorts. Aspen is unbeatable in the USA for its skiing, and wherever you go you are liable to bump into somebody famous. Or rich. Or both! The Aspen Mountain Powder Tours will test the best of skiers, and those just short of being experts will find the intermediate slopes to present just the right degree of challenge. The backside of the mountain offers acres of terrain for expert skiers.
The steep slopes of Aspen are famous, and the area contains four separate mountains that offer fabulous skiing opportunities for all levels of ability. You can also get snowboarding, paragliding and fly fishing, and Aspen is just right for a fantastic winter vacation. That sounds a bit repetitive, but every one of these five resorts is astounding in its own way.
Whether you pack your ski bag or just a backpack for wandering around the mountains, there is everything in all five of these resorts for you, and both Vail and Stowe are ideal for a full family vacation.
Many of these sites also offer snowboarding, and if winter sports is your thing then check out this page here: http://www.innovationluggage.com/c-206-skisnowboard.aspx
where you will find some stylish ski and snowboard bags that will protect your valuable equipment while looking great with your luggage.
But where to? Where are people going this winter? What are the top American ski resorts at the moment? Well, to be truthful it is very difficult to say, and my five would not be your five, but here’s where I would be heading for if I had the choice – and lucky enough to have the opportunity!
Number 5: Alta, Utah
Just 45 minutes drive from Salt Lake City International, this fabulous resort is great for skiers of all abilities. With a 200 foot vertical drop, Alta has upwards of 115 runs with deep powder and a variety of terrain to suit advanced skiers and beginners alike. This resort would have been listed higher due its magnificent scenery were it not for the absence of snowboarding. No need for your snowboard bag on this trip, unfortunately, but the skiing just about makes up for it.
Number 4: Squaw Valley, California.
Famed for its beautiful views of Lake Tahoe, Squaw Valley is one of the USA’s Olympic resorts and night skiing on the 3.2 mile mountain run is worth packing your wheeled duffel bag for. There is also the Riviera Superpipe, and if your family are not into skiing like you then there are lots for them to do and see at the Ice Pavilion and Olympic Museum where they can soak up the history of the 1960 Winter Olympics. Alternatively, soak up the sun in the Swimming Lagoon and Spa or relax on your comfort pillow on a sundeck at the Gold Coast Lodge.
Squaw Valley has a great deal to offer, and is especially good for a family holiday where nobody will be bored, whether they are into skiing and snowboarding or not.
Number 3: Vail, Colorado
Vail calls itself ‘America’s Favorite Resort’, with which it is difficult to argue. It is the largest individual ski resort in America, with three different parts of the mountain being distinctly different in what it has to offer. It doesn’t matter what you like doing, you will find it here.
You can ski, snowboard or try a high speed quad. If these don’t tickle your fancy, how about putting on the backpack and trying a bit of dog sledding or snowmobiling up into the mountain. For those seeking more cerebral entertainment, there are museums and several art galleries. Add some hockey and ballooning to that and you will begin to get an idea of the scale of this place.
It might have reached number one, but does not quite match the other two for its pure skiing variety. However, it is big and you will find no fewer than four skiers for each acre of snow on a busy day. It doesn’t matter how bad you are – nobody is going to see you!
Number 2: Stowe Vermont
The 200 year old village of Stowe could also have been the top pick, if only for its charm, but what else would you expect of a typical New England ski resort. It actually consists of the two areas of Spruce Peak and Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest mountain. It also has a lift-link to the family resort of Smuggler’s Notch, which makes Stow a great destination for a full family vacation.
You can snowboard and snowshoe as well as ski, and you will not be short of shopping with over 90 shops from which to choose. This area of New England has a lot going for it and is an excellent choice for a summer or winter vacation.
Number 1: Aspen, Colorado
Aspen has to get top spot for the only reason that this is a list of the top 5 ski resorts. Aspen is unbeatable in the USA for its skiing, and wherever you go you are liable to bump into somebody famous. Or rich. Or both! The Aspen Mountain Powder Tours will test the best of skiers, and those just short of being experts will find the intermediate slopes to present just the right degree of challenge. The backside of the mountain offers acres of terrain for expert skiers.
The steep slopes of Aspen are famous, and the area contains four separate mountains that offer fabulous skiing opportunities for all levels of ability. You can also get snowboarding, paragliding and fly fishing, and Aspen is just right for a fantastic winter vacation. That sounds a bit repetitive, but every one of these five resorts is astounding in its own way.
Whether you pack your ski bag or just a backpack for wandering around the mountains, there is everything in all five of these resorts for you, and both Vail and Stowe are ideal for a full family vacation.
Many of these sites also offer snowboarding, and if winter sports is your thing then check out this page here: http://www.innovationluggage.com/c-206-skisnowboard.aspx
where you will find some stylish ski and snowboard bags that will protect your valuable equipment while looking great with your luggage.
posted by Innovation Luggage at
9:19 AM
0 Comments
