When winter arrives, it’s time to hit the slopes. If you’re planning a ski trip, maximize your fun by checking out this list of the best ski destinations in the United States.
Vail, Colorado
Three-quarters of a million people visit Vail annually. The main reason? The gorgeous mountains. Throw in a little snow, and you’ve got the United States’ largest ski resort, with seven bowls stretching over six miles, 127 trails, and four terrain parks. Add 300 days of sunshine and dry, fluffy powder, and you have some of the best skiing in the world. Vail’s proximity and easy access to Denver along I-70 make it a convenient destination. Nearby Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, and Arapahoe Basin gives you a multitude of skiing choices, making the Vail area a skiers’ paradise.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Its proximity to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks is the second most popular reason to visit Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The first is great skiing. The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort boasts steep terrain; a consistent fall line; deep, light powder, and miles and miles of back country trails. After a day on the slopes, you’ll appreciate the hustle and bustle of Teton Village. The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort isn’t the only resort in the area. The town of Jackson’s Snow King Resort--the oldest resort in the region known as Jackson Hole--provides great skiing and amazing views.
Sun Valley, Idaho
In 1936, developers wanted to create a European-style, luxury ski resort. The results? The Sun Valley Ski Resort. Bald Mountain’s 3,400-vertical foot drop is the area’s main attraction. Dollar Mountain’s nationally recognized ski school is a close second. For those who prefer cross-country skiing, the Sun Valley area has miles and miles of trails, including the Woods River Trail system that goes from Bellevue to Ketchum.
Park City, Utah
The International Olympic Committee recognized the ski potential of Park City by granting Salt Lake City the 2002 Winter Olympics and making Park City one of the games’ centerpieces. With three ski resorts--Deer Valley, Canyons, and Park City Mountain Resort--just minutes from downtown, a downtown that includes hundreds of shops and restaurants, Park City has taken its place among the top ski locations in the United States.
Squaw Valley, California
California is often associated with sand, surf, and sunshine. There’s more. California is also home to one of the United States’ best ski locations and host of the 1960 Winter Olympics. The Squaw Valley Ski Resort features 4,000 acres of accessible terrain, over 450 inches of snow, and 300 days of California sunshine. Although 70% of Squaw Valley’s runs are geared toward beginner and intermediate skiers, there’s plenty of snow-covered real estate to satisfy expert skiers as well.
Lake Placid, New York
You may have noticed an Olympic theme to the best places for a ski vacation in the United States. As you may know already, the Olympics aren’t just held anywhere. Lake Placid joins the list of former Olympic venues that happen to be on the list of best ski vacations in the United States. In addition to downhill and cross-country skiing, Lake Placid provides a bevy of other Winter Olympic sports, including bobsledding, luging, and ice skating.
Killington, Vermont
The Green Mountain state welcomes winter visitors throughout New England and the rest of the Unites States. The Killington area features 140 slopes, 22 lifts, and 71 miles of terrain. Off-slope activities include hundreds of shops and restaurants and the outdoor winter beauty of Vermont.
Now that you know where to go, it’s time to hit the slopes.
