Whether you are a seasoned snow lover or a first timer there are many reasons to experience a ski and snow holiday in America. As a matter of fact parts of America enjoy over 10 meters of snow during the average winter, which is double in comparison to Europe.
Flying into Denver
Ski and snow holidays: Aspen Snowmass
This incredible resort is spread over four mountains. Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk Mountain and Snowmass, all of which are linked by free shuttle buses. There is a host of equipment rental shops, ski & snowboard schools. As well as some wonderful places to eat and drink. Another reason to chose this resort is the stunning views across the mountains.
Aspen Mountain is the most famous ski resort in America. It really does live up to it’s reputation of glitz and glamour. Sometimes known as Ajax, this mountain is described as petite. With 675 acres, 76 trails and a vertical drop of 996 meters. Aspen is not home to any beginner runs and it is famous for it’s blue cruisers, black diamond steps and bumps.
Aspen Highlands has kept itself out of the spotlight. It is frequented mainly by locals which makes the slopes the least crowded throughout the four mountains. The runs are wide allowing for some big turns, the trails are not looked after daily but the slopes are fairly gentle and short.
Snowmass is the largest in the resort and famous for it’s wide cruiser runs which makes it a great resort for the whole family to enjoy. There are plenty of tougher parts of the resort for the more hardened skier or rider. With numerous terrain parks, mogul runs, gladed terrain and extreme skiing terrain. The Treehouse Kids Adventure Centre is awesome! The state of the art facility for 8 week olds to 4 year olds provides supervised activities for children offering Colorado themed play rooms, activities and ski school programs. With gentle trails, beautifully looked after intermediate trails, as well as experts trails, there is something for everyone at Snowmass.
Buttermilk has a smaller offering in it’s village and is known as the beginners mountain. Novices and intermediates can enjoy the long and gentle trails.
Ski and snow holidays: Crested Butte
Crested Butte is a mountain summit in the Elk mountains range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. It is known for it’s snow sports including snowboarding, alpine skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, nordic and backcountry.
The town and resort is known as Colarado’s last great ski resort. It enjoys around 7 meters of snow each year, the views and scenery are spectacular and it rarely gets overcrowded. The peak stands at around 3707 meters and the highest chairlift reaches a height of around 3619. There are a variety of trails for all skill levels from beginner to extreme. The vertical drop is around 846 meters and there are many double black diamond slopes to enjoy, as well bowls, glades, chutes and cliff jumps.
The resort has a chilled and friendly vibe and the Victorian town of Crested Butte, which is 3 miles away is very similar. With a small population and colourful buildings, it’s a great place to relax and hang out after a day on the snow. The facilities at the Crested Butte Mountain Resort are excellent. It prides itself on being family friendly and there are a selection of lodges, hotel and B&B’s to stay at.
Ski and snow holidays: Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole is in Wyoming in North America and the resort has invested in new facilities. Including terrain upgrades and lifts which make it a great choice for intermediate and advanced skiers and riders. The area is well known for it’s wildlife, including moose, coyotes, elks and eagles.
Expect breathtaking scenery, a peak of around 3186 meters and a vertical of around 1262 meters. There is an average of around 12 meters of snow each year making this a superb resort for those that enjoy challenging trails. Chose from 1 of the 166 trails and if you are brave, attack the Death Canon, The Apocalypse or the well known Grand Teton.
The village at the base of the resort is called Teton Village. It has some great shops, as well as plenty of places to eat and stay. The Cowboy town of Jackson is 20 minutes away via shuttle bus. This offers a bit more life with live music events, spas and a greater choice of shops and restaurants.
Ski and snow holidays: Vail and Beaver Creek
Vail is the largest ski area in America and an absolute bucket list destination for any skier or snowboarder. Beaver Creek is 15 minutes away and this is a great family resort, making the 2 a superb twin centre ski trip.
Vail has well groomed trails, great carving turn opportunities and fantastic tree skiing. Choose from green, blue and black diamond runs, where beginners are well catered for. There is a lack of extreme skiing options but the Back Bowls are great for the advanced skier and snowboarder. Beaver Creek is smaller in comparison to Vail, here beginners and intermediaries will enjoy spending hours navigating Strawberry Express, Arrowhead or Bachelor Gulch.
Incredibly Vail has had over a billion dollars invested into it’s lift system, facilities and accommodation over the last 5 years. It is therefore why you will often find it on the “must visit” ski resort lists. There are a number of fabulous hotels, restaurants and bars to chose from. Whilst Vail is described as a premier resort, guests will be able to find some low key and reasonably priced restaurants.
If you ask any seasoned skier about Beaver Creek they will tell you that it is one of the most family friendly resorts in the world. They may also give you an insiders tip – make sure you are outside the main chairlift at 15:00 to collect a free warm chocolate chip cookie from the chefs that come out daily!
Flying into Boston
Ski and snow holidays: Vermont
Vermont is a green mountain state in New England. It is home to many ski resorts and it is well known as having the best skiing and snowboarding on the east coast and here are some of the favourites:
Jay Peak resort on the northern tip of Vermont has the most snowfall out of any of the resorts in the northeast. It boasts 78 alpine trails and a vertical drop of over 640 meters. Seasoned skiers and riders love the expert terrain and tree skiing. There is alsdo plenty on offer for beginners and intermediates.
The Killington resort is known as “the Beast from the East”! It has the highest elevation in Vermont of 1293 meters, the largest vertical drop in New England of 930 meters and the largest skiable area in the East at 1509 acres. If you are a beginner or an intermediate, don’t be put off by these figures, as it’s still a great resort for all skill levels. Furthermore, Killington was designed with specific learning areas.
Stowe Mountain resort comprises of two mountain areas, Spruce Peak and Mansfield. Combined they have 11 trails with more than 50% being graded as intermediary level, and you can ski the full 700 meter vertical drop.
You would be forgiven for thinking that Suicide Six is for the hardened skier due to it’s name but actually it is a simpler skiing experience on a small resort. It offers 23 trails including a double black diamond glade trail.
Flying into Salt Lake City
Ski and snow holidays: Park City
Park City Mountain resort and Canyons resort in Utah have combined to create the largest ski and snowboard resort in America. The resort provides all year round fun and entertainment with two base areas, numerous hotels, lots of great restaurants and some cracking nightlife.
The resort is proud of it’s well groomed 7300 acres, 348 trails, 8 terrain parks, 41 lifts, mini pipes, super pipe and ski in ski out access to Main Street. This area sees an average fall of around 9 meters of snow each year. It boasts steep trails, lots of tree skiing, many bumps and plenty of open powder fields.
The vastness and variety of Park City makes it a great choice for skiers and riders of all abilities.
Can we help plan your next ski and snow holiday in the States? Please do send us a travel enquiry or get in touch for more details.
