Ski
some of the best slopes where the trails are endless and the snow is like
powder. Listed are our picks for the finest ski destinations in the states.
Vail, Colorado
Considered
the mountain king of skiing with 335 inches of snow per season, Vail offers a
huge ski area for all levels between early November and late April.
Located
just 100 miles from Denver on more than 5,000 acres, the resort includes 174 ski
trails, 13 high-speed quad chairlifts, nine fixed-grip chairs and nine surface
lifts. There are also two snowboard parks with snowboard-only trails and two
half-pipes, one of which is Colorado’s only 15-foot “super-pipe.”
For
night skiing, snowboarding, sledding, tubing and ice-skating, Adventure Ridge
(located at the top of Eagle’s Nest) offers day and night family
entertainment.
Ski
school lessons are also available. The 1,200 ski school staff members are
willing to teach anyone including those with disabilities.
For
more information, call (800) 404-3535 or (888) 830-SNOW.
Sun
Valley, Idaho
Regarded as the ultimate ski experience, Sun Valley
boasts two fabulous mountains, Baldy and Dollar. Serious skiers consider Baldy
the country's best ski mountain with its rare combination of wide-open cruisers,
bowl speedsters and bumps galore, while Dollar is a beginner's paradise.
Home
of the world’s first chairlift, Sun Valley’s 18 lifts provide access to more
than 77 ski runs and 2,054 acres of ski area. With the addition of seven new
high-speed detachable quad chairlifts, Sun Valley's lift capacity reaches 28,180
skiers per hour.
Located 150 miles east of Boise, Idaho, Sun Valley is
considered one of the better-kept secrets in American skiing.
For
more information, call (208) 622-6151.
Mammoth Mountain, California
Mammoth
Mountain is one of the finest alpine ski areas in the world. An average 353
inches of snow falls on the 11,053-foot summit, making the entire 3,500 acres of
skiable terrain enjoyable for all. What makes the resort especially popular are
the heart-pumping steep chutes, wide open bowls, tree skiing, bumps, gullies, or
the 150 intermediate and beginner trails.
Having
a reputation for an early season, Mammoth generally opens in November with the
help of an extensive snowmaking system and the natural stuff, which also helps
the resort remain open until late June.
For those who love snowboarding, Mammoth’s extensive
terrain offers a huge playground for snowboarders. Natural bumps and jumps in
the snow allow riders to catch air and challenge their skills.
Lessons are available for learning to ski and snowboard.
Mammoth offers private, group and family lessons including special programs,
Children's Ski School, Senior Ski Camps, and snowboard lessons. For
more information, call (760) 934-0743.
Killington,
Vermont
With
seven mountains, including Pico, Killington is bigger than anything skiers can
experience on the East Coast. But being bigger isn’t the only factor that
allows Killington to stand out among other resorts.
Of the seven large peaks, the highest peak with lift service is 3,150-feet. In
addition to height, there are 212 trails that include knee-buckling bump runs
and breath-grabbing steeps and cruisers including Downdraft, Ovation, and Outer
Limits, the steepest mogul slope in New England.
Beginner
and intermediate routes offer views of five states and Canada. With 90 miles of
some of the greatest slopes and trail diversity at Killington, there’s a lot
of adventure to be had on skis – especially since the resort can stay open
from late September until late May or mid-June.
Snowboarders also enjoy the mountains. With the longest terrain on the east
coast and two half pipes the mountains welcome aspiring and world champion
riders alike.
For more information, call (802)
773-1330.
Holiday Valley: Ellicottville, New York
Just 40 miles south of Buffalo, New York, Holiday Valley
is one of the top resorts on the East Coast. The Valley's 52 trails are spread
across 260 skiable acres and its 95 percent snowmaking coverage keeps the
mountain white.
Twelve lifts and an uphill capacity of 20,000 skiers per
hour assures that little time is lost standing in line. When the sun sets,
Holiday Valley provides lighting for excellent night skiing.
Holiday Valley also offers snowboarders plenty of room to
play. The park and pipe on Foxfire, a "most difficult" rated slope is
named "Cindy's Evil Twin" and is for those with some experience and
a lot of courage. The half pipe is 300 feet long and 40 feet wide, with 10-foot
vertical walls.
The terrain park and half pipe on Moonshadow are much
milder versions for skiers and riders to get some practice in before taking on
the Twin. The park and half pipe are open to riders, skiers and ski boarders so
everyone can get together and have some fun.
For those interested in learning how to ski or snowboard
or just want to improve their skills, the resort offers lessons.
For
more information, call (800) 367-9691.