1. Aspen – Colorado
Aspen is one of the more famous ski destinations that most of us have heard of. Based in Colorado, the ski village was built in the 1960s and over the years has often been seen as a playground for the rich and famous, also attracting all manner of celebrities.
There are 5 main ski resorts to choose from, each offering their own attractions and specialities:
Buttermilk
Perhaps the preferred choice of a beginner, it is located about 3 miles outside of Aspen and has a vertical drop of 2,030 feet and 44 trails totalling 21 miles. The slope ratings are 35% easiest, 39% more difficult, 26% most difficult and 0% expert.
Snowmass
This resort caters more for a family of skiers, as there is a large variety of different terrains to choose from and also plenty of lifts. It has to offer more than 4,000 feet of vertical drop and slopes are rated 6% easiest, 50% more difficult, 12% most difficult and 32% expert, so there is a good choice for skiers at all levels, although maybe not the best choice for a complete novice.
Aspen Highlands
A popular ski resort, Aspen Highlands offers an opportunity for the more adventurous skier to push themselves that little bit further. There is a 3,635 vertical drop and slope rankings of 18% easiest, 30% more difficult, 16% most difficult and 36% expert.
Aspen Mountain
This resort is located just above the town of Aspen and is known locally as Ajax. It is not a place for beginners as the slope ratings are 48% intermediate, 26% more difficult and 26% expert.
Sunlight Mountain
This resort is located in Glenwood Springs which is about 40 miles north from Aspen itself. Slope ratings are 20% easiest, 55% more difficult, 20% most difficult and 5% expert. One of the trails Heathen is rated as one of the highest in the area with a slope at 52 degrees.
2. Vail – Colorado
Vail is the largest ski area in the United States and offers approximately 5,300 acres of terrain that is skiable. It used to be a former sheep pasture and sprung up in 1962 when the trails and a faux European village developed just beyond the Vail Pass in the Colorado Rockies, west of Denver.
There should be something here to suit skiers of all levels as there are plenty of beginner and intermediate slopes as well as more taxing and difficult slopes for more advanced skiers. There are also plenty of other facilities to please those who are not so keen on skiing, such as sledding, tubing, snowboarding and ski biking.
The terrain is rated at 18% beginner, 29% intermediate and 53% expert. There are 193 conventional trails and 31 lifts.
3. Heavenly Ski Resort – Lake Tahoe
This famous ski resort is located 10,100 feet above the south shore of the idyllic Lake Tahoe and overlooks its beautiful blue waters. One of the largest ski resorts in the United States, Heavenly boasts 4,800 acres of skiable terrain, a 3,500 foot vertical drop and as it straddles the border of California and Nevada, there is a choice as to which state to ski through! In total there are 94 trails and 30 lifts.
Snowfall exceeds 20 feet practically every year and there are plenty of other activities to enjoy such as sledding, skating, sleigh riding, snowboarding, tubing and tobogganing. There is also the longest zip line in the contiguous United States called the Heavenly Flyer, which is 3,100 feet long and boasts speeds up to 50 miles per hour on the descent. Not for the faint hearted!
4. Deer Valley Resort – Utah
Located just a few miles from the mining town of Park City, the Deer Valley Resort is considered to be one of the more exclusive resorts. Amenities are of a very high standard and the service you can expect to receive there is notoriously of a higher standard compared to other resorts. Some of the services and facilities you can enjoy include snow that is groomed daily to give a smooth satin finish, making the skiing experience all that more enjoyable, hosts to meet you and take your skis off the car rack when you arrive, gourmet restaurants providing a bevy of delicious delicacies and a plethora of luxurious hotels to stay in.
The skiing is spread over four mountains: Empire Canyon, Flagstaff, Bald and Bald Eagle Mountains and these are serviced by 19 lifts. Slope ratings are 15% beginner, 50% intermediate and 35% expert. This resort is for skiers, as snowboarding is not allowed.
5. Stowe Mountain Resort
This resort is situated on Mount Mansfield which is Vermont's highest peak at 4,393 feet above sea level and offers a wide variety of terrain which is spread out over two different mountains. There is Spruce Peak which offers terrain for intermediate and novice skiing, while Mount Mansfield offers terrain for all levels of ability.
Slope ratings are 16% beginner, 59% intermediate and 25% advanced. There are 116 trails and in total there is 485 acres of skiable terrain.
The Stowe area offers a wide variety of lodging to suit everybody’s needs and the Stowe Mountain Lodge is worth a mention, which has many facilities including a Spa for those in need of pampering.
There are plenty of ski shops for your equipment needs while in town as well as many other shops and entertainments to keep you busy. Restaurants are plentiful, ranging from a more modest menu up to more gourmet cuisine, certainly something to suit all palates here.
When traveling to these fantastic resorts, don’t forget to book your
Car Hire USA to ensure you have the best opportunity to see the sights!