Top North America Ski Vacations

From the Canadian Rockies to the Poconos, North America is home to many outstanding ski areas, all with unique attributes. It would be difficult to narrow down the choices to just a few, but here are some of the ones that are best known:

Killington

Located on the East coast, Killington provides many options for skier. In addition to the several intermediate and advanced level mountains, there is a beginner area that sees a lot of use. With amble lodging the resort attracts large groups, which, combined with the many pubs in the area, creates a lively atmosphere, something to consider when making your reservations.

Squaw Valley

Despite its reputation as the home of extreme skiing, Squaw Valley is actually a wonderful ski resort for skiers of all levels of experience. It offers a unique experience for novice skiers in that many of the lower level ski trails are located about halfway up the mountain. While many ski resorts cluster the beginner slopes at the bottom of the mountain, Squaw Valley allows less experienced riders the thrill of skiing higher up the mountain. When you are done skiing for the day, a quick tram ride down the hill takes you back to the resort.

Of course, if you are interested in extreme skiing, Squaw Valley is a great choice. There are a variety of runs down sheer drops, and you will have plenty of company in your madness. If you have never extreme skied before, but are interested in giving it a try, this is the place for lessons.

Snowbird

Close proximity to Salt Lake City makes Snowbird an easy resort to travel to. The area is known for lake-effect snow. Lake effect snow creates huge quantities of snow in areas that are susceptible to it, leaving nearby areas with a dusting or less. The winter of 2004 and spring of 2005 for instance, saw lake effect snows totaling over 600 inches through the winter. During that year, Snowbird had enough snow for skiing through the Independence Day holiday.

Snowbird is a huge resort, at 2,500 acres, with something for the advanced skier and the beginner alike. One unique trail at Snowbird allows the less experienced skier to ski the infamous Hidden Peak, taking a gentler decent, but covering the peak from top to the bottom.

What about off the trail amenities? Snowbird offers those as well. From a high end spa that boasts a roof top Jacuzzi to more affordable, but just as convenient condo-style lodging, Snowbird has something for everyone. If you need to cut your budget still more, Salt Lake City, a mere 30 miles away, offers an abundance of lodging options.

Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole covers 2,500 acres on two peaks. Backcountry enthusiasts can take advantage of the additional thousands of acreage that are available for skiing in the neighboring national park and forest lands. The trails at Jackson Hole range from beginner to double black diamonds, which include 20 foot jumps and narrow chutes. The base lodge at Jackson Hole has been recently updated and expanded.

Snowmass

This resort, located in Aspen, has a family friendly atmosphere. It also has a vertical drop of over 4,400 feet, which makes it the second longest drop in the United States. There is plenty of room to spread out at Snowmass, the area spreads across a large area, with a wide variety of terrain. Open, gently rolling slopes and steep gullies, as well as everything in between, will be waiting for you at Snowmass.

Taos, New Mexico

Taos, for the serious skier, is a must visit. The gorgeous downhill trails offer a variety of expert and intermediate trails. If you are a beginner, Taos has limited trails. After a day of skiing, a drive into the city of Taos for outstanding food and fabulous art.

Whistler and Blackcomb

These two well-know ski destinations are two mountains that combined their efforts into one ski resort. This area has a unique weather pattern, and it is not unusual for you to enter a lift in soaking rain, only to step off of the lift into brilliant sun and snow. Whistler and Blackcomb also have a unique ski trail design. There are an abundance of beginner trails on both mountains, but continuing up the mountain will find you facing some of the most extreme trails on this side of the Atlantic. Upcoming plans for the mountains also include a gondola that will make it possible for skiers to move from one peak to the other without heading down to the base and back up.

These are just some of the many wonderful ski resorts in North America. Whether you are on the West coast, East coast or Canada, there is a resort for you. Beginner, intermediate or advanced, there are trails at each of these resorts that will be a perfect fit.

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