Top U.S. Ski Resorts to Visit

Where To Take Advantage Of The Snow

Maybe it?s the forty degree weather out here in Southern California, the snow in the upper elevations in the mountains around Los Angeles, the stiff breezes and the dressing in five layers and wearing wool socks that has me thinking of skiing. (It also has me thinking that the whole ?blood thinning? thing might be right. Forty degrees just feels wrong. I don?t want to think about winter in the Midwest ever again. Then again, it might not be ?blood thinning? but ?learned wussiness.?)

But, if there is anything that can?t get me excited about cold weather, it?s skiing through some fresh powder. Cold is ok as long as you?re gliding on air-fluffed snow. However, while I will be hitting Mt. Baldy this year, a road trip or a vacation to a ski resort will never be far from my mind to check out new trails or revisit some favorite runs.

Best Vertical Rise

Snowmass (4,406 feet)
Average snowfall: 300 inches
Nearest city (population): Aspen, CO (6,089)
Nearest major city (distance): Denver (200 miles)
Other Attractions: The only place outside of Los Angeles and New York to see Academy Screenings of possible Oscar nominated films.
The best innocent yet potentially sexually suggestive runs: Velvet Falls, Lunkerville

Best Wildlife Watching

Jackson Hole, near the National Elk Refuge

See her there!

Average snowfall: 450 inches
Nearest city (population): Jackson, WY (9,915)
Nearest major city (distance): Salt Lake City (275 miles)
Other Attractions: Though it pains me to say it, since I love the silence of cross-country skiing through Yellowstone wilderness and rejoiced when the ban was initially enacted, Snowmobiling in Yellowstone is pretty damn fun.
The best innocent yet potentially sexually suggestive runs: Wide Open, Rag Run

Best Place to Ski If You Don?t Like Snowboarders

Alta
Average snowfall: 514 inches
Nearest city (population): Sandy, UT (97,177)
Nearest major city (distance): Salt Lake City (27 miles)
Other Attractions: Er, besides skiing? Hmm, uh, maybe go see the largest Mormon Temple and see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir? Sit in your hotel room and watch the Utah Jazz play? Did I mention 514 inches of snow?
The best innocent yet potentially sexually suggestive runs: Gravy Boat, Alf?s High Rustler

Best Place to Go in the East with a Violent-Sounding Name

Killington
Average snowfall: 250 inches
Nearest city (population): Killington, VT (1,093)
Nearest major city (distance): Boston (161 miles)
Other Attractions: The Winter Dew Tour will be at Killington on January 20-23.
The best innocent yet potentially sexually suggestive runs: Panic Button, Bunny Buster