Top 5 Unique Ski Resorts in the USA Written by Hanna Lindon
Photography by Marcus Österberg and Francis Valadj
Despite being blessed in the way of spectacular glaciers and
snow-blanketed mountain sides, it is only recently that the USA
really began to exploit the potential of the international ski
market. Today, ski resorts are sprouting like winter mushrooms
all over America’s virgin ranges, with tropical Hawaii muscling
in on the act as well.
This burgeoning crop of new winter holiday destinations presents
a problem for those new to the American ski scene. Should you
be enticed by lyrical descriptions of scenic pistes or lured by
the promise of winter sports for all the family? Does ‘an
excellent destination for beginners’ really translate as
‘a small puddle of snow, perfect as long as you don’t
want to actually ski’?
Almost as importantly, what can you expect from a resort’s
après-ski facilities? A friend of mine recently frequented
an American resort where the pistes were top quality but the food
tasted like something the sled dogs might have looked askance
at. She left two days early swearing to never again leave her
beloved stamping ground in the French Alps. To help you avoid
the kind of ski experience that really does leave you cold, here
is a list of the five American resorts which stand out from the
crowd.
1. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
If surprise crevices and lurking ravines represent your idea of
a good time, then Jackson Hole boasts some of the most challenging
terrain in the USA. Steep slopes, deep powder and a snow playground
of varied obstacles all combine to make this resort a desirable
location for experienced skiers. If you are feeling particularly
brave, there is also the greatest sustained vertical drop in the
US to negotiate - but be warned, this is certainly not for the
fainthearted.
One of the great things about Jackson is that its formidable
reputation doesn’t seem to put off family groups. Tubing,
ice-skating and snow-shoeing are all available on demand, and
if you are willing to pay for a real treat then the dog-sledding
experiences offered by the resort really are spellbinding. There
is also a group of competent instructors waiting in the wings
to support beleaguered parents in their teaching attempts.
The best way to experience Jackson on the cheap is to take advantage
of a holiday package – you can find one that is right for
you by visiting www.jacksonholetraveler.com
or by calling your local travel agent. Those who are lucky enough
to have a little extra cash to throw around should consider a
few nights at the Four Seasons Resort in Teton Village. With prices
from $525 per night, it is the perfect place to chill out after
a long, cold day on the slopes.
2. Vail, Colorado
Don’t be surprised if you see Jennifer Lopez whisking her
way past you on the Vail slopes – the resort is renowned
as a playground for the rich and famous. Celebrities jet in from
around the world to take advantage of powdery snow, picturesque
rustic villages and a glitzy social scene. Vail may come with
a substantial price tag attached, but with oodles of elbow space,
a plethora of challenging runs and some of the best bars south
of New York, it is certainly worth splashing out. The resort’s
best kept secrets are Back Bowl and Blue Sky Basin – both
are generally uncrowded and offer technical runs for the more
experienced skier. Kids will love the Vail Snowsports School,
which runs kids’ and teenagers’ programmes over a
variety of terrains. Visit www.vail.com
for accommodation details and news updates.
3. Deer Valley Resort, Utah
If you have been bitten by the competition bug then Deer Valley
is the perfect place to show off your skills on the slopes. The
resort hosts the largest recreational ski race programme in the
world – and it recently won the SKI magazine award for top
North American ski resort to boot. Other activities in the Deer
Valley 2007/2008 winter schedule include a Celebrity Skifest for
Olympic legends and a training clinic run by medal winner Phil
Mahre. Due to widespread international demand the resort can book
up early, so make sure you buy your tickets well in advance. Visit
www.deervalley.com for details on money-saving accommodation and
activity packages.
4. Winter Park Resort, Colorado
Even the experts have to start somewhere – and Winter Park
is a great place to learn the trade. It has a well deserved reputation
for excellent tuition, soft, beginner-friendly snow, well-designed
green runs and a large nursery ski school for the under-5s.
A network of cosy cafes dotted around the slopes provides welcome
sustenance for the, inevitably, damp and bruised learner. Try
the inimitable Sundance Café on Vasquez Ridge, which serves
hot toddies and traditional Colorado recipes too good to pass
up.
The Winter Park Resort offers some attractive deals for cash-strapped
skiers. If you are willing to visit in early season then $133
will buy you three nights lodging, together with lift tickets,
tuition and equipment rental. Family deals can also be purchased
from $215. Visit www.skiwinterpark.com
for further details.
5. Breckenridge, Colorado
The countless awards collected by Breckenbridge over the years
simply confirm its status as the number one USA destination for
snowboarders. The resort tends to attract a young and lively crowd
who are there for the obstacles, the cocktails, and the social
life. Everything about this resort radiates ‘cool’,
and I am not just talking about the snow. Fantastic if you are
under 25 and up for having a ball, but make sure you are wearing
this season’s fashionista kit.
Breckenridge town centre is a world away from the majority of
functional North American ski resorts. The old town offers a range
of picturesque Victorian accommodation, with prices ranging from
the pleasantly surprising to the hair-raisingly expensive. Join
the PEAKS rental scheme at http://breckenridge.snow.com
to get discounts off your trip.
Hanna Lindon
graduated from Cambridge University in 2006 and is now working
full time as a travel and emigration journalist for Outbound
Media. Her passion for travel has its roots in a gap year
inter-railing experience - since then she has travelled Europe
widely, as well as visited America, South Africa, Australia
and New Zealand. In March she will be embarking on a journey
across Canada and the US by train.
