Let it Snow!
Chairlifts are circling again, poles and gloves are coming out of storage and a mug of hot chocolate has never sounded so good. It’s official: ski season is here! We’ve compiled a list of some of the best resorts to check out this year, from quiet mountain villages to booming party towns. Grab your ski jacket, don’t forget your chapstick and come along as we preview your next winter getaway…
Telluride, Colorado
We may be living in a new millennium, but the Wild West still courses through this former mining town's veins. As you walk down Colorado Avenue (Telluride's main street), you almost expect Wyatt Earp to come barreling out of one of the saloons, guns blazing. Telluride may be small, but it's nothing if not lively, with award-winning restaurants, jam-packed hotels and a boisterous nightlife.
Telluride's base elevation is 8,750 feet, and its 115 trails offer something for everyone. Beginners and intermediates especially appreciate the fact they can ride to the highest peaks and still find green and blue runs, a luxury many resorts can't claim. From top to bottom, the mountain spans 4,425 feet, giving it one of the largest vertical drops on the continent (3,845 of those vertical feet are served by lifts).
What's New:
This year, the resort will unveil its highly anticipated Revelation Bowl, a brand-new area of natural, wide-open terrain for advanced and expert skiers. Also, Los Angeles and Atlanta are upping the number of daily direct flights between their airports and Telluride's.
Great Après-Ski Spots:
The Last-Dollar Saloon (or "the Buck" as locals call it) is located in the heart of downtown and serves as ground zero for post-ski libations. Its long, hall-style layout and original tin roof will make you want to swap your beanie for a cowboy hat and order a shot of whiskey. www.lastdollarsaloon.com.
Awesome Restaurants:
High atop the mountain lies Allred's, a gem of a dining establishment that was named one of the country's best new restaurants in 2000 by Esquire Magazine. Enjoy contemporary American cuisine, a bottle of fine wine and panoramic views of the town center 1,800 feet below.
Don't Miss:
Honga's Lotus Petal, a Pan-Asian restaurant that's been a local landmark for 20 years. Order one of their famous mojitos, but beware: this tasty cocktail has been known to prevent more than a few skiers from catching an early run the following morning. www.hongaslotuspetal.com.
If You Like It Here:
You'll also like Telluride's sister resorts: Arapahoe Basin, Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Copper Mountain, Crested Butte, Echo Mountain, Eldora, Howelsen Hill, Loveland, Monarch Mountain, Powderhorn, Purgatory (Durango), Silverton Mountain, Ski Cooper, Snowmass, SolVista Basin, Steamboat, Sunlight, Winter Park/Mary Jane and Wolf Creek Ski Area.
Snowbird, Utah
For the last five years, Skiing has named Snowbird the number one ski resort in the nation, and it's not hard to understand why. With an average annual snowfall of 500 inches (last year they got 610 inches), this is a place that practically guarantees ideal conditions. And talk about accessible - it's less than 30 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport!
Snowbird's base elevation is 7,760 feet, and it offers a pretty even mix of beginner, intermediate and advanced terrain. One of the most popular blues is Chip's Run, which traverses 2.5 miles from the top of Hidden Peak (elevation 11,000 feet) all the way to the village below.
What's New:
This year, there's one more reason to bring the kids on your next Snowbird ski vacation. Children 12 and under ski free with all lodging packages booked through Snowbird Central Reservations. www.store.snowbird.com.
Great Après-Ski Spots:
As any local will tell you, the traditional way to relax after a long day of skiing in Snowbird is to sit on Tram Club's outdoor patio and order a $5 beer and a shot (to be consumed simultaneously). This newly remodeled bar boasts 12 flat-screen TVs and views of the inner workings of Snowbird's famous Tram.
Awesome Restaurants:
For a romantic dinner, head to The Aerie, an elegant New-American restaurant located on the top floor of the heralded Cliff Lodge. If you want the same panoramic views with a more casual atmosphere, eat next door at The Aerie Sushi Bar - the hip, lounge-like ambience makes it a favorite nightlife spot.
Don't Miss:
The oatmeal brûlée at The Forklift Restaurant, which Skiing deemed "the best breakfast in the world."
If You Like It Here:
You'll also like Snowbird's sister resorts: Alta, Brighton and Solitude.
Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
Whistler and Blackcomb are two separate mountains connected by a lively village. They share 8,100 skiable acres between them, including 200 trails and 38 lifts. Getting here is surprisingly easy - it's just two hours from Vancouver (and you should plan to spend at least a day or two exploring that city, too!)
Whistler Blackcomb's base elevation is 2,214 feet, making it ideal for those who struggle with altitude sickness. The majority of its runs are intermediate, and both Whistler and Blackcomb have runs that span 7 miles.
What's New:
If you travel to Whistler Blackcomb this year, you won't be able to miss the brand-new PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, which will shuttle skiers between the peaks of the two mountains and allow them to glimpse the breathtaking views of Garibaldi Provincial Park far below. This gondola isn't for the faint of heart; it has the world's longest unsupported cable span between two towers (1.88 miles), and it's the highest lift of its kind on earth (1,427 feet above the ground). Still, the convenience of being able to zip between the two mountains, accessing thousands of acres of brand-new terrain in a matter of minutes, makes the sweat in your palms worth it.
Great Après-Ski Spots:
Forbes Traveler named The Garibaldi Lift Co. (known to locals as the "GLC") one of the top-10 après-ski locations in the world, and it's little wonder why. Situated just steps from the Whistler Village Gondola and boasting three large patios, a huge stone fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows, there's no better place in Whistler to toast a great day of skiing than the GLC.
Awesome Restaurants:
RimRock Café is widely considered one of the area's best restaurants, serving fresh seafood and game in a ritzy-rustic atmosphere. For a more casual experience, try Gone Bakery, whose two locations offer made-from-scratch sandwiches, soups and pastries that really hit the spot.
Don't Miss:
The brunch at Elements, which offers inventive items like French toast with rhubarb compote and is a favorite with locals. www.wildwoodrestaurants.ca.
If You Like It Here:
You'll love Whistler Blackcomb's sister resorts: Blue Mountain, Copper Mountain, Mountain Creek, Panorama, Snowshoe, Steamboat, Stratton, Mont Tremblant and Winter Park.
Sun Valley, Idaho
With two mountains, 21 lifts and more than 2,000 skiable acres, Sun Valley is America's oldest planned ski resort and a true mountain paradise. Sun Valley offers more outdoor recreation choices than any other resort in the country, and its quaint downtown boasts the perfect blend of shops, museums and dining establishments. In short, this is a place that has always intended to wow its guests, and between its mountain and its village, it never fails.
The base elevation at Sun Valley is 5,750 feet, and with a total lift capacity per hour of nearly 30,000 people, it is capable of shuttling more skiers to their desired peaks simultaneously than any other resort in the country. Though the terrain on the main mountain, Bald Mountain, can be challenging (even the beginner slopes can be tough in places), Dollar Mountain offers plenty of options for those who prefer gentler slopes.
What's New:
The ribbon was just cut in front of the gorgeous Sun Valley Club, which boasts expansive terraces, indoor and outdoor cocktail lounges, a restaurant and a Nordic center. The club promises to be the "it" hangout this winter, so don't be left in the cold.
Great Après-Ski Spots:
If you want live music, cold drinks and an upbeat atmosphere packed with locals, head to Whiskey Jacques. This isn't a chichi place, but it sure is fun - especially when you're in the mood to relax and unwind after a full day of skiing. www.whiskeyjacques.com.
Awesome Restaurants:
If you want to load up on carbs for energy, and you want those carbs to taste like heaven, then head to Baci Italian Café and Wine Bar. This fantastic restaurant, located on Main Street, offers plenty of handmade pastas, an extensive wine list and a killer atmosphere to boot. www.svrestaurantventures.com.
Don't Miss:
The Sun Valley Lodge, even if you're not staying there. This 148-room hotel was constructed in 1936 and has played host to everyone from Lucille Ball to Arnold Schwarzenegger. Enjoy drinks and live music in the lounge, or lace up your skates and make like a 6 year old on the outdoor ice skating rink just steps from the building.
If You Like It Here:
You'll also like Sun Valley's sister ski resort, Snowbasin.
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