Aspen provides all the restaurants and bars you
could ever want or need You can take a stroll
through this luxurious city and find many boutiques
and much more. There is a lot of history in many of
the buildings that are in the downtown area. One of
these buildings is the Ute bank; this building can be
dated back to the silver area around the 1800’s.

With everything that there is to do in Aspen you
shouldn’t find yourself getting bored. Aspen is
located in Colorado, and with the various mountain
ranges, you are sure to find slopes that are suitable
for your level. Snowmass is one of the most popular
resorts in the world, so be sure to make reservations
well in advance.

Big Sky Ski Resort features twenty three lifts, 220
trails, and a 4350 foot vertical drop. The top elevation
is 11154 feet. Along with the ski lifts, there are also
two cable car lines available. While there are
beginner slopes, most of the slopes are geared
toward intermediate and expert skiers.

There are many places to lodge in Big Sky Resorts
Mountain Village, which rests at the foot of the
impressive Lone Peak mountain. Enjoy Sleigh Ride
dinners, ice skating, parties, snowmobile tours, and
a variety of community events. At Big Sky, there are
no strangers. Big Sky, Montana is one of the highest
rated Ski Resorts in the United States, and there is
something here for everyone.

Although this is some of the best skiing in the world,
you won’t find the slopes overly crowded, and there
are no long lift lines. There are nine lifts, including
six chair lifts and two surface lifts, and one cable
car line. There are 68 trails for beginners,
intermediates, and experts, with the majority of the
trails designed for intermediate skiers.

Night time skiing is allowed, which makes your ski
experience more adventurous and thrilling. You will
see snow capped mountains, hanging glaciers, and
of course, the famous Northern Lights. This resort is
ranked number nine of the top twenty-five killer ski
trips by Skiing Magazine.

The season begins at the Alyeska Resort in mid
November, and runs through mid April. This area of
Alaska boasts the longest daytime areas in the
United States, with approximately sixteen hours of
daylight each day during April. During December,
however, there are only about seven hours of daylight
– which makes night time skiing necessary if you
are going to get in the time that you want to spend
on the slopes.

The Alyeska Prince Hotel is the place to stay! Here
you will enjoy elegant rooms and fine dining. Nightly
entertainment is available as well. There are other
nightlife spots in the area as well, that are not
associated with the Hotel.

If tubing interests you, then visiting the Glacier
Tubing Park is an absolute must! Featuring two
lanes of terrain and a surface lift, everyone in the
family will enjoy spending time at the tubing park.
The Alyeska Terrain Park is a must for
snowboarding enthusiasts. Other winter activities
that can be enjoyed in and around the Alyeska
Resort include flight seeing, helisking, ocean
cruising tours, dog sledding, ice climbing, back
country skiing, mountaineering, and polar bear
viewing.

At the Alyeska Resort, the ultimate winter vacation
can be experienced. Brave the elements, then return
to the Hotel for some pampering. Get a taste of what
Alaska is really like, and what skiing is meant to be!
There are activities for the entire family to enjoy, and
there are many area sights and attractions to be
enjoyed as well. This really is an awesome winter
family ski vacation!

Colorado ski resorts offer skiers and snowboarders world-famous conditions and unbelievable scenery. From champagne powder snow to bluebird skies and endless mountain views, it’s easy to see why so many people visit Colorado in the winter.

If you’re a snow sports fan, you probably already know about the most popular Colorado ski resorts or have even visited them.

You know the ones:

• Aspen
• Breckenridge
• Steamboat Springs
• Vail
• Winter Park

These are the most popular ski resorts in Colorado, and with good reason. There is plenty of terrain, lodging, and nightlife activity, and they’re generally easy to get to, off the major I-25 interstate. But that also means there are a lot of people there. And you might find that you pay a lot of money for the experience.

But there are several Colorado ski resorts and ski areas that most people from out-of-state don’t consider visiting, or might not even know about. The “off the beaten path” places, so to speak.

Most are actually quite easy to get to, but might require a little more drive time. And in my opinion, this isn’t a bad thing. The scenery is breathtaking, and you’ll find that time flies when you’re up in the Rocky Mountains.

Here are a few Colorado ski resorts you should consider this winter…

Eldora Mountain Resort is 20 miles west of Boulder, and is skiing, snowboarding, cross country and snowshoe friendly. They have 100% groomed terrain (more than any other resort in Colorado) and get 300 inches of snow per year. They are also known for giving you a great “first time” experience with their SnowSports School.

Ski Cooper is located in the beautiful San Isabel National Forest near Leadville. Their tag line is “long runs, no lines.” They offer an affordable alternative for Colorado ski vacations, with all-natural snow, a family oriented atmosphere, and a prime location.

Monarch Mountain is a gem in the center of the state, just south of Salida. They are known for abundant snow (350+ inches), friendly people and reasonable prices. They are also known for their Snow Cat tours and backcountry skiing. You won’t find condos and furs, but you’ll surely find some great skiing.

If you’re a dedicated powder hound, head to the southwest corner of the state for a double-dose of Wolf Creek and Durango Mountain.

Wolf Creek Ski Area is 15 miles from Pagosa Springs, and touts “the most snow in Colorado” at 456 natural inches! I’ve been there in the middle of a 20-inch snow dump, and it is truly an amazing experience. The vibe is family-oriented and laid back, and due to its relatively remote location, the traffic is usually low.

Only an hour west of Wolf Creek is another family-friendly establishment: Durango Mountain Resort (also called Purgatory). Ski Magazine says, “If ever a mountain was created for families, it’s Purgatory.” Here you’ll find 85 trails, and 2 terrain parks–the Paradise Freestyle Arena and Pitchfork Terrain Garden.

So if you’re looking for Colorado ski resorts that are more affordable and less crowded but still bring that incredible Rocky Mountain snow, try one of these “off the beaten path” suggestions.

And have a great time on the mountain!

The world’s best ski resorts can be rated on many factors, whether it be towering mountains boasting exceptional conditions, length of trails and vertical drops, fabulous apres-ski with exclusive glamour factor or all-round international appeal and popularity. The places that often get voted as the world’s best ski resorts, for whatever reasons, all promise the same thing – an amazing ski experience with the most spectacular winter sports scenery in the world.

Here’s the Top 10 of the world’s best ski resorts, in alphabetical order, chosen by Snow Menu. You won’t regret a visit to one of these!

Are – Sweden

Are village is the only ski resort in Sweden with a genuine Alpine atmosphere. The cable car takes to directly up to the top of the mountain and you can ski all the way down to the square. The range of pistes covers everything from advanced skiing on demanding slopes to relaxed skiing on easy slopes. If you are a keen shopper you can find all the latest trendy gear and the ski service here is top class. There are many restaurants, some ten on or around the square alone, offering delicious and characteristic food from all over the world. There is nightlife for any taste, every night and one of the largest stages in the mountains presents the best Swedish artists.

Aspen / Snowmass – USA

Aspen/Snowmass, anywhere else this would be four separate vacations. It’s not just one mountain – it’s Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk. With four choices and 5,303 acres, decide which mountain fits your passion. Snowmass, so many runs, so much variety – cruisers, steeps, glades, off-piste, terrain parks, superpipe and the longest lift-served vertical rise in the United States. Rising out of the heart of downtown Aspen and famous for its steeps, bumps and incredible views, Aspen Mountain and its double-black and tree runs are fun for skiers and snowboarders alike.

Chamonix Mont-Blanc – France

High mountain scenery, the sheer beauty of which will take your breath away, majestic ice falls and glaciers, one of Europe’s highest cable cars, cog railways that take you on a journey through time, a beautiful alpine town, witness to 250 years of mountaineering history, traditional villages and hamlets scattered along the 20km long valley and above all a heart and soul, beating to the rhythm of all those that live and love Chamonix!

Cortina d’Ampezzo – Italy

Cortina d’Ampezzo is the most charming ski resort in Italy, near the north-eastern border with Austria. The village, boasting a thousand-year old remarkable historical background, has nearly 7,000 inhabitants. It attracts visitors from all over the world for its lively international atmosphere, its fashionable shops, and excellent restaurants. It is surrounded by forests and wide ski slopes, below the towering craggy red rock mountains. It offers something for everyone and most keen skiers will be willing to visit it.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen – Germany

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is located at the foot of the Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany (2,962m / 9,724ft), and is both one of the principal climatic health spas in the Bavarian Alps and Germany’s premier winter sports metropolis. The city hosted the 1936 Winter Olympics and the 1978 World Championship and offers pristine nature, secluded spots, cultural and culinary highlights, new experiences, relaxation, wellness, and upscale shopping. A wide range of sports is available in both summer and winter. You can also pamper yourself with spa treatments such as ayurveda, thalasso, natural hay baths, and numerous health therapies.

Lillehammer / Hafjell – Norway

Lillehammer hosted The Olympic Winter Games in 1994, and is known for old farms, a modern town centre and surrounding alpine skiing resorts. Lillehammer is one of Norway’s oldest winter sports destinations. The Olympic town is surrouned by good alpine and cross-country possibilities. The wide variety of alpine slopes at Hafjell provide a diverse range of skiing challenges. The alpine facility is not about crisscrossing slopes, but about long and fast continuous runs. Due to the advanced and comprehensive on-site snow-making facilities, Hafjell is a resort with reliable snow and skiing conditions throughout the entire winter ski season. All the slopes at the resort lead to the same final destination at the bottom of the hill – simple and easy.

Portillo – Chile

The Portillo ski and resort experience is unlike that of any other commercial ski resort in Chile and abroad. There is no neighboring town, meaning Portillo is totally self-contained, much like a cruise ship nestled in the magnificent Andean peaks. Your skiing experience in Chile will surely be unforgettable. But Portillo is not just for skiing or snowboarding, socializing and relaxing, it is also for renovating and restoring the body and mind in a natural environment that is nothing less than spectacular. Portillo has been South America’s premier destination ski resort for more than 50 years, internationally famous for its majestic, Andean setting and powder snow. If there is a temple for ski sports in Chile, Portillo is it.

St. Anton am Arlberg – Austria

Tourism on the Arlberg dates back to the 19th century. But it was not until the advent of Alpine skiing, pioneered to a large extent by men from the Arlberg, that the region acquired the outstanding reputation it still enjoys today as a winter sports centre. St. Anton am Arlberg is a truly unique recreation paradise for the whole family. The cozy little town with 2,500 inhabitants has still maintained its genuine ambiance and charming atmosphere. Relax and unwind at the elevation of 1,300m where crisp and clean mountain air is guaranteed! Experience genuine Tirolean hospitality and spend the most beautiful days of the year among friends.

Whistler Blackcomb – Canada

You have read the articles in the magazines, seen glimpses in the ski and snowboard movies, heard all about it from your friends. Now it is your turn to experience the magic of Whistler. Get ready for the vacation of a lifetime! Whistler is a friendly ski town located in British Columbia, Canada and is home to almost 10,000 residents. One of the many things that makes Whistler so special is two unbelievable mountains – Whistler and Blackcomb. Side by side, they represent over 8,000acres of skiable terrain, rising a mile above the valley of Whistler. Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains offer unforgettable skiing, snowboarding, and unlimited winter and summer activities. Find something for everyone year round.

Zermatt – Switzerland

The village and the mountain: Zermatt and the Matterhorn. Both are legendary. The Matterhorn is the most beautiful mountain in the Alps, perhaps even in the whole world. And Zermatt (1,620m), a car-free health resort and mountain village with international flair offers relaxing and at the same time action-filled holidays whatever the time of year. There’s probably nowhere better to experience a high altitude mountain landscape so intensively as here. In international terms, we hardly need to point out that Zermatt is one of the most famous holiday destinations, as fascinating in summer as it is in winter.

In fact, because of the tall mountains, there are places you can virtually ski year round. Colorado is a snow lovers heaven. Of course, they are famous for the winter X games which they hold each year in February, which include skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, etc.

In addition, Colorado offers ski slopes for skiers of all ability levels, from more advanced to just beginning. Here are some quick tips if you want to get the best ski package possible. First of all, sign up for the different services offered online that help you find the best packages. These services will generally send you an email when they find a great ski deal, even to famous places such as Aspen, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Vail, etc.

There are certainly too many ski resorts in the state to review them all, so probably the best way to find the top ski resort would be to simply do a search about Colorado skiing and you will get links to all the top ski resorts in the state.

This is a great way to find out which resorts offer the best deals, as they generally give their rates on the website. Instead of calling them all individually, you can simply find out how much your trip will cost right via the web.

Just about all the resorts, even if they don’t have lodging available right there, have some kind of agreement with the local hotels in the area that will give you a great deal on your stay if you decide to ski there. Also, their website will tell you whether or not they are more suited for beginners, intermediate or top notch skiers, as well as a ski snow report

Finally, you might want to check out the Discover Colorado website, which helps you get all the information you need for planning your trip to Colorado, such as great deals on hotels, coupons for the resorts, etc. Hopefully this Colorado ski report will help you get a big head start on your next trip and give you the info you need to save some serious cash.