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Skiing USA
Skiing USA
The 30 Best U.S. Ski Resorts"Evocative writing and all-terrain/all-price thoroughness." --
New York Daily NewsIn this completely updated all-in-one guide, ski expert Clive Hobson offers everything both novice and veteran skiers need for a perfect vacation at the country's 30 foremost ski resorts, including Squaw Valley, Vail, Sugarloaf, and Killington.
Candid descriptions of every resort -- information that's critical for readers who want to pick something for their tastes, lifestyles, budget, and level of expertise.
Information on trails, elevations, facilities, and the latest lift-ticket and rental equipment prices.
The most challenging runs at all levels from novice to double-black-diamond, plus how-to-ski-the-mountain strategies.
The top lodges, hotels, condos, B&Bs, and inns at each resort.
The best restaurants on and off the mountain.
Après ski action -- from the family-friendly to the dance-all-night.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Skiing USA
IntroductionThe best ski experiences can include anything from a breathtaking run on a perfect cloudless day, to a blissful moment luxuriating in a hot tub, a peerless view of snowcapped peaks, or an exquisite meal enjoyed in the company of newfound friends.
When selecting the 30 best American ski areas, we looked for resorts that provided the complete resort experience, and we tried to provide balanced geographic representation. Obviously, Western resorts were more plentiful, with Colorado's embarrassment of riches yielding 10 resorts that meet the criteria. But the East is not without its champions, and Vermont is the leading contributor with five resorts. Overall though, these 30 resorts best represent the best of American skiing.
Choosing the Right ResortSo what's the right resort for you? If you have a limited amount of time in which to satisfy your skiing dreams, it's all the more important to make the right choice. Budget is usually the first consideration. This may dictate whether you fly or drive. Driving is your biggest personal cost saver, and if you're committed to getting behind the wheel, you have immediately reduced your list of possibles, depending on where you live. If flying fits your budget, you might then want to check other costs. Some resorts are just genetically expensive, and a one-bedroom condo two miles from the lifts might cost the same as a three-bedroom unit slope-side at another resort with less "cachet."
The prices in this book reflect a range from least expensive to "take my gold card" level, and you should compare carefully the high- and low-end prices. You may covet a slope-side three-bedroom condo at the Stein Erikson Lodge at Deer Valley for $2,000 a night, but you'll have just as good a ski experience if your budget is more suited to similar size unit, without the Ralph Lauren sheets and exotic wall hangings, at a resort such as Winter Park.
Beyond price, there are other considerations: Not every ski resort is blessed with the most desirable focus, a nearby natural ski town. Nothing quite matches the atmosphere and feeling of a carefully preserved Victorian town in the shadow of great skiing. Telluride and Crested Butte in Colorado are classic examples, as are Park City, Jackson Hole, and Sun Valley. If you can do without the local color that ski towns provide, you might look to the resorts with a more contained on-mountain experience, such as Snowbird, Squaw Valley, Snowmass (although the mother of all ski towns, Aspen, is but a shuttle bus ride away), or Stratton Mountain. In most cases it's young families who prefer the contained, slope-side convenience, while singles or couples tend to look for the expanded opportunity that a local town provides.
When to GoIf at all possible, avoid peak periods -- Christmas, March break, and Easter. If you have no choice in the matter, the key is to book early -- a year in advance is not too soon -- to ensure a good choice in accommodation and the best prices for airfare.
Where to StaySki-resort accommodation is as a varied as you'll find at any holiday resort setting. From multi-level slope-side suites with designer furnishings to snug period cabins tucked in the forest; from beautifully preserved Victorian hotels to modest motel rooms two miles down the highway from the lifts, the choice is abundant, and accommodating to most budgets. Whether you choose a luxury suite, an intimate bed and breakfast, or a four-bedroom unit for 12 depends on budget and the makeup of your group.
Other Than SkiingOne of the least-noticed developments at U.S. ski resorts is the creation of diversions for the non-skier, or the light skier in the family or group. The resorts in this book have a lineup of non-ski activities that would keep anyone occupied for a week without ever setting foot on a slope. Health clubs and health spas are as de rigueur as high-speed detachable quads, and more esoteric activities can include dog-sledding; nature walks; classes in astronomy, painting, gourmet cooking, or photography; hot-air ballooning; fly fishing; side-trips to local points of physical or cultural interest; and cross-country skiing.
Many people who enjoy skiing but really only care to spend 3 out of 7 days on the slopes will find no shortage of alternate activities.
