Vast and beautiful, the USA is an amusement park of entertainment. Whatever your holiday wish, you can be sure to find it here, particularly when it comes to a winter vacation. The USA is home to many of the world’s most impressive mountains, which in turn, harbour amazing ski resorts. With that in mind, here are 5 top iconic ski destinations in the USA for you to consider…
Aspen, Colorado
Nestled close to the Roaring Fork River, in a desolate portion of the Rocky Mountains, sits the much loved resort town of Aspen. Providing access to the slopes of the Sawatch Range and Elk Mountains, this picture perfect town is a skiers dream. In fact, it has been since 1947! It has a glitzy and glamorous feel to it, welcoming world class skiers and celebrities each week! It’s no surprise, with gorgeous surroundings and endless après ski activities to keep you entertained. The slopes welcome 300 inches of annual snowfall across 8 terrain parks with more than 300 marked trails to ensure your skills are put to the test. On and off the slopes, Aspen has a sterling reputation for a reason!
Big Sky, Montana
Aptly named after the big, opalescent blue skies for which Montana is famous, Big Sky is a sterling ski resort. For international visitors, it’s unlikely you would choose Montana but if you are a big skier, it’s a very worthy contender. Boasting 4,000 skiable acres itself, it’s a huge area with plenty of elbow room. It doesn’t end there though; when connected with the neighbouring resort of Moonlight Basin the skiable area grows to almost 6,000 skiable acres. This makes it the second largest skiing area in the entire USA. Located in the Madison Mountain Range, the vibe here is very much about the sports; you won’t get any of the pizazz here. That said, the resort is still very well developed and has a good choice of après ski – you just won’t be rubbing shoulders with celebs!
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole ticks all of the boxes. Whether you are looking for the ultimate challenge or finding your feet, Jackson Hole will provide. The variety of the terrain sets it apart from the rest; open faces and tree skiing, steep drops and gentle inclines. Jackson has it all. The tram is pretty incredible too, transporting you 4,000ft in under 10 minutes! It’s developed a bit of a cult following over the years and has grown to become one of America’s best known resorts. The good news is; you won’t find it overrun with people! Amble around the resort freely on foot and sample the goods at different restaurants and bars every night of the week.
Vail, Colorado
Colorado comes up trumps again, this time with the iconic Vail resort. It takes the title as the largest single ski area in the country with just under 6,000 acres of terrain at your disposable. Choose from 7 huge bowls and 193 groomed trails of mixed ability. That said however, the majority are more suited to experts, with a 53% share of black runs. Last year, it was covered by just over 450 inches of snow. What’s more, luxury and excellent facilities are wonderfully paired at what is often considered the world’s very best resort. From festivals to spas and delectable dining to fun nightlife, Vail combines all of the elements you need for an unforgettable winter holiday.
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Those visiting the west coast should elect Lake Tahoe as their skiing port of call. Straddling the border of California and Nevada, it’s easily accessible from either state and presents fantastic downhill skiing in gorgeous surroundings. After all, what could be present a better setting? Plus, as the area is known for experiencing frequent blizzards, you can be guaranteed of awesome powder here. When you need to recharge the batteries as darkness falls, the selection of casinos, cosy bars and excellent restaurants will more than ensure your needs are met!
Which resorts do you think are worthy of inclusion? There are so many to choose from, it was a pretty difficult decision and it would be great to hear about your favourites.
