Maybe you’re a seasoned expert on the skis, or a snowboarding hotshot. Or perhaps you’ve just seen an episode of Ski Sunday and thought ‘I’ll have a bit of that’. Whatever’s got you interested in taking on the slopes, now that the Northern Hemisphere is firmly in winter’s grip there are no shortage of opportunities for those in search of the perfect powder.
America boasts some of the finest skiing locations and facilities in the world, with a huge choice available to people of all experience levels.
Aspen, Colorado
There are few destinations in the world more famous for skiing than this scenic resort in the Rocky Mountains. Aspen has been welcoming skiers to its slopes since the 1930s, growing from a small ex-mining town into one of America’s premier skiing locations.
The centre of the old mining town has retained much of its attractive frontier character, but nowadays Aspen is more used to dealing with perfectly manicured glamorous holidaymakers than dirty-fingernailed miners. In terms of skiing Aspen offers a great range of slopes for all levels of experience. These slopes are split over four separate mountains but a free bus connecting each location makes experiencing them all possible.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
It’s the perfect time to pack up your ski-wear, take advantage of one of the cheap flights to the USA that are currently available and discover another great resort. Jackson Hole is a relatively new entrant to the popular US skiing scene. Nestled within miles of national forest, Jackson Hole offers a taste of true American mountain country, and has managed to retain much of its soul even as the ski-tourism scene has begun to boom.
Traditionally popular with hardcore skiers hungry for risks and speed, the location now has plenty of options available for beginners and families. It has a kids’ ranch for youngsters just starting out on skis, and a dizzying range of slopes ranging from broad, easy pistes to expert-only terrain and one of the USA’s biggest verticals.
Salt Lake City, Utah
In 2002 the world watched the Winter Olympics play out over the snowy slopes near Utah’s state capital and since then the region has seen the popularity of ski tourism grow by 29 per cent. The Wasatch Mountains, just east of Salt Lake, boast eight world-class ski resorts, putting them within easy reach of the city.
Among the best of those resorts is Alta, a resort that has gained cult status for the steepness of its slopes and the sheer volume of snow that falls on it each year. Alta resides in a unique microclimate that causes an average of 500 inches of snow a year to fall here. Linked to Alta is the Snowbird resort that, like its partner, offers some of the best quality powder snow in the world. Both are well worth visiting on a trip to Salt Lake City.
Telluride, Colorado
This resort in the Rockies has, rather unfairly, developed a reputation that it is a bit remote and hard to get to. While it’s true Telluride is a 50 minute drive from the nearest airport, what this reputation doesn’t acknowledge is that the drive is a spectacular experience, winding through some incredible landscapes. And arriving in Telluride reveals another great spectacle with the charming main street framed by majestic mountains.
Telluride has some brilliant established ski runs, running down the mountain towards the town. With the old town below, and 14,000 feet peaks above, these runs represent one of the most scenic ski locations in the world. In recent years more areas of the mountain have been opened up, providing even greater choice for visitors.
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
The sheer beauty of Lake Tahoe makes this a popular location for visitors year round but in the winter, the region comes alive with skiers looking to experience some of the best powder in America.
Striking mountains encircle the clear blue lake and dotted amongst them are no less than 14 alpine resorts, each offering a unique skiing experience. Hiring a decent four by four is a great idea in this area and will give you the freedom to explore many of the great locations available. One thing that’s guaranteed in all the locations is the quality of the views this incredible location offers.
Have you ever been skiing in the USA? What was your favourite spot?
