By Ted Alan Stedman
Ski resorts are like the people they welcome: They come in all shapes and sizes, each with its own distinct personality. Here in the U.S., the West is blessed with an enormous ensemble of winter playgrounds, from rustic, inexpensive family-owned mountains to monolithic mega resorts possessing every perk imaginable. Of course there’s no one mountain perfect for everybody, but certain mountains are perfect for some. Where do you fit in?
FAMILY FRIENDLY
Northstar at Tahoe, California
What makes this North Lake Tahoe resort great for family travel? Begin with its generous mix of pricing, programs and diversions. Northstar’s big draw is its Six Pack six-day lift ticket block. Purchase by Dec. 15 and shave about 30 percent off adult/young adult day prices. Meanwhile, pre-teens can slide for as little as $19 per day with the purchase of regular multi-day tickets. Value aside, Northstar goes big with assorted family offerings such as lift-served tubing; geocaching, a treatsure hunt using GPS units; three kids-only Adventure Parks and a 9,000-sq.-ft. skating rink. The new Village at Northstar invigorates amenities with a hip mix of retailers, restaurants, bars and equipment shops, along with tasteful slopeside lodging. But don’t think “family-friendly” lessens the experience for seasoned skiers and shredders. Northstar serves up a bountiful 2,904 skiable acres, a 2,280-foot vertical, 18 lifts and 89 trails – including 27% advanced runs with white-knuckled steeps and trees. And of course, Northstar delivers on the main ingredient with an annual 350-inch snowfall.
FIVE-STAR STANDOUT
Beaver Creek Resort, Colorado
“Not Exactly Roughing It” is Beaver Creek’s new tagline. Indeed. This central Colorado location seems driven to the nines to provide the ultimate ritzy winter resort experience. In fact, chic Beaver Creek holds the National Ski Areas Association title of Best Customer Service of any ski resort in the nation. Luxe lodging, dining, nightlife — it’s all covered in the resort’s three distinct mountain villages of Bachelor Gulch, Arrowhead and Beaver Creek Village. And to make the point further, the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa debuted this season, becoming the Vail Valley’s newest luxury resort with a sprawling 23,000-sq.-ft. spa and its very own gondola. The on-slope experience is what you’d expect of such lavish surroundings, a world-class mountain sporting a humongous 4,040 vertical feet and 149 trails serviced by no less than 10 high-speed quads and seven additional lifts. With 1,814 skiable acres, terrain is any- and everything you’d want, from the breakneck Birds of Prey runs that annually host the Men’s World Cup, to the manicured slopes of Bachelor Gulch and the remarkable 2 ¾-mile Centennial Trail.
SKIERS ONLY
Alta Ski Area, Utah
Pure skiing is what Alta’s about — literally, figuratively. It makes no apologies for its no-snowboard stance, stating its commitment to preserving and protecting the skiing experience (although snowboarders can ride at adjoining Snowbird Mountain or through Alta’s backcountry Snowcat Tours). Hardcore skiers have had a long love affair with Alta’s heady mix of vertical terrain, chutes, jumps, cornices, bumps and groomers, all of which are annually blessed with an average 500 inches of Utah’s famous dry powder. Runs spilling from Baldy Chutes, Devil’s Castle and East Castle are of E ticket caliber, but you can keep things sane with the ample supply of blue and green runs stashed within Alta’s 2,200-acre boundary. The lodging and dining scene fit Alta’s dedicated ski persona; the nostalgic 1938 Snowpine Lodge has a gorgeous mountain panorama reminiscent of Switzerland. Something else to consider: at just 25 miles from Salt Lake City, Alta is made for daytrippers, meaning cash-strapped skiers can easily opt for more affordable city lodging.
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