Author: Maria Alfano
Who says winter is harsh when you can enjoy amazing skiing vacations in your own backyard! Snow, cold, sun, and fun are the perfect ingredients for the best winter vacation ever. And, to top it all off, you don’t need to travel far to enjoy such a trip.
Pack up the gear and the car and let’s get rolling to some of the most spectacular hills you can ever imagine. All over North America, there are championship ski resorts that offer challenging hills for all skiers from beginner to experienced. No matter what your level, you’ll find something to suit you.
Even if you have never tried skiing before, you will love the atmosphere of staying in a ski lodge, drinking hot cider by the fire, and the camaraderie that exists in the skiing community. I remember the sheer joy I felt the first time I went down that bunny hill. It was exhilarating and hysterically funny since I landed with my skis stuck (toes pointing to the sky) firmly in the snow. I never had so much fun in the snow before that day.
11 Amazing Skiing Vacations In Your Own Backyard
You can enjoy winter without the thought of shoveling snow and ice. The perfect skiing vacation is waiting for you. All you need to do is give it a try. This post is all about the best skiing vacations for skiers at all experience levels.
U.S. Skiing Vacations
There are stupendous places to go skiing all over America. Forget the expensive plane ride across the great big pond and try out some of the lifts right in your own backyard. From coast to coast there is something for every skier. Whether you want luxury or just a good hill to float down on, one of these will be sure to tickle your ski fancy!
East Coast
Holiday Valley (Ellicottville, New York) – this super family-friendly resort makes the perfect backdrop for skiers of all levels. One of the 13 lifts will take you to the summit at over 2250 ft. with a vertical drop of 750 ft. If you are feeling adventurous or just want to change things up a little, try snowboarding or go tubing down the mountain instead. This is a year-round resort with skiing available from mid-December to early April each year for both day and night skiing. You can count on around 180″ of fresh powder during a single season.
Sugarloaf (Carrabassett Valley, Maine) – is the perfect place for skiers. No glitz or glamour just some awesome slopes, with a summit of 4,235 ft. Consider this for more experienced skiers. It’s not a place with bunny hills. The terrain is for thrill-seekers. Since the resort is quite isolated, the grounds do offer a variety of things to do in the evenings. The ski lodge is open from late November to late April.
Stowe Mountain Resort (Stowe, Vermont) – this resort is just 15 minutes outside of Stowe, Vermont, a bustling village with plenty to do when you’re done gliding down the slopes for the day. A reported 314″ of snow falls every winter on these 3,625 ft mountains. There are plenty of challenging slopes found among the 116 available runs. Ski till your heart’s content between mid-November to early April.
Mountain States
Telluride Ski Resort (Telluride, Colorado) – this Colorado ski vacation is not cheap. If you’re looking for bargain skiing then this is not for you. However, if the price is not an object, then you will enjoy both the skiing and the luxurious amenities this ski lodge has to offer. The 17 lifts will take high into the atmosphere to a summit of more than 3,800 ft. There is something here for everyone, from the bunny hills to steep pro slopes. Enjoy the hills between the end of November to early April.
Yellowstone Club (Big Sky, Montana) – is an exclusive members-only club. If you want to rub shoulders with millionaires and billionaires, this is the place to be. More than 300″ of fresh powder fall every winter over this 9,800+ ft high mountain range. Ski between mid-November and early April. There is fun to be had by everyone from beginners to experts. And. when you want to relax from skiing try snow tubing instead.
Deer Valley (Park City, Utah) – ski here between early December and early April. Enjoy trails that run over a combined 6 mountains and a 3,000 ft elevation. This makes for a great family winter vacation spot. Have some fun night skiing and snowshoeing too! When you’re done with the adventure come settle in by the fireplace and sip on a mug of decadent hot cocoa.
West Coast
Mount Rose Ski Resort (Reno, NV) – Nevada is synonymous with heat and deserts but it is also home to some beautiful ski villages. Mount Rose is the highest resort in Nevada rising just over 9,700 ft. with an annual snowfall of around 320″. This is a great place for all types of skiers with bunny hills and steep 55 degree inclines for the most experienced. This place is also the most affordable resort to stay in this area. Ski here between late November to early April.
Mammoth Mountain (Mammoth Lakes, California) – this behemoth is 11,53 ft at its summit. Don’t let the height fool you. It has plenty to do for skiers at all levels. Ski till you had your fill between mid-November and late May on the usual 400″ of annual snowfall.
Canada Skiing Vacations
The nickname “great white north”perfectly describes the Canadian winters. Contrary to popular belief, Canadians do not live in igloos, nor is it also cold there. However, the winter months are the best time to take advantage of some of the best skiing in North America.
Whistler Blackcomb (Whistler, BC) – this west coast beauty is considered one of the best and the biggest resorts in all of North America. About 1 hour and 45 minutes north of the city of Vancouver, this report offers everything snow-related including skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing, snow tubing, and much much more. It was home to the 2010 Winter Olympics. If you are up for something new try heli-skiing – take a helicopter ride to off-trail skiing adventures. Dare to go where no one else goes up the 7,155 ft mountain.
Lake Louise (Lake Louise, AB) – home to many skiing competitions and world cups. Whether you’re an avid or skier or snowboarder, or you just love to watch, Lake Louise has everything. You will find yourself in the center of a quaint ski village that is post-card perfect. Ski between November and May on hills with a more than 5,200 ft. elevation. Lake Louise is in Western Canada about 2 hours northwest of Calgary.
Mont Tremblant (Mont-Tremblant, Quebec) – on the opposite side of the country from the other two, this resort is open between the end of November to the middle of April. This is the perfect winter destination for people of all ages. The summit is over 2,800 ft up into the clouds and is covered by 178″ of natural powder each year.
In Summary
Skiing is not just for the rich and famous. Although, if you are inclined, you could rub elbows with some at any number of these resorts. You don’t need to travel far or even leave the country to enjoy a skiing vacation to fit your budget.
We would love to hear from you. Which one of these is your favorite? Is there one you prefer that we did not mention?