Most of us love a little winter chill over the holidays; but, once January comes, we quickly tire of the cold. This year, instead of dreaming about beautiful beaches with warm sand and cold drinks, why not embrace the cold with a ski vacation? Yes, those winter months in Georgia can be wet and dreary. However, basking in sunshine and fresh air atop of a snow-covered mountain while gazing across rocky peaks is food for your soul.
Ski resorts in North Carolina and West Virginia are within driving distance for us Georgians; but for the true powder experience, you can reach Colorado, Utah, or Wyoming via nonstop flights from Atlanta in just a few hours. Factor in the time change, and it’s possible to leave home in the morning and be on the slopes by early afternoon.
Here are our top 10 western ski destinations:
Aspen/Aspen Highlands/Snowmass/Buttermilk, CO
One ski pass covers four mountains with varying difficulty. Home to events such as the X Games and the Food & Wine Classic, this area is as popular among extreme sports enthusiasts as it is among foodies.
This family-oriented resort draws skiers of every experience level, from toddlers on the bunny slope to professionals competing in the Alpine World Ski Championships.
Breckenridge, CO
Five huge peaks, four terrain parks and several alpine bowls surround this hip ski town with quaint local eateries.
With high backcountry skiing and continuous vertical amongst a backdrop of the Tetons, this area is for the adventurous nature lover.
Keystone, CO
One of the few resorts to offer night skiing, Keystone boasts the longest ski day in Colorado.
These two resorts recently merged to create the country’s largest ski area. Natural and manmade half-pipes, 14 bowls, seven terrain parks, and more than 300 trails make this park a skier’s paradise.
Steamboat Springs, CO
Snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and hot springs are as popular here as skiing and snowboarding. Considered Colorado’s playground, the activities at Steamboat Springs are endless. Thankfully, so are the ways to relax and unwind.
Getting to Tahoe is a challenge, with the nearest large airport an hour away. But, once you are here, you won’t want to leave the nine world-class ski resorts and more than 22,000 acres of snowboarding and skiing trails.
Telluride, CO
Many a visitor has become a full-time resident after one visit to this mountain, which offers plenty of tree skiing, powder, and hair-raising steeps.
One of the world’s largest ski resorts, Vail offers seven Back Bowls, 5,200 acres of ski and snowboard terrain, and some of the best gourmet dining experiences in Colorado.
With so many ski resorts to choose from, it can be overwhelming to try to sift through all the choices. Colorado alone boasts roughly 30 ski resorts. Some are better for young families, while others cater to snowboarders. A travel consultant who understands your needs, and those of your travel companions, can recommend the best destination for your party based on your level of experience, dining preferences, budget, and activity level. Is it more important to you to have fresh powder, or a variety of dining options? Would you rather ski, or enjoy other winter activities, such as tubing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling? An experienced consultant who knows the ins and outs of ski resorts and mountain towns will tailor your experience. So, give us a call or request a consultation online today. We’d love to help you plan an unforgettable ski vacation!
Photographers: Aspen, Beaver Creek, Park City, and Vail photos courtesy of Tradd Harter. Breckenridge photo courtesy of Pixabay. Jackson Hole photo courtesy of Shutterstock. Telluride photo courtesy of Unsplash. Keystone photo courtesy of Jack Affleck, Vail Resorts. Steamboat photo courtesy of Larry Pierce/Steamboat Ski Resort. Tahoe photo courtesy of iStock.
Tags: Aspen, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Buttermilk, California, Canyons, Colorado, holiday, Jackson Hole, Keystone, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Park City, ski, snow, snowboarding, Snowmass, snowmobiling, Steamboat, Steamboat Springs, Tahoe, Utah, Vail, Wyoming
