Ski and snowboard vacation the whole family will enjoy.
Ski and snowboard vacation the whole family will enjoy.
According to the National Ski Areas Association, Americans made more than 65 million journeys to play in the snow, and some were to unexpected places.
If you went on a trip last winter to ski or enjoy another snow sport in the United States, you were in good company.
More than six million snow visits were to the Midwest and over four million to the Southeast. Along with these geographical surprises, some destinations, resorts, and snow-capped mountains offer attractions and appeals that extend beyond the familiar winter sports activities.
Blowing Rock, North Carolina, is a family-oriented resort in operation since 1962 that offers several lift alternatives, including a hand-pull contraption. There are three terrain parks perfect for children and a large outdoor ice skating rink.
Snow tubing at Ober Mountain in Tennessee begins before Thanksgiving and lasts through March, and the ski and snowboard season usually stretches from December to mid-March. Ice skating and a Family Snow Zone are favorites with youngsters, and an aerial tramway connects downtown Gatlinburg with the mountain.
Skiing and snowboarding in the Southwest
Think “skiing” and New Mexico may not come to mind, but that southwestern state also has its alpine appeal. Ski Sante Fe, a 30-minute drive from the city, has 86 trails and on-site horseback riding and wellness activities. It developed after a rope tow powered by an automobile engine was installed at the site in 1936.
Taos Ski Valley is even more below the radar, and that tiny town often gets overlooked for its larger neighbor. It has abundant steep, challenging terrain, and the town’s attractions include a collection of Southwestern-style galleries. The village was initially settled by miners in the 1800s.
Winter fun in a historic setting
Other ski mountains are also linked to chapters of history. Ketchum, Idaho, was also founded as a mining district and, after the quarrying boom subsided in the 1890s, became a sheep grazing area. Reminders of its pioneer and mining heritage occupy the historic neighborhood. Winter fun takes place on the portion of the Rocky Mountains that runs through Idaho, providing thrills equal to those in the Colorado Rockies without the larger crowds.
Downhill skiing where dinosaurs roamed
Much earlier remnants of the past await discovery by visitors to the compact Antelope Butte Ski Area near Shell, Wyoming. When they’re not speeding down Bighorn Mountain along one of the 23 runs, guests may check out a rich geological treasure. The abundant scattering of fossil shells, which gave the community its name, includes rare Jurassic dinosaur tracks and other geologic formations that date back more than 2 billion years.
At the other end of the size spectrum is Park City, Utah, rated the largest ski resort in the United States. With a summit elevation of over 10,000 feet, it sprawls over 7,300 acres of diverse terrain, which includes 3,200 feet of vertical drop favored by advanced and expert skiers, and offers more than 330 trails and 40 lifts. No wonder it has hosted the Winter Olympic Games.
The snowiest ski slopes in the world
Another incomparable claim to fame is at Mount Baker in Washington State, rated the snowiest ski resort in the world. It consistently receives the highest volume of winter white on the planet and claims the record for the greatest snowfall in one season, an astounding 95 feet. Perched just south of the Canadian border, it’s known for having isolated slopes.
Where celebrities enjoy the snow
Some ski destinations are famous as much for those who frequent them as for their physical facilities and amenities. That’s undoubtedly true for Aspen, Colorado, which lives up to its reputation as a playground for the rich and famous. Hollywood and other celebrities frequent the four mountains, luxurious hotels and resorts provide upscale lodgings, and the town is packed with high-end boutiques and gourmet restaurants.
The Lodge at Blue Sky, a 3,500-acre private ranch, provides easy access to nearby Park City’s runs, where it has a private slopeside lounge. A member of the prestigious Auberge Resorts Collection, it has been recognized by “The World’s 50 Best Hotels” listing. The spa features locally inspired treatments and products, and warm weather activities include a horseback ride to an 1800s tavern and hiking with a biologist to spot deer, elk and birdlife.
Skiing under the stars
A much more basic experience awaits on the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii. It’s the highest of five volcanos in the state and, like the others, is revered as sacred. Its name means “white mountain,” a reference to its seasonally snow-capped peak.
Skiers and snowboarders who reach the top by off-road vehicle don’t find the amenities of a typical ski resort. What they do discover is a setting that’s one of the best sites anywhere for astronomical observations. Telescopes installed by 11 countries, which comprise the largest such facility in the world, conduct research into space. Snowfall usually occurs between December and February, and those who venture to this unique winter wonderland are in for a unique experience.