There is no better time to bundle up and go on a fun-filled, adventurous ski trip with your besties than over Christmas break! Don’t like skiing or snowboarding? These luxurious ski towns also offer the best-of-the-best in lodging, shopping, restaurants and bars. These all are guaranteed to be a good time for anyone! Imagine yourself sipping on your favorite latte curled up next to a giant fire in a beautiful cabin or hitting the best slopes you can possibly find in the “land of the free.” Being a skier myself, I had way too much fun researching the best-of-the-best winter retreats and ski slopes the United States has to offer. Here is a list of the best ski and snowboard towns in America with gorgeous scenery and delightful amenities for an awesome trip this winter.
Telluride, Colorado:
Telluride, Colorado, or as locals call it, “to hell you ride,” is nestled six hours southwest of Denver in the San Juan Mountains. Locals say Telluride got this nickname due to its intense slopes and “rowdy atmosphere.” With over 1,700 acres of skiable slopes and 300 inches of snowfall a year, the one and only Telluride Ski Resort in Mountain Village, a 5-star resort, is a guaranteed great time this winter. Telluride averages 300 days of sunshine a year, and the views from Mountain Village (9,500 feet above sea level) are impeccable.
Telluride, the actual town, sits at the base of the mountain while the Telluride Ski Resort in Mountain Village is actually located on the mountain. The cobblestone streets are lined with awesome shops, restaurants and bars that get rowdy, just like the name suggests. Complementary shuttles can get you just about anywhere, and the free gondola rides can bring you to and from the resort. So, round up your group and head to this rowdy town and enjoy your winter break the right way!
Telluride’s must-see: There Bar- unique, fun and hip staff and great food and drinks make this place just that (also easily accessible to the gondola).
Vail, Colorado
Head west of Denver and less than two hours later you will find the gorgeous town of Vail, Colorado. This popular destination in all seasons of the year draws in A-List celebrities such as Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake. This doesn’t come as a shock once you witness the miles and miles of slopes, luxury hotels and spas. Vail village, located at the bottom of the mountain, is a twist on the Swiss ski town of Zermatt, Switzerland and includes shopping, dining and an exciting nightlife that would no doubt amuse your group.
Vail has the largest single mountain ski area in America and has been called “America’s favorite ski resort” with its 5,300 acres of skiable terrain. There are 193 trails on three faces of the mountain with one including a vertical drop of 3,450 feet! Skiing not your thing? Don’t worry; head to one of the luxury spas and relax, or wait until nighttime and take advantage of the nightlife. You may even run into a celebrity or two!
Vail’s must-see: Bart & Yeti’s- Dive bar and restaurant with live music and an awesome vibe.
Lake Tahoe, California (and Nevada)
Lake Tahoe, burrowed in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, sits on the Nevada-California border and is a popular tourist destination all year round. The “clearest lake in America” stretches over 200 square miles and makes for some of the most beautiful scenery you could imagine while skiing down the slopes this winter. Surrounded by mountains, forests and steep granite cliff sides, Lake Tahoe is naturally beautiful. With a variety of different resorts surrounding the giant lake, you are bound to find a resort that fits all of your friends’ needs.
The North Shore of the lake includes high-end California shopping and dining and resorts such as the Heavenly Mountain Resort and Squaw Valley resort. The south side of the lake lands in Nevada and includes casinos and resorts such as Kirkwood Mountain Resort, which gets the most snow in the Lake Tahoe area. Other activities to add to your adventurous winter break trip include snow tubing, cross country skiing, sledding and snowmobiling.
Lake Tahoe’s must-see: Key’s Café- an organic restaurant, coffeehouse, wine and dessert bar with amazing ratings located on the south side of Lake Tahoe.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
There is no doubt that the views from the top of the mountains at Jackson Hole, Wyoming will take your breath away. Located in the western part of Wyoming, Jackson Hole has recently transformed into a real life winter wonderland. The rugged trails, thousands of miles of skiable slopes and vastness of the mountain make for one of the best winter experiences you could imagine. The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort offers luxury amenities that will keep you warm while off the mountain and the nightlife and restaurants of the town will keep you entertained.
What sets Jackson Hole apart from the other ski areas is The Tram. This aerial tram is known as the greatest ski lift on earth where you can look at breathtaking views of the mountain while staying warm and cozy inside the tram. Other transportation includes the Bridger Gondola which brings skiers from the bottom of the mountain quickly to the top where the best skiers can attempt the 4,139 foot drop while other skiers can ride the long, wide slopes all the way down. You have to try it!
Jackson Hole’s must-see: Corbet’s Cabin- you have to try their famous waffles and down some drinks while thousands of feet up the mountain.
Park City, Utah
There is no doubt why the United States Ski Team trains in Park City, Utah. This adventurous town and its amazing slopes would blow anyone away. Just 30 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, the unique town of Park City, Utah receives 500 plus inches of snowfall every season and includes about 100 powdery trails. Resorts such as Deer Valley Resort and Canyons Resort would house an amazing get away for you this winter. The Park City Mountain Resort hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002.
In 2008, Forbes Traveler Magazine named Park City one of the 20 Prettiest Towns in the United States. For fun off the slopes, head downtown, home to excellent shopping, bars and 5-star restaurants, for more adventures. With a name like “Park City,” there is no going wrong if you choose this destination for some awesome skiing and of course some R&R in the snow.
Park City’s must-see: High West Distillery and Saloon- amazing food, amazing drinks and an awesome atmosphere.