Tahoe Ski Vacations

If you are planning a ski vacation and there are
beginners in your group, or you are a beginner
yourself, you should definitely consider Tahoe
Donner in Truckee, California for your ski vacation.
Since 1971, when construction first began at Tahoe
Donner, the area has come to be known as a world
class cross country ski center, but beginners are
still welcome, and this is one of the better places to
learn how to ski.

Located near Tahoe and Truckee, Tahoe Donner
provides a family atmosphere, and is very affordable.
It features a 601 foot vertical drop, and the highest
elevation is 7353 feet. There are approximately 120
acres for skiers to enjoy, with over 13 trails for
beginners, intermediate skiers, and expert skiers.
The resort features four lifts, with two of the list
being surface lifts, and two being chair lifts.

Snowboarders are also welcome at Tahoe Donner.
The resort has reasonable lift ticket rates, and there
are rentals available. Here, you will also find a variety
of ski programs and a ski school. After a full day of
skiing, be sure to visit the Lodge Restaurant for a
wonderful and relaxing dining experience.

Wintergreen Resort Ski Vacation

Known as the single best ski resort in the South,
Wintergreen Resort in Virginia has quite a bit to offer
skiers. Featuring 11,000 acres with 19 trails,
Wintergreen has a top elevation of 3516 feet, with a
1003 foot vertical drop. Beginners, intermediates,
and experts will all find suitable trails at Wintergreen
Resort.

To accommodate skiers, there are six lifts, including
five chair lifts and one surface lift. There is also a
dedicated terrain park for snowboarding. The resort
is located near Charlottesville, Virginia, and you will
experience breathtaking views of the Appalachian
Mountains, and be surrounded by luxury that most
people only dream of. There is also a world class
golf course located near the resort.

Other activities include tubing, snowmobiling, tennis,
hiking, and horseback riding. The Out of Bounds
Adventure Center is a very popular attraction at the
resort with rock climbing and bungee trampolines.
The Outdoor Wilderness Leadership school offers
corporate retreats, real rock climbing, rappelling,
and mountain biking.

This is an ideal spot for a family vacation. You and
your children can participate in a variety of craft
workshops, enjoy campfires and storytelling, go on
hay rides, and enjoy many more community events
that are scheduled throughout the year. There are
many planned activities for families, including winter
hiking, skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and swimming
in a cozy indoor pool.

While vacationing at Wintergreen Resort, make time
to see the civil war history attractions, and visit the
local wineries as well. Also take time to enjoy the
Wintergreen Spa. At the spa, you can be pampered
with massages, body wraps, skin treatments, and
nail care. You can also visit the Mountaintop
Aquatic and Fitness Center which features the
latest in cardiovascular equipment, strength
equipment, heated pools, hot tubs, steam rooms,
and saunas.

The Wintergreen Performing Arts has many musical
performances throughout the year that are sure to
delight you and your family. If you are less interested
in culture, and more interested in nature, the
Wintergreen Nature Foundation is for you. This
foundation promotes the understanding and
conservation of natural resources that the Blue Ridge
Mountains are famous for.

No matter what your interests are, if getting away
from the hustle and bustle of city life is what you
want, this is the number one spot in the South for
fun, relaxation, and rejuvenation. The Wintergreen
Resort is open all year long, with activities that are
suitable for every season.

The Great Aspen Resort Ski Vacations

When you think of all the ski resorts in the world one
of them stands out inyour mind. Aspen offers a
variety of ski areas for all levels and it covers
4,500 acres or more spread over four mountains.
This resort is known for itsnightlife because of the
downtown area and the quieter Snowmass resort area
has something to offer everyone.

Aspen provides all the restaurants and bars you
could ever want or need You can take a stroll
through this luxurious city and find many boutiques
and much more. There is a lot of history in many of
the buildings that are in the downtown area. One of
these buildings is the Ute bank; this building can be
dated back to the silver area around the 1800’s.

With everything that there is to do in Aspen you
shouldn’t find yourself getting bored. Aspen is
located in Colorado, and with the various mountain
ranges, you are sure to find slopes that are suitable
for your level. Snowmass is one of the most popular
resorts in the world, so be sure to make reservations
well in advance.

Tennessee Ski Vacations

Located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Ober
Gatlinburg is the only ski resort in the state. It is
more than just a ski resort, however. It is a complete
family vacation spot with an amusement park, indoor
ice skating, a bungee tower, an alpine slide, and
many other activities and attractions – there is
something to please everyone.

With an elevation of 3301 feet, and a vertical drop of
600 feet, Ober Gatlinburg features eight trails: two
beginner trails, four intermediate trails, and two
advanced trails. There are three lifts, including two
quad lifts, one double lift, and one surface lift. The
season runs from the middle of December through
early March, and night skiing is allowed on all trails
except the Grizzly trail.

Rentals are available for both ski equipment and
snowboarding equipment. Private and group lessons
for skiing and snowboarding are also available
through the Smokey Mountain Snow Sport School.
You can also easily find food at the many snack
bars, food carts, the café, the restaurant, or in the
lounge.

You must not miss the longest chair lift ride in the
south! You will see awesome views of the Great
Smoky Mountains. You will also get a bird’s eye
view of some of the slopes, and you can have your
picture taken on top of the mountain. If you don’t
ski, don’t worry! You can ride back down the
mountain on the chair lift as well. Don’t forget the
Tramway. The tramway departs from downtown
Gatlinburg and takes you to the ski resort and the
amusement park.

Even if you don’t ski, you can still explore the thrill
of flying down a mountain at a high speed – or a
slow speed if you choose. This is possible with the
Alpine Slide. The slide is approximately 1800 feet
long, and takes you down a winding wooded slope.
You have total control over your speed with the
use of a braking device on each sled. Other
attractions at the amusement park include the
Black Bear Habitat, a bungee jump, a water race,
go karts, indoor ice skating, kiddie land, an arcade,
miniature golf, a Spider Web Velcro Wall Jump,
water rides, and a shooting range.

No matter what type of fun or adventure you are
seeking, there is something to satisfy everyone in
the family at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and
Amusement Park. This is definitely a trip worth taking
– especially if you have younger kids or senior
citizens traveling with you.

Ski Vacations with Ski Clubs

There are many different types of clubs throughout
the world. In fact, there is a club or organization for
just about everything that you can imagine! Skiing is
no exception. Ski clubs are a great way to learn new
things, and to go on ski vacations with other
members. In fact, ski club members often get
discounted rates on ski vacation packages.

No matter where you live, there is a ski club near
you. This is true even if you live in a place that does
not ever get snowfall! These clubs regularly get
together for trips to various mountains, ski areas,
and ski resorts. Some are local clubs, meaning that
the slopes that they ski on are within driving
distance, while others are more national or global,
which means that they not only ski locally, if
possible, but they also plan ski trips.

Again, members of ski clubs often receive deep
discounts on ski vacation packages. Arrangements
are usually made through the club, so that everyone
is eligible for the discounts. The money that is
required from each member for the trip is usually
paid to the club, and the club passes the funds on
to pay for lodging, airfare, meals, lift tickets, and
other perks that are included in the trip. Because
arrangements are being made for a group of people
– which is usually fairly large – discounts are given.
This benefits all members of the club.

The discounts aren’t the only thing to be excited
about. These clubs get together regularly – even if
they aren’t getting together to ski. They join together
for other activities as well, such as cookouts and
fundraisers. Many ski clubs do annual fundraisers to
help less fortunate families and children at Christmas
time. Others do annual fundraisers to help preserve
the environment – which is usually a topic of great
importance to skiers who love being out in the wide
open spaces and fresh air.

While skiing is what brings these groups together in
the first place, it is not necessarily what keeps them
together. Their love of a common sport, and their
common interests and feeling of community is what
keeps them together – and it keeps them skiing
together for years and years. If you are a skier, you
should definitely consider joining a club. It doesn’t
matter – in most cases – what level you are at.
Beginners are usually welcomed, and this is a great
way for beginners to quickly improve their skills and
techniques out on the slopes.

Ski Vacations – What To Pack

If you will be traveling for a ski vacation, it is often
difficult to know what to pack. You may not even
have a problem knowing what to pack, but instead
have a problem figuring how to get everything that
you need from your home to your destination. Skis
do not easily fit into suitcases, and if you are flying,
this presents a huge problem.

Start by knowing what is available at your destination.
Is there a rental shop? How much are the rental fees
for skis, boots, and poles. If it is reasonable, and you
don’t mind skiing with rented equipment, this is a
viable option – and it makes packing and traveling
much easier.

If you don’t care for rented equipment, there is
another option. Find out if there are any ski shops in
the area. There usually are. Get prices on skis, poles,
and boots, and then ask if they buy used equipment.
If they don’t, ask if there is anyone near by that does
purchase used equipment. Call that place to get an
estimate on how much you could get for barely
used ski equipment. Figure the difference in the
money you will spend on the ski equipment, and the
money you will get for the used equipment when you
are finished with it. If it isn’t much more than what it
would cost you to rent the equipment, go for it!

Ski suits, ski jackets, and sweaters can be very
bulky, and hard to pack. These items will take up a
lot of room in your suitcase, and leave less room for
other clothing and essentials. If you are trying to
pack for a two week ski vacation, it will be impossible
to fit everything you need into one suitcase.

There is a way to solve this. Call the lodge or resort
where you will be staying. Tell them that you need
to ship a package, for yourself, to them, and that
you need that package to be there when you arrive.
Ask them if they will hold it for you at the desk. In
most cases, they will. Next, get a box, put all of
your ski suits, your ski jacket, and any other
bulky items in the box, and ship it to yourself, in
care of the lodge or resort. Shipping can be
overnight, two day, or three day depending on
how far it must travel. Depending on how much
the box weighs, you will usually pay less than
fifty dollars to ship a package in the continental
United States….which is a lot less than you
would pay an airline for extra baggage!

Ski Vacations on a Budget

When you start thinking about ski vacations, you will
find a lot of information about various resorts and
packages. Finding terrific vacation spots isn't difficult,
however, finding ski vacations that fit into your budget
can be a challenge.

To save money, look for lesser known resorts. This
doesn’t mean that these resorts won’t provide you
with a fun vacation – it simply means that they aren’t
quite as well known as other resorts, and therefore,
the prices may be a great cheaper. Also look for ski
vacation packages that will include your lodging, lift
tickets, lessons, rentals, and possibly even some
meals.

Be willing to make some sacrifices if money is a real
issue. For instance, instead of eating in an expensive
restaurant each night, eat cheaper fast food, or make
sandwiches in your room. Borrow equipment from
friends instead of renting it. Join a group for lessons
instead of taking private lessons. Don’t stay at a
lodge, stay at a motel farther away from the slopes
if necessary. There are numerous ways that you can
cut down on the expense of your ski trip. It is all about
the powder after all!

Ski Vacations – Learning How To Ski

If your family wants to go skiing on your next
vacation, but you don’t know how to ski, go ahead
and plan that ski vacation anyway! You can learn
how to ski, and you will have a great time doing it.
You don’t even need to know the first thing about
skiing before you arrive at the resort – all of the
knowledge you will need is there waiting for you,
and you can literally be skiing down a mountain
after an hour of instruction.

Learning to ski is really quite easy. Most resorts
have a ski school on the premises, and lessons are
reasonably priced. Group and private lessons are
usually available. It is a good idea, however, to
schedule an appointment before you arrive at the
resort. This will ensure that you can start learning
to ski the very first hour of your vacation.

Most ski instructors start by showing you how to
maneuver around with your equipment. When you
are wearing ski boots, you will be inclined slightly
forward – there is a reason for this…when you are
skiing down a mountain, you will be inclined
forward! Walking in ski boots the first time is a bit
difficult – but it works just fine if you learn to walk
with your knees slightly bent.

The first maneuver you will learn is called the plow,
or snow plow. This is a technique that is done by
literally using your skis as a snow plow. You make
the back of the skis slowing move outwards, away
from your body by applying pressure – and this stops
you. You guide yourself on skies by bending your
knees and leaning in one direction or another,
depending on which way you want to go. All of these
techniques can be learned in one hour, even if you
have never been on a pair of skis in your life.

The beauty of skiing is that after you have learned
how to snow plow, and how to guide yourself on the
skis, you are ready to ski! Get on the lift, head up the
mountain, and give it a try. Control your speed by
snow plowing – go slow at first. When you want to
pick up some speed, draw your skis back in to pick
up a little speed, then push them back out into the
plow position to control that speed.

As a beginner, you should stick to the trails that are
designed for beginners. At most resorts, these trails
are marked with a green emblem. Blue trails are for
intermediate skiers, and after one day of skiing the
beginner trails, you may be ready for those trails.
The black trails are for experts. These trails can be
dangerous for people who don’t have the skill level
to handle them! Avoid black trails until you have
had a great deal of ski instruction and experience.
You will know when you are ready!

Ski Vacations at Solitude Mountain Resort, Utah

If you are looking for the ultimate Utah ski vacation,
Solitude Mountain Resort has everything that you
could want or need. During the early 1900’s, the
area was full of silver miners, who gave the area its
famous name. Today, the area is covered with
skiers – but the crowds are rather light.

The area became a skier’s paradise in 1957. It was
developed by Robert Barrett, who made his fortune
as a uranium miner. He basically started developing
the resort because he was denied restroom privileges
at the ski area in Alta – because he was not a guest.

Now owned by a different family, the resort features
1200 acres of 63 runs for beginners, intermediate
skiers, and experts. There are eight lifts, including
seven chair lifts and one surface lift. The top
elevation at Solitude Mountain is 10036 feet, with
a vertical drop of 2048 feet.

There are five lodging options for guests, and
activities and events take place all throughout the
year. The resort looks like a Tom Kincaide painting,
and one can’t help but wonder if this is where some
of his inspiration came from!

Red River Ski Vacations

Red River, New Mexico is home to one of the most
popular ski resorts in the United States, and has
been for many decades. The resort offers six chair
lifts and one surface lift, and the trails are equally
divided for beginners, intermediates, and experts.

Top elevation at Red River is 10354 feet, and the
vertical drop down the face of the mountain is 1601
feet. Unfortunately, it doesn’t snow much, and about
85% of the powder is man made. There are 58 trails
scattered over 247 acres. Red River is called the ‘ski
town of the Southwest.’

The resort has three restaurants, all of which offer
fabulous fare. Lodging can be obtained in cabins,
chalets, inns, or private condominiums in the area,
and many lodging packages, as well as ski packages
are available through Red River Central Reservations.
Red River also offers snow pass rates which allow
children to ski for free, and teens to ski at reduced
rates. This is a great way to save money on your
family ski vacation.

Red River also has a ski school, and group lessons
and private lessons are available. Even if you’ve never
skied before, you will quickly be on the slopes after
your lessons. There are even lessons for
snowboarders, who are welcome on the Red River
slopes. You can also rent all of your ski and
snowboarding equipment for very reasonable rates.

The nightlife in Red River is also great. After a day
on the slopes, you can kick back and relax at the
lodge, or visit one of the taverns in the area. For the
younger crowd, there is a great game room located
right in the center of the town. One of the great things
about Red River is that everything is within walking
distance of the lodging areas, and shuttles are
provided for transportation to and from the slopes.

You can also enjoy taking scenic chairlift rides,
hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping,
snow-mobiling, and hunting. You can even take one
of the jeep tours to go see the abandoned gold mines
in the area. So, even if you don’t ski, there is still
plenty of fun to be had at Red River Ski Resort.

Childcare is available while you spend your day on
the slopes. Your child will be well tended at the Li’l
Buckaroos Child Care Facility, and the center
provides lunch for your child as well. At Red River,
everything has been thought of and taken care of to
ensure that your ski vacation is as enjoyable as
possible.

Planning a Family Ski Vacation

It’s time to plan the family vacation – and everyone
wants to go skiing. Don’t worry, skiing isn’t as
expensive as you might think, and there are
numerous resorts that cater to families, offering a
variety of packages designed to save you money.
The problem will be choosing the destination.

Most ski resorts have websites. Start the planning
process by accessing these websites to determine
where you and your family might want to go for your
family ski vacation. There are many different things to
look for when choosing a resort. The absolute most
important thing to look for is a ski school if someone
in your family will need instruction. While most
resorts do have ski schools, some don’t. Don’t
make the mistake of choosing a destination where
one or more of your family members won’t have fun,
simply because they don’t know how to ski.

Next, take a look at the slopes, lifts, and trails. You
want to make sure that the resort has something to
offer everyone in your family. If the resort only caters
to beginners, an expert skier will become quickly
bored. If you have a snowboarder in your group, and
there is no snowboarding park or terrain, that
snowboarder will not be happy. There are resorts
that serve all winter sports – so make sure that your
families interests are covered.

Lodging is the next thing to look at. You want to be
comfortable, so where you will sleep at night matters
a great deal. In most cases, there is a hotel right at
the base of the slopes – but this isn’t necessarily the
best or most affordable place to stay. Find out what
your lodging options are for the area, and choose
the one that is right for your family and your budget.
If you will be staying farther away from the slopes,
make sure that there is transportation to and from
the slopes each day!

Your family will have many more interests that you
will need to search for before deciding on a particular
destination and resort. Some of those interests may
be dog sledding, sleigh rides, snowmobiling,
snowshoeing, or horseback riding. Resorts do offer
these activities, but some don’t – so be sure to ask
about the winter activities, as well as the planned
events during the time that you will be at the resort.
This will help you plan a ski vacation that your family
will enjoy and remember for the rest of their lives.

Okanagan Mountain Range Ski Vacations

Okanagan is a mountain range that runs through
valleys close to three mountain ranges.During the
summer this is the perfect place to do some camping,
but when winter hits you will have great skiing
weather and conditions. There are small resorts that
are scattered throughout the area. The climate here
will make for great skiing down the slopes and through
the trails.

These scattered resorts are very quiet and peaceful.
Lifts are available, but they are limited to specific
times and dates. These resorts have great skiing
around them, even though they are small. This area
of mountains offers the most consistent
weather conditions, and the resort offers lodging for
everyone that cares to stay - at a reasonable price.

The mountain ranges offer different trails and skill
levels, but most of all they provide you with the
skiing vacation of your dreams. During the winter,
temperatures in the Okanogan range often drop to
zero degrees. The items you bring will need to keep
you warm at all times and safe no matter which trail
you may choose to ski.

Mount Snow Ski Vacations

Mount Snow, located in Vermont, is the one of the
largest ski resorts in the Eastern United States.
Featuring 26 lifts and more than 135 trails, the top
elevation at Mount Snow is 3600 feet, with a vertical
drop of 1700 feet. There are 20 chair lifts and six
surface lifts available.

Snowboarders are welcome at Mount Snow, and
there is a ‘kids only’ terrain park as well as a special
tubing park. The Grand Summit Hotel and Crown Club
sits right off the slopes, and guests enjoy a heated
outdoor pool and ski in/ski out accommodations. There
is something to suit everyone at Mount Snow.

Many different winter ski vacation packages are
available. Many of these packages are really great
deals designed to save families money. Child care is
available at Mount Snow, and the youngsters will be
well cared for, and learn to ski as well. The adults
aren’t left out of the learning process either! Both group
and private lessons are available.

Mount Snow is very family oriented. At Mount Snow
a unique ‘back-to-base’ trail system is used that
keeps everyone in your family from getting lost. Kids
under six ski and ride for free. When an adult buys a
3 - 5 day ticket during mid-week, their kid receives a
free ticket for that same time period as well. During
January, the Kids Ski & Learn Free weeks seem to
be the most popular family deals.

Mount Snow features a full service health spa that
you should take full advantage of. A variety of
massages are offered, as well as various skin
treatments. Spa packages are also available, and the
spa caters to couples as well, and wedding parties are
also welcome. There is also a fully equipped health
club and fitness classes are offered. There is always
something to do at Mount Snow – even if doing
nothing but relaxing is on your agenda!

Winter activities at Mount Snow also include
snowmobiling, snowshoeing, tubing, cross country
skiing, and sleigh rides. There is a ski shop on the
premises and rental equipment is available. There are
several restaurants and bars on the mountain to
choose from as well. Again, Mount Snow is family
oriented. You will find that this is a very safe environment
for your entire family, where you can relax and have fun
– without any worry. Be sure to ask about the family deals
when you call for reservations or information.

Lost Valley Ski Vacations

If you will be traveling to the North East, you must
not miss Lost Valley Ski Resort. Located on 300
acres in the middle of Maine, the resort offers many
different types of terrain, hills, streams, bridges, and
fifteen well maintained trail systems.

The Lost Valley Resort is best suited to beginners
and intermediate skiers, but there are more thrilling
trails available for expert skiers as well. There are
three lifts to accommodate skiers, including two chair
lifts and one surface lift.

Equipment can be rented for all sports that are
catered to at Lost Valley Resort, including ski
equipment, snowboarding equipment, mountain bikes,
and paintball equipment. Ski and snowboarding
lessons are also available for private parties and
groups.

At the lodge, you will experience a warm family
environment with outstanding food and beverages.
This is an absolutely wonderful place to bring a family.
There are training programs, adaptive ski programs,
racing events, a snowboard terrain park, mountain
biking, and a huge twenty acre paintball park. Lost
Valley Resort is also a great place to hold meetings,
family reunions, weddings, and other special events.
Catering is available.

Italy Ski Vacations

If you will be in Italy, you should definitely visit
Limone. Limone is one of Italy’s oldest ski areas,
and it is a very old village with a twelfth century
church and many other old buildings. The town is
located near the French border, and is only about
thirty miles from Nice.

At Limone, you will experience a real taste of old
Italy. The nightlife has a lot to offer, and the gourmet
food is out of this world! Food and skiing are
everything here – with more than fifty restaurants,
and 46 ski runs. The top elevation is 6689 with a
vertical drop of 3033 feet. Most of the runs are best
suited to intermediate skiers, with a few that are
suitable for beginners and experts. There are twenty
seven lifts, including seven chair lifts and twenty
surface lifts.

Remember that the village is very old – and the
locales like it that way. If you prefer high technology
and modern buildings, Limone probably isn’t for you.
But if you want to truly experience Italy, Limone
must be on your list of places to visit in Italy.

Holiday Mountain Ski Vacations

Holiday Mountain, located in New York, is a popular
area for skiing. Even though the highest elevation is
only 1300 feet, and the vertical drop is only 400 feet,
this area is a popular place for the younger crowd,
and it is definitely a great place to learn how to ski.

There are eight lifts, including three chair lifts and five
surface lifts. There are 15 trails for beginners,
intermediate skiers, and expert skiers. While skiing
and snowboarding are the main attractions, there is
much more here as well, including bumper cars, an
arcade, and a mechanical bull. There is always
something to do at Holiday Mountain Ski Resort.

The best place to stay when visiting Holiday Mountain
Ski Resort is the Villa Roma Resort Hotel, which is
located in the Sullivan County Catskills. Villa Roma
was named as one of America’s 50 Best Family
Resorts by Better Homes & Garden Magazine, and
with the amazing amount of fun activities, it is easy
to see why. The resort features a rail park for
snowboarders, birthday packages, snow tubing, and
of course skiing.

Fun Valley Ski Vacations

If you are looking for a great place to go for your
family ski vacation, Fun Valley, Iowa is the place to
go. This resort caters to families and beginner level
skiers, but it is also great for intermediate and expert
skiers as well. There is something to suit all levels at
Fun Valley.

The top elevation at Fun Valley is 1201 feet, with a
vertical drop of 200 feet. There are six lifts, including
three chair lifts and three surface lifts. The new
learning center is something to see – and experience
if you are a beginner. Tubers and snowboarders are
welcome, and there is an excellent terrain park
available. Rental equipment, including tubes and boards,
is available.

Fun Valley offers outstanding group rates for groups
of ten or more. Birthday packages are also
outstanding for kids twelve and under. Every
Wednesday and Thursday night, the resort offers a
student night, with greatly reduced rates. Buddy Pass
Friday’s are also popular – bring your friends and you
will all save on lift tickets. Coca-Cola sponsors Sprite
Saturday’s at Fun Valley, where you can participate in
three activities for one flat affordable fee. Sundays are
Family Four Pack Day.

Frost Fire Mountain Ski Vacations

For the ultimate family ski vacation, you must visit
Frost Fire Mountain in North Dakota. Located near
Walhalla, the resort features three lifts, including two
chair lifts and one surface lift, 25 acres, and ten trails
for beginners, intermediates and experts. The top
elevation is 1346 feet, with a vertical drop of 345 feet.

Although this is not a large ski resort, it is a great
deal of fun, and perfect for family ski vacations. This
is the perfect place to bring kids to learn how to ski.
Both ski and snowboard lessons are available at
reasonable rates. There is a rental shop and ski
maintenance area on the grounds, and many motel
accommodations in the area to choose from. There
is a separate terrain park for snowboarders as well.

There are many restaurants to choose from, and you
can also visit the areas antique shops when you
aren’t busy enjoying the slopes. There are many
historical sites to see in the area as well, as
Walhalla is the second oldest town in the state of
North Dakota.

Durango Mountain Resort Ski Vacations

Featuring more than 2500 acres of ski area and 75
trails, Durango Mountain Ski Resort has much to
offer skiers of all levels. The resort claims that there
are approximately two people per acre on their
slopes during operation hours. The crowds are small,
and lift lines do not exist.

Located in Colorado, the top elevation is 10822 feet
with a 2030 vertical drop. There are eleven lifts,
including nine chair lifts and two surface lifts. You
can find lodging at the resort, or in the town of
Durango, which is nearby. If you stay at the resort,
make sure that you actually visit the town while
you are there. While the town is small, there is
much to see and do.

Rentals are available for both ski and snowboarding
equipment, and private and group lessons are also
available at the Durango Mountain Resort. There are
plenty of activities and events both at the resort and
in Durango to keep everyone in your family happy.
When it comes to family ski vacations, this is one
you don’t want to miss!

Crystal Mountain Ski Vacations

If you are in or near Washington State, you should
definitely check out Crystal Mountain. With an
elevation of 7004 feet and a vertical drop of 3102 feet,
Crystal Mountain actually sits below Mount Rainier,
which has a top elevation of 14,408 feet. Between
the months of November and April, several feet of
fresh powder falls on Crystal Mountain, due to the
cold Cascade storms common to the area.

This is rough terrain, and there is little offered to
beginners as far as the ease of the trails go. But
lessons are available, as well as rentals for ski’s and
other equipment. At Crystal Mountain, there are more
than 2300 acres and fifty trails, making this the largest
ski area in the state of Washington. There are ten lifts
available: 2 high speed six passenger lifts, 2 high
speed quads, 2 triple chairs, 3 double chairs, and 1
children’s surface lift.

The season runs from the middle of November to the
middle of April, when the most snow fall is
experienced. There are several places to choose for
lodging, meals, and nightly entertainment, but the
biggest attraction is the skiing, of course.

The Crystal Mountain Express Buss service runs on
weekends from the middle of December to the middle
of March. You will be picked up from your lodge and
dropped off at the base plaza – where you can begin
a full day of fun on the slopes. After a day of skiing,
you should definitely head over to East Peak
Massage & Fitness to take advantage of the hot tub,
sauna, showers, and even the game room. Massages
are also available, with a reservation.

If your kids aren’t quite ready for the black diamond
trails – but you are – you can register them in the
Kid’s Club. The Kid’s Club is open from 8am to 4pm
each day for children aged four to eleven years old.
The kid’s aged 4 – 11 will be supervised while they
ski on a ‘kid appropriate’ slope, and snowboarding
is also available for children aged 7 – 11 years old.
Your child will have fun, while being supervised and
taught. The cost of the care includes a four hour
lesson, a lift ticket, lunch, and supervision. Rental
equipment is available for the kids for an additional fee.

Everyone has fun at Crystal Mountain. It is a great
place for a family vacation, but again, the slopes are
more for intermediate skiers and expert skiers –
although beginners will have fun as well. Just use
good sense, and avoid trails that you don’t feel like
your ready for.

Alaska Ski Vacations

Alaska, which has always been a source of awe and
mystery, has some of the best skiing in the world,
and the Alyeska Resort is one of the finest resorts
in the state. With a top elevation of 2751 feet and a
2501 vertical drop, the area gets an average of 631
inches of snow annually.

Although this is some of the best skiing in the world,
you won’t find the slopes overly crowded, and there
are no long lift lines. There are nine lifts, including
six chair lifts and two surface lifts, and one cable
car line. There are 68 trails for beginners,
intermediates, and experts, with the majority of the
trails designed for intermediate skiers.

Night time skiing is allowed, which makes your ski
experience more adventurous and thrilling. You will
see snow capped mountains, hanging glaciers, and
of course, the famous Northern Lights. This resort is
ranked number nine of the top twenty-five killer ski
trips by Skiing Magazine.

The season begins at the Alyeska Resort in mid
November, and runs through mid April. This area of
Alaska boasts the longest daytime areas in the
United States, with approximately sixteen hours of
daylight each day during April. During December,
however, there are only about seven hours of daylight
– which makes night time skiing necessary if you
are going to get in the time that you want to spend
on the slopes.

The Alyeska Prince Hotel is the place to stay! Here
you will enjoy elegant rooms and fine dining. Nightly
entertainment is available as well. There are other
nightlife spots in the area as well, that are not
associated with the Hotel.

If tubing interests you, then visiting the Glacier
Tubing Park is an absolute must! Featuring two
lanes of terrain and a surface lift, everyone in the
family will enjoy spending time at the tubing park.
The Alyeska Terrain Park is a must for
snowboarding enthusiasts. Other winter activities
that can be enjoyed in and around the Alyeska
Resort include flight seeing, helisking, ocean
cruising tours, dog sledding, ice climbing, back
country skiing, mountaineering, and polar bear
viewing.

At the Alyeska Resort, the ultimate winter vacation
can be experienced. Brave the elements, then return
to the Hotel for some pampering. Get a taste of what
Alaska is really like, and what skiing is meant to be!
There are activities for the entire family to enjoy, and
there are many area sights and attractions to be
enjoyed as well. This really is an awesome winter
family ski vacation!

Aspen Ski Vacations

Aspen Mountain has long been known as the playpen
of the rich and famous – and it is. But it is also a
great place to take a family ski vacation. Christmas
in Aspen is especially wonderful! Aspen Mountain
rises above the town of Aspen, with a top elevation
of 11215 feet and a vertical drop of 3269 feet. There
are 76 trails suitable for beginners, intermediates,
and experts, accessible by eight lifts, including
seven chair lifts and one cable car line.

While Aspen has much to offer skiers, as well as
those who enjoy the night life in a ski town, you
should expect lots of crowds and lift lines on the
slopes. Again, this is the playpen of the rich and
famous, and many people choose this ski vacation
spot simply for that reason – as well as for the great
runs and nightlife.

There are numerous places to stay in and around
Aspen, with more than 100 restaurants to choose
from as well. Ski instructions and equipment rental
are abundant in the area, and snowboarders are
welcome.

Big Sky Ski Vacations

With all that Big Sky, Montana has to offer skiers, it
is amazing that so few know about its existence!
Known for its wide open slopes and short lift lines,
Big Sky Ski Resort has one of the largest lift served
vertical drops in the United States. Over 5300 acres
of ski slopes and trails await skiers, with over 33 feet
of snowfall each season.

Big Sky Ski Resort features twenty three lifts, 220
trails, and a 4350 foot vertical drop. The top elevation
is 11154 feet. Along with the ski lifts, there are also
two cable car lines available. While there are
beginner slopes, most of the slopes are geared
toward intermediate and expert skiers.

There are many places to lodge in Big Sky Resorts
Mountain Village, which rests at the foot of the
impressive Lone Peak mountain. Enjoy Sleigh Ride
dinners, ice skating, parties, snowmobile tours, and
a variety of community events. At Big Sky, there are
no strangers. Big Sky, Montana is one of the highest
rated Ski Resorts in the United States, and there is
something here for everyone.