8 Spectacular Ski Resorts Worth Trying This Winter – Forbes Travel Guide Story
Skiing is an ever-evolving sport with countless options. In the early days, decisions were geographically bounded. People ski more locally and accept whatever the resort and the snow god Ullal give them.
However, skiing in the 2020s offers a whole new set of goggles to scan the globe’s terrain. Even five years ago, skiing in Japan or Chile seemed to be on people’s bucket lists. Now, in the age of mega-channels, these places feel like Killington or park city. when Vail roll out epic In 2008, it allowed access to Paradise Resort in Lake Tahoe and five resorts in Colorado, sparking a dramatic shift in the ski industry. Today, Epic’s global network spans more than 80 resorts. Its main competitor, Alterra’s icon passoffering access to more than 50 resorts on every continent except Africa and Antarctica.
We’ve rounded up some suggestions from Epic and Ikon Skiing this winter — and some options beyond that.
Alta and Snowbirds in Utah
Utah’s claim to having the “biggest snow on earth” is undisputed. Alta Breaking the snowfall record by more than 12.5% foot During the 2022-23 season, 903 inches of fluffy powder was accumulated. Last year, the snowfall total was 643 inches, the second-highest total in North America (only Aliska, Alaska topped the list). Alta and its little Cottonwood Canyon neighbors, snowbirdBenefiting from frequent storms, these storms deposit most of the Pacific moisture in the mountains and then continue through the Great Basin and salt lakes, drying and cooling along the way. When snow falls in the Wasatch Mountains, it falls in the form of six-pronged “dendritic” flakes that stack on top of each other instead of clumping together, creating a stunning floating effect.
But it’s the terrain that puts Alta (open to skiers only) and Snowbird (snowboarders welcome, too) into their own leagues. Both areas offer plenty of beginner terrain and intermediate trails, but it’s the expert trails, couloirs, bowls and trees that are the real calling cards of these mountains. Visit the Devil’s Castle and Catherine’s Area in Alta or the cirques and mineral basins of Bird (especially in the morning).
Purists can debate the merits of each resort, but since they share the Ikon Pass and are connected to each other through several different gates, you should visit them both. Then head to the resorts recommended by Forbes Travel Guide to enjoy: Cedar Inn“Alta’s first luxury hotel” and Cliff Inn At Snowbird.
jackson hole and big sky
Jackson Hole and Big Sky offer stunning scenery and extremely demanding terrain – Ikon has access to both elevators and trams. Located in Wyoming’s jagged Teton Mountains, Jackson is a scenic location with some of the most spectacular scenery in North America. With its obligatory steep slopes and an average slope of 40 degrees, Corbet’s Couloir is probably the continent’s most legendary run, a must-do for expert and extreme skiers alike. Just like the flagship town of Ikon Aspen, Luxurious digs abound Jackson, including five-star hotels Four Seasons Residence Resort Jackson Holefour stars How many and four stars Jackson Hotel.
About 4 hours north, on the other side of Yellowstone, Big Sky Resort has grown from less than 20 trails and 4 lifts in 1973 to more than 300 and 38 lifts today. In December 2023, Big Sky, the largest resort in Montana (and one of the largest resorts in the United States), launched the newly upgraded Lone Peak Tram. Each carriage can carry 75 passengers and travel up the mountain at a speed of 22 miles per hour. Frequent skiers rave about Big Sky’s variety of terrain (including chutes, chutes, cliffs and groomers) as well as its size and slopes. Everything feels bigger and steeper. Even though it’s become more commercial, it’s still an authentic experience. Look for five stars when you go Montage big sky and its in-house adventure outfit, Compass Sports.
Jay Peak Resort
While Western Resorts accounts for most of the ski resorts in North America, Epic and Ikon also work with beloved resorts in New England such as Stowe, Sugarbush and Sugarloaf. But to find the best powder on the right coast, you need to abandon those passes and head to Jay Peak Resort — Vermont, about four miles south of the Canadian border. Much of the mountain’s magic rests on the legendary “Jiyun”, which seems to only hold snow on this peak. “We get the most snow in eastern North America, and there are real and mythical reasons for that, real “Maybe we’ll call it a day and agree we can always use a little more mystery in our lives,” said Steve Wright, the resort’s general manager.
Thanks to its open forest policy, which allows skiers to poach any skis they can find, Jay often receives the accolade “the best tree in the East.” “What makes our glades unique is that they are suitable for different levels of skier/riders,” Wright said. “Most Eastern Trees ski areas have fewer options the lower your ability level; we have enough here for everyone.”
Niseko and Rusutsu
Japan’s ski resorts have transformed from wild powder dreams to a sneaky value (go Hokkaido For many American tourists, flying may be cheaper than going to Colorado), and the Niseko region—with four ski resorts on Ikon—has become a hub of winter fun. Luxury brands have taken notice; The Ritz-Carlton and the upcoming Aman resort. Park Hyatt Niseko Garden Opening in 2020, recommended by Forbes Travel Guide Ink Hirafu and Niseko Valley Hotel.
Rusutsu (on Epic), located 13 miles east of Niseko, offers a big mountain experience with fewer crowds. It’s also known for its heavy snow and light powder, with some of the most legendary conditions in the world. Rusutsu is a south-facing resort, sheltered from the wind, and the area enjoys many sunny days due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean.
Bella Coola Helicopter Sports Center, BC
While both Epic and Ikon offer more menu options than an ice cream shop, if you want to explore the final frontier, you’ll need to take to the air. Bella Curra Helicopter Sportsa short-haul flight based in the North Vancouverconsidered one of the best heli-skiing operators in the world.
Javier Muñoz Santos For four years he has been a full-time guide at the “heli-skiing mecca” of Bella Coola. With 3.5 million acres of land (think: the entire Swiss Alps), “you can ski on very remote slopes, on mountains that no one has skied before,” he says. With some revisiting the same bowl (or “farming” hills), “Bella Coola will ski one mountain, then pick you up and fly you to a new mountain.” In other words, fresh tracks, literally for days.
Guides also have more options when it comes to snow conditions because Bella Coola allows so much of the area. “We can choose between climates,” Muñoz Santos said. “One of the benefits of coastal snow is that we can ski more safely. But if the snow is too wet, we can fly inland to the dry continental mountains. If the weather is bad, we can ski to the fjords and have lunch by the river . Sometimes I think, ‘How am I going to have lunch in the middle of the world?'”
While skiing with Bella Coola is amazing all season long, spring is special. “I love April,” he said. “Avalanche conditions are better. We’ll ski in the morning and head to the river. These are magical, long days.”
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