Winter Vacations For Skiing And Snowboarding Enthusiasts

If you love to ski, snowboard, or play in the snow during the winter, a winter vacation with these amenities is the perfect trip for you. Even if you're not good at skiing or snowboarding, resorts offer various class levels from beginner to expert. You can also enjoy the other winter activities, such as snowmobiling, sleigh rides, and ice skating which require less coordination and athleticism. Whichever activity you enjoy, a winter vacation to one of the following states can offer you the best snowy conditions for a romantic getaway or a family vacation this year.

o Lake Tahoe

On the border of California and Arizona, Lake Tahoe has 7 ski resorts, offering back country powder and huge views of Lake Tahoe, the nearby mountain regions, and the small town of Truckee. Lake Tahoe always has plenty of snow in the wintertime; in fact in 2005 they had the most snowfall in North America. Besides outdoor fun, there is an ample nightlife with casinos and entertainment for tourists.

o Park City

If you want a vacation fit for the stars visit Park City, Utah. This popular town has world-renowned skiing and snowboarding. The Utah license plate even says, "The Best Snow on Earth!". You can even visit the Utah Olympic Parks that were used for the 2002 Winter Olympic games. There are numerous ski resorts in this mountain city, with three major ski areas. There are plenty of other activities too, such as snowmobiling and snowshoeing, or try the bobsled, luge, or sleigh rides. It also holds some of the best shopping, restaurants, and galleries in the nation. You may even catch a glimpse of some celebrities.

o Colorado

With plenty of resorts (over 25), there is plenty of snowfall and lodging whether you're traveling to Aspen or anywhere else in Colorado. Colorado provides a total of 41,648 feet of vertical rise, 29,460 acres of terrain, and 4,241 inches of annual snowfall. With breathtaking scenery, Colorado's Rocky Mountains provide skiing terrain for all levels. Colorado is the perfect vacation for a honeymoon or a romantic getaway (according to the movie "Dumb & Dumber").

o Northern Arizona

Although you don't think of Arizona as a snowy place, Northern Arizona has elevations of about 8,700 feet and gains about 10 feet of snow each winter. Whether you want a romantic getaway or a family fun vacation (you can even bring the dog), an Arizona vacation rental can offer you 65 ski runs and a mountain fit for skiing, snowboarding, sledding, cross-country skiing, and snow mobiling. At night you can relax in front of the fireplace and rest in the down comforters and Egyptian cotton sheets at your bed and breakfast inn.

o Vermont

With 2,000 feet of vertical (more than East coast states Maine, New Hampshire, and New York combined), Vermont has around 30 resorts throughout the small state to fit whatever type of winter sport you enjoy. They even have their own magazine, Ski Vermont magazine, to help you plan the perfect vacation. This state makes it easy to find the best resort and the best days to ski, snowboard, or take the kids out. They even have a saying, "Winter in its original state." Don't forget to try the famous maple syrup while you're in this state.

Ski Vacations - Favorite American Resorts

Ski vacations are an All-American favorite for rugged individuals, sporty couples and families who thrive on skiing and snowboarding on powdery white slopes. There is nothing more invigorating than planning to take a winter vacation, packing your snow gear and heading off with your loved ones to the mountains in the distance. Every snow-skier has their favorite place to go, so it may be a little arrogant to try to tell you where the best spots are, but these are premium winter destinations that many snow enthusiasts will tell you are hard to beat for the best ski vacations.

Aspen, Colorado

Renowned worldwide, Aspen is unbeatable in the United States for its skiing, and wherever you go at Aspen you are liable to see somebody rich or famous. The Aspen Mountain Powder Tours will test the skills of even the best skiers among us, and those still working on their expert status will find the intermediate slopes to be excitingly challenging. The backside of the mountain presents acres of powdery terrain that expert skiers love to return to again and again. Aspen's steep slopes are famous, and its four separate mountains offer unrivaled skiing opportunities for all ability levels. There are also opportunities at Aspen for snowboarding, paragliding and fly fishing, which is why Aspen remains a popular destination for ski vacations.

Stowe, Vermont

The two-century-old village of Stowe is also a favorite pick simply because of its New England charm. Stowe consists of the two areas of Spruce Peak and Mount Mansfield which is Vermont's highest mountain. It also has a lift-link to Smuggler's Notch, a full-family resort which makes Stow an excellent choice for families looking into destinations that are family-friendly. Stowe offers skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing, and for those who like the "tamer" sport of shopping, there are close to 100 unique shops to browse through after a day on the slopes.

Squaw Valley, California

Famous for its scenic views of Lake Tahoe, Squaw Valley is one of America's Olympic resorts; night skiing on the 3.2 mile mountain run is an experience you will not forget. There is also the Riviera Superpipe, and if you have members of your group who are not skiers, there is lots for them to do and see at the Ice Pavilion and Olympic Museum where they can enjoy reviewing the history of the 1960 Winter Olympics. Squaw Valley usually runs great family and group deals, and there is plenty of activity to offer everyone whether they are skiers or not, which makes Squaw Valley a great destination for ski vacations.

Alta, Utah

Just a 45 minute drive from Salt Lake City International Airport, this magnificent resort is great for skiers of all abilities. With a stunning 200 foot vertical drop, Alta has more than 115 runs with deep powder and a variety of terrain to challenge advanced skiers as well as beginners. The only negative (if there can be anything negative about such a fantastically beautiful site) is that snowboarding is not allowed on Alta's slopes.