The United States is a massive country with plenty of variety. The East Coast, New England in particular, is full of colonial buildings and old-world charm, providing a winter wonderland atmosphere in the winter. The landscape is beautiful and the cities are rich with attractions. Skiing and snowboarding are available in many states throughout this region and the season runs from November to May at most resorts.
Crystal Mountain ski resort is set amid the exquisite scenery of Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state, and is notable for its challenging terrain and long runs. The ski resort is purpose-built, and has all the conveniences necessary, as well as good onsite accommodation. Crystal Mountain has 50 runs, of which only 13 per cent cater for beginners.
Another amazing example of Americas varied landscape can be found stretching right through the heart of the country. One of the most beautiful of these is the Rocky Mountains. This broad mountain range in western North America stretches more than 4,800kms from Mexico, through the continental United States, into Canada and Alaska. The highest peak is Mount Elbert, in Colorado (4,399m). The skiing and snowboarding in the Rockies is the best in the country and the season is from around November to April.
Vail, in Colorado, is one of North Americas biggest and best ski resorts. The resort boasts an excellent snow record and an extensive range of town amenities. The resort town exudes European charm, created by its Swiss-style chalets and Bavarian lodges. The resort covers 2,140 hectares and includes terrain for all levels of ability. There are three distinct mountain facets: the Front Side, the Blue Sky Basin, and the legendary Back Bowls - an advanced skiers paradise.
Jackson Hole Mountain is located close to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, in the west of Wyoming and is notable for its difficult runs (some of the toughest in the US), and offers a remote location, terrific skiing and amazing scenery. Teton Village is situated at the base of the mountain and provides most of the facilities for skiers.
Sugarbush ski resort is located in central Vermont and encompasses an enormous number of slopes open to both skiers and snowboarders. The resort is known for its fabulous snowfall and powdery slopes, which are spread over two of Vermonts most impressive mountain peaks. Additionally, Sugarbush boasts five exhilarating terrain parks, a half-pipe and a junior quarter-pipe. There are 50kms of ski runs and the longest is 4.8kms.
The West Coast of the United States boasts a more laid-back and liberal feel than the rest of the nation. Here, you'll find the most beautiful landscapes, dotted with charming and modern cities. There is plenty on offer here for skiers and snowboarders, with mountains that offer good slopes and even better entertainment and attractions in the immediate area. The ski season runs from November to April.
While technically not on the US West Coast, Alaska does provide some excellent skiing. Alyeska ski resort, near Anchorage, is the state's largest and offers fantastic, all-level skiing over a large area of terrain, and an awesome snow park for boarders. Alyeska has 68 ski slopes in total as well as 50kms of cross-country skiing in the immediate vicinity.
The major air hubs in the USA are: Boston, New York, Washington, DC (and nearby Baltimore), Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Anchorage. From these airports, you can find connections closer to your resort.
Winter activities, such as skiing, snowboarding, bobsledding or ice-skating can result in injury. Additionally, driving in unfamiliar surroundings or taking part in some of the many other outdoor sports available in the region can pose a danger. To have peace of mind during your holiday, we recommend you take out travel insurance for yourself and your family when visiting ski resorts in America.
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