Skiing in the USA

Many experienced skiers who have skied in almost any European ski area would be pleasantly surprised and really delighted if they take a trip to North America, and to the USA in particular. There are a lot of excellent ski resorts there providing top level service, well groomed slopes and amazing facilities. Which is more, American ski centers are not so overcrowded as European ones, so there are no lift queues to spoil your vacation.

There are four major ski areas in the USA - California and the West, Colorado, Utah and New England. Terrain in the USA is rather varied, which means that there are slopes of all complexity levels – both beginners and advanced skiers are likely to find pistes according to their skills. Many North American ski resorts offer excellent ski schools and kindergardens. Many resorts are situated on high altitudes, that is why there’s no lack of snow there and ski conditions – either on or off pistes – are superior.

One of the largest and the most fashionable ski resorts in the USA is Vail situated in Colorado. It was founded in 1962 and was built in a classic Swiss alpine village style that is why it is so popular with European visitors. Terrain in Vail is rather varied, so there is a wide variety of skiing possibilities there. Vail has well developed apres-ski infrastructure – there are about 70 restaurants of all kinds, a lot of different shops, plenty of bars, nightclubs ant other entertainment establishments. Besides, Vail is one of the best ski resorts for family holidays. There is a playschool for kids and nursery for babies where skilled personnel take care of non-skiing children.

One more famous Colorado ski resort is Breckenridge (operated by Vail Resorts company). It is built as a genuine good old wild West settlement recreating atmosphere of gold mining boom-towns while providing top level services, accommodation and après-ski possibilities. Breckenridge has over 2,350 acres of terrain of rather high complexity level, but there are also slopes for less skilled skiers. Beginners can get a great start in learning to alpine ski attending local ski school. The snow layer there is substantial so skiing conditions are good during whole season.

Speaking about skiing in Colorado it’s impossible not to mention Aspen. It was a silver mining town in the past but since 1930’s due to its snowy winters became skiing resort. Now it includes four separate ski areas - Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk. Due such a variety all skiers – both beginners and professionals – can find there a slope for their abilities. Snowboarders will be also pleased to find excellent facilities there. Choice of apres-ski possibilities in Aspen is wide and services are of top quality.

Ski resorts in the USA are so numerous that it’s a tough task to describe even small percentage of the total number (so we have to limit ourselves with describing only some of the most popular Colorado ski resorts). Anywhere in the USA you will find superior service, decent lodging and excellent skiing possibilities. And today’s weakness of US dollar against euro makes skiing in North America more attractive – in some cases trip to the States can be a real bargain for Europeans.