Written by GREG BENCHWICK
Skiing in North America is all about wide swooping runs, gorgeous forested glades, powder shots and some of the fluffiest, deepest, most bewitching snow on the planet.
Plan your winter trip to wonderland with this insider’s guide to top picks and some seldom-seen stashes.
Whistler-Blackcomb – British Columbia, Canada
With over 200 marked runs and 8171 acres of terrain, including 16 broad alpine bowls and three glaciers, it is considered by many to be the largest ski resort in the western hemisphere.
The resort’s peak-to-peak gondola is the highest and longest in the world, and you can't beat the mountain that hosted the downhill, super-G and other events in the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Serious skiers and boarders will love the big dumps of heavy coastal powder and long runs, while families dig the kids forts and action in the village.
Just 78 miles km from the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver, there are plenty of nearby cultural attractions too.
Jackson Hole – Wyoming, USA
It’s an electric feeling heading up the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram, the most iconic lift ride in the United States. The 100-person gondola has piped-in music hand chosen by the operator.
As you cruise up, you get a bird’s eye view of the sicker-than-sick terrain that you’ll be riding on your dream snow-cation – steep couloirs, excellent glade skiing and a few wide-open bowls.
Jackson Hole isn’t especially close to anything, so all you get here is the mountain. With over 4000 ft of vertical drop between the base and the highest point in the resort, only experts need apply.
Alta – Utah, USA
Alta has a whole lot going for it, especially for skiers, as snowboarding is still forbidden. For starters there’s an ungodly 551 inches of snow every year.
And because it’s in Utah, it’s the driest, heavenliest snow you’ll ever get.
The après ski scene is on the sedate side, but you won’t have much time for partying anyway what with the over 2000 ft of steep-and-deep vertical drop and 2614 acres of terrain.
Many of the ski scenes from the 80s classic Better Off Dead were filmed on these slopes. As Charles de Mar says: “This is pure snow. Have you any idea what the street value of this mountain is?”