Skiing Mount Shasta, California

Mount Shasta Ski Park

Mt Shasta Ski Park is located on the side of majestic Mount Shasta, an extinct volcano whose summit reaches 14179ft.   At around 300 miles north of  San Francisco, it’s a long drive from the city, but a scheduled airline service from San Francisco to nearby Redding airport is available.  The ski area is well-maintained, with superbly manicured snow on-trail. (And there’s plenty of dry-powder around off-trail).  The south-facing aspect of the skiing makes the most of any available sunshine, and on a sunny day remember to take plenty of sun block for your face.

The small compact Ski Park suits beginners perfectly.  The ski learning center is a fully accredited member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America, and the standard of the tuition packages is high.   Recommended is the ‘Guaranteed to learn ski/snowboard package (at $70), which includes all day equipment rental, a rope tow pass, and  two 1 1/2 hour lessons (one morning, one afternoon).  When you’ve mastered the basics at your beginner lessons, head for the Marmon Ridge area. Here you’ll find the easiest trails.  Blue Grouse is a pleasant run to start with.

Intermediate Skiers can ski the intermediate runs on Marmot Ridge, like Challenge and Snow Shoe.  Then swap valley sides to try the harder runs on Douglas Butte.

If you find these runs too easy, you’re ready to step it up to expert level. There’s a good variety of blacks off Douglas Butte and Coyote Butte, typically with excellent snow. Diamond Back, Black Bear and Z-way are 3 excellent runs starting at the top of Coyote.

There are three terrain parks.  The most extensive is Revolution, which offers a great range of features.

The kids’ lessons are split into Coyote, for first-timers and beginners, or Snow Tiger Kids for second level learners with chairlift riding ability.

There’s a good range of accommodation in nearby Mount Shasta town, about a 15 minute ride back down the valley.   Pick from a selection of hotels and rentals.

The more adventurous can attempt the ski mountaineering trip to the summit.  This requires a high level of skill, considerable experience and careful planning; these are rewarded by and absolutely magnificent outing. Recreational skiers avoid! 

(Editors note: planning a trip to Shasta at the end of March, flying with United from San Francisco to Redding, about an hour’s flight.  Buying some new ski boots (big feet, so not easy), and a new carry on bag, a wheelie as recommeneded by the most entertaining page about carry ons around (well there’s not much competition) at Wheeled Carry On.)

Best Ski Resorts‘ (from 100BestEverything) rating (out of 5 stars) 2-expert,3-intermediate, 3-beginner.

Sugar Bowl Ski Resort, Lake Tahoe, California

Mount Lincoln, Sugar Bowl ski resort

Sugar Bowl was founded in 1938 by a consortium which included the participitation of Walt Disney.  By the following winter several trails had been cut, and the first ever chair lift in California installed.  1940 saw the construction of the famous Sugar Bowl inn, which still stands proudly at the foot of Mount Disney.   The resort was (as is) popular with the gliterati – the resort’s website features a charming old film clip of Marilyn Monroe skiing (and falling over!).

You’ll find it easy to get to Sugar Bowl, as it’s situated by the Donner pass, just a few miles west of Truckee, a short drive off Interstate 80.  Driving time from San Francisco is about 31/2 hours, from Reno 1 hour.  Truckee is also served by Amtrak, so the train then taxi is another option.  Beware though, that because of the easy access, Sugar Bowl can be crowded at the weekend.

There are two parking lots at Sugar Bowl. The first, the Judah parking lot is situated directly at the foot of Mount Judah base. The second, the Disney lot, is a gondola ride away from the Mount Disney base, and this can busy at times.  So unless you’re planning to stay at the Inn (at the Mount Disney base), it’s probably better to park at Judah.

The skiing area at Sugar Bowl encompasses some 1500 acres spread across the northern slopes of three mountains, Mount Judah,  served by the Judah express rising from the Judah base, Mount Lincoln, reached by the Lincoln chair from the Mid Mountain Lodge and Mount Disney connected to its base by the Disney chair.    It’s easy to transfer from one skiing area to another, as there are all connected by green (or harder) runs.

Sugar Bowl has a separate area set aside for learners, next to the ski school at Judah Base.  Improvers will find the easy runs accessed via the Christmas Tree lift perfect for their first forays onto a big hill.

Mount Disney is a paradise for Intermediates, with a huge amount of easy cruising  runs like Crowley’s and Station B and also the fantastic Henderson’s bowl.

Experts will know all about the famous Silver Belt race, which was first run way back in 1940.  The raceline drops straight off the summit of Mount Disney swooping down to the Steilhang trail.  You’ll also know all about the most famous ’son of Sugar Bowl’, Daron Rahlves, who made his mark by winning the horrifying Hahnenkamm race in 2003.  |Sample the excellent Rahlves Run trail, named after the legendary skiier.

Slopeside ski-in ski-out accommodation at Sugar Bowl consists of the Inn (very characterful, but very expensive), and some new condo style lodgings at the Judah base. The limited facilities make for a limited nightlife, but after a day on the slopes you will want to tuck in early!

Best Ski Resorts‘ (from 100BestEverything) rating (out of 5 stars) 2-expert,4-intermediate, 3-beginner.

Smuggler’s Notch Ski Resort, Vermont

Smuggler's Notch Ski Resort

At the center of Vermont’s rugged Green Mountains, in over 4000 acres of verdant forest,  lies Smuggler’s Notch Ski Resort.  Just 4 miles south along windy route 108 you’ll find Smuggler’s Notch itself, a narrow gorge which was a popular route for cattle smugglers in days gone by.   The pass is closed throughout the winter months, so it is only possible to reach the resort from the Jeffersonville direction.  The resort has a big reputation as a top family-friendly destination: kids of all ages are welcome and very well provided for, as there’s lots to do from morning till night for your young charges.

Approaching Smuggler’s Notch from the north, you first reach the main village.  This is the heart of the resort, with ski-school, child-care center, ski-rental, restaurants, bars and condo accommodation.  The village lies under Morse mountain, at the bottom of several wide ski runs.  If you continue further along the 108, heading south, you’ll find the second part of the resort, the Madonna/Sterling base area.  Here there’s a big parking lot, and two chairlifts which serve Madonna and Sterling peaks, both higher than Morse mountain.  The two centers are connected by ski trails,  if these are unpassable a free shuttle service between the two is available.

The staff of the child care center, Treasures, provide warm and welcoming care for young children. The ski school runs a whole range of skiing lessons for older kids, braketed by age group.  Away from the skiing, there’s a brilliant Fun Zone, an indoor area with inflatable slides and structures for active play, plus ping-pong tables, foozball tables and game consoles.  Also very popular is the indoor swimming pool with hot tubs.  Teenagers can hang out at either of the two teen clubs, both no-go areas for parents.

Beginner skiers can sign on for skiing lessons at the ski-school, situated at the top end of the village at the foot of  Morse mountain’s  slopes.  When you’re able to graduate to the slopes proper, you’ll be very pleased to find that one of the two chairs rising from the village is the half-speed Mogul Mouse Magic lift, very beginner-friendly, being very easy to catch and exit.  The double chair gives access to over 10 gradual green runs, all gentle and forgiving slopes.

Intermediates and Experts head away from the hoards of beginners on Morse Mountain to the second ski area, the Madonna and Sterling Mountains.  Both peaks offer numerous blue and black trails, with spectacular views over the Green Mountains.  Smuggs is the home of the only triple black diamond in the East, named the Black Hole, an exciting line swooping down through trees.

The resort has three snow parks, and a small half-pipe.  The small park on Morse suits those with limited experience.  When you’re bored with this, make for the half-pipe on Madonna mountain, or the Zone of Sterling.

A wide range of ski-in ski-out condo accommodation is available, situated around the village, with many units overlooking ski trails.  Nightlife options in the village are bit bit limited, with a small number of restaurants and bars.  There’s more choice in nearby Jeffersonville.

Best Ski Resorts‘ (from 100BestEverything) rating (out of 5 stars) 2-expert,3-intermediate, 4-beginner.

Jay Peak Ski Resort, Vermont

Jay Peak Ski Resort

Jay Peak Ski Resort is located in the heart of the Green Mountains, just inside the US/Canada border.  Its unique location, between the Atlantic Ocean and Great Lakes exposes it to snow-storms both from the east and west.  As a result the resort can boast the highest natural snowfall of any in the Easterns USA, with an average of more than 300″ a year.

Skiing at Jay Peak started as far back as the 1950s, with the buiding of a simple ski-area with just one lift.  Now over 50 years later, Jay Peak is a major Eastern US ski resort, attracting 300,000 skiiers a year.

Steep glade

If you mention ‘Jay Peak’ to an enthusiastic skier, you are almost certain to invite a long discourse on the subject of Jay’s glades.  Back in the 1980s the then owner of the resort noticed many skiers ventured off-trail into the woods, returning covered in snow, and grinning from ear to ear. Rather than banning this off-trail activity, the decision was made to encourage tree skiing and even enhance it.  So in summer of 1987 the first of Jay’s glades was cut. This lead to such a positive reaction, that since then over 20 glade areas have been created with the resort’s boundary. They are graded from 1 to 5, 5 being the most difficult.  Skiing the glades is great fun, nothing beats the excitement of curving a big turn and just missing a tree – but watch out for the odd stump!

Jay also has liberal out-of-bound policies – you’re allowed to ski anywhere within the 385 acres of terrain draped over 2 mountains as long as you keep in a group of 3 or more, and you show a modicum of common sense.

For experts, there are a number of steep chutes (Face chute and Tuckerman’s chute) under the top tram station. Move on to tackle some seriously gnarly glades, like Timbuctu (accessed via the Jet Triple chair), or Beaver’s Pond beneath Ullr’s Dream.

Beginner's glade

Middle-grade skiers and boarders can tackle the brilliant runs which start at the top of the Aerial Tram.  A favorite is Vermonter, a long blue down the mountain’s flank.  If you’re brave try some introductory glade skiing – the area around Moonwalk Woods was specially prepared with first-time-gladers in mind.

Beginners are well catered for by an excellent ski-school. The ‘Learn to Ski/Ride’ package includes 2 hours tuitions, gear hire, and a Beginners Zone lift ticket valid for the whole of the day.

Condos Next to Racoon Run

There’s a good choice of accommodation situated at the bootm of the skiing area.  Pick between Hotel Jay, next to the Aerial Tram base, or a whole number of condos, many of which attractively line the Racoon Run trail  Nightlife though is pretty limited – there’s no village center as such.

Best Ski Resorts‘ (from 100BestEverything) rating (out of 5 stars) 3-expert,3-intermediate, 3-beginner.

Ski Grand Targhee, Wyoming

Grand Targhee Base Station

If I told you than just 45 minutes drive from ever-popular Jackson Hole you could find an even better ski resort would you be interested? Grand Targhee would be my answer, because it has better snow, better views, better kids facilities, less crowded slopes and a more friendly atmosphere.  (Though admittedly it doesn’t have the amazing selection of awesome terrain of Jackson).  Grand Targhee is a smal ski area situated on the western slopes of the impressive Grand Teton mountains.  Skiing first started here in the late 60s, mainly thanks to the enthusiasm of local Idaho residents.  Since then the ski area has changed ownership several times – the latest owners are the Gilletts, who purchased the resort in 1997.  They have plans to develop the resort further, and these are currently in review.

The skiing at Grand Targhee is spread between two mountains, Fred’s Mountain (9862′) and Peaked Mountain (9830′).  Each mountain is served by a high-speed quad chair, Dreamcatcher for Fred’s and Sacajawea for Peaked. 

Grand Targhee is great for beginners, as a week is all a novice skier needs to make a great start on the slopes.  The ski school has a range of classes suitable for all age groups.  The magic carpet lift is just next to the school, making the organisation of beginners lessons simple and straightforward.  When you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll be taken up to the large beginners area at the top of the Shoshone chair – this is easily angled terrain perfect for practicing your snowplough turns.  By the end of your first week you should be ready for the best beginner’s outing in the whole of North America – the brilliant 2.7 mile long Tetons Vista Traverse.  This winds down from the very top of Fred’s mountain.  It’s very easy (the cats servicing Fred’s hut use it), and offers spectacular views of the Grand Tetons.

GT is great for intermediates, as you’re presented with a great opportunity to get to grips with the basics of powder skiing.  Much of the terrain is perfectly angled to safely hold deep powder, and perfectly angled for stress-free skiing/riding.  The large amount of terrain, and the uncrowded slopes means decent powder is not hard to find.

And GT is also a hit with dare-devil advanced skiers.  Peaked Moutain offers some great lines down the west facing bowl, including  Reliable, Toilet Bowl and Das Boat.  If you don’t mind a hike, the long climb to Mary’s Nipple is rewarded with even better views of the Tetons, and loads of ’good stuff’ to ski. 

Kids have a separate area set aside for them under the Shoshone lift. They can enter  the Bat Cave, skate past the Gremlin, and shoot through Giant Ants. The kids ski school which is based at Powder Scouts HQ is welcoming and well run.  There’s also a tubing zone at the side of the magic carpet.

There’s a small amount of accommodation available at the base station. More is available back down the valley towards Driggs. 

Best Ski Resorts‘ (from 100BestEverything) rating (out of 5 stars) 3-expert,4-intermediate, 4-beginner.

Alta Ski Area, Utah

Wildcat Base - Alta Ski Area

Nestled in the far reaches of Little Cottonwood Canyon, in the center of the Wasatch National Forest, about a mile beyond Snowbird Ski Resort, lies the famed Alta ski station.  If you’re looking for deep powder skiing, Alta manages to come up with the goods year-in year-out.  The average annual snowfall is a whopping 500″, and the area is reliably carpeted with snow.   But if you’re a snowboarder don’t bother to read any further as Alta enforces a draconian skiing-only policy, and no snowboarding is permissible (their loss!).  The skiing at Alta lies on the slopes of three moutains, the Devil’s Castle, Mount Sugarloaf and Mount Baldy, all of which soar to over 10,000ft.  There are two base areas which lie at the foot of the slopes, Wildcat and Albion.

Alta was a thriving mining town in the frenetic silver rush of the 1880s.  It was a rough, savage town, with many whisky bars.  The town garnered a certain reputation because of several drink-induced shootings.  But when the silver boom came to an end, the town fell apart, helped on its way to oblivion by fire and several avalanches.  In the 1930s Little Cottonwood Canyon was rediscovered by a different kind of prospector, looking for an abundance of cold white snow, rather than shining metal.  A scout for the Forest Service reported that the area was ideal for skiing.   Together with the Salt Lake Winter Sports Association, the Forest Service set up a small skiing operation at Alta. To begin with they installed just one lift, serving a small amount of terrain.

Nowadays Alta has grown into a huge world-class skiing area with a great reputation for superb powder skiing. The 2 base lodge, Wildcat and Albion sit at the bottom of over 2200 acres of skiable terrain.

Alta’s snow record is as valuable to beginners as to experts.  There’s nothing worse than to start out your skiing career on thin snow.  The main beginner’s area is located above Albion base.   The Sunnyside lift leads to the start of 2 brilliant green runs, Crooked Mile and Dipsy Doodle, both easy-angled and forgiving of novice errors.  From the top of Sunnyside you can also venture up the Cecret chair to 2 more recommended trails, Rabbit and Sweet ‘N Easy, both picturesque and rewarding.

There’s more terrain available to Intermediate skiers. One idea is to ride the Supreme lift up to the shoulder of East Castle.  Stop a moment to take in the beautiful mountain views, then swoop down Upper Big Dipper run. Another great set up trails starts from the top of the Sugarload chair.  If you want the longest possible run, glide down Collins Return to Mambo, head on down to join Meadow, next Rustler Cat Track, finally Corkscrew to reach the bottom. An exhilirating descent.

Expert’s are spoilt for choice. One favorite area is West Rustler, reached via High Traverse off the top of the Collins lifts.  Several lines like Watson’s, Annies’, Jake’s, Santa Clause, Jitterbug and Christmas Tree take deep powder down the north-west facing steep slope.  An alternative is the Ballroom Traverse accessible from the Collins chair.  You’ll tiptoe your way across the north face of Mt Baldy, before picking a spot to plunge down the wide open bowl.  The earlier your drop, the easier the angle.   For the real devildares, the Baldy chutes, off the summit ridge of Mount Baldy, offer palpitation-inducing thrills.

Alta has no ski-village as such, and this is its biggest downside.  If you’re the party-animal sort that likes to hit the busiest bar for wild evenings Alta will prove a disappointment.  But thre’s lots of ski-in ski-out lodges to pick from.  Alta Lodge, Rustler Lodge, Goldminer’s Daughter Lodge and Snowpine Lodge can all be recommended.

Best Ski Resorts‘ (from 100BestEverything) rating (out of 5 stars) 4-expert,3-intermediate,2-beginner.

Northstar, CA

Northstar Ski Village

Mount Pluto (8610ft) is a densely forested mountain set in the spectacular Serra Nevada range about 10 miles to the north-west of Lake Tahoe.  In the mid 20th century the mountain’s slopes were used for low intensity timber production.  Things all changed when Fibreboard, a company with a whole range of different interests, bought into the area with an intention to develop a ski resort.  The first lifts were installed early in 1972, and the skiing opened winter the same year.  The following years saw a gradual development of the ski slopes, with the addition of more trails and lifts.  In 1996 Fibreboard divested of Northstar, selling it on to Booth Creek Resorts (run by the very weathly George N Gillet).  Booth Creek planned to create extend the skiing, and create an on-site ski-village with ski-in, ski-out accommodation.  In 2006 the new beautifully designed and very stylish ski village opened.  Further developments include a luxury hotel, planned to open in 2009.  Today, if you ski Northstar, you’ve definitely chosen one of the best ski resorts in California.

Northstar may not have the most dramatic terrain available – the trails are all tree-lined, with little variation in feel – but it does have a great reputation for family-friendliness, and challenging intermediate skiing. 

The ski-school is located at the Day Lodge, a gondola ride above the village.  Lessons take place on the easy slopes above the lodge.  By the end of your first week you should be confident enought to ski down the green trail Village Run which wends its way from the Lodge back to the village.

The best of the skiing at Northstar is for skiiers in the middle range of ability.  Recommended runs include the ridges of the top of Mt Pluto, both exciting runs.  East Ridge boasts spectacular views of Lake Tahoe in the distance, at there are several challenging lines plunging from the ridge down the slopes towards the valley.  The opening of the Backside area of the mountain has opened up some superb skiing.  Favorites here include Burnout, The Rapids and Polaris.

The ski school offers a full ski program with ‘luckystars’ for 3 year olds, ’superstars’ for 4-6 year olds, and ‘allstars’ for 8-12s.  The school can be well recommended, the instructors are super patient and encouraging. 

Finding good accommodation at Northstar is easy.  Pick a place in the pretty pedestrianised village to make for a really laid back vacation – there’s nothing to beat just an easy walk back to your appartment after a day’s skiing.  Lot’s of condo accommoation is also available with a short shuttle ride from the village.  Evening activities are a bit limited.  The ski village does contain a number of shops, restaurants and bars, but of course there’s not the wide choice available in a bigger town.  A highlight is enjoyoing an apres ski drink by one of the many fire pits around the large ice-rink at the village center.

Best Ski Resorts’s (from 100BestEverything) rating (out of 5 stars) 2-expert,3-intermediate,4-beginner.

Solitude, Utah

Back in the 1950s, the very rich Bob Barrett (who had accumulated his fortune in the uranium extraction industry) suffered the ignominy of being refused access to the restroom at his favorite skiing resort Alta.  In an enormous huff, he vowed to buy up all the land available in the canyon, and develop his own resort.  So was born Solitude Ski Village, just a stone’s throw from Alta.  Development of the ski hardware began in 1956, and the following year the resort opened for the first time, with just 2 lifts.

Today Solitude is a lively and bustling ski area with a excellent snow record, a reputation for short lift queues, and a diverse and interesting ski mountain.

Conveniently for beginners, the ski school can be found immediately above the village. The school is well-managed, and efficiently run by an enthusiastic team of friendly instructors.  You should be up to attempting a green run by the end of your first week.

There’s lots of options for intermediates, from exciting steep runs with bumps and curves, to long winding cruising runs meandering slowly down the mountain.

Honeycomb Canyon is an irresitable magnet for expert skiiers.  From the top station, a long traverse into the canyon reaches some brilliant chute runs.

The terrain park is completely made from snow, but there’s still lot to do, with a mixture of jumps and tables.

At the base of the mountain, the ski village clusters around the bottom lift.  Its an attractive traffic-free village, with lots of accomodation available and plenty of facilities on offer.  There’s an ice rink at the village center, and 2 outdoor (but heated) swimming pools. In the evening you’ll have lots of restaurants and several bars to pick from, but after a heavy day on the slopes, most head off to their bunks early on.

Solitude was one of the first resorts to introduce smart ticketing – you just keep the card in your pocket, and it’s read automatically at each chair.  This means that the resort has a number of interestin ticketing options available, such as ‘By The Ride’ passes,  as well as the more usual day passes. 

Best Ski Resorts’s (from 100BestEverything) rating (out of 5 stars) 3-expert,3-intermediate,4-beginner.

Revelstoke, B.C.

 

Revelstoke Ski Resort

Hot on the heels of the success of Kicking Horse, 2007 saw the first season of Canada’s new ski resort, Revelstoke.  Canada is managing to export one natural resource more successfully then ever – the cold.  Global warming is making conditions further south more and more unreliable,  making Canada an attractive option for winter sports facilities.   (The next resort proposed is the Jumbo Glacier Resort, though this has run into hot opposition from environmentalists). 

At Revelstoke amazingly the developers only needed one summer to start putting (as they famously put it at a meeting with local residents) ‘iron on the hill’. The old ski area of Powder Springs was completed refurbished and vastly expanded.   Completion of the project is scheduled for 2012, when the aim is for 20 lifts reaching nearly 140 trails.   Accommodation in the ski-village will consist of over 2000 hotel units, and 1500 condominiums.

Now into its second year, the actual figures are 5 lifts and 32 runs.  Though the resort’s motto, ‘The Longest Skiable Vertical in North America’ is already true – skiing off the summit all the way to the bottom comprises more than a vertical mile. Revelstoke also claims to be the only resort in the world offering lift-skiing, cat-skiing and heli-skiing straight from the ski-village. (Though I’m personally sure this phrase as a selling point is a complete blunder, sounding <i>terribly</i> anti-green, and should be dropped).

When you ski Revelstoke BC you’ve got some terrific skiing in prospect.

There is a small space set aside for Beginners with a magic walkway lift, located above the Day Lodge. The well-reputated ski school runs comprehensive beginners lessons, and should have you skiing down the green Long Spike run (in total 8 miles in length, but you can join near the end) within a few days,

The choice for Intermediates is better, with a number of exhilirating runs.  Particulary gripping is Critical Path, off the summit station.

Experts love Revelstoke.  There are 4 brilliant bowls to choose from.  North Bowl can be reached from a lift, but the other 3 need a Cat ride, of a bit of a hike. 

Accommodation is all in nearby Revelstoke town.  It’s a pretty town some attractive Victorian buildings, well known for the friendliness and welcome of the locals.  Interesting shops, cool coffee bars and enjoyable restaurants are all located in town.  If you’ve young kids, be sure to visit the salt-water aqua center, which features slides and rapids.

Best Ski Resorts’s (from 100BestEverything) rating (out of 5 stars) 5-expert,3-intermediate,2-beginner.

Crested Butte, CO

Lying at the foot of a range of spectacular mountains, Crested Butte ski resort (pronounced ‘beaut’) has a well-deserved reputation for steep double-blacks. The ski village, called Mount Crested Butte, is 3 miles above the bustling town of Crested Butte. A free bus services the ski village from the town, and runs all thru from 7am to 12 midnight.

If you’ve just taken up skiing, you’ll appreciate the long, beginner-friendly trails – the start of these is just a short ride from the base area by the Red Lady chair.

Intermediates will revel in the huge, mixed-gradient bowls – try Paradise run. Alternatively whoop down som fine powder runs through the tree glades situated below Phoenix bowl.

Experienced skiiers will head for the steep couloirs dropping from the mountain ridges – a favorite adrenaline-pumping outing is Banana Funnel.
 
For snowboarders there’s a good choice of 3 terrain parks. (If the excellent freeriding doesn’t ring your bell). The biggest of the parks, DC Terrain, has a 100yd long pipe.

If you’ve opted for convenience and decided to stay in the ski village, don’t miss out on a colourful night out to Crested Butte town, which has a rich mining history. Some of the character buildings remain, and are now home to fun restaurants and lively bars.

Best Ski Resorts’s (from 100BestEverything) rating (out of 5 stars) 4-expert,3-intermediate,3-beginner.