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.

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.

Beaver Creek, Colorado

Beaver Creek

Skiing Beaver Creek is guaranteed to be one of the highlights of your skiing trips.   The high elevation of the surrounding mountains means the resort enjoys an enviable snow record, matched by just a handful of resorts south of the 49th parallel. 

Beaver Creek was developed into a ski resort as recently as 1980, by Vail Associates, now Vail Resorts (the quoted company than operates several other mega ski facilities, including Vail and Heavenly). The resort was designed in traditional ski-village mould, which helps give Beaver Creek a pleasant, friendly atmosphere.

The skiing is spread across three high mountains – Beaver Creek Mountain (11440′), Grouse Mountain (10688′), and Arrowhead Mountain (9100′).  Whichever you choose, you’re in for a skiing treat. The quality of the skiing at Beaver Creek was fully endorsed by skiing’s World Cup, when the decision was made to host a leg of the tour at Beaver Creek (starting in 1989).  The frightenly steep downhill course, called ‘Birds Of Prey’ follows the double black Golden Eagle trail at the top of the mountain, so accomplished skiiers on Golden Eagle can experience some of the thrills of being a professional WC racer.

Aside from the WC downhill course, Grouse Mountain can be particularly recommended for Advanced skiiers.  A couple of wonderful runs are Royal Elk Glades – a soaring descent through the trees, and Screech Owl, a sweeping left turn through some challenging moguls.

A favorite of Intermediates is Beaver Creek’s longest run.  At nearly 3 miles, Centennial Trail winds down Beaver Creek mountain, starting at the very summit.  The trail covers green, black and red graded terrain, so make sure to hold on to your hat!

The Beginners area and ski school is situated just next to the main village.  There’s plenty of novice-friendly terrain, so it doesn’t get too crowded.  When you start to feel confident, head up the Centennial Express chairlift, and tiptoe down the Cinch trail, a long winding green with more switchbacks than Lombard Street.

Good Snowboarders can test their metal at the advanced terrain at Sone Creek.  Here lie very steep chutes, wonderful after a fresh dump of snow.  If you prefer terrain packs you’re spoilt for choice – there are 5 to choose from: Park 101, Lumber Yard, Zoom Room, Moonshine and Halfpipe.

Now to come to the downside of Beaver Creek.  It’s very expensive.  Accomodation in the village may be top drawer, but it comes with a big price tag.   There is an option though.  A new gondola to the slopes has recently been constructed from the town in the main valley, Avon.  Accommodation here is less pricey than in the Beaver Creek itself.

Best Ski Resort’s (from 100BestEverything) rating : Experts 4 stars out of 5, Intermediates 4 out of 5, Beginners 3 out of 5. Family Friendly 3 stars out of 5. Happy times 3 stars out of 5.