Every year people travel all over the country to get some good snow on their ski vacation. A lot of these tourist destinations come with a hefty price tag, huge crowds, and not even the best snow a lot of the time. Places like Aspen, Breckenridge, Park City, and other big resorts all have a name that everyone knows, making them an appealing choice as a ski destination.
Beyond those famous ski resorts, there are so many other places around the United States that have great skiing. They don't come with a well-known name, but they also don't come with the crowds or the big expenses.
Mt. Hood, Oregon
Only an hour away from Portland, this destination is easy to get to and comes with plenty of options. There are three resorts on Mt. Hood; Timberline, Mt Hood SkiBowl, and Mt Hood Meadows. All of these are nowhere near as expensive as the big-name resorts, but the skiing is just as fun. They have something for everyone.
All three resorts have nice groomed runs, steep back bowls, and world-class terrain parks. There are plenty of places to stay in the cute, old-town Government Camp, Oregon, which is only a few miles from the parking lots of all three resorts.
Whitefish, Montana
While this one is becoming more popular, it is nowhere near as large as some of the other tourist destinations in the country. The resort has fun for everyone, and is even open nights, giving you plenty of time to ski on your ski vacation. The town of Whitefish has a sizable downtown with great options for dinner or your days off from skiing. It is very picturesque, and offers so much that no one should be bored on this trip!
Taos, New Mexico
While there isn't a town that is super close by, this resort is insanely steep, gets lots of snow, and makes an amazing ski vacation for the advanced skier. Getting up and down from the mountain will be worth it after days of skiing. There are plenty of lodging options for a good place, including hostels if you're on a budget. This one is definitely worth the trip.
Crested Butte, Colorado
While this one is still a Vail Resort, it is far enough away from an airport that it discourages many people from heading that way. It has a great little town, with everything you would dream of from a small ski community. Crested Butte has amazing, jagged mountain views which are always stunning. And the skiing is pretty good, too, with soft Colorado powder, steep runs, and mellow groomers for everyone.
So, this season think about planning your ski vacation to a destination a little off the beaten path. There are a lot of places that are just as fun as the popular resorts. The lift lines won't be as long, you won't deal with as much traffic, and more fun for the whole family will be had! While Aspen is still an option, now that you know there is more out there it could potentially not be the best option for everyone. Have fun and get some good skiing in this year!