Sugarbush, Vermont

Sugarbush ski resort is located in Vermont's beautiful Green Mountains. It's about a 3½ hours drive from Boston, and 5½ hours drive from NYC.

Sugarbush was first opened as a small ski area in the late 1950s by Damon Gadd and his wife Sara, together with their business partner Jack Murphy. It quickly became established as a popular winter destination for the rich and famous, and the resort enjoyed several halycon years. But gradually Sugarbush fell out of favor. In 1977 Roy Cohen bought the concern off the Gadds, and enlarged it substantially by annexing the neigboring Mt Ellen Glen ski operation. Slowly Sugarbush returned to popularity. In 2001 ownership again transferred, this time to Summit Ventures. A substantial redevelopment program has now paid dividends, making the resort attractive and appealing. Not only does it now boast some super slope-side accommodation, but also a state of the art snowmaking system, covering over 70% of the slopes. This gives Sugarbush one of the most reliable snow records in the East.

Thanks to its history the resort is divided into two areas, 'North', the area at Mt Ellen Peak (4083') and 'South', the area at Lincoln Peak (3975'). The two areas are connected by the very up-and-down Slide Brook chair, which traverse Slide Brook, the large valley between the two mountains. It can be a lot easier to travel from Lincoln Peak Base to Mt Ellen Base by free shuttle bus.

Ski-school sessions are run at both Lincoln and Ellen base areas. If you're a beginner there a plenty of green trails at both sites. At Lincoln favorites for improvers include the greens reached by the Gatehouse express quad. Make your way (tentatively) down the gently-sloped Pushover, which connects to Easy Rider to return to the chair's start. At Mt Ellen there's a couple of short slopes, Graduation and Sugar Run, both very beginner-friendly, accessed by the Sunshine chair.

At the Lincoln area, one of the best areas for Intermediates is Allyn's Lodge. There are 5 blue runs which peel off Snowball, all are brilliant runs, not too testing, but exciting and exhilirating. My favorite is Domino chute, which carves a big right hand turn down the hill. Oh, and don't forget to visit the Lincoln peak's summit at least once, to experience Jester, which gives some of the best views at the resort. Over at Mt Ellen, the best blues are Rim Run, Elbow and Way Back - all off the very top of the mountain.

Expert skiiers are spoilt for choice. At the Lincoln Peak summit, Paradise and Ripcord two steep bumps can both be recommended. At Mt Ellen summit, the blacks at the top, FIS and Black Diamond are similar lines, technical and demanding.

Ski-in, ski-out accommodation is available in the Lincoln Peak base, at the up-market Clay Brook residences. Alternatively there is the excellent Sugarbush Inn, a short drive away. There's also lots of condo lodging in Sugarbush village.

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

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

When you decide to Ski Steamboat Colorado, you've made a great choice. The town has the nickname 'Ski Town USA', and it's well-earned, because many say the skiing is better than anywhere. The town is split into two, the old downtown section, dating back to the 19th century, with an authentic cowboy ambiance, and the more modern 'Mountain Area' village higher up the valley, spread out in front of the gondola area. There's a free shuttle bus that connects the two which takes about 10 minutes.

Steamboat has a great reputation as being a kid-friendy resort. Steamboat pioneered 'Kids Ski Free' concessions - these now can even include rental gear and accomodation. Next to the base area the large Kid's Vacation Center offers comprehensive daycare and starter skiing lessons on an adjoining gentle slope. Non-skiing care for 6 months - 6 year olds is handled by Kiddie Corral. Most kids though will want to try out skiing - they can join the Buckaroos (2-3yrs), the Sundance Kids (3 to 5yrs), or Jackalopes (5 to 6yrs) - all these programmes include short skiing sessions. From 7 years onward, your kids can join tailored sessions run by the proper ski-school. In the evening, the fun's not over. There's a large skating rink - always very popular with kids. And if you're not already cold to the bones after a day on the slopes, take them swimming - the pool complex has a brilliant water slide.

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

Ski Keystone, Colorado

When you Ski Keystone, you ski not just one but three massive mountains, Dercum, North Peak and the Outback. The town has its origins back in the late 19th century as a railroad staging post for the mining industry. In the early 1970s the town was morphed into a super ski resort by Max and Edna Dercum.

Of the 3 mountains, Dercum can be particularly recommended for Beginners. Lots of green runs wend down the slope overlooking the village. One of the longest, Schoolmam trail, offers 3.5 miles of long, easy-angled skiing, just perfect for practising those first faltering snowplough turns. Improving beginners graduate to the slopes on North Peak (accessed via the Outpost Gondola). Here you'll find some beautiful blue trails, with a real high-up moutain atmosphere.

There's absolutely loads of skiing for Intermediates - on any given day it can be difficult to decide where to go. Choose from wide open blue cruises, favorites are Wild Irishman and Frenchman, to charming wooded trails like Wolverine and Pika.

Experts congregate around the top of North Peak, to face tricky moguls or steep runs in the deeps. Also try the North and South Bowls on Outback, not forgetting the Wombat chutes, especially when they're choc-full of superb dry powder. Adventure-seekers will head up to the walk-in walk-out Independence Bowl, for some adrenaline-pumping free skiing.

Snowboarders hang at the A51 park. Terrain includes a pipe, a half-pipe, rails and ramps.

Ski lodging is based around the foot of Dercum mountain. River Run Village - at the foot of the Summit Express gondola, and Mountain House - at the base of the Peru Express lift, are very convenient places to stay. There's plenty to do in the evening including tobogganing, ice skating, and swimming. (Though sunset doesn't stop the skiing action, since there are 17 floodlit trails, with the lifts running till 8pm.) Lots of bars and restaurants make for a great dining and drinking choice.

Best Ski Resorts' rating : Experts 3 stars out of 5, Intermediates 4 out of 5, Beginners 4 out of 5. Happy times 4 stars out of 5.

Tremblant, Quebec

Height of Resort: 5490ft
Vertical rise: 1000ft
Km piste : 80km
Lifts: 13



Tremblant is situated in the Laurentian Mountains, about 100 miles from Montréal. It has been a ski resort since the 1930s, and has a reputation for great skiing and facilities enriched with the 'joie de vivre' of Quebec's French heritage. The very low winter temperatures, with extensive snow-making equipment, ensures good snow cover through the season.

On the mountain, there's plenty of exciting skiing, though make sure you wrap up warm against the cold. The heated bubble up from the ski village to Grand Manitou can give you completely the wrong idea - 9 times out of 10 i's absolutely freezing when you step out. The main beginner area is just above the village. More ambitious skiers should venture over to the North side of the mountain, to challenge themselves with steeper slopes.

The village centre is at the foot of the slopes, and it's nearly always possible to ski back to your lodgings. There's numerous restaurants, but the nightlife can be a little quiet.


Best Ski Resort's rating : Experts 3 stars out of 5, Intermediates 4 out of 5, Beginners 4 out of 5. Happy times 4 stars out of 5.

Mammoth Mountain, California

Height of Resort: 5490ft
Vertical rise: 7953ft
Acres skiable: 3500
Lifts: 29



Mammoth situated south of Yosemite National park, claims to have the highest snowfall of any resort in America (over 360") - so the ski season often lasts all the way through to June. And not content with just a great snow record, Mammoth also boasts that the sun shines over 80% of the time. The resort is a favorite weekend party-zone for LA dwellers, who come for the exhilirating skiing and fun partying.

The ski area's enormous - only the lower slopes have defined trails, the upper mountain is pretty much open-access skiing, with bowls, steeps, and chutes.

Beginners will feel at-home in the well-managed and run ski school. For intermediates, there's a large range of terrain to choose from, including some brilliant skiing off the otherside of the mountain. Conditions permitting, experts make for the very summit, which drops off to one side via Panorama ridge. This is the start point for a number of steep couloirs which fall into the bowl beneath.

There's lots of accommodation available - pick to either lodge at the Mammoth mountain ski village, for quick access to the gondola, or stay in Mountain Lakes town, about 4 miles away (cheaper, and connected to the ski base area by a free shuttle bus).

Best Ski Resort's rating : Experts 3 stars out of 5, Intermediates 3 out of 5, Beginners 4 out of 5. Happy times 5 stars out of 5.

Mt Shasta, California

Height of Resort: 5490ft
Vertical rise: 1390ft
Acres skiable: 425
Lifts: 4



Mount Shasta Ski Park is a great little ski facility tucked up against the mighty (over 14000ft) Mount Shasta. It's too small to be called a resort, and there's no lodging with ski-in ski-out access to the slopes. From San Francisco, it's a 285 mile drive north along Interstate 5 to Mount Shasta town (about 5 miles from the slopes).

Beginners will breath a long sigh of relief when the realisation dawns that here's a low stress, encouraging, enjoyable environment in which to make those first awkward stumbling attempts. The area below Marmot Ridge(at 6150ft) is just made for novices, with long low-gradient trails. The ski school offers excellent first-time lessons, with a gentle patient approach.

Intermediates will enjoy a couple of the slightly steeper trails off Marmot Ridge, but better skiing is found below Douglas Butte (6600ft), with some challenging trails like Highland Glide and North Saddle.

For experts, there's a whole range of plunging runs, both of Douglas Butte, and off Coyote Butte (at 6880ft). The snow can be just as good as the best anywhere, and the day after a good fall, you'll get that super 'floating' feeling, as you head down the chutes on light powder.

Accomodation is about a 10 minute drive down the valley, in Mount Shasta town, or nearby McCloud. There's plenty available for those on a budget, including motels and rentals.

Best Ski Resort's rating : Experts 3 stars out of 5, Intermediates 3 out of 5, Beginners 5 out of 5.

Snowbird, Utah

Height of Resort: 7760ft
Vertical rise: 3240ft
Acres skiable: 2400
Lifts: 13



Little Cottonwood Canyon is a wild place. The town of Alta, near the end of the canyon, was only settled thanks to the silver rush of the 1880s. When the silver was mined out, the inhabitants drifted away, and finally a huge avalanche finished the pace off. But in the mid 20th century, the town was reinvented as a ski resort. In the 1960s one of Alta's residents, Ted Johnson dreamed of developing a second ski area, just down the canyon from Alta. He managed to turn his dream into reality with the help of Dick Bass, a Texas oil baron. So Snowbird was born, opening with just 3 lifts in 1971.

If you're a beginner, forget about Snowbird. There's only a little novice's area around the Chicadee lift. Stay put in Alta, which is far more suitable.

Intermediates will find Snowbird difficult in places, but if you can rise to the challenge it's certain your technique will improve in leaps and bounds. To settle in, try the long cruising run Chip's, which sets off from the summit of Hidden peak, and is a splendid 2½miles long. When you're feeling aclimatised make for the runs from the top of the Gad 2 lift - testing but do-able.

Experience skiiers will have a ball on the fantastic Utah powder. The steeps are as good as Jackson Hole, but open far more often. From the top of Hidden Peak check out Regulator Johnson, or the harder line Great Scott. Both are well-recognised testpieces.

The buildings in the ski village are built from grey concrete (its avalanche territory), so it's not pretty. When the skiing day is over, the resort is pretty much dead - everyone's bunkered down suffering from (a good kind of) exhaustion.

Best Ski Resorts's rating (out of 5 stars), 5-experts, 3-intermediates, 1-beginners.