Beginner North American ski resorts

Consistently voted near, if not at the top of almost every skier’s dream destination as well as most official rankings, Whistler has planted its roots very deeply and is there to stay. This monolithic resort has hosted events like the Winter Olympics and continues to draw in athletes, holidaymakers and anyone else who visits with an intense, immeasurable and undiminishing pull.

With its own mountain range and signature champagne powder, Steamboat resort is seriously world class (a record number of Olympians call it home). Ski Town USA - the legendary Cowboy town of Steamboat Springs - is a few miles down the mountain and we love its friendly locals, proper pubs and unpretentious vibe.

Despite world class terrain, a reputation as a fantastic family destination, being super close to Denver and having the best 10 year snowfall in Colorado, Winter Park has managed to remain down to earth. Fending off the glitzy, commercial nature associated with other resorts in the area, it lets the quality of skiing and terrain do the talking.

With a slightly different ski holiday on the cards, spend your days out and about exploring the sights and ski areas of the magnificent national park (featuring some of the best scenery and slopes on the planet) – before heading downtown for hearty Canadian grub, friendly nightlife and world-renowned accommodation in one of North America’s legendary mountain towns.

You’ll be hard pushed to find someone who hasn’t heard of Vail. Rivalling Aspen as the resort of choice for the uber rich and super famous, it’s the 2^nd largest ski area in the USA, has a vibrant cosmopolitan town and offers an outstanding visitor experience - one of the best in the world.

Kimberley Alpine Resort has the sunniest skiing in British Columbia, with 4 different sections including the most gladed terrain in North America (over 500 acres). A friendly mountain village near the quirky, Bavarian themed mountain town of Kimberley, its lesser known status in the ski world leaves gloriously crowd-free slopes.

Prestige is probably the word that best describes Aspen Snowmass. This is one of the most renowned resorts worldwide, with 4 ski areas, exclusive dining and après, high-end shopping and the chance to rub shoulders with the A-Listers. If you can afford Aspen Snowmass, there are few places to rival this exquisite destination.

Beaver Creek’s sense of sophistication is more subtle than its famously classy neighbour Vail, though many argue it’s of a higher calibre. Offering a quiet, convenient and refined skiing experience - a world away from home - this is a seriously good place to ski, with umpteen accolades to prove it.

We love Breckenridge - an outstanding, all-round resort with a friendly atmosphere, heaps to do and an infectiously bubbly après scene. It’s the birthplace of competitive freestyle, has some of the highest quality skiing and snowboarding in the States and is repeatedly rated as one of the best ski resorts in the world.

Voted “Best Ski Resort in Canada” (in the World Ski Awards), this is one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever ski. With a unique ski area that lets all abilities ski from every lift, a 360° panorama of Banff National Park and iconic hotels like the lakeside Fairmont Chateau, Lake Louise is truly world class.