Beginner Skiing in America

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 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.

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.

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.

The clouds that descend on Park City after crossing the neighbouring desert drop some of the best snow on earth onto the varied 3,300 acres of terrain. Group this with a vibrant and exciting town and you have the makings of an outstanding ski holiday for every type of snow lover.

A sanctuary for wobbly skiers everywhere, Buttermilk lets you in on Colorado’s legendarily light snow and spectacular surrounds without the stress of a mountain that’s too wide or steep. Family crowds flock here to learn to turn, but never in numbers big enough to mean you’ll find lift lines. A terrain park that’s often voted the best in the US and annually hosts the X Games keeps it all from getting too sedate.

When everyone thinks about the world’s biggest ski area, they immediately think of the Three Valleys, which works in Lake Tahoe’s favour as it keeps lift queues and piste density down. Add this to well over 20,000 acres of the most varied skiable terrain, Las Vegas style après, Californian sun and breath-taking views, and you have a truly epic ski area.

Worlds away from Aspen in cost and character, but only 9 miles away by location – Snowmass lives up to its name with LOTS of the white stuff, when it comes to both pistes and powder.