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Admittedly, choosing the best ski town is a subjective affair. Some people only care about the town with the deepest powder, while others might prefer the town with no powder at all but the best microbreweries and spas. According to Michael Levine — a skier of nearly 60 years who has skied at almost 100 resorts around the world — the mountain itself is the most important factor to take into consideration when selecting a ski town.
“You can have a really awesome town, but if the skiing sucks, it’s not a great ski town,” Levine said. “I would rather have a sleeping bag in the back of a truck next to a great mountain than a great hotel next to a bad mountain.”
But for those of us who might not be as diehard as Levine when it comes to snow sports, you can’t underestimate the après ski scene.
That’s why, to choose the top ski spots in the nation, we looked for mountain towns with something for everyone. From quaint New England villages to old Gold Rush towns; from stalwart favorites to unsung destinations; from resorts with masterful kid’s programming to hardcore backcountry zones, these are some of the 15 best places to hang up your skis this winter.
1. North Conway, New Hampshire
Often referred to as the birthplace of skiing in North America, North Conway’s deep ski history is itself reason enough to consider it one of the best ski towns in the US. Couple that with six downhill ski resorts within a half-hour of town, restaurants and cafés such as the Thompson House Eatery and Frontside Coffee Roasters and plenty of lodging options, including the recently-opened Glen House in Pinkham Notch, and this one is a no-brainer.
And thanks to an organization called Granite Backcountry Alliance, which has been hard at work creating a network of backcountry ski zones around the state, those who prefer to get off-piste to earn their turns will find no shortage of options either.
2. Taos, New Mexico
In addition to a world-class ski resort, Taos is home to a World Heritage Site (Taos Pueblo), distinctive cuisine and an art culture deeply rooted in the history of the Southwest.
After a day of Rocky Mountain powder — without the crowds of Vail and Aspen — stroll the walkable downtown and admire the adobe architecture that sets this ski town apart. When your legs need a rest, head to the Edelweiss Lodge and Spa, which is a ski-in, ski-out property. But before you call it a night, head to La Cueva Cafe for chipotle shrimp tacos.
3. Vail, Colorado
Vail deserves a spot on every skier’s list, whether you are looking for a hill with steep and deep lines, or a town with plenty of cocktails and places to shop. After all, everyone needs a rest day (or two) following a few consecutive days of skiing over 5,200 acres of terrain and 3,450 vertical feet. And when that day comes, keep yourself in the skiing mindset by visiting the Ski and Snowboard Museum, recently reopened after a $2.6 million renovation.
There’s also a European bakery and restaurant, appropriately named Alpenrose, in the heart of Vail Village that offers Austrian and German cuisine in a rustic dining room. If you want to stick to the European theme, spend the night at Sonnenalp, a German-style hotel that combines elements of the Old West with a traditional European ski town.
4. Bellingham, Washington
Though the Pacific Northwest is infamous for its long, gloomy winters and persistent precipitation, skiers and snowboarders can head to the mountains, where that rain is transformed into snowfall. That’s why Mount Baker — Bellingham’s local ski hill — has so many deep days.
While the town of Bellingham is over an hour away from the mountain, it still works as a perfect base for exploring Baker’s slopes, thanks to its breadth of lodging and dining opportunities. Stop by Lettered Streets Coffeehouse for a locally roasted cup of coffee and a pastry before heading out to the mountain for the day. Hotel Bellwether is a great high-end property located directly on Bellingham Bay.
5. Ogden, Utah
I’m going to be controversial for a minute and sing Ogden’s praises this ski season. After all, the mountain destination is the gateway to three resorts totaling 11,600 skiable acres with 500 inches of snowfall, making it an underrated alternative to Park City and Alta. Ogden is the oldest city in Utah, and is the jumping-off point for Powder Mountain (the largest ski resort in the US) as well as Nordic Valley and Snowbasin Resort.
All three ski areas are accessible from downtown via public transportation, eliminating the hassle of having to spend your vacation driving. After a day on the slopes, grab a hearty Italian dinner at Rovali’s Ristorante Italiano. Another reason to love Ogden this winter? The January 2019 opening of the stylish 15-room Compass Rose Lodge at Snowbasin.
6. Jackson, Wyoming
Home to three ski areas, Jackson is known for its deep snowpack and extensive side and backcountry terrain. Of the three — Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King Mountain and Grand Targhee Resort — Jackson Hole is easily the most popular, and rightfully so.
The mountain’s 2,500 skiable acres ascend over 4,100 vertical feet. But if you’re looking to avoid the crowds, consider Snow King or Grand Targhee instead. Spend your nights at the Anvil Hotel, a once forgotten motel that has been turned into a boutique hotel by a group of Brooklyn-based designers. For dinner, grab a steak at the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Steakhouse.
7. Telluride, Colorado
Nestled between a number of 13,000 and 14,000-foot peaks in the San Juan Mountains, the central area of this old Victorian mining town has been designated a National Historic Landmark District. Now, the historic streets and buildings are filled with gourmet restaurants, boutiques and art galleries, making it a perfect place to base yourself during a ski vacation.
While the town is great for retail therapy, the high quality of the resort will have you more focused on powder turns than buying a new jacket. Before heading out for a day on the slopes, fuel up at the Butcher and Baker Cafe. Spend the night at the historic New Sheridan Hotel, a few blocks from the mountain’s gondola.
8. Bend, Oregon
Bend’s location in Oregon’s high desert makes it the perfect place to enjoy a few hours of powder in the morning, world-class rock climbing in the afternoon and an evening of golf all in the same day.
Located just a few miles from Mount Bachelor, which receives more than 400 inches of snow annually, the city itself tends to experience much less precipitation. Beer lovers will be thrilled to know that Bend is known as “Beer City USA” and boasts a diverse range of breweries such as the Crux Fermentation Project and Deschutes Brewery.
9. Waitsfield, Vermont
Just south of Stowe in the Mad River Valley, Waitsfield is a good alternative if you’re looking to avoid the crowds and get slightly off-the-beaten-path.
While the Valley is less busy than Stowe, it’s home to the Sugarbush Ski Resort and Mad River Glen, both of which receive a notable amount of annual snowfall by East Coast standards. The Sugarbush Inn is a another great option, thanks to its prime location at the base of Sugarloaf. And it’s just minutes from town. For a bite to eat, check out Blue Stone for pizza and local brews or the Mad Taco for Mexican.
10. Truckee, California
With an average of 275 days of sunshine, 400 inches of annual snowfall and 12 downhill resorts (including the world-class Squaw Valley) within a 10-mile radius, it’s no wonder that skiers from across the country choose Truckee and the Lake Tahoe area for their annual family ski trip. Beer and pizza fans should head to Old Town Tap to try the mushroom pie and a local brew, while wine lovers will appreciate the selection at Uncorked.
The historic Truckee Hotel is centrally located within walking distance of many shops and restaurants, allowing you to forget the car for the night.
Another top contender, of course, is the Mammoth Mountain ski resort area, though travelers can experience its more than 3,000 feet of vertical drop long after winter ends, thanks to its famously long ski season.
11. Stowe, Vermont
Another classic New England ski town, many think of Stowe as “the ski capital of the east.” In addition to the 314 inches of snow that gets dumped onto 485 skiable acres annually, the town itself is home to one of the best microbreweries in the country: the Alchemist.
Treat yourself to a spa day at the Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa and then sample some of Vermont’s finest beers at Doc Ponds. The Rusty Nail often has live music in the evenings, and makes for a great way to end the night. And if you want to explore some new terrain after a few days on the mountain, head over to Smugglers’ Notch, which is just an hour’s drive away during the winter.
12. Breckenridge, Colorado
Another Colorado mining town, Breckenridge Ski Resort (or Breck, as the locals call it) is home to the highest chairlift in North America. The town is filled with local restaurants, distilleries, galleries and breweries, so you don’t have to feel bad about taking a rest day. The Mountain Thunder Lodge is a great property for travelers who want the convenience of a ski-in, gondola-out resort in a secluded setting.
Before ending your vacation, be sure to stop by the Breckenridge Distillery, which claims to be the highest distillery on Earth, and explore a few of the area’s other mountains. The Summit Stage bus offers free service to Copper Mountain and Keystone, for example. The latter of which is one of the best ski resorts for families in the country.
13. Durango, Colorado
Durango is a small town located just north of the New Mexican border, which means it often gets overshadowed by resorts closer to Denver. The town is a great jumping-off point for Purgatory: a smaller resort with great beginner terrain and plenty of challenging terrain for more experienced skiers.
Durango is also home to a handful of breweries, such as Carver Brewing Company and Ska Brewing Company, and has a number of great places to lay your head. Travelers should visit now, before Durango goes the way of some of the more touristed ski towns. According to local reports, six new hotels are expected to break ground soon.
14. Whitefish, Montana
Located at the edge of Glacier National Park, Whitefish is a bustling small town in a wild, untamed setting. Originally settled in the early 20th century thanks to the Great Northern Railway, the town continues to flourish with help from the 3,000-acre Whitefish Mountain Resort.
Nowadays, the streets are lined with fine dining establishments, ski shops, cafes, distilleries and breweries. Before starting your day, grab a cup of coffee at one of two Montana Coffee Traders locations in town. Spend your nights at the Grouse Mountain Lodge, which offers upscale accommodations just a mile from downtown.
15. Aspen, Colorado
Aspen‘s reputation may seem inflated, but this 20th-century mining town continues to reinvent itself, helping it edge out other well-liked ski towns. Aspen Ski Company’s four resorts (Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk and Aspen Snowmass) offer plenty of varied terrain, but are standouts for children still mastering their pizzas and french fries.
On Dec. 15, Aspen Snowmass will celebrate the grand opening of Snowmass Base Village, which includes an ice skating rink, climbing wall and the 99-room Limelight Hotel Snowmass. Travelers should also watch out for the W Aspen, currently slated to open in 2019 on the site of the former Sky Hotel. Until then, there’s The Little Nell, the iconic mountainside property that completed a significant refresh last year. After a day on the slopes, try the Pan-American and French fusion menu at Betula, scheduled to open downtown on Dec. 20
The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is located just a few miles from town, making Aspen easily accessible for travelers.
Source: thepointsguy.com