20 Best Ski Resorts in USA

20 Best Family Ski Resorts of the United States of America – the list has been made taking a number of factors into consideration such as the geographical location, accommodation options, programs for the kids, activities for the non-skiers, traveling options and various ski terrains offered by the resorts. The below mentioned resorts are situated in such places that they can be reached by availing a short distance. The list includes resorts such as:

1. Steamboat Springs, Colorado – It is located at a distance of 30 minutes from the nearest airport, Hayden. It is not just a resort but an authentic Western town. Apart from less traffic, it comprises of a great deal of blue terrain and a ski school amid the spectacular mountains. In fact, 70% of the terrain comprises of green and blue terrain.

2. Winter Park, Colorado – Like the Steamboat Springs, it also provides plenty of blue and green terrain and various accommodation options to choose from. It also offers easy lifts and programs for kids. This is the closest resort to the airport, located in Denver.

3. Snowmass (Aspen), Colorado – The Aspen airport is situated next to the resort. It offers facilities like programs for kids, excellent dining options and ski schools that cater to even toddler level. Tourists can choose from a variety of terrains.

4. Vail, Colorado – This is a favorite resort of the state. Two airports are located near this resort, Denver and Vail. From Vail, the journey takes around 30 minutes and from Denver, the journey takes around two and half hours. Besides huge terrain, the resort provides kids’ programs and well-known ski school. For every level, unlimited amount of skiing is available.

5. Breckenridge, Colorado – The resort is located closer to the Denver airport and it takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach the resort. The resort provides an excellent family atmosphere and a true town feel. It also offers plenty of mountain terrain and dining choices.

6. Keystone, Colorado – Located at a distance of 2 hours from the airport in Denver, the resort offers various skiing options for people of all levels. This resort is the only one in the area that offers services like tubing and night skiing.

7. Deer Valley, Utah – Utah is served by the airport located in Salt Lake City and the resort can be reached from the airport in about an hour. The resort provides skiing facilities, cozy atmosphere and groomed terrain. The best part is that the number of daily skiers is limited by the resort so it nullifies the chances of the place being crowded.

8. Solitude, Utah – The resort is located at a distance of 40 minutes from the airport. The place offers wonderful skiing options in the late season. Apart from that, visitors can avail the excellent ski programs offered to them and day-trips to the nearby grand resorts.

9. The Canyons, Utah – Located at a distance of 40 minutes, this resort offers great accommodation options and facilities. It also provides access to downtown Salt Lake City and to other resorts.

10. Northstar at Tahoe, Nevada – The airport located near this resort is in Reno and the journey takes around 30 minutes. The resort is situated at a drivable distance from Bay Area. Of all the resorts in Tahoe, this resort offers numerous facilities like family pricing options and innovative school.

11. Killington, Vermont – The resort can be accessed via the airports situated in Manchester and Boston. The journey from Manchester takes around 45 minutes and from Boston, it takes about 3 hours. Despite being an eastern resort, it provides many terrains. For the non-skiers, it offers great spa and dining options and for the kids, the programs comprise of an excellent teacher-instructor ratio.

12. Smugglers Notch, Vermont – The nearest airport is situated in Burlington which makes this family-focused resort easily accessible from places like New York City or Boston. Kids programs are offered by experienced instructors. For nightlife fun, tourists can visit the nearby Stowe.

13. Kemo, Vermont – This resort can be accessed from the both the airports located in Boston and Hartford. From Boston, it takes about 3 hours and around 2 hours from Hartford. The resort is accessible from the chief Eastern cities. Apart from various lodging options, plenty of terrain and great programs for families are offered to the guests.

14. Whitefish Mountain, Massachusetts – In Glacier Park, the nearest airport is located at a distance of 30 minutes from the resort. This resort provides 3000 acres of terrain which facilitates the skiing of even the beginner or intermediate. The added dining options are provided by the nearby town, Whitefish.

15. Big Sky, Massachusetts – The nearest airport is located in Bozeman and the journey takes about an hour. Besides the huge ski terrain, the resort provides an after-hour ‘kids club’ and a ski school in a family friendly atmosphere.

16. Sugarloaf, Maine – The resort is located at a distance of 4 hours from the nearest airport in Boston. It provides an authentic ‘village’ feel. It also offers enough simple terrain, seasonal sleigh rides and movie nights.

17. Grand Targhee, Idaho – The journey from the nearest airport in Jackson takes around 90 minutes. Apart from skiing options, this simple resort offers family friendly activities, ski schools and daytrips to places like Jackson Hole.

18. Sun Valley, Idaho – The resort is situated amid the setting of Wild West. More than one-third part of the route is green. Excellent dining, accommodation and activities for the non-skiers are provided by the resort. The closest airport is situated in Sun Valley and the journey hardly takes 15 minutes.

19. Taos, New Mexico – The airport located near this resort is in Albuquerque. Tourists have to undertake a journey of two hours from the airport in order to reach this resort. Besides skiing, the resort offers a variety of features such as a teen centre, famous ski school and unique cultural activities.

20. Lutsen, Minnesota – This resort is considered to be the best resort in the Midwest. It offers numerous options of runs or routes and ski-in accommodations. From the slopes, the delightful Lake Superior can be viewed. The resort can be reached from the nearest airport in Duluth within a time-span of 2 hours.

Source: Family Ski Hub www.familyskihub.com
By TravelMole Staff Writer for Travel Secrets  (January 10, 2011)