| Winter can be a depressing time of the year for | | | | is the official venue for the 2010 Olympic games, |
| many people. Psychological evidence points to the | | | | offering 400 inches of snow and over 200 mountain |
| reduction in daylight which has a negative affect on | | | | trails. The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming |
| many people. The best cure for these symptoms is | | | | has thousands of acres of both chartered and |
| to get outdoors and enjoy the splendor of the | | | | unchartered ski terrain. The Alta Ski Resort next to |
| season. This brings us to your ski trip. If you have | | | | Salt Lake City features a relatively even split of 35 |
| never been on a ski vacation, you are certainly in for | | | | percent advanced trails, 40 percent intermediate, and |
| a treat. Here are a few guidelines to ensure it will be | | | | 25 percent beginner. Stowe Mountain Resort in |
| a success. | | | | Vermont offers some of the best alpine trails in |
| The Best Time of Year | | | | Eastern U.S., with over 480 acres of designated ski |
| The best way to approach this, is to look at some | | | | terrain. For the West Coast, nothing beats California's |
| of the pros and cons. Skiing in the prime time of the | | | | Squaw Valley USA. |
| season (November/December/January) has the best | | | | Choose Your Lodge |
| snow conditions (fresh, deep, powdery, etc.), | | | | The best ski lodges offers true ski-in/ski-out access |
| entertaining holiday festivities, and is a beautiful time | | | | to the slopes. Your proximity to the slopes and lifts |
| of the year in the mountains. On the negative side, | | | | should be paramount if your ultimate goal is to get in |
| you will have slightly more crowds and higher prices | | | | as much skiing as possible. Out of the way lodging is |
| to deal with. Springtime skiing offers more sun, less | | | | often less expensive during the prime of the season, |
| crowds, and plenty of package deal discounts. The | | | | but the headache of getting to and from the slopes |
| negative is less snow, and a weather system that will | | | | daily, may not be worth the small savings. |
| have you too warm one minute, and too cold the | | | | What to Pack |
| next. Is there any true advantage of one over the | | | | The most important packing points of your ski trip, |
| other? Not really. It's all a matter on your own | | | | will be to pack various layers of clothing, which will |
| preferences and budget. | | | | enable you to bundle up when cold, and strip down |
| Where to Go | | | | when warm. Such clothing options should include both |
| Finding the best ski mountain is the next decision. | | | | thin and thick "smart wool" socks, thin turtle necks |
| Considering that you are fairly new to the skiing | | | | and thicker sweatshirts and sweaters, and a good |
| scene, you are probably going to want a resort that | | | | pair of water-proof pants. Also include a good jacket |
| offers a smorgasbord of alpine, downhill, | | | | parka, hat, gloves, scarf, and a good sunscreen. If |
| snowboarding, and cross-country skiing. Here are five | | | | you aren't renting equipment, you will need boots, |
| of the top world-class resorts in North America: | | | | skis/snowboard, and poles. And don't forget your |
| The Blackcomb Ski Resort in British Columbia, Canada | | | | toothbrush! |