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THE DRAW: A terrific resort for the family. Mom and Dad can ski between aspen groves on the legendary glade runs while the kids enjoy weeklong racing and riding camps, the Beehive kids’ zone, and Rough Rider Basin. Check out the Kids Ski Free plan.

WHERE TO STAY: The Lodge at Steamboat (800-525-5502), lodge rooms to three-bedroom condos, $120–$775. Thunderhead Lodge (800-525-5502), lodge rooms to two-bedroom loft condos, $95–$750.

STATS: Elevation: 10,568 feet; Vertical: 3,668 feet. Tickets:adults, $54 ($49 November 21–December 17 and April 1–8; $33 April 9–16; $56 December 25–January 2); 12 and under, $30 ($27 value season; $33 holiday season)

TRAILS: 13% beginner, 56% intermediate, 31% advanced/expert

ANNUAL SNOW: **

SKI AREA: Stowe Mountain Resort, Vermont
Information: 802-253-3000 Reservations: 800-253-4754

THE DRAW: A classic New England ski resort, Stowe has all the charm and romance of a cozy B&B. After a day on the slopes (be sure to check out Mount Mansfield’s legendary Front Four), enjoy an evening sleigh ride, sleep under a down quilt, and wake up to Vermont maple syrup–covered pancakes.

WHERE TO STAY: The Inn at the Mountain (800-253-4754), doubles, $64–$147 per person per night, including lift ticket; two- to three-night minimum, depending on time of year; call about Christmas and New Year’s packages. Edson Hill Manor (802-253-7371), doubles, $110–$170, including breakfast and cross-country
trail pass; ask about three- and four-night midweek packages.

STATS: Elevation: 4,395 feet; Vertical: 2,360 feet. Tickets:adults, $52 ages 6–12, $32; 5 and under free*

TRAILS: 16% beginner, 59% intermediate, 25% advanced/expert

ANNUAL SNOW: **

SKI AREA: Sunday River, Maine
Information: 207-824-3000 Reservations: 800-543-2754

THE DRAW: Thanks to the innovative investors of the American Skiing Company, Sunday River is fast becoming the Vail of the East, with eight peaks, a perfectly manicured web of interconnected runs, and steep bump runs like White Heat. The 150 snowguns keep the slopes covered; nearly a dozen terrain parks, excellent ski
instruction, and numerous slopeside condos keep the crowds coming back.

WHERE TO STAY: Jordan Grand Hotel and Crown Club and the Grand Summit Hotel (800-543-2754), doubles, $179–$627, including lift tickets for two. Sunday River Inn (207-824-2410), doubles with private or shared bath, $70–$84 per adult, 50 percent discount per child 12 and under, including breakfast, dinner, and a
nordic trail pass.

STATS: Elevation: 3,140 feet; Vertical: 2,340 feet. Tickets:adults, $47 midweek, $49 weekends, $51 holidays; ages 6–12, $30 midweek, $31 weekends, $32 holidays; 5 and under free

TRAILS: 25% beginner, 35% intermediate, 40% advanced/expert

ANNUAL SNOW: *

SKI AREA: Sun Valley Resort, Idaho
Information: 800-786-8259 Reservations: same

THE DRAW: What Sun Valley lacks in snowfall it makes up for in everything else. This swank Idaho retreat, which set the standard for ski resorts when it opened in the 1930s, combines glamour and elegance with impressive snowmaking capabilities to maintain its reputation as one of North America’s top resorts.

WHERE TO STAY: Sun Valley Lodge (800-786-8259), doubles, $149–$259. Christiania Motor (800-535-3241), doubles, $69–$125.

STATS: Elevation: 9,150 feet; Vertical: 3,400 feet. Tickets:adults, $59; 12 and under, $32;

TRAILS: 36% beginner; 42% intermediate, 22% advanced/expert

ANNUAL SNOW: *

SKI AREA: Taos Ski Valley New Mexico
Information: 505-776-2291 Reservations: 800-776-1111

THE DRAW: This sun-splashed resort on the cusp of the Southwestern desert will turn your knees to noodles with its steep tree-lined chutes and go-anywhere, powder-filled bowls. FYI: No snowboarding allowed.

WHERE TO STAY: Powderhorn Suites & Condominiums (800-776-1111), suites to two-bedroom condos, $99–$385. Fechin Inn (800-776-1111), doubles, $109–$179.

STATS: Elevation: 11,819 feet; Vertical: 2,612 feet. Tickets:adults, $44 ($31 November 25– December 17 and March 27–April 9); ages 13–18, $36 ($26 low season); 12 and under, $27 ($19 low season)

TRAILS: 24% beginner, 25% intermediate, 51% advanced/expert

ANNUAL SNOW: **

SKI AREA: Telluride, Colorado
Information: 800-854-3062 Reservations: same

THE DRAW: Surrounded by the 14,000-plus-foot peaks of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, Telluride, a quaint former mining town with all the trappings of a modern ski resort, has a mountain just for beginners, a 13-acre Surge Air Garden terrain park for boarders, and knee-shredding bump runs like Spiral Staircase and
Kant-Mak-M.

WHERE TO STAY: Hotel Columbia (800-201-9505), doubles, $165–$440. Mountainside Inn (888-728-1950), doubles with kitchenette, $140–$230; one-bedroom suites, $185–$355. Ski Free & More (November 24–December 18 and April 1–April 9): For each night at a participating property, choose among a
free lift ticket, lesson, lunch on the mountain, or half-day of child care.

STATS: Elevation: 12,247 feet; Vertical: 3,522 feet. Tickets:adults, $57 ($37 November 24–December 18); ages 6–12, $30 ($20 early season); 5 and under free; add $3 for holiday season, December 19–January 5

TRAILS: 21% beginner, 47% intermediate, 32% advanced/expert

ANNUAL SNOW: **

SKI AREA: Tremblant. Quebec
Information: 888-736-2526 Reservations: 800-461-8711

THE DRAW: Family-friendly Tremblant, just 90 minutes north of Montreal, is as popular with stateside skiers as it is with Canadians. Kids like the Enchanted Forest learning area and the gently rolling, interconnected slopes; parents and teens enjoy the replicated eighteenth-century French village. The reasonably priced lift
tickets are a bonus.

WHERE TO STAY: Château Mont Tremblant (800-441-1414), double rooms and suites, $79–$472; two-bedroom suite with kitchen, $278–$505; ask about stay-and-ski-free packages. Plaza St.-Bernard Condominium (800-461-8711), one-bedroom with loft, $132–$379. Marriott Residence Inn (888-272-4000), double rooms
and one-bedroom suites, $90–$283.

STATS: Elevation: 3,001 feet ;Vertical: 2,131 feet. Tickets:adults, $33 weekdays, $36 weekends and holidays; ages 13–17, $23 weekdays, $27 weekends and holidays; ages 6–12, $17 weekdays, $20 weekends and holidays; 5 and under free

TRAILS: 20% beginner, 25% intermediate, 55% advanced/expert

ANNUAL SNOW: *

SKI AREA: Vail, Colorado
Information: 970-476-9090 Reservations: 800-404-3535

THE DRAW: Vail’s appeal to powderhounds continues unabated despite plenty of competition. It probably has something to do with the 4,644 acres of skiable terrain, the excellent ski and snowboard instruction, buffed cruiser runs like Born Free and Simba, and wide-open back bowls.

WHERE TO STAY: Christiania Lodge (800-404-3535), doubles, $106–$450; suites, $156–$600; studios with kitchens, $168–$500. Vail Village Inn (800-445-4014), doubles, $69–$269; studios to four-bedroom condos, $250–$1,200.

STATS: Elevation: 11,455 feet; Vertical: 3,335 feet. Tickets:adults, $59 ($61 peak season, December 26–early January, third week in February, most of March); ages 4–12, $37; 3 and under free*

TRAILS: Front Side: 21% beginner, 31% intermediate, 48% advanced/expert; Back Bowls: 0% beginner, 13% intermediate, 87% advanced/expert

ANNUAL SNOW: **

SKI AREA: Whistler/Blackcomb British Columbia
Information: 800-766-0449 Reservations: 800-944-7853

THE DRAW: This gigantic international resort attracts skiers and snowboarders from around the world. Why? How about a dozen alpine bowls, three glaciers, more than 5,000 feet of vertical drop, and a European-style village?

WHERE TO STAY: Chateau Whistler Resort (800-441-1414), doubles, $139–$1,399. Pan Pacific Lodge (800-327-8585), studios, $151–$396; one- and two-bedroom condos, $198–$704.

STATS: Elevation: 7,494 feet; Vertical: 5,280 feet.Tickets:adults, $38; ages 13–18, $32; ages 7–12, $19; 6 and under free*

TRAILS: Whistler: 20% beginner, 55% intermediate, 25% advanced/expert
Blackcomb: 15% beginner, 55% intermediate, 30% advanced/expert

ANNUAL SNOW: ***

SKI AREA: Winter Park Resort, Colorado
Information: 970-726-5514 Reservations: 800-729-5813

THE DRAW: Just 90 minutes northwest of Denver, Winter Park has big-mountain skiing without the pretension of so many other Colorado ski resorts. Head to Mary Jane for moguls, Parsenn Bowl for knockout views, and Vasquez Cirque for in-bounds glades and steeps with an out-of-bounds flavor.

WHERE TO STAY: The Iron Horse Resort Retreat (800-729-5813), one-bedroom with kitchen, $115–$399. The Vintage Hotel (800-729-5813), rooms, studios, and one- to three-room suites, $90–$600.

STATS: Elevation: 12,060 feet; Vertical: 3,060 feet. Tickets:adults, $50 ($52 holidays); ages 6–13, $15; 5 and under free*

TRAILS: 9% beginner, 21% intermediate, 70% advanced/expert

ANNUAL SNOW: ***

*= 1–250 inches; **= 251–350 inches; ***= 351+ inches