I want to live and work in a mountain town this summer, but finding affordable housing is proving to be near impossible. Can you give me any tips or direction so I can turn this dream into reality? —A Frustrated Flatlander

“I came for the winter and stayed for the summer” is a common mountain-town refrain. That sentiment, combined with a pandemic-fueled real estate boom, has resulted in a dearth of affordable housing, both seasonal and permanent, in mountain towns across America.

In many small western communities like Steamboat Springs, Durango, and Snowmass, Colorado; Sun Valley, Idaho; and Mammoth Lakes, California, it used to be that employees and locals lived in houses, and tourists stayed in hotels. The reverse is now true: houses are monopolized by Airbnb and VRBO rentals and second homeowners, and some hotels are being purchased by ski resorts and converted to affordable employee housing.

Sadly, more and more essential jobs are going unfilled, some with six-figure salaries, because potential employees can’t find reasonably-priced rentals. As a result, many mountain towns are shifting their focus to year-round, affordable-housing programs. In Wyoming, for example, Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Teton Area helps to fill critical nursing and teaching positions by building homes for individuals and families making between 30 to 80 percent of the area’s median income.

What does this mean for seasonal workers? Here’s my advice for finding affordable summer housing in a mountain town.

Find Towns Working on Their Housing Shortages

Whitefish, Montana, the gateway to Glacier National Park, is one such place. Its , which supports full-time and seasonal employees, is funded in part by a added to local lodging, food, and transportation. Half of the contributions from its participants go to Housing Whitefish, a nonprofit that facilitates affordable housing.

Part of last year’s $52,000 allocation went toward a newly launched rental-assistance program, modeled after a similar one in . Over 12 months, Housing Whitefish will distribute a total of $64,620—or $5,385 a month—to 17 qualified applicants. (The money goes directly to the property owner or management company.)

The , which advocates for better options in the North Tahoe and Truckee, California communities, aims to add inventory for the local workforce through its recently launched Accessory Dwelling Unit pilot program. Homeowners are incentivized to add rental space that includes a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen, and in return they receive assistance with building, permitting, and leasing processes.

Although the organization can’t help you find housing, it does direct prospective renters to resources through the .

In 2022, Breckenridge, Colorado, allocated $50 million to a five-year workforce housing plan to create some 1,000 new units. The town’s housing fund also receives money from a short-term rental fee requiring owners to pay a set amount for each bedroom they rent. The goal is for nearly half of the town’s workforce to live in Breckenridge, with a little over a third of the housing inventory reserved for locals.

In 2016, Aspen Skiing Co., the town’s largest employer, purchased six 280-square-foot tiny homes for about $100,000 each and put them in the Aspen-Basalt Campground for both summer and winter seasonal employees. The project was such a success that it now offers 69 tiny homes for hires, and for the first time this year has introduced units designed to accommodate year-round employees.ÌęUnits range from $550 to $750 a month, and summer leases are available from May 15 through October 31. The units currently have a waitlist for Aspen Skiing Company employees.

Employers in Sun Valley, including the Limelight Ketchum hotel, have also purchased tiny homes in the Meadows RV Park, 3.5 miles away, to rent to employees. Many of these programs run on an application system and most take enrollment for summer employees in March.

Land a Job Before You Head Out

Many large employers, notably ski resorts such as Aspen Snowmass, , and , Colorado, or , Vermont, offer housing or make an effort to help you find housing after you’ve been hired. Sun Valley Resort, for example, has two dorm-style buildings with free laundry and fitness centers available for seasonal employees on a waitlist basis. Two-to-four-person accommodations range from $140 to $210 per person every two weeks. There’s also an option to pay day-to-day, starting at $10 a day.

Beyond ski resorts, places like offer town employees short-term seasonal rentals, for jobs at businesses like the recreation center or golf course, as well as rental-deposit-assistance programs.

Betsy Crum, housing director for the town of Snowmass Village, notes that winter housing is typically full, while there’s sometimes more housing available for summer workers.

Montana’s Big Sky Housing Trust has housing for up to 100 seasonal residents in four- and five-bedroom dorm-style configurations. These units are leased to local independent employers. Lone Mountain Land Company, another major employer in Big Sky, offers dorm-style housing for up to 400 seasonal residents employed by their entities.

Check Out These Helpful Housing Websites and Social Media Sites

Due to the huge demand for housing, many landlords avoid popular rental-listing sites Craigslist and Zillow. One resident seeking a new tenant for housing she has in Carbondale, Colorado, 30 miles from Aspen, didn’t publicly post a listing because she knew she’d be overwhelmed with calls. Instead, she put the word out quietly to friends and looked at posts from people in need of housing on a local Facebook group, .

In fact, local Facebook community groups or neighborhood-focused sites like often have rental listings you won’t find on larger, public sites like Craigslist. is a free site where you can find a roommate or a room available to rent within a house.

When posting that you’re seeking housing, be clear about your employment situation, desired rental dates, and budget. Younger people should present themselves as a mature, responsible option, preferably coming in with a job already secured. (For example: “Hello, I’m coming here to work for the Solar Institute and need a place to stay from mid-June through July that’s less than $600 a month.”)

You might find success on , a housing marketplace for vacation towns that pays property owners to convert their homes to short- and long-term rentals for the local workforce. Mountain destinations include Woodstock, Vermont; Truckee and South Lake Tahoe, California; Wood River Valley, Idaho; East Placer County, California; and Eagle County, Colorado.

Finally, is a membership-based platform (starting at $10.75 a month) where you can find house-sitting or pet-sitting gigs.

Consider 5 More Resources

1. Look at a Town’s Website

Many communities offer housing programs or partner with local nonprofits or housing authorities, like the , to administer programs. “It’s always worth a call to any city’s housing development and housing authority to see if they have resources,” says Daniel Sidder, executive director of Housing Whitefish.

2. Embrace Camping or Vanlife

In Colorado, and have options for free car camping for a season. You can shower at local rec centers.

3.ÌęCruise the Town

Some good old-fashioned neighborhood drive-bys to spot “For Rent” signs posted outside of apartments, on community boards at grocery stores, or in coffee shops can lead to deals, too.

4. Talk to Locals

Lindsay Nohl, 46, enjoyed free communal housing in Tucson, Arizona, while working as the director of NOLS Southwest. But when the campus closed during Covid, she moved to Teton Valley, Idaho. Recently, she made her eighth move in four years, as landlords continue to increase prices or start to rent their properties on Airbnb.

Her go-to strategy for finding cheap housing on the fly? Word of mouth. Another lesson: be flexible. Even though Nohl hasn’t had a roommate in two decades, she’s now paying $1,000 a month to share a two-bedroom, 800-square-foot house so she can remain in Teton Valley for the summer.

5.ÌęScan Newspaper Classifieds

You might come across opportunities to pet-sit or nanny. Or working as a property manager can also lead to free or affordable housing.

Weigh Your Options

The last thing you should consider, Flatlander, is which mountain towns are too pricey or too popular. For example, Steamboat, Aspen, and Telluride, Colorado, as well as Jackson, Wyoming, and Big Sky, Montana, have reputations as luxury vacation escapes, which means housing is in high demand and the cost of living will be greater there than in lesser-known but more economical mountain towns like Le Grande, Oregon, and Reno, Nevada. Or even Laramie, Wyoming, which has a lot going for it.

Many seasonal jobs pay minimum wage, which varies from state to state. In Utah and Wyoming, for example, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, while Montana pays $10.30 an hour, Colorado $14.42 an hour, and California $16 an hour.

You should also consider free services offered by the mountain town you’re considering. Aspen is expensive, but it offers free public transportation, which is another way to help save on costs.

Spending a summer working in a mountain town can be one of the best experiences of a young person’s life. I hope my advice lands you good, affordable housing. I’ll be pulling for you.

Travel-advice columnist Jen Murphy has scored affordable rent by offering free travel tips to her landlord, as well as volunteering to take out the building’s trash cans on garbage day and maintain the gardens.Ìę

The post Summer Work in a Mountain Town: Dreamy. The Rent: Not So Much. appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

All across the country, resorts have been working hard to bolster their offerings and to fix systemic issues, from addressing long lift lines and the mountain-town housing shortageÌęto investing in renewable energy. With the proper precautions, there are more reasons than ever to hit the slopes this season.

There’s More Ground to Cover

Ski resorts spend years—decades even—building out their terrain. The wait is generally worth it, with new glades, bowls, and buttery runs to christen. This season in Colorado, Telluride is getting 40 new acres of beginner and intermediate terrain, including the Grouse Glades, while Beaver Creek will open 250 acres of easy skiing, with two quads and 17 new trails in the bowlish McCoy Park. Last February, Idaho’s Sun Valley pulled the curtain back on 380 acres, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, many weren’t able to ski it. This is your year.

The biggest expansion is at Bluebird Backcountry, located near Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and the only no-lift, ­all-backcountry ski area in the U.S. It will open 12 new runs, for a total of 25. This includes four gullies that are patrolled and controlled for slides, with steep pitches that tilt to a puckering 45 degrees, which increases its avalanche-managed acreage to 1,200. If that sounds intimidating, sign up for the Bluebird+ membership for access to backcountry lessons, seminars, and as many half-day clinics as you want all season long (from $250).

Birding on Skis

In the early months of the pandemic, Americans took up bird-watching like depraved raptors. It is a surprisingly delightful passion that also happens to pair well with skiing. Sign up for Alta’s Birding on Skis tour and you’ll head out on a half-day adventure into Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon to look for resident populations of rosy finches, mountain chickadees, and, if you’re lucky, perhaps a pair of the mating golden eagles that frequent the area below 10,920-foot Devil’s Castle. Tours start with a 9 A.M. ride up Alta’s Collins Lift over epic black-diamond terrain and end at noon at the Albion base area. A conservation ecologist from Salt Lake’s Tracy Aviary will be along to help distinguish nuthatches from creepers. Because you’ll be contributing to a bird survey of the area, the tour is free and includes a half-day ski pass. Participants need only be at least 12 years old and able to ski a groomed blue run.

Lift Off

This winter will see the unveiling of arguably the most technologically advanced butt hauler on this side of the Atlantic. Introducing the Kancamagus 8, a.k.a. Kanc 8, at New Hampshire’s Loon Mountain Resort, the first eight-pack in the East and one of only a few such behemoths in the country. This particular beast features heated ergonomic seats that look like something out of a SpaceX rocket, a locking safety bar, individual footrests, and, of course, a tinted bubble to stave off that icy New England wind. The extra-wide chairs can be spun up to 12.5 miles per hour—­making the Kanc 8 the fastest lift of its size in the U.S.—and can haul 3,500 skiers per hour to a mid-mountain station in 4.5-minute increments, which is barely enough time to cool your quads. It’s likely the kickoff of a national overhaul to lift technology. Next up is Montana’s Big Sky Resort, which will launch the Swift Current 6, a blazingly fast (read: 13.6 miles per hour), heated six-pack that will increase uphill capacity by 50 percent.

Lodging Gets an Upgrade

Most destination ski resorts need a robust real estate scene and high ­occupancy rates to help fund all the improvements that keep us coming back. This winter brings a slew of new places to snooze at some of the country’s most iconic resorts. Aspen Snowmass will see the opening of Viewline, a mid-mountain luxury complex that includes an Ayurvedic spa, 254 rooms, and 20 suites featuring sheepskin throws and awesome ski-in, ski-out access (from $329). Meanwhile, in Park City, Utah, the Pendry (from $1,500) opens in Canyons Village with 152 rooms and the city’s only rooftop pool. The project making the biggest splash is one of the largest of its kind ever to land in Montana: the Montage at Big Sky (from $1,395). Clocking in at a whopping half-million square feet in the heart of the mountain ­village, the 139-room, 39-­residence stunner looks out over the 8,400-foot Spanish Peaks and has six restaurants, an indoor lap pool, a 10,000-square-foot spa, and, just out the door, a 450-foot tubing park for kids. Of course, the 5,800 skiable acres just beyond your black-marble bathroom are the real attraction.

An Innovative Ski-Town Fix

The mountain-town housing shortage intensified after a pandemic-fueled real estate boom drove out longtime residents and decimated the local workforce. Summer visitors to these locales report long waits and fewer services due to staffing shortages. Where does that leave us this ski season?

Resorts planned ahead. Starting this winter, Aspen, Solitude, Sugarbush, Vail, and others will pay non-tipped employees at least $15 an hour, more than twice the federal minimum wage. Mount Bohemia, in Michigan, will trump them all by paying $20 an hour. But finding an affordable place to live is as tricky as ever, especially if you want to settle down.

Enter the Big Sky Community Housing Trust, a newly formed nonprofit that makes the Montana haven of 3,000 full-time residents and some 4,000 vacation homes one of the most promising ski towns to live and work.

The trust, which is partially funded by a resort tax, builds on an idea unfolding in Vail, where the town pays homeowners a percentage of their property value in exchange for saddling the property with a restricted deed that slows appreciation, lowers the sale price, and helps bolster a more affordable housing pool.

The Big Sky version uses grants and money from the resort tax to give the owners of second, third, and even fourth homes subsidies to rent their pads to local workers at reduced rates instead of going the Airbnb or Vrbo route. The trust is also a key player in the construction of 52 gorgeous condos with restricted deeds that will sell for half their market value, with a hard 2 percent cap on annual appreciation.

That’s a big difference in a place where the average condo now goes for $1 million and a single-family home will set you back a cool $2.2 million. “A regular working Joe just can’t do that,” says Laura Seyfang, the trust’s director. “We’re trying to create a little balance here.”

The Other End of the Rockies

There’s so much in Colorado and Utah to be excited about this winter, with new lifts at Breckenridge, Keystone, and Snowbasin—to name a few—and a cat-skiing operation opening in Loveland Ski Area’s Dry Gulch. But if you have the time and means for only one trip, make it count by going to Taos Ski Valley. The New Mexico resort, perhaps the least corporate of the major resorts in the Rockies, averages 300 inches of snow per year and has a smattering of new offerings this season. For starters, you can sign up for an exclusive three-day learning session with Olympian Deb Armstrong (gold, giant slalom, Sarajevo ’84), who will personally coach you out of your poor angulation or whatever it is that ails you. She’s in high demand, though, so for the rest of us, there’s Taos’s new pro-guided experience, where a local ripper will show you secret stashes and the best way to get your tails into the fall line on the double blacks off West Basin Ridge. Back down in the village, you’ll find new attractions like an ice rink, dinner sleigh rides, and a skier-services building.

Power for the Powder

For all the fresh air, exercise, and soul resetting that sliding down snow-covered mountains offers, resort skiing can be pretty rough on Mother Nature. So it’s worth mentioning that Alterra, Boyne, Powdr, and Vail—some of the biggest resort conglomerates in the game—banded together over the summer to fight climate change by signing an agreement aimed at reducing impact while lobbying for policy changes that make renewable energy the norm in the resort industry. This winter, Park City will take a big step toward fulfilling that goal by tapping into the Elektron Solar Project, an 80-megawatt solar farm southwest of Salt Lake City that will provide every last drop of electricity to the resort by 2023.

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If you’ve ever sat in a crowded movie theaterÌęto see the year’s greatest ski footage, you’ve participated in the legacy of Warren Miller. He was the progenitor of the seasonal stoke film—starting with the —and created a world that expanded far beyond the movies that bear his name. “Warren was the Beatles of the ski movie. He didn’t invent it, but brought it to the masses,” says skier and filmmaker Greg Stump, who directed film Ìęand who freely admits to cribbing off Miller.

But we all know how much drama plagued the Beatles behind the scenes. , a new documentary that premiered last week , examines how the story of Warren Miller the ski icon diverged from the reality of Warren Miller the human. It includes some of Miller’s last interviews before his death in 2018 at the age of 93Ìęand shows how Miller pioneered the idea of being a ski bum, as well as what he lost by obsessively pursuing a life devoted to ski movies.

Parts of Miller’s life are already skier lore: How he and his buddy Ward Baker lived in a Dodge Phaeton in the Sun Valley parking lot, eating rabbits they’d shot the fall before. How they bilked starlets and wealthy debutantes into taking them to dinner, or at least to the hot tub. But, as Ski Bum reveals, Miller’s story is darker and more complicated than that. He grew up in an abusive household headed by an alcoholicÌęitinerant father. The U.S. Army, and then skiing, were his routes out, but his unstable family threaded through the rest of his life. In 1952, his mother and sister, who had been helping him run his fledgling film business, stole $100,000 from the company bank account and disappeared. He never saw them again.

Around that time, in 1951, his first wife, Jean, died of spinal cancer shortly after they married and had their first child. Miller was heartbroken and broke while raising a new son on his own and trying to establish a film career. He threw himself into work, obsessively growing the business.

Skiing, at its best, seems effortless and unforced—just a graceful slide downhill. Miller’s films strived to capture that frictionless fantasy. He became a character in them, too, his deep voice and dry humor narrating the adventureÌęand encouraging skiers to scrap their boring lives and head for the hills. But under the surface, he was struggling to keep his own life together. That’s where Ski Bum is most interesting.

His movies in the early 1960s show him skiing with hisÌęsecond wife and young children in what looks an idyllic life. Really, he was largely alone. MillerÌęskipped out on time with his family for his workaholic commitment to his ski films. He’d be gone all winter shooting, lock himself away to edit all summer, and then go on the road in the fall to show the film.ÌęHe wasn’t there when his daughter, Chris, was born in 1957.ÌęHis second wife eventually cheated on him and left him, exhausted by single parenting while he lived on the road.

Miller’s life and career tracked the arc of skiing and vice versa. He was there in Sun Valley, one of the first ski resorts in the country, right when the sport was gathering steam. As the scope of his films grew,Ìęto encompass international destinations and spinoff TV series, so did the world of skiing. He documented the explosive growth of ski resorts in the ’60s and ’70sÌęand the rise of extreme skiing in the ’80s. He filmed a segment on snowmaking, andÌęwithin the next few years, the technology had spread across the country.

It’s not all flawless. There are parts of Miller’s legacy that haven’t aged well, and feel classist and sexist. He loved to make fun of gapers, and his offhand sexist comments feel both dated and gross. But largely, he captures the buzz of a growing, adventurous sport and lifestyle. His iconoclastic obsession changed both the sport of skiing and the way we skiers envision it. “It’s kind of a chicken and egg, Warner Miller and the growth of skiing,” says Olympic freestyle skier Jonny Moseley, who took over narrating the films after Miller stepped back. That symbiotic relationship is evident in this film.Ìę

But as sparkly as the skiing life looks, being that singly focused—heÌędirectedÌę38 filmsÌęin total—comes with dark sides and sacrifices.ÌęSki BumÌęfollows another family fallout, when Miller’s sonÌęKurtÌęand his partner took over the film company in 1989Ìęand steered it toward corporate sponsorship and bigger ticket sales by cutting out Miller’s voice and corny jokes. He was essentially pushed out by his own son. Unfortunately, the film glosses over that painful breakÌęand missesÌęan opportunity to explore this important emotional arc. ItÌęnever resolves his tense relationship with his children, even though they’re interviewed and feature prominently.

That, more than anything, seems like the ski bum story. Miller was propagating the myth that you can have it all while focusing all of his energy on one thing.ÌęIn his last interview, it’s clear that Miller is trying to tell the story until the end. “Let them have this fantasy thing about this wonderful life I lived,” he says.

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In June, Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz wrote an to his employees, calling the ski world “overwhelmingly white, with incredibly low representation from people of color,” and pledging to change that. Currently, just 1.8 percent of American skier days are logged by Black people, according to the . That number hasn’t risen in a decade.

But it might be a lot closer to zero were it not for the National Brotherhood of Skiers. Launched in 1973 with the mission of creating a national Black ski summit and attracting more Black people to the sport, the Brotherhood’s has seen up to 6,000 attendees gather in a premier ski town—Vail, Park City, even Innsbruck, Austria—for a week of revelry. There are giant outdoor feasts, rollicking on-snow dance parties, and all-night celebrations. Skiers in matching parkas perform choreographed mogul assaults. The organization also coordinates discounts on lessons and rentals for first-time skiers—the NBS calls them never evers—while its cadre of experts, the Sno-Pros, provide mentoring and tips.

The NBS acts as an umbrella group that unites 55 regional Black ski clubs scattered nationwide. With an all-volunteer staff and a $250,000 annual budget coming from donations, fundraising, and sponsors like REI and New Belgium Brewing, the group has received considerable media coverage, and has introduced thousands of Black people (both children and adults) to snow sports. It’s also supporting Black skiers and snowboarders hoping to make the U.S. Olympic team.

As the NBS moves into its 47th year, it faces a new set of challenges. Its founders—Ben Finley and Arthur “Art” Clay, now 81 and 83, respectively—have become legends, but the group’s membership has aged, without an influx of younger constituents. In March, the group made news after its summit in Sun Valley, Idaho, had a devastating encounter with the coronavirus—scores of members fell ill, . Now it’s wrestling with how to leverage the momentum of a national reckoning with racism.

Recounted in the voices of its own members, here is the story of how the NBS came to be, its accomplishments, and the direction it’s heading in the future.

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This is a developing story. For the latest information on the status of resortsÌęand protocol, visitÌęindividual resort websites.

Ski season is going to happen this year. But it won’t look like it used to. Resorts around the U.S. areÌęusing input from state and local health guidelinesÌęto operate as safely as possible. In place of crowded aprĂšs-ski bars and packed gondolas, you’ll see extra-long, spaced-apart lift lines, skiers in full-face coverings, and take-out lunches eaten outside. ManyÌęresorts will also require advance reservations, so be sure toÌęcheck for capacity updates before you go.

Beyond operating and safety protocols, we wanted to knowÌęwhat some of our favorite ski areasÌęaround the country have planned for this winter, so we called up places like Taos, Big Sky, and Breckenridge to see what’s on tap.Ìę

Copper Mountain, Colorado

Opening day: November 30. Though the resort usually opens earlier in the month, a later opening date should allow for more snowmaking and natural snowfall to ensureÌęthere’s enoughÌęterrain for skiers and riders to spread out. Ìę

Passes and tickets: The (from $1,049)Ìęgets you unlimited access to Copper, and pass holders won’t need a reservation to ski. You’ll buyÌę.ÌęAny ticket purchasedÌęmore than 12 days ahead of time will be mailed to you; otherwise,Ìęyou’ll grab it from on-site pick-up boxes.

What’s new: The resort is implementing an for parking. Whether you’re skiing, tubing, or just coming to walk around the village, you’ll need to book a parking spot in advance. If you ride Ìęor get dropped off, you won’t need to make a reservation.

Lessons: Copper will kick offÌęthe year by offering only for groups of up to six people who are related. Starting in 2021, additional youth ski and snowboard programs should be available.

Before you go: Check theÌę for updates and theÌęÌęfor notifications.

Aspen Snowmass, Colorado

Opening day:ÌęNovember 26 for Aspen Mountain and Snowmass; December 12 for Aspen Highlands, and December 18 for Buttermilk.

Passes and tickets: You can ski seven days at Aspen Snowmass on the Ikon PassÌęor two days on the ($489)—with either, you’ll need to in advance. A limited number of lift tickets will be sold, soÌębook yours at least 72 hours ahead of time. Tickets can be delivered to your local lodging or collected from pick-up windows.Ìę

What’s new: Aspen is expecting a 20 percent decrease in visitors this year, due in part to the lack of international tourists and corporate groups it often attracts, which means fewerÌęcrowds this winter.

Uphill access: Known for its liberal uphill policies, the ski hills of Buttermilk, Snowmass, and Aspen HighlandsÌęwill continue to allow uphill ski access during lift-operating hours, but this yearÌęyou’ll need to stick to designated routes and check for closures due to capacity limits. The ski area’s fourth hill, Aspen Mountain, will only allow uphill access before or after the ski day.

Don’t miss: A $2.5 million renovation of , atop Snowmass, is now complete. A sit-down lunch includes slipper service, where you can swap ski boots for (freshly cleaned) slippers. Make a reservation, as capacity will be limited.

Before you go: Check theÌę for updates, be sure to download theÌę, and stay abreast of what’s happening withÌęthisÌę, launched this year.

Breckenridge, Colorado

Opening day: Breckenridge plans to open exclusively to thoseÌęwho have any level of an Ìę(from $999) beginning November 13. Single-day tickets won’t be sold until December 8.

What’s new: All Vail Resorts, including Breck, will be starting the season with aÌę for Epic pass holders. SoÌębook your ski days in advance—you’re allotted up to seven priority days (which vary by resort)ÌęthatÌęcan be made well ahead of time, while other days canÌębe reserved the week of. ThisÌęreservation system will open for the season on November 6. Skiers and riders will now be allowed to bring their own lunches into lodges. If you plan to rent ski or snowboard gear, book online ahead of time and get it delivered to wherever you’re staying.

Don’t miss: is installing a new clear dome, which can be reserved for property owners and guests in an existing group who want to aprĂšs responsibly in a heated, private slopeside spaceÌęwith beverageÌęservice and mountain views.

What’s closed: Full-service bars will likely not open for indoor service, but beer and wine will be available to go at most lodges and markets.

Before you go: Check theÌę, and be sure you have theÌę for updates.

Big Sky, Montana

Opening day: November 26.

Passes and tickets: Big Sky may limit the number of season passes sold this year, but as of press time, they’re on sale and won’t require reservations. The Ikon Pass grants you seven days at Big Sky, for which you’ll need to make a Ìęto ski. The Mountain Collective PassÌęgets you two days here, and at this time, reservations for Mountain Collective pass holders aren’t required.

What’s new: The Lone Peak Tram will open this year, with face coverings required and limited capacity. The resort is also considering a new boot-pack route to offerÌęskiers and riders a way to climb Lone Peak from the top of Dakota lift,Ìębypassing the tram. Also, this winterÌęthe public will be able to access the 8,000-square-foot Yellowstone Conference Center as a bigger indoor space for lunch and hot-chocolate breaks.

Early ups: New this year, an unguided first-tracks program called will let skiers and riders load the Ramcharger 8 lift at 8 a.m., an hour before everyone else. You’ll need to purchase an Early Access ticket onlineÌę(from $60), and only aÌęlimited number of themÌęare being sold.

Before you go: Check theÌę for updates, and be sure toÌę.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Opening day: November 26.Ìę

Passes and tickets: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort pass holdersÌęwon’t need to make reservations to ski, but IkonÌępass holders—who get seven days here—will need to book a spot. Mountain Collective pass holders, who get two days at Jackson Hole, do not need to make reservations at this time. The resort will sell a limited number of daily tickets;ÌębuyÌęthemÌęonline at least 14 days in advance for the biggest discount.Ìę

What’s new: If you want to skip the tram, skiers and riders will be allowed to boot-pack up Rendezvous Bowl via the East Ridge Traverse. Those interested in trying out a pair of demo skis this seasonÌęcan now rent gear from seven different locations at the base of Jackson Hole, as well as two hotels—Ìę(from $480) and Ìę(from $370)—or request delivery to your lodging.

Early ups: Book a and you’ll have an option to upgrade for early tram and gondola access. This winterÌęthe general public will be able to load Teewinot, the Sweetwater Gondola, and the AprĂšs Vous chair 30 minutes earlier than the resort’sÌę9 A.M. opening time, to help spread people out from the base area.

What’s happening: The invite-onlyÌę, an event whichÌęfeatures top skiers and riders launching into the famed Corbet’s Couloir,Ìęwill return for its fourth year this winter. It’sÌęscheduled to runÌęFebruary 16 to 21, 2021, viaÌęlivestream.

Where to stay:ÌęWhen you book a well-designed vacation rental withÌęÌę(from $95), amenities includeÌęa no-contact check-in,Ìębundled lift tickets, and a fridge stocked prior to your arrival.

Before you go: Check theÌę, and download theÌę, which now featuresÌęreal-time updates on lift wait times, parking access, and other information.

Snowbird, Utah

Opening day: Snowbird plans to open, conditions permitting, on November 30. By kicking the season off a bit later than usual, the resort hopes to have expanded terrain, more snowmaking, and as many lifts open as possible starting from the first day.

Passes and tickets: IkonÌępass holders get seven days at Snowbird, and no reservations to ski will be required, but you will need to . If you’re buying a day ticket, get it online ahead of time, and plan to pick it up from self-service kiosks scattered around the base area.

What’s new:ÌęAll visitors to Snowbird arriving by car will need to make a reservation for parking. The will still operate but at reduced capacity and with a face-coveringÌęrequirement.

Lifts: The tram will operate at just 25 percent of its usual winter capacity; however,Ìęanyone not skiing or riding won’t be allowed up to the top of the mountain this year.Ìę

Before you go: Check theÌę, and get the soon-to-be-released Snowbird app, which will have wait times, parking information, and other critical updates.Ìę

Park City, Utah

Opening day:ÌęNovember 20.

Passes and tickets: If you have any version of the Epic Pass, you’ll need to make aÌę to ski. For day tickets, rather than buy a regular lift ticket in advance (pricing to be announced), opt for the more affordableÌęÌę(from $107 a day), a low-commitment version of the Epic Pass. The Epic Day Pass also gets you between one and seven days, and, yes, those still requireÌęa reservation.

Lessons: Group lessons for the four-and-under age group won’t be available this year.

Eat: For dinner, is offering dine-in service, take-out meals for a family of four, and frozen entrĂ©es to cook at your lodging, like chef-prepared lasagna, plus free delivery. The restaurant will also sell anÌęarray of boxed to-go lunches that you canÌębringÌęto the ski hill.

Don’t miss:Ìę is hostingÌęvirtual mixology classes and online whiskey-education courses. Pick up a bottle of bourbon, and learn how to make a proper old-fashioned at your condo.

Before you go: Check theÌę, and be sure you have theÌę for updates.

Taos, New Mexico

Opening day:ÌęNovember 26.

Passes and tickets: Taos Ski Valley will operate at 50 percent capacity this season, which means that both day ticketÌę(available on October 15; prices to be announced) and season pass (available on October 9; from $450) holders will need to reserve spots in advance.ÌęIf you buy an Ikon Pass, you’ll get seven days at TaosÌęandÌęwill need to make a reservation before you show up. The Mountain Collective Pass gets you two days here, with no reservations needed.

Travel restrictions: As of press time, if you’re traveling to New Mexico from a state on the high-risk list for COVID cases, then you’re required toÌę.

Start your day: Get a green-chile-smothered breakfast burrito and a coffee to go from , located inside the , which is set to reopenÌęthis winter. The resort is going cashless, so plan to pay for everything—from dining to rentals—by card.

Stay here:ÌęÌę(from $250)—the resort’s newest ski-in, ski-out hotel, was closed for the summerÌębut is expectedÌętoÌęreopen for winter at 65 percent capacity. ItsÌęrestaurant, , is currently open for online ordering and takeout.

Before you go: Check theÌę.

Sugarloaf, Maine

Opening day:ÌęTo be announced.

Passes and tickets: The (from $649), on sale until October 12, gives you access to both Sugarloaf and Sunday River;Ìęthe Ikon Pass gets you up to seven days of skiing here; and the Mountain Collective Pass gets you two days. Currently, no reservations will be required for any of those passes. Lift tickets can be purchased onlineÌęand, unlike many resorts, at walk-up ticket windows the day of. You’ll also find tenÌęnew automated kiosks around the base area to pick up lift tickets purchased ahead of time.

What’s new: Gone are the days of human ticket checkers. Sugarloaf has installed radio-frequency identificationÌęgates that you’ll ski through to scan your passes beforeÌęloading the lifts.

Travel restrictions: coming from outside of a handful of nearby states are required to show a negative COVID test result or self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the state.

Transportation: You can still ride the free shuttle around the area, but plan on wearing a face covering, and expect capacity to be cut in half.

Before you go: TheÌę has more details, and be sure to download theÌę. TheÌę will post updates onÌęoperations and conditions.Ìę

Stowe, Vermont

Opening day: November 20.

Passes and tickets: All guests using an Epic Pass will need to make aÌę to ski at Stowe this winter. Lift tickets will only be sold online after December 8 for designated days.

Travel restrictions: Vermont currently hasÌę in place, so if you’re coming from outside its borders, be sure to read up on quarantine requirements before you pack yourÌębags.

Lifts: The gondola will be open. Face coverings will be required, and only related groups will be allowed to loadÌętogether.

For your convenience: You can now get take-out orders or groceries delivered to your door, thanks toÌę, the area’s first (and only) food-delivery service.

Before you go: Check theÌę and theÌę for the latest updates.

Mammoth Mountain, California

Opening day: Mammoth tends to be one of the first ski resorts in California to open. This yearÌęthe resort will start cranking the liftsÌęNovember 14.

Passes and tickets: Walk-up day tickets won’t be available, and thoseÌępurchased in advance will be sold on a limited basis, so expect to secure them at least seven days in advance. Skiers and riders with an Ikon Pass have unlimited access to Mammoth and won’t need to make reservations, as of press time.

Drink: has a socially distant beer garden that’s open for patio dining and beer tasting, or order online to pick up a growler to take back to your pad.

Soak: Squeezing into a natural hot springs with strangers isn’t a great idea this year, and many of the steaming pools around Mammoth can get crowded in a normal year. Instead, book a private tub and winter campsite or room atÌę (from $60), 50 minutes northeast of town.

Before you go: Check theÌę, and download the freeÌę.

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, California

Opening day: November 25, conditions permitting.

Passes and tickets: There’s no reservation system here for skiing and riding. Ikon pass holders get unlimited days at Squaw Alpine; Mountain Collective pass holders get two days. There will be no walk-up ticket sales, and advance tickets will be offered on a limited basis. If you buy a ticket more than tenÌędays ahead of time, it can be mailed to you.

What’s open: Ski and ride schools will be operational, with new regulations in place. The Funitel and aerial tram are slated to open with face coverings required and social-distancing efforts in place.

What’s closed: The popular sunset happy hours at High Camp, atop the tram, won’t be available this year, though restaurants there will be open. Favorite festivities,Ìęsuch asÌęthe holiday torchlight parade and moonlight snowshoe tours, aren’t currently scheduled, but the springtime is likely to go on, pending local ordinances.

Eat here:Ìę, which opened last year in Squaw Valley Village, has online ordering and swift take-out service.

Before you go: Be sure to check theÌę andÌę or theÌę for the latest on parking and mountain capacity.Ìę

Sun Valley, Idaho

Opening day: Sun Valley’s Bald Mountain will open on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, with nearby Dollar Mountain to follow on December 12.

Passes and tickets: You won’t find a reservation system at Sun Valley this winter, though lift tickets may be restricted to minimize crowds, so be sure to get there early. Epic pass holders now get seven days of skiing or riding at Sun Valley, and even though the Epic Pass requires reservations at Vail-owned destinations, at this time you don’t need a reservation to use your Epic Pass here.

What’s new: This winter, a high-speed quad replaces what was the resort’s oldest chairlift, Cold Springs, and skiers and riders will be able to spread out on 380 acres of new skiable terrain, located on Bald Mountain’s south side.

For your convenience: If you need to leave items behind, there will be a bag-check station outside the lodge.

Before you go: Check theÌę andÌę for updates.

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Jen and I have taken Artemis the Airstream to a lot of sweet places in the 2.5 years we’ve been on the road, but we’ve never ended up somewhere so compelling that we’d consider parking her for good. Last week, in Ketchum, Idaho, for the first time ever, that conversation came up.

“We could move here,” Jen said casually one evening while we were sitting out front of the trailer, sipping a nightcap. It was 9:30 p.m., and the summer sun was still glittering on the high peaks. I almost spit out my bourbon: We’ve long said that no place can compete with our permanent home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. But what astonished me, when I stopped and thought about it, was that I agreed.

Set at the base of Sun Valley ski resort, this mountain town is probably best known as a winter vacation stopover. But for active travelers, it turns out that the summer months are just as engaging. Crouching between the Pioneer and Sawtooth ranges, along the Bigwood River, with a trail system hammocking the high peaks on either side of town, it’s a veritable outdoor playground.

Jen and I arrived on the heels of a long overseas trip and grabbed a spot at Boundary Campground, which was close to town, with quick access to resupply and full cell service for catching up on work. And though we were just a ten-minute pedal to the nearest coffee shop, the big, steep peaks soaring straight up from camp made us feel like we were far out.

In the first few days, we explored some nearby trails, including a hike up Proctor Mountain and a mountain bike on Fox Creek, both of which got us up and out of town quickly without feeling like boring comedowns, as city trails often can. Even on those accessible trails, we encountered few other people. The farther we ventured into the high mountains, the fewer people we saw.

Thanks to a recommendation from a local friend of a friend, we tackled a high-peak adventure called Osberg Ridge, which climbs a steep thread of trail up to an almost 10,000-foot ridgeline before plunging through burned-out forest, along precipitous side hills, and down plus-tire-width singletrack back to town. (The ride usually requires a big car shuttle, though we lucked into a van and driver through ).

Based on the Osberg Ridge trail alone, I’d have ranked the day as one of my top ten rides of all time. But when we pedaled back into town and straight over to the deck at for Public House lager and totchos (tater tots crossed with nachos), the day turned legendary.

After nearly two weeks of riding, hiking, and fishing, I look at the local trail map and marvel at how little of it we’ve actually seen. Will Jen and I be unloading Artemis and looking for a piece of land? Unlikely—we remembered that winter, which we already flee from when it comes to Santa Fe, is long, dark, and cold up in Idaho. Besides, we haven’t even been over the pass to Stanley yet, and I hear that Ketchum pales in comparison.

If you come to Ketchum, here are a few humble suggestions. This isn’t comprehensive, nor am I a local, but I’ve had a pretty good time investigating so far.

Camping

Access from town is flabbergasting, with five Forest Service campgrounds (Boundary, Cottonwood, North Fork, Murdock, and Wood River) within 15 minutes of city limits, plus a handful more if you want to get a little farther out there. Dispersed camping is just as abundant and high quality. also rents two of its backcountry mountain yurts, Coyote and Pioneer, which make great long-weekend base camps for exploring the high peaks.

Trails

By and large, the trails in and around the valley are smooth, flowing, tight, and often very, very steep. Bring a hardtail or short-travel mountain bike, a gravel bike (not a roadie), and an extra set of lungs. The Fox Creek Loop makes a quick post-work ride from town, with a nice unwind along the water to begin, followed by a well-worn climb and swooping descent back to city limits. Tack on North Fork and Chocolate Gulch for additional vert and a more backcountry feel, or combine those two with Oregon Gulch and Saddle Trail from the Oregon Gulch trailhead for an even more challenging ride. A 15-minute drive south of town, the Greenhorn trail complex has more rocks, big views, and access to the high country. North of town, Galena Lodge, the local cross-country area, serves up lots of quick-hit loops on its cross-country skiing turned MTB trails, as well as great pastries, coffee, and lunch between laps. There’s even lift-op park riding at Sun Valley, which has opened two new trails this season: the flowy, slalom-turn Mindbender and the butt-off-your-seat-steep, jump-laden Pale Rider.

In Town

Ketchum has a friendly downtown that’s compact and packed with sunny patios. One word of advice: Parking can be a bear, and pedestrians mob the place, so it’s best to skip the car and pedal into town. Maude’s Coffee and Clothing is a quirky little place with nice people, smooth coffee, and racks of eclectic new and secondhand clothing. Unlike big towns, where bike shops can be backed up with work and a bit snooty about it, both local shops that I’ve visited, Sturtevants and the , were helpful, managed repairs for me in short order, and took time to offer me thoughtful advice on trail choices and conditions.

Even though it’s down the road in Hailey, the is worth the trip. It’s part bike shop, part bar and grill, with local, organic food and a sunny patio perfect for whiling away an afternoon. There are lots of good, casual eats for refueling in Ketchum proper, too: is an institution for post-ride burgers and beer; serves Asian-inspired small plates; and serves more than the typical pies (the White Trash Guy, with bacon, kettle chips, scallions, Parmesan, mozzarella, and ranch dressing is probably best reserved for after very long rides). If you feel like waiting until later and getting dressed up, head to , which serves a killer burrata, succulent mussels, and a hearty osso bucco.

The post An Outdoor Enthusiast’s Guide to Ketchum, Idaho appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Thanks to a growing number of pet-friendly trails, accommodations, and even restaurants and bars that welcome dogs, you can now take stellar adventures with pup in tow. You’ll find hotels that not only allow dogs, but greet them with treats, beds, and dog-walking services to make your furry pal feel at home. We’ve rounded up some of the most pet-friendly destinations in North America, with tips on where to go, stay, and eat while you and your dog are there.

Portland, Oregon

Portland might be the most dog-friendly city in the country, with heaps of outdoor restaurants and breweries that accept dogs, more than two dozen dog parks, and ample dog-friendly hiking trails. Drink coffee at and beer at —both invite dogs. Take a walk on the Wildwood Trail in downtown’s Forest Park (pets must be leashed). Stay at the , where you’ll get a yoga mat in your room, free cruiser bikes to borrow, and pet-friendly rooms at no extra cost. Your dog is even invited to the courtesy happy hour each evening in the lobby. The pastry chef at the neighboring makes dog treats that are available at the hotel’s front desk.

Aspen, Colorado

In summer, you can bring your dog free of charge up Aspen Mountain’s Silver Queen Gondola for a hike. In winter, the has several dog trails for cross-country skiing, and Snowmass lets you skin uphill with your leashed dog before the mountain opens. (Be sure to check the .) Dogs love downtown Aspen’s Wagner Park, and don’t miss for homemade dog treats and tasty baked goods for humans. Book a room at the , and they’ll pet-sit while you’re out skiing and even give your dog a jet-lag kit to help with the altitude.

Stowe, Vermont

ł§łÙŽÇ·É±đ’s couldn’t be more hospitable to dogs. Your pup will get a bed delivered to the room, doggy treats at teatime, pet-sitting services while you’re on the hill, even in-room pet Reiki massages. Plus, there’s a good dog-walking path that winds through the resort. After a day on the mountain, head to , which opened in Stowe in 2016 and allows leashed dogs in the tasting room.

Carmel, California

Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for rolling out the red carpet for pets. This lavish California coastal town allows dogs to roam free on its main white-sand beach, Carmel Beach, and you’ll find many a water bowl in front of local shops. Dogs are welcome on the patio at the , and even has a special dog menu. The historic , which is co-owned by actress and animal rights activist Doris Day, hosts a nightly “yappy hour” for pets, has a dog-washing station in the courtyard, and offers a dog bed and water bowl at check-in.

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville, which calls itself Dog City USA, opened a downtown that offers guides for dog-approved activities, special dog ice cream, and public bathrooms where you can bring your pet. Take a hike to waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest or Graveyard Fields, or walk along downtown’s Urban Trail. Asheville is packed with craft breweries, and many allow dogs in certain areas, including Asheville Brewing Company, Wicked Weed Brewing, Wedge Brewing Co., and Twin Leaf Brewery. , located downtown, has pet-friendly rooms for a small nightly fee.

Ketchum, Idaho

If it’s summer in Sun Valley, you can hike up Bald Mountain with your dog in tow or visit nearby lakes like Redfish and Alturas Lake, which have designated dog beaches. In winter, the Wood River Valley’s extensive cross-country network has select trails that allow dogs. At the , which opened in 2017, you’ll get a European-style breakfast spread and free fat-bike rental, and your dog is met with a bowl, leash, and Frisbee upon arrival. The has $25 per day doggie daycare if you want to ski or bike without your furry friend.

Whistler, British Columbia

Dogs sleep free at Whistler’s , where front-desk staff hands out food bowls and treats at check-in and helps you book dog walkers while you’re out. For you, the hotel has in-house ski techs who will tune your skis overnight and free cruiser bike and snowshoe rentals. You can take dogs cross-country skiing on more than 16 miles of select dog trails at the , or let the folks at take your pup on an adventure for the day while you ski Whistler Blackcomb—they even offer a pick-up and drop-off service.

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Banks Gilbretti has no doubts that he's livingÌęhis dream. Stay in the place you grew up, have your best friends around, and ski every day. It's a simple recipe, but one he had to work for. With another year of Idaho backcountry under his belt, he's not leaving anytime soon. Find more from Gilbretti and filmmaker Jake Strassman .

The post Skiing in Sun Valley with the Locals appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Pro skierÌę is known for sending huge lines in Alaska's backcountry, but this film focuses on some of her other loves: wake surfing and mountain biking. She credits being a well-rounded athleteÌęto her adventurous upbringing in Sun Valley, Idaho, and the long line of explorers that came before her in her family. Watch for an inside look at Dupont's life, and follow the filmmakers, the Inertia Mountain, on Facebook and Instagram .

The post Lexi Dupont: The Ripping Freeskier That Calls Sun Valley Home appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Fresh terrain is opening up, aÌęnew megaresort beckons, and a Godzilla El Niño promises major storms. Why should you be amped for winter? Let us count the ways.

1. El Niño Is Back (And They’re Calling It Godzilla!)

Since 1950, about one-third of winters have been granted El Niño status. “If it feels like we’re constantly talking about it, you’re right,” says Joel Gratz, the CEO of , a weather-forecasting website for skiers. But the strong El Niños—the winters that bring more than 500 inches of snow to places like Telluride in Colorado and Mammoth in California—happen only about once a decade. The good news: this winter, forecasters at the National Weather Service are predicting a particularly strong El Niño, expected to last into March. But let’s back up: What is El Niño, exactly? It’s when water temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean become warmer than usual, which affects the prevailing winds and ultimately brings heavy precipitation to the southern half of the United States. So when you’re planning a ski trip this winter, keep your eyes on California, Utah, New Mexico, and southern Colorado for deep powder.
—Megan Michelson

2. You Don’t Know Vail

It has a reputation for catering more to oligarchs than young rippers, and yes, there are luxe hotels and gondolas with heated seats. But with all the options available, Vail has never been more affordable, and the mountain is full of challenging terrain.

Lap Chair 10Ìę

Even on the busiest days there’s never a line, since this lift mostly serves 1,500-vertical-foot pitches of thigh-destroying moguls. Warm up on Blue Ox, then charge straight down the lift line: it’s steep, narrow, and pockmarked with rock drops, and skiers on the way up will let you know how you’re doing.Ìę

BYO Rib Eye

Round up some friends and head out to the summit of Blue Sky Basin, where the resort runs two huge, free gas grills. Pack a Bluetooth speaker, some steaks, and a case of beer, and take in the views across the valley of the 14,009-foot Mount of the Holy Cross.

Ski the Minturn MileÌę

Duck out the backcountry gate at the top of chair 7 and ski down to the 111-year-old mining town of Minturn. It’s by no means a scary run, but get the lowdown from a local, and take standard backcountry precautions. Then grab a beer at the while you wait for your hotel or a buddy to come pick you up.Ìę

3. The Southwest Could Have an All-Time WinterÌę

Because of its location in the Southern Rockies, New Mexico’s could get hit hard by El Niño–fueled storms. “I’ve been geeking out on the models,” says ski patroller Justin Bobb. “Taos is such a steep, rocky mountain that a big snowfall makes a huge difference.” If the snow does come down, the Kachina lift—which last year opened up more than 50 acres of experts-only runs previously accessible only to those willing to hike—will run more consistently. After blasting through chest-deep powder, drop into the slopeside , as authentic a German eatery as you’ll find outside of Munich.

4. Sun Valley Goes Both Ways

Plan to bring two pairs of skis to this Idaho gem, which was added to the this year. First, turn to your frontside carvers, because the resort is known for its outstanding groomers and wide-open, 3,000-foot runs like Warm Springs and Limelight. Local Chopper Randolph, a former pro mountain biker, says, “Sharpen your edges and let ’er rip.” Sun Valley is also known for having the best snowmaking in the business, so it’s a good choice for December, when snowpack elsewhere can be unreliable. When it gets deep, bust out your fat boards and book a trip with , which takes off from the resort and serves up the largest area in the lower 48 ($1,375). With access to 750,000 acres spread across three mountain ranges, you’re guaranteed fresh tracks. Book a room at the newly renovated , where Hemingway wrote much of For Whom the Bell Tolls ($369). For aprùs, local dive bar has good burgers and frosty 32-ounce chalices of beer. Or score a table at tiny , which serves authentically spicy Vietnamese and Thai street food.

5. Season Passes Keep Getting Better

Thanks to a surge of new deals covering more resorts at lower prices, it has never been easier to pull the trigger on a pass. The math speaks for itself; in most cases, you’ll need to ski less than five days to cover the cost. Now you just have to choose. —M.M.

• has added Stowe and Taos to its roster of over a dozen world-class resorts. $399 for two days at each resort
• Vail Resorts’ is better than ever: good at some of the best spots in the country and, new this year, Australia’s Perisher. From $769 for unlimited access
• If you don’t use your at least five days at Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, you’ll get full credit for the next season. From $410

6. Magic Mountain Is the Powder Capital of the East CoastÌę

One of New England’s steepest resorts, Vermont’s has 1,700 vertical feet packed into just 195 acres served by a mere two chairlifts. Even better, because it’s closed Monday through Wednesday, those willing to skin up can have the mountain to themselves early in the week. The resort is uphill-friendly on weekends, too—make it to the top lift shack on your own steam and they’ll give you a token for a free chair ride. Take that second trip up on the Red Chair and head for Timber Ridge, an abandoned resort on Magic’s back side. The benevolent landowner allows backcountry riders free access to the ten cut trails.

7. Tahoe Is Due for Deep SnowÌę

After receiving less than half the normal 450 inches of snowfall last year, Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows is counting on a comeback. And when the El Niño storms blow in, the combined resorts are a primo place to be, with 6,000 acres of Olympic-downhill steeps (Squaw hosted the Games in 1960), back bowls with Lake Tahoe views, and the ski-flick-starring crags and couloirs of the KT-22 peak. Fortuitously, this summer Squaw replaced the Siberia Express, often closed during windy storms, with a new six-person chair that should run even when it’s nuking. Squaw is also known for its aprĂšs scene. Start at the classic , at the base. Locals string Le Chamois’s Buddy Pass—20 Budweisers for $20—next to their season pass. Nearby, the deck at the , named for late freeskiing legend Shane McConkey’s plank-shape innovation, is the place to soak in the sun, watch skiers descend, and quaff a few pints of Sierra Nevada. For lodging, check out the . Built for the 1960 Olympics, the inn has been remade into a dog-friendly base camp and is located just across the street from the gondola (from $265).

8. A Utah Classic Will Never ChangeÌę

Two-thousand-acre is the perfect counterpoint to now enormous Park City. The posh mountain caps skier numbers at 7,500 per day. (Sorry, knuckle-draggers, snowboards still aren’t allowed.) Furthermore, a significant portion of Deer Valley’s patrons aren’t powder hounds, which means that it’s easy to find fresh lines through its terrain days after a storm hits. (Alta and Snowbird, just over the ridge, are usually tracked out by 11 a.m.) So even on a powder day, feel free to break for lunch. Deer Valley’s is known for its chili; you can even get cheese fries doused in the stuff. (Work that off in the trees under Lady Morgan Express.) For lodging, book a room at the , which has been called the world’s best ski hotel for good reason—its slopeside location makes for seamless mornings, and the 145 fireplaces will get you warmed up on your return ($795).

9. Snowmass Is a Touring Paradise

• The resort has the most liberal skinning policy of any major area—you can ski laps 24 hours a day and even bring your dog, provided you keep it leashed.
• Locals say it takes about two hours to reach 11,835-foot Big Burn.
• No touring gear? No problem. in Aspen rents complete setups ($58).
• Swing by for a bagel after your morning skin—you earned it.

10. There’s a New Megaresort in Town

The biggest change in the ski world last year was Vail’s acquisition of Utah’s Park City. The latter is now on the Epic Pass, which makes a visit to sample the Wasatch Range’s famously light powder practically mandatory if you put in for one of those. The most notable shift under the new ownership? The brand-new eight-person Quicksilver gondola rises up and over Pinecone Ridge and connects Park City to the Canyons ski area. Or, rather, the resort formerly known as Canyons: as of this year, it’s all called Park City, and at 7,300 acres, the combined terrain makes it the largest resort in the country. Unchanged is the excellent in-town scene. For lodging we love the , a tidy B&B within walking distance of the lifts run by ski guide Deb Lovci, who can be counted on to point you to the goods on powder days (from $189). Over the past decade, the has become a staple even in teetotaling Utah, serving small plates paired with whiskey and vodka at the base of Quittin Time run. This fall it opened , a 3,500-acre property 20 minutes outside town. The new facility features tastings, a restaurant serving high-end comfort food, and, coming soon, a 60-room hotel.

11. America’s Toughest Hill Just Added More TerrainÌę

, in Wyoming, will celebrate its 50th anniversary on November 27 with $6 skiing, the price of a lift ticket in 1965. The resort’s real gift, though, is the new Teton lift, a 1,650-foot high-speed quad that opens up three new advanced groomed runs in steep terrain that was previously hike-to only. Also, the lift off-loads riders just a few steps from the boundary gates that access Granite Canyon—a gallery of 2,000-foot, rock-lined couloirs like Endless and Mile Long. This is extreme stuff, so if you don’t have backcountry chops, hire a guide and head through the south gates to Rock Springs. Plus, you’ll get tramline priority for hot laps ($920 for a group of five).

12. Vermont’s Food and Drink Scene Is as Good as the Skiing

• : Whiskey from the Green Mountain State sounds like an oxymoron, but that’s changing thanks to this distillery’s award-winning rye. Consider filling a flask for tomorrow’s chilly chairlift rides.Ìę
• : Possibly the most revered brewery in the country is in tiny Greensboro Bend, 45 minutes east of Stowe. Swing by for a growler of Bierre de Norma, its flagship sour farmhouse ale.
• : Make a reservation for a $12 tour of the 30-acre spread, half an hour south of Montpelier, then take home as many jars of goat’s-milk caramel as you can carry.Ìę

13. Montana Is the Ultimate Family Trip

With a whopping 5,800 acres served by 34 lifts, is roomy. And with an average of just 3,000 visitors a day, the resort figures that there are two acres for every skier. That’s good news for everyone but especially for families, who don’t have to worry about reckless riders plowing through the brood as they’re practicing pizza and French fries. Indeed, the resort is working hard to be family-friendly. It renovated the terrain parks this summer and added a new stash park, bringing the park total to seven, four of them beginner or intermediate level. Best of all, if guests stay at a resort-owned property, kids under ten ski free. Under-fives ski free anyhow, and there’s no charge for nightly PG- and G-rated movies shown in the Yellowstone theater at the base. Our favorite place to stay is the pet-friendly, slopeside , which has outdoor hot tubs and a heated swimming pool (from $202). Meanwhile, there’s plenty of serious terrain to test yourself once the kids are in ski school. The 2,000-foot lines off Headwaters, on the Moonlight Basin side, host Freeride World Tour qualifiers. To ski the Big Couloir, a 1,000-foot, 56-degree pitch that rolls right off the top of the resort, sign in with ski patrol—and bring avy gear.

14. British Columbia’s Backcountry Beckons

”ț.°ä.’s spans 8,171 acres, but despite that quantity of terrain, it can get tracked out after a big drop, thanks to all the snowboards and powder-slaying fat skis. To find fresh lines, head outside the resort’s ropes into the serrated wonderland of . The guide service runs programs for backcountry newbies and experienced riders who just need someone to show them the lines (about $175). The guides use the resort’s lifts to boost them into the high country. From there you’ll skin up a nearby peak and harvest the goods on the long run down. Even experts will pick up a few pointers. As co-owner Peter Smart says: “Better technique opens up more interesting terrain.”Ìę

15. There’s No Time Like the Present to Learn Snow SafetyÌę

The backcountry is more popular than ever. But before you charge out there, enroll in the three-day level-one class at ($340) in Colorado. You’ll learn the basics of reading the snowpack and not taking stupid risks.

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