No wonder why skiers flock to Montana’s Big Sky Resort year after year. The snow is downright plentiful, as the resort sees an average annual snowfall of about 400 inches. And since Big Sky opens on Thanksgiving Day and closes the season mid-April, it’s easy to schedule in world-class skiing when your schedule permits.

“Welcome to a ski area without chairlifts,” said Jeff Woodward as he showed me around the snow-covered private ranch that is home to Bluebird Backcountry, about 30 minutes southeast of Steamboat Springs in Northwest Colorado.

With two days on this season's Indy Pass or a Spring Pass, skiers and riders can cop some final spring skiing days at the big, the small and the in-between of the Evergreen State.

Plan to gather up the kids and head to the hills. No need to head to warmer climes - winter can be snowy, yet mild, and perfect for a family vacation with plenty of activities such as cross country skiing and snowshoeing.

Mid-winter in the Northeast doesn’t have to be all shivery gloom.

Skiing and snowboarding are one of the best aspects of the winter months, and the West Coast, including the coastal areas, has numerous world-class resorts to choose from.

There’s something to be said about the magical feeling you get when you look outside and everything is coated in fluffy white snow. To the people who live in ski resort towns, it’s just another wintery day, but to those who come from warmer climates, it’s a winter wonderland! 

Ski towns in America tend to have good beer, but Vermont might be the state to pair powder and brews best. The Green Mountain State has more than 60 operating breweries and approximately two dozen ski areas — the most per capita for each category.

This winter, large ski resorts owned by parent companies have been uber crowded. Because Vail resorts decided to decrease their season pass price by 20%, people from across the world flocked to the mountains. According to Vail Resorts’ annual report, the company sold 67% more epic passes in 2021 compared to 2020. 

I was about halfway up Loon Mountain, hanging from a cable 50 feet in the air, when I realized I was locked in.

If the phrase "off-the-beaten-track" appeals, then it's time to pack up the fatboys and long boards and head into the Colorado hinterlands.

For years the mantra of the ski industry has been “bigger is better.”

Getting kids on skis;as early as possible can be rewarding for a lifetime of skiing. But planning a ski trip — especially with kids in tow — isn’t as easy as just picking up and going. Instead of just “following the snow,” you’ll want to pick a ski mountain that truly caters to kids — one that offers top-notch ski lessons, kid-friendly trails and many off-the-snow activities as well.

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 shortage to investing in renewable energy. With the proper precautions, there are more reasons than ever to hit the slopes this season.

The top New England ski towns are the topic of annual debate, but which are the top towns for cross country skiing? Some of the favorite New England towns and areas to go on a cross country (XC) ski vacation include Stowe and Woodstock in Vermont, the Mt. Washington Valley in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and Bethel in Maine. Here are more details from XCSkiResorts.com about XC skiing at these fabulous New England ski towns:

Not to detract from the bigger chain-owned ski resorts that populate New England’s winter playgrounds now. Indeed, without that big money input, the snow sports industry here couldn’t survive the enticement to visit snowy terrain to the west and north of us.

No matter how much you hate the snow, you’ve got to admit that New England knows a thing or two about picturesque ski towns. Whether you’re planning on shredding some pow, cruising the bunny slopes, or just sipping hot drinks in a lodge, here are some of New England’s best ski towns.

In first grade at St. Pius X School, Sister Thomas gave my class a free period each week to reflect upon our sins. Inspired by a library book about sea animals, I sometimes spent it daydreaming about riding a walrus, which I admired for its immensity and the fact it could swim faster than cars were allowed to drive in my neighborhood. It conjured a feeling that was equal parts ponderous and agile; atop a walrus, I would be nimble among obstacles, yet able to plow through anything unavoidable.

Winter has rolled around again, and if you’re into outdoor sports, you might be looking for the best ski resorts in New York. The good news? There are plenty of amazing ski resorts in New York to choose from!

It takes more than good terrain to be a truly great ski town. When you're walking in ski boots and lugging your equipment around, a town that sits at the base of the ski area or has a great bus system will make all the difference.