By Neil English
60,000 British skiers cross the Atlantic in search of snow thrills in the US and Canada each year - maybe it's time you joined them?
In general terms ski lifts are faster, newer and more efficient in North America
than in Europe. But certain resorts in the U.S particularly, like Aspen
in Colorado and Park
City in Utah, set themselves
apart with creature comforts like heated chairlift seats (not all), complimentary,
warm apple cider on the slopes, boxes of tissues, lift maps and genuine, smiling
greetings from staff manning the lift queue, who charmingly ensure every chair
goes up full to capacity, thus minimising waiting time.
Though North America is also known for generous sized hotel and condominium
bedrooms, compared to European equivalents, it is also known for its superior
snow. Despite climate change, Colorado,
California and Utah (the latter enjoying the lightest quality snow), have the
best, consistent, snow records in America.
Whether you choose Squaw
Valley at the northern end of the beautiful lake or Heavenly at the southern
lake shore edge, as your permanent base, there are great options to explore
other close-by resorts on day visits by car, as well as enjoying the slopes
on your doorstep. Once you've had your fill of the amazing lake views from the
new gondola at Heavenly and its fine ski slopes, the best day trips are to Sierra-at-Tahoe
and Kirkwood.
From the steeps of Squaw Valley, where the generic skiing attitude errs on the side of hard core piste pounding all day long, you can opt for more relaxing ski days out at Alpine Meadows and Northstar, both of which enjoy a loyal following in their own right. Multiple, discounted, resort lift passes are available in both cases.
Oddly, snow is more guaranteed in the east than the west, though both normally get ample. The smaller resorts like Tremblant in Canada, North Conway and Loon Mountain in New Hampshire or Stowe and Killington in Vermont, have some of the best artificial snow making facilities in the world too, so you always have snow cover - right through to the end of April. The runs are also not so long - or for beginners as tiring - as they can be in the west, which is why high quality ski schools have emerged to maximise the potential of these easier learning surroundings.
Whistler,
near Vancouver, and Lake
Louise in Alberta, offer some of the greatest Canadian Rocky mountain scenery
- vast peaks, tranquil lakes, shimmering glaciers and at night the a huge canopy
of stars in the skies. Off-piste opportunities are fabulous in both cases but
on-piste, the quality of the snow grooming machines and their skilful operators,
makes for a surface as immaculate and true as the putting greens on a competition
golf course. This ensures ego -enhancing turns and improved skiing by end of
holiday!
Fernie, in British Columbia, is more of a cult resort for backcountry enthusiasts, who flock from all around B.C and Alberta to be challenged by the unruly peaks and the mass of gnarly steeps, left ungroomed for freeride skiers and snowboarders. Scenery is still magnificent but strong intermediates and upwards to exert level, are best rewarded here
If hitting the slopes in North America seems like the perfect
winter ski holiday for you, check out the latest VHOT
ski deals.
Neil English is a freelance travel journalist who specialises in skiing. He regularly writes for the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday.