It's that time of year again: dig out your old snowsuit, find the warmest beanie your nanna ever knitted and throw your skis in the trunk, because you're heading for the slopes! But how on earth are you supposed to decide where to go? America is a land of glittering, snow-capped peaks; powder to die for and endless networks of ski runs. Here are three destinations you will absolutely love.
Vail, Colorado
Vail's slogan, "Like nothing on earth," is a pretty accurate description of this stunning ski resort. With 5,289 acres and three hundred sunny days per year, Vail is where snow bunnies and skiing fanatics dream of going when they die.
Home to 193 trails, Vail offers some immensely various terrain. Advanced skiers make the pilgrimage there to test out their skills on the resort's famous Back Bowls, which comprise 2,734 acres of wide open country.
Opened in December 2000, Blue Ski Basin, Vail's latest addition, offers 645 acres of challenging and picturesque back country. Skiers can take on steeps and glades in an exciting experience of wilderness skiing. If cruising is more your style, you can spend hours gliding down Vail's long, gentle runs.
Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado
One lift ticket gives you access to the four glorious mountain peaks that make up the resort of Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado - Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass. Combined, they encompass over 5,300 acres of terrain. Transworld Snowboarding Magazine Reader's Poll voted Aspen/Snowmass Number One for Top Resort in 2011.
Aspen/Snowmass has the scope and variety to cater for everyone. At Buttermilk, beginners can find their feet on mellow, wide-open trails, while professionals can challenge themselves on the famous 22-foot Superpipe. Aspen Mountain, with its renowned black-diamond runs, is another favorite of experienced skiers and snowboarders. Snowmass, at a height of 4,406 feet, has pretty much everything - the excitement of steeps, glades, half-pipes and terrain parks, as well as long, sweeping runs. Finally, immerse yourself in the enchanting panoramic views and challenging big mountain skiing of Aspen Highlands.
After a big day of adventure on the snow, you can eat, drink, dance, socialize and relax in one of Aspen's many restaurants, cafes and bars.
Mammoth Mountain, California
The clear blue skies and golden sunshine that draw lovers of sun and surf to the West Coast extend their blessing to the skiers and snowboarders of Mammoth Mountain. Like Vail, Mammoth soaks in at least three hundred days of sunshine per year.
Mammoth Mountain is California's highest ski resort, at 11,053 feet, and offers one of North America's most lengthy seasons, usually opening in November and closing in June. 1994 was witness to an incredible ten-month-long season.
Mammoth Mountain's 3,500 acres include eight terrain parks, the most famous of which is Unbound Main Park, popular with those into their extreme skiing and snowboarding. SuperDuper pipe, at 22 feet, and Super Pipe, at 18 feet, are two of Mammoth's other major draw cards.
Apart from that, you can also choose from an impressive selection of challenging mogul runs, chutes, glades, steeps and gentle, sweeping slopes.
If you are a child aged 6 or under, or a senior aged 80 or over, you can ski the entire resort for free!