Snow Skiing Online

Crystal Ridge, a blue ski run at Diamond Peak, offers spectacular views of Lake Tahoe.                            Photo: Diamond Peak/Robyn Scarton The views of Lake Tahoe should put Crystal Ridge at Diamond Peak ski area in any discussion of the most scenic ski runs in the country. Located on the northeast corner of the lake in Incline Village, Nev., Diamond Peak lives up to its name as a jewel for beginners and families. “We’ve just been coming here for years. We love the mountain. The price is right and no one is on the slopes, love that,” said Paula Ashcroft, a visitor from Brentwood, Calif. “You go to Squaw Valley and you’re fighting everyone and here you can ski straight on the lift and we just love it.” Randy Paranick brought his young son, Mason, up from Sacramento, Calif., to teach him to ski. “We chose Diamond Peak, because we ...

Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Sandpoint, Idaho does not have the name recognition factor of a destination like Vail or even Park City. For the skiers who have found this resort in the panhandle of Idaho, Schweitzer’s undiscovered status simply means uncrowded slopes. Not surprisingly, the ski area was picked by Skiing magazine as the “Best Place to Ditch the Crowds.” The 2,900 acres of skiable terrain make Schweitzer the largest resort in Idaho, exceeding better-known Sun Valley by about a third. The summit elevation of a relatively tame 6,400 feet makes Schweitzer a good choice for those susceptible to altitude sickness. From the summit, the ski area provides 2,400 vertical feet of skiing across two main bowls, Schweitzer Bowl and Outback Bowl. The mountain receives an average annual snowfall of 300 inches. Assuming the region’s tendency for foggy conditions does not materialize, the scenic views are definitely a highlight of the Schweitzer experience. The centerpiece of the valle...

The Resort at Squaw Creek features ski-in, ski-out access to California's Squaw Valley USA ski area.                                    Photo: Resort at Squaw Creek Challenging steeps and a local subculture of skiers who have mastered those lines have defined the reputation of Squaw Valley USA for years.  About 2,700 feet in elevation below the chutes of the famed Palisades, however, the Resort at Squaw Creek serves as a luxurious respite from the adrenaline rush on the California slopes.  Located on the far eastern edge of the ski-area layout, the Resort at Squaw Creek has the Squaw Creek triple chairlift very conveniently located outside the back door. While most hotel guests can take advantage of ski-in, ski-out access on this chairlift serving intermediate terrain, absolute beginners would want to take the free shuttle over ...

Resort covers 4,800 acres Overlooking Lake Tahoe, Heavenly Mountain Resort straddles the border of California and Nevada across 4,800 acres within its ski-area permit. Negotiating that huge expanse can be challenging for first-time visitors. Skiers can start at one of four different base areas-- two in each state. The oldest base, the California Lodge, sits below the famous Gunbarrel mogul run. The gondola in Heavenly Village is located a few hundred yards inside California, just a short walk from the "casino corridor" across the border in Nevada. The Boulder Lodge, catering to beginners, and the Stagecoach Lodge are the two options actually in Nevada. Gondola acts as stairway to Heavenly The gondola carries visitors above terrain outside the ski area boundaries from an elevation of 6,255 feet in Heavenly Village to at 9,156 feet. The top of the gondola puts skiers in the midst of trails as blue as the lake itself. For intermediate skiing,...

Particularly for Midwestern families looking for a complete resort experience, Michigan's Boyne Mountain offers a more affordable alternative to flying out West. At just 500 vertical feet, Boyne makes the most of its modest topography. The 2005 opening of the base area's Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa, along with the adjacent Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark, elevated the resort to another level in terms of the guest experience. The hotel's family atmosphere with faux Swiss and Austrian decor has a slight Disney-esque tone. As such, there is a reason why Disney World and Boyne Mountain for that matter are so popular with families. Entertainment and amenities are always close at hand. After a day of skiing, a family can leave their equipment at a free ski check just outside the hotel, change into swimsuits in their room, and never need to go back outside for an indoor waterpark visit. At 88,000-square-feet, Avalanche Bay is the largest indoor waterpark i...