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Where To Go For The Ultimate Snow Sports Vacation This Winter

published on September 30, 2022 by

Discover RedWeek’s best by-owner ski resort vacation rentals. Our extensive inventory can take you from coast to coast, from mountain to mountain, all winter long. 

Rocky Mountain Luxury: Aspen, Colorado

The Destination: You have a lot of options when it comes to snow sports in Colorado, from the legendary slopes of Vail and Beaver Creek to the backcountry offerings in Rocky Mountain National Park. But if you want to add a dose of pure luxury to your winter getaway, Aspen is hard to beat. It’s a place where the skiing and snowboarding is matched by cultural and culinary scenes that can stand up with any major urban destination. You’ll hit the fresh powder all day long, and then rub elbows with the jet set in the glamorous downtown at night. 

Check out RedWeek’s Aspen travel guide. 

Snow Sports Experiences: You’ll find four unique ski resorts here: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass. Aspen Mountain is the most easily accessible, looming high above downtown, making Aspen’s exciting après ski scene just moments away at all times. If you’re a beginner, however, Buttermilk is your best bet, with mellow runs and not as many crowds. 

Where To Stay: The Aspen Mountain Residencies

The Greatest Snow On Earth: Park City, Utah

The Destination: The “greatest snow on earth” isn’t just great. It’s also easy to get to. Park City, Utah, is just a short drive from Salt Lake City International Airport, ensuring that you’ll be hitting the slopes in no time. Beyond the incredible snow sports offerings, the destination offers a festive vibe throughout ski season. The Historic Main Street is always action-packed, featuring hundreds of restaurants, boutiques, breweries and more. And don’t miss the chance to visit Utah Olympic Park is a high-tech winter sports venue where you can learn all about the excitement of the Winter Olympics, which were held in Utah back in 2002. 

Check out RedWeek’s Park City travel guide. 

Snow Sports Experiences: Park City Mountain Resort is extensive, to say the least, with 7,300 acres, 330 trails, 43 lifts and six terrain parks. Even better, the mountain is just steps from Park Main Street, offering easy ski-in, ski-out access. Another great option is the ski-only Deer Valley Resort, with more than 2,000 acres of expansive terrain. 

Where To Stay: Marriott’s MountainSide at Park City

Golden State Adventure: Lake Tahoe, California

The Destination: You might think of California as the land of sand and sun. But when winter rolls around each year, snow sports enthusiasts flock to Lake Tahoe, located on the border of California and Nevada. The aptly named Heavenly Village is a vibrant Alpine-style spot, with an array of boutiques, craft beer taphouses with apres-ski happy hours, a movie theater, and an ice-skating rink. If you’re looking for a lively celebration to plan your vacation around, Tahoe’s annual SnowFest (Feb. 29-March 10, 2024) features 10 days of polar bear plunges, fireworks displays, a festive parade and great local food & drink. 

Check out RedWeek’s Lake Tahoe travel guide. 

Snow Sports Experiences: Heavenly Mountain is a powdery playground with 97 runs and 30 lifts, offering everything from mellow, wide-open cruisers to intense 1,600-foot chutes. Meanwhile, Northstar features family learning zones that will get everyone in your crew out on the slopes. 

Where To Stay: Marriott’s Timber Lodge Tahoe

Family Friendly Slopes: Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont

The Destination: The east coast has its own fair share of great hidden gem ski mountains — smaller than the destinations we’ve mentioned above, but with plenty of charm. Located in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains (a short drive from Burlington), Smugglers’ Notch is often named as the #1 family resort in the U.S., with unspoiled natural scenery and beginner-friendly slopes. At the base of the mountain, Jeffersonville offer farm-to-table dining, nostalgic taverns and plenty of maple syrup vendors. 

Snow Sports Experiences: Smugglers’ Notch is home to three mountains and 78 trails — all adding up to more than 1,000 acres of terrain for all abilities. Morse Mountain’s gentle runs are great for newbies, while those with a taste for adventure can try Madonna Mountain’s double and triple black diamond Fab Five trails.

Where To Stay: Smugglers’ Notch Resort

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