Aspen Ski Vacations
March 19, 2009 by VacationGuru
Filed under Ski Vacations, Vacation Travel
Although Aspen, CO has had a reputation as the playground of the rich and famous, it’s also a lovely place to take a family vacation.
The elevation of Aspen Mountain rises to 11,215 feet with a vertical drop of 3,269 feet. The 76 winding around the mountain are suitable for beginners, as well as intermediates and experts, and are accessible by eight lifts: seven chair lifts and one cable car line. Unfortunately, Aspen is a popular ski resort so expect crowds and lift lines.
Aspen Mountain has a lot for skiers but there’s also an active nightlife and many people vacation in Aspen for just that reason. There are over 100 restaurants of every kind as well as nightclubs and numerous places to stay. You can also rent equipment and take skiing lessons. Aspen also welcomes snowboarders.
Big Sky, Montana
Big Sky Ski Resort in Big Sky MT, is as different from Aspen as well…the people who frequent it. The skiers who choose Big Sky are there to make use of the open spaces and short lift lines that Big Sky is known for. There are a minimal amount of beginner slopes – the majority of slopes are geared toward intermediate and expert skiers – as well it should. Big Sky Ski Resort has a 4,350 lift drop, one of the largest lift served vertical drops in the U.S. The resort has over 5,300 acres of slopes and trails and 33 feet of snowfall per year.
With a top elevation of 11,154 feet, Big Sky Resort has 23 lifts, 220 trails and 2 cable car lines.
Even if Big Sky isn’t as popular as other well known places such as Aspen, there are still many accommodations depending on your budget. You can stay in the Big Sky Resorts Mountain Village or travel out to stay in more cost-friendly accommodations. The village also offers sleigh ride dinners, ice skating, snowmobiling and other events. The locals are friendly and welcoming making Big Sky, Montana one of the highest rated Ski Resorts in the United States. With all that Big Sky, Montana has to offer, it is amazing that so few now about its existence because truly, there is something at Big Sky for everyone.
Durango Mountain Resort Ski Vacations
Smaller by ½ than either Big Sky, and boasting many fewer trails, Durango Mountain Ski Resort still has much to offer all levels of skiers. Crowds at Durango are small and lift lines are non-existent – in fact, Durango claims that during operation hours, there are only approximately two people per acre.
With a top elevation of 10,822 feet and a vertical drop of 2,030 feet, Durango Mountain has 11 lifts – with 9 chair and 2 surface lines.
Skiers can find accommodations either at the resort on in the nearby town of Durango. If you plan on staying at the resort, make sure that you visit the town because, although it is small, there are a wide variety of activities.
If you need to rent equipment, it’s available for both skiing and snowboarding and private and group lessons are also available.
So if you are searching for a low key, stress and crowd free skiing vacation, consider Durango Mountain, Colorado.
