| Peak Experiences: Winter Resort Update |
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Planning your winter ski or snowboard
vacation? Here's what's happening at winter resorts around the United
States and Canada...
Big Mountain, Montana
Big Mountain offers big-time skiing (3,000 acres,
11 lifts and a vertical drop of 2,500 feet)-but no lift lines, no
attitude, no crowds. The area is famous for its "snow ghosts"-blankets
of snow that cover the alpine firs. Opening this year: a $10-million
day lodge that houses the snow sports school, kids' center and day
care facility, rental shop, cafeteria, and additional services.
Other improvements include a new beginner skiing area and chairlift,
new super pipe, and expanded night skiing (800-858-3930; www.bigmtn.com).
Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
"Taos is a four-letter word for steep," insiders
like to say, noting that more than half the 110 runs are rated expert.
The mountain is owned and operated by the second- and third-generation
descendants of Ernie Blake, who founded the ski mountain along with
his wife Rhoda in 1955. While the slopes are steep, the prices aren't.
During the Super Discount Season Sale (November 23 through December
15, 2006) guests receive 50 percent or more off on lift tickets,
ski school, equipment rentals, and lodging at participating properties
(800-347-7414; www.skitaos.org).
Mont Tremblant, Quebec
The highest peak (2,871 feet) in the Laurentian range,
Tremblant boasts European charm combined with North American comforts.
This year the mountain has added two new off-piste pastimes. Helicopter
tours deposit guests on a mountaintop for a romantic meal at a restaurant.
On the Acrobranche zip line adventure participants swoop through
the treetops-nighttime sessions are available too (866-356-2233;
www.tremblant.ca).
Powder Mountain, Utah
How can a ski area so big be so unknown? Spread
across three mountains, Powder Mountain offers 5,500 acres of skiable
terrain, making it the largest ski area in the country. Snowfall
averages 500 inches annually. Located near the Ogden Valley, the
mountain is a 45-minute drive from Salt Lake City and the Park City
ski resorts. New for this season, a high-speed detachable quad-Hidden
Lake Express-will replace the slow, 30-year-old double chair, cutting
travel time in half (801-745-3772; www.powdermountain.com).
Big White, British Columbia
Living up to its name, the mountain offers 118 runs,
five powder bowls, and over 24 feet of dry, light snow each year.
With its open trees and steep-but-not-plunging pitch, Sun Rype Bowl
makes a perfect place to learn tree skiing. This year the mountain
has added Snow Ghost Express, Canada's longest six-person chairlift.
Six runs added last season at Gem Lake and the Cliff Chair access
many untouched powder stashes (800-663-2772; www.bigwhite.com).
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