USA
The USA is renowned for having all things big and ostentatious, and the US ski resorts are no exception. Many of the USA ski resorts are mega-large and have over 1,000 hectares of skiing terrain. The associated profile of many of the US ski resorts is also large such that they have become household names in the skiing industry. Who hasn’t heard of Vail ski resort, Aspen, Snowbird or Deer Valley?
There are many benefits to snowboarding or skiing in USA. Outstanding lift systems such that there are negligible lift lines, high annual snowfalls, fantastic facilities, and the classic high standards of US hospitality – why wouldn’t you want to ski in America?
US Ski Resorts
USA ski resorts are dotted across many of the states.
Colorado skiing is probably the most well known with 27 resorts scattered across the Rocky Mountains. Examples of Colorado ski resorts include
Breckenridge, Aspen,
Telluride and Vail, and the family-friendly resorts of Keystone and Winter Park.
The
Utah ski resorts are great with many located close to Salt Lake City including
The Canyons,
Park City,
Deer Valley and the famous
Snowbird ski resort. Skiing in Utah is particularly well suited to powder hounds because the powder is light and fluffy, and the snow falls in abundance.
Or you can
ski California at well known resorts such as
Heavenly,
Squaw Valley and
Mammoth Mountain.
Northern ski states include Idaho, Washington, Montana and Wyoming. Expert skiers should head to
Jackson Hole in Wyoming. This challenging mountain is on steroids.
Although many of the US ski resorts are in the west, there are also lots of ski areas in the Eastern United States (e.g. Killington and Sugarloaf). Due to perceptions regarding inferior snow conditions, these Eastern ski resorts aren’t commonly visited by international visitors.
There are also
Alaska ski resorts, but many people only tend to visit these if they (or their partner) are also there to go heli skiing. Examples include
Alyeska near Anchorage, or Mt Eyak in Cordova.
US Heli Skiing and Cat Skiing
If you’ve had your fix at the US ski resorts and want to revel in the backcountry,
helicopter skiing and
cat skiing are a superb way to ski or board fresh powder without having to “earn your turns”.
Alaska heli skiing is world renowned. Alaska has a high concentration of heli-ski operations, particularly around the Chugach Range near Girdwood, Valdez and Cordova. Most heli skiing packages are multi-day, and they generally cater to experts who make the most of the steep slopes that can be tackled due to the relatively stable maritime snowpack. In the lower 48 states, there are only seven helicopter skiing companies. See our
US heli skiing overview for more information.
There are plenty of
Colorado cat skiing opportunities, and at least eight other states also offer snowcat skiing. Many of the US cat skiing companies are located next to or close to ski resorts, so they’re easy to get to. See our
USA cat skiing overview for more information.
Snow for Powder Hounds
Powderhounds will not be disappointed with the amount of snowfall in the United States. When it comes to the statistic of average annual snowfall, 12 US ski resorts sit in the top 20 in the world. The abundant snowfall is partly due to the north-south orientation of some of the mountain ranges. Aleyska receives a whopping 18.3 metres (720 inches) of average snowfall per year. Kirkwood in California has a stat of 15.2 metres, and there are various
Utah ski resorts that receive 12.7 metres (500 inches) annually. The stats alone are enough to get a powderhound drooling! See the
skiing USA comparison page for more information.
More Reasons to Ski USA
Other than just skiing and snowboarding, ski holidays USA can also provide a myriad of other winter activities for entertainment during the day and après ski. Another benefit is the caliber of shopping opportunities on offer at many of the USA ski resorts. Get that Amex card primed!
You can ski USA and enjoy the great skiing and snowboarding across a huge variety of terrain. Many of the US ski resorts are really large, so you won’t get bored with the skiing. Thankfully the resorts are big, because you’ll need to ski or snowboard hard to work off all the calories from the generous American portions of food that may be served up to you! Enjoy!
USA Ski Tours
Safari (Road Trip) Tours
GUIDED PROGRESSION SAFARI
12 Days | 11 Nights | 9 Skiing | 4 Resorts
From price based on twin/double-share room occupancy.
Base/invoice currency is in USD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 4,098
Book & pay deposit by Sept 30, 2016 and get US$300 off displayed price.
Book & pay deposit by Sept 30, 2016 and get US$300 off displayed price.
Ability: Intermediate, Strong Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Tour to the Wild West in the USA Wyoming & Montana) and ski 4 of the best steep & deep destinations in America including Jackson Hole, Grand Targhee, Moonlight Basin and Big Sky.
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GUIDED PROGRESSION SAFARI
11 Days | 10 Nights | 8 Skiing | 4 Resorts
From price based on twin/double-share room occupancy.
Base/invoice currency is in USD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 3,898
Ability: Advanced, Expert
Get off the beaten path in South West Colorado away from the crowds where you can have the powder all to yourself. Resorts visited include Telluride, Crested Butte, Silverton & Monarch Mountain.
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GUIDED PROGRESSION SAFARI
12 Days | 11 Nights | 9 Skiing | 5 Resorts
From price based on twin/double-share.
Base/invoice currency is in USD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 4,098
Book & pay deposit by Sept 30, 2016 and get US$300 off displayed price.
Book & pay deposit by Sept 30, 2016 and get US$300 off displayed price.
Ability: Intermediate, Strong Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Come and experience true blower powder snow at Utah's top ski areas. Resorts visited include Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, Snow Basin & Powder Mountain.
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See all Safari (Road Trip) tours that visit USA here
Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area Tours
HOSTED INSTRUCTIONAL PACKAGE
11 Days | 10 Nights | 9 Skiing Days | 4 Resorts
From price based on twin/double-share room occupancy.
Base/invoice currency is in AUD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 4,172
Book & pay deposit by May 13, 2016 and get 9% off displayed price.
Ability: Beginner, Intermediate, Strong Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Get the best out of Aspen and improve your skiing with a company that has been giving people the time of their lives since 1995. Resorts including Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass.
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HOSTED INSTRUCTIONAL PACKAGE
16 Days | 15 Nights | 14 Skiing Days | 4 Resorts
From price based on twin/double-share room occupancy.
Base/invoice currency is in AUD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 5,692
Book & pay deposit by May 13, 2016 and get 9.4% off displayed price.
Ability: Beginner, Intermediate, Strong Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Get the best out of Aspen and improve your skiing with a company that has been giving people the time of their lives since 1995. Resorts including Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass.
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HOSTED INSTRUCTIONAL PACKAGE
21 Days | 20 Nights | 19 Skiing Days | 4 Resorts
From price based on twin/double-share room occupancy.
Base/invoice currency is in AUD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 7,896
Book & pay deposit by May 13, 2016 and get 9.6% off displayed price.
Ability: Beginner, Intermediate, Strong Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Get the best out of Aspen and improve your skiing with a company that has been giving people the time of their lives since 1995. Resorts including Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass.
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See all Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area tours that visit USA here
Heli Skiing Tours
MIXED GROUP HELI PACKAGES | VALDEZ
7 nights, includes 36 runs (30 guaranteed)
From price based on 7-day mixed group heli skiing packages.
Base/invoice currency is in USD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 11,076
Ability: Strong Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Whether you are a solo or have a small group, join Valdez Heli Guides in the adventure of a lifetime! Standard packages are 7 days (running from Sat to Sat each week from late Feb) plus 3, 4 & 5 day packages are possible subject to availability.
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MIXED GROUP HELI WEEKS | CORDOVA
Includes 4 hours heli time (approx 24-30 runs)
From price based on twin/double-share room (per person).
Base/invoice currency is in USD ex taxes & gartuities.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 5,875
Ability: Strong Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Join Points North Heli Ski for an adventure of a lifetime in the epic Chugach range near Cordova. The week-long-package runs from Saturday to Saturday from mid Feb to late April. Packages are all inclusive with 4 hours of heli-time, exclusive lodging, all (chef prepared) meals, avo safety gear & more
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MIXED GROUP HELI PACKAGES | VALDEZ
7 nights, 5 hours heli time (approx 40 runs)
From price based on 7 night package in twin/double-share room.
Base/invoice currency is in USD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 9,600
Ability: Strong Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Blacks Ops Valdez offer multi-day packages as either 3, 5, or 7 nights. the 7-night packages start on Sunday's whereas the 3 & 5 night packages can start on other days of the week subject to availability. All packages come with deluxe lodging, gourmet meals & hobbs flight-time (to ensure you get maximum value).
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See all Heli Skiing tours that visit USA here
Cat Skiing Tours
SILVERTON POWDERCATS DAY CAT SKIING
Cat Skiing in the heart of the San Juans
From price based on single cat skiing day per person.
Base/invoice currency is in USD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 400
Ability: Strong Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
In close proximity to other ski areas and really close to Silverton Mountain, Silverton Powdercats provides the opportunity to combine some lift accessed skiing with cat skiing.
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DAY SNOWCAT SKIING & BOARDING ASPEN
Ski the backside of Aspen
From price based on single day mixed group cat skiing (2016 rates)
Base/invoice currency is in USD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 449
Ability: Intermediate, Strong Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Escape from the moguls and masses in Aspen this winter with a day or more of cat skiing in Aspen's backcountry. With over 1,200 skiable acres you will be sure to get plenty of fresh tracks. These tours book up early so be sure to secure your spot asap.
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CHICAGO RIDGE CAT SKIING
A great day-trip from Vail & surrounding resorts
From price based on per person single-day.
Base/invoice currency is in USD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 349
Ability: Intermediate, Strong Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Chicago Ridge offers an opportunity to get away from the flurry of activity that is found at nearby high profile ski resorts such as Vail, Keystone and Breckenridge. Day tours run from 8:30am to 4pm and include lunch & apres..
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See all Cat Skiing tours that visit USA here