RoryUSA at Breckenridge

If ski season is your favorite time of year, than keep a close eye on this week’s Editor’s Picks - we’ll be featuring top places to ski and snowboard across the United States and beyond. And if you’d rather curl up by the fire at a resort and relax, we’ll showcase a range of winter retreats that will have you packing your mittens in no time!

California’s Lake Tahoe

Weekend warriors from the San Francisco Bay area aren’t the only ones who know about Lake Tahoe’s many resorts - in the winter, many people fly in for week long vacations at Squaw Valley, Heavenly, North Star and more. As home to two Winter Olympics, Squaw Vally has restaurants, shops, ice skating, snow tubing along with great beginner ski slopes and classes. Many accommodations have hot tubs and saunas that you’ll appreciate after a day on the slopes. At Heavenly in South Lake Tahoe, you’ll find more budget hotels, restaurants and nightlife than near other ski areas, including casinos right over the Nevada border.

Check out different terrain by heading to Kirkwood, Alpine, and Homewood - these smaller resorts tend to be less crowded but just as challenging and beautiful with great views. Kirkwood tends to get deeper snowfalls each year - take the lift up to the top of “The Wall” for an adrenaline rush down a steep run. The lift may be slow at Homewood, but you’ll get great views of Lake Tahoe as you go.

For some alternatives to Tahoe, check out Mammoth Mountain, located east of Yosemite National Park, and Mt. Shasta, located less than 5 hours drive north from San Francisco.

Most resorts are opening up in late November depending on the snow. For more ideas, visit:
Take Tahoe Visitors Center
California Ski Resorts
California Travel Guide

Colorado

Colorado’s legendary ski conditions are hard to resist - light, airy powder makes skiing and snowboarding a dream. With so many great resorts, it’s hard to know where to go. Here are just a few popular places to choose from:

With excellent cuisine, luxurious accommodations and an gorgeous setting, Aspen makes for a great winter retreat. This playground of the stars has a few resorts to choose from, including Snowmass and Aspen Ski Resort. Head to Vale and Beaver Creek for more epic ski conditions, condos, and cabins along with restaurants and activities for the whole family. Winter Park Resort boasts the highest peak in Colorado - with a cozy small town setting, this ski area makes for a relaxing winter escape.

Many resorts are opening up this week! For more great Colorado winter getaway destinations visit:

Colorado Ski Resorts
Brekenridge Ski Resort