We asked our HomeExchange members their favorite ski destinations in North America. Here were the most popular responses! All these spots have great home exchange options, so you can have affordable accommodations on your dream ski vacation.
Jackson Hole Ski Resort – Wyoming, USA
For epic skiing and an authentic mountain town experience, it’s hard to beat Jackson Hole. Ready to test your skills on the steep and deep? Try Corbet’s Couloir, called America’s scariest ski slope, with a 20-foot free fall to enter the chute. If that’s not your cup of tea, though, fear not. There are 1,250 acres of beginner and intermediate slopes, more terrain than many smaller mountains’ total offerings.
The resort is just 12 miles from the town of Jackson, where the Wild West and the 21st century meet. Rub elbows with local cowboys and celebrities alike at the aptly named ‘The Local.’
Heavenly – South Lake Tahoe, California, USA
Straddling the California-Nevada border, Vail’s recent purchase is enormous, offering 4,800 acres of skiable terrain. Cruise down Heavenly’s Ridge Run, with Lake Tahoe extending before you, and you might lose yourself in reverie. Taking a day off from the mountain? Lake Tahoe is an outdoor playground, offering year-round activities for all ages.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort – British Columbia, Canada
Revelstoke certainly earns its name! “Revy” offers access to the most terrain of any resort in North America. Inbounds covers 3,100 acres, with the most vertical in North America and an average snowfall measured in feet, not inches. Want premier access to the backcountry? The resort now offers cat-, sled- and heli-skiing, with access to 500,000 acres of untracked terrain. Yes, you read that right: 500,000 acres!
The closest public airport is not that close, located two hours away in Kelowna. But with world-class skiing and great pubs (try the Village Idiot or the Last Drop), you never need to leave. Get stoked!
Stowe Mountain Resort – Lamoille County, Vermont, USA
Situated on the eastern face of Mt. Mansfield, Stowe is the “ski capital of the East,” offering excellent and varied terrain on Vermont’s highest peak. Although lift tickets are expensive, if you’re between 19 and 34, Stowe is offering hefty discounts on its season passes this year (2016-2017).
You’ll feel right at home in one of the most picturesque towns in the northeast with a wide variety of food, lodging and nightlife choices, all with that classic Vermont charm.
Taos Ski Valley – New Mexico, USA
Three hundred days of sunshine and some of the lightest powder in the lower 48 states make Taos a favorite for many. Taos lift lines are short, while the skiing options range from gentle slopes to extreme chutes. On a powder day, look for freshies in the Lorelei glades.
In town, mingle with down-to-earth locals and peruse beautiful southwestern crafts for sale. For a tasty afternoon brew, try the Taos Ale House.
Mont-Sainte-Anne – Quebec, Canada
Located just 30 minutes from Quebec City, Mont-Sainte-Anne has it all: downhill, cross-country, snowshoeing and more. Ski down 2,050 feet of vertical drop on 71 trails. Explore 124 miles of forested cross-country trails, with 118 miles groomed for skate skiing. Or strap on your skins and climb the mountain on two dedicated alpine touring trails. But that’s not all! Dogsledding, fatbiking, ice canyoning and more make this a winter paradise.
Steamboat Springs – Colorado, USA
Steamboat doesn’t boast the technical terrain of some of its Colorado neighbors, but its tree skiing is unparalleled. Triangle 3, Shadows and Fletcher Glades are among the best tree runs in the country. If you’re lucky enough to be there on a powder day, make tracks for Morningside Park.
Named after a babbling brook, Steamboat has two luxurious hot springs for some après ski relaxation. Plus, with a growing farm-to-table scene, gourmet cuisine has arrived. Try E3 Chophouse, or Aurum.
Big White – British Columbia, Canada
Close to the Kelowna airport is Big White, a family-friendly, intermediate mountain. BW’s motto is “It’s the snow,” and it proves it with an annual snowfall of 295 inches of fresh, feathery powder. Be on the lookout for “snow ghosts” – snow-covered trees that loom as haunting specters. Activities abound for all family members: snowshoeing, tubing, skating, snowmobiling, sleigh-riding and more.
Le Massif de Charlevoix – Quebec, Canada
With a vertical drop of 2,526 feet, the steep slopes of le Massif feel like a drop straight into the St. Lawrence River below. Make turns on the wide-open groomers or venture off-piste into “les bosses” (the French Canadian term for moguls). And look out for the Canadian national ski team; le Massif is their training hill.
Take a midday break at the gourmet cafeteria. If some members of your group aren’t skiers, take them to the sled run; you can fly down 7.5km of trails on authentic wooden sleds.
Banff-Sunshine Village – Alberta, Canada
Although some may consider the name ironic, with clouds often darkening the sky, others revel in the excellent snow conditions those clouds provide! With 35 feet of snow per year, the hill stays open from mid-November to mid-May. Banff-Sunshine has something for everyone, with a wide variety of terrain. For those looking for a challenge, head toward Goats Eye Mountain to find steeps, bumps and glades.
