According to a new survey of 802 U.S.-based respondents conducted by SkiDriven.com, the answer is a resounding “no.” Eighty-three percent report that the new, rapid spread of Omicron does not scare them enough to avoid traveling for vacation, with 57% already traveling at least once this winter.

Where to?

Despite their overwhelming willingness to travel for vacation, Americans are still discerning when it comes to their destination. Seventy-nine percent prefer to travel domestically rather than internationally, and only 7% say it “doesn’t matter, I’ll go anywhere.”

The top five U.S. states that vacationers are eyeing this winter are Colorado, California, Florida, Montana, and Georgia. All of those states fall within the bottom half of the country in terms of coronavirus cases per 100,000 people, with the outlier being Florida, which has the nation’s sixth-highest rate of infection.

Vacationers are most comfortable with the beach, a cruise, skiing, partying, or camping (in that order) this winter — with the ongoing popularity of cruises defying the mounting criticism of that industry over COVID-19 concerns.

Mode of transportation also plays a significant role in where Americans will choose to take vacation. Sixty-eight percent prefer to travel by car, compared to only 20% by plane.

The vaccination and testing factors

The issue of vaccination is weighing heavily in vacationers’ decisions this winter, with 71% stating that they would feel more comfortable in a resort or other venue where there is a vaccine mandate in place or high vaccination rates.

Meanwhile, 83% say that testing quarantine requirements are deterring them from traveling internationally.

How it compares to last year?

Last winter, SkiDriven.com also surveyed U.S. respondent’s willingness to travel — again at a time of rising COVID-19 cases. Similarly, the overwhelming majority (72%) still planned on traveling, albeit at lower rate when compared to this winter. Back then, 91% were more likely to travel domestically than internationally, which also shows a greater comfort in travel aboard this winter.

Where in the U.S. vacationers are likely to travel to this year compared to last also depicts a greater comfort amid the pandemic, with Vermont, Oregon, Maine, Wyoming, and Colorado making up the top 5 last winter — all with some of the lowest rates of COVID-19 deaths in the country at the time.

What about skiing?

The conditions of the pandemic provide a leg up for activities like skiing, as 57% of respondents feel more comfortable with outdoor sports.

Vaccination again comes into play for skiers, as 81% feel more comfortable skiing this year due to the widespread adoption and accessibility of vaccines. At the same time, 59% would still ski at a resort that that didn’t require employees to be vaccinated. Fifty-four percent wouldn’t go inside lodges or rent equipment if people weren’t required to wear masks, 47% would not ride on chairlifts that have no ride limit policy, and 62 percent would stay in a hotel located on a mountain.

For those who’ve already been skiing this season, their biggest complaints about the experience have been severe understaffing, long lift lines, higher prices, mask requirements indoors, and the limited amount of lift tickets.

Ultimately it’s clear that, as was the case during previous years of the pandemic, travel in general and skiing in particular are here to stay.

1. St. Moritz, Switzerland

Skiing doesn’t get much more luxury than it does in this iconic Swiss destination and good news for crypto enthusiasts — and those who have enough of it to spend — they’re now accepting Bitcoin! And actually have been for the past three years..

Guests are able to purchase lift passes with Bitcoin in and around the ski resort. And furthermore, the town has become somewhat of a cryptocurrency leader, hosting events such as the yearly Crypto Finance Conference, an exclusive conference for investors in the heart of the Swiss Alps.

2. Zermatt, Switzerland

Also featured on our best summer ski destinations, Zermatt is one of Europe’s most popular ski destinations. And as of last year, the Swiss ski resort is now accepting tax receipts in Bitcoin, meaning the town “will accept bitcoin as a means of payment for local taxes and official transactions."

What does this mean for crypto owners looking to use their Bitcoin on their ski vacations in Zermatt? Well, actually not a whole lot. But for the town’s 5,400 residents, they are now able to settle bills for taxes and other government services such as work permits, using the cryptocurrency.

3. Laax, Switzerland

Staying in Switzerland, Laax — another renowned Swiss ski destination — has actually issued its own cryptocurrency to encourage skiers to take an ownership stake through digital micro-shares.

Here, skiers are actually rewarded with stakes in the company when they do things like buy season passes, giving customers a share of profits and even a voice on future strategy.

4. Bansko, Bulgaria

In this popular Bulgarian ski destination, Bitcoin can be used to pay for anything from ski equipment hire, to lessons, and lift passes. In fact, you’ll also find multiple Bitcoin ATM machines throughout the resort too allowing you to actually purchase Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in your ski boots. Bansko is certainly one of the most crypto-friendly ski resorts you'll find out there.

5. Aspen, Colorado

Back in 2018, the owners of the ritzy St. Regis Aspen Resort in Colorado began to sell real estate security tokens on a blockchain, following an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign.

These security tokens became known as ‘Aspen Coins,’ before later being dubbed ‘ASPEN’ tokens and now represents as much as $18 million worth of indirect ownership in the St. Regis resort. You'll find the five-star, 179-room hotel listed on security token trading platform, tZERO.

According to the survey of 746 U.S.-based respondents, 72% still plan on traveling in 2020, and 91% are more likely to travel domestically than internationally. The latter finding reflects not only travelers’ preferences, but necessity, given the current bans on American visitors in the European Union and worldwide due to the ongoing surge of coronavirus cases in the U.S.

Of those who prefer to travel domestically, 59% stated that they would not have travelled internationally even in the absence of the COVID-19 crisis. Meanwhile, 64% said COVID-19 has impacted their financial ability to travel in the near future.

What kind of trip?

SkiDriven.com’s data on domestic travel aligns with separate research published in June which found that 46 million Americans plan to take a recreational vehicle (RV) trip in the next 12 months, up from 25 million in 2019.

At the same time, SkiDriven.com’s respondents identified road trips as the most popular holiday option for this winter, exceeded by their interest in skiing, beach/resort and camping trips. The rest of the top 10 holiday preferences including golfing, yoga retreats, backpacking, city breaks, cruises and fishing.

Where to travel?

Where in the U.S. might travelers visit in these times? Vermont, Oregon, Maine, Wyoming, and Colorado were the top five states which respondents named as their most likely destination this winter. Hawaii, Nevada, California, South Carolina, and Utah also made it into the top 10.

In fact, a number of those states have the lowest rates of COVID-19 deaths in the country — particularly Hawaii (only two deaths per 100,000 residents), Wyoming (four per 100,000 residents), Oregon (six per 100,000), Utah (eight per 100,000), Vermont (nine per 100,000), Maine (nine per 100,000). Accordingly, it seems that travelers are likely to research the situation surrounding the virus in any state or region before finalizing their holiday plans.

When to travel?

But how soon might a greater number of Americans actually begin travelling out of town? Only 14% would travel domestically or internationally “right now,” with 41% expressing the willingness to travel as soon as restrictions are eased and 35% saying they would not take the trip until a vaccine is available.

What about skiing?

Regardless of any possible travel plans, 63% of respondents said that skiing is an activity they would consider doing in the age of coronavirus, with 70% naming the ease of social distancing and 19% identifying the outdoor nature of the activity as the reasons why they would be willing to ski.

For those who are deterred from skiing at the moment, 41% cited health concerns.

Ultimately, despite the rise in virus cases amid states’ phased reopening and fears of a “second wave” of COVID-19, Americans are strongly affirming that they are ready to travel again — at least domestically.

1. Winter Park Resort, Colorado

Winter Park is great for beginners because of its family friendly atmosphere and well known ski school. 24% of Winter Park’s slopes are for beginners, so if you’re just starting out you’ll feel right at home. There’s also ample entertainment for young children, such as alpine sliding, bungee jumping, and art fairs. Winter park is proud of its wide groomers and cruisers, so much so that it even displays a map specifically for easy trails on its website. Beginners can rent ski clothing and goggles at a 20% discount when they pre-book their gear and can also rent skis that are tailored to their skill level. Suggested first timer mountains include the Parsenn bowl, which is great for new skiers and advanced athletes. The Parsenn bowl has the best view in the park at 12,060 feet above sea level.

2. Steamboat Resort, Colorado

Steamboat Resort is welcoming and open to all ski levels. 42% of the resort’s runs are intermediate, and its recently redesigned beginner slopes are known for giving new skiers confidence before they try out more challenging trails. Many of Steamboat’s trails are tree liners or moghuls, as opposed to black diamond runs. A suggested trail is the Why Not, which is the resort’s longest beginner trail at 3 miles long. Mini Mav, a super pipe with eight-foot walls, is tailored for easy fun. Not up for skiing? Try out wild west-themed horseback riding or hot springs!

3. Breckenridge Resort, Colorado

With sprawling beginner acres, Breckenridge ski resort is well-tailored to the first-time skier. High speed lifts and supervised ski patrol let any newbie feel comfortable and safe. The QuikSilver Super Six is the USA’s highest capacity chair lift, with double loading technology and a 1,706 meter incline. At Breck, one of the best beginner trails to try out is 4’o o'clock run. Although this trail is 3 miles long and divided into advanced, intermediate, and beginner, the longest part of the trail is gentle, wide, and relaxing. 4 O’clock run even leads straight into the town of Breckenridge!

4. Park City Mountain Resort, Utah

17% of Park City’s trails are designed for beginners and the resort specifically has two ski areas for first time skiers. To reach slow and easy trails, take the First Time Lift or the Payday express. Park City’s Home run trail is 3.5 miles through a scenic tree line, with lots of signs for more experienced skiers to slow down so that the less experienced can take their time. Multiple high speed lifts swing you up the mountain, even coming from attached Canyons Village, so you’ll be on the snow in no time. This is much less stressful if you’re not used to using lifts and getting up a big mountain. If you’re looking for a night on the town, Canyon Village is directly accessible from from Park City Mountain and has plenty of things to do at night, including bobsledding.

5. Beaver Creek Resort, Colorado

Beaver Creek is great for beginners because of its laid back atmosphere. It’s small on the crowds, but big on helping you get acclimated. The resort is known for its world-class ski school. Beaver Creek's signature BEAVO youth skiing program, which runs for twelve sessions, focuses on developing children’s and young adults’ important mountain skills as well as teamwork and inclusivity. A low altitude of 3,000 meters also makes Beaver Creek well-tailored if you’re first starting out. Often, ski novices have difficulty with dehydration and breathing at high altitudes, but at Beaver Creek the inexperienced won’t have to worry.

Bretton Woods is the largest ski resort in New Hampshire, directly across from Mount Washington. The 464 acre resort is covered with an annual snowfall of 200 inches. It is also the most luxury resort in New Hampshire with excellent grooming staff and gorgeous views of its prided mountain. Advanced skiers should explore Mount Stickney, with its Number 5 trail through the narrow tree line. Enchanted Bear is a less intense, more leisurely trail that you can reach by taking the Rosebrook Express Quad. Bretton Woods offers many Alpine and Nordic ski programs for its visitors, including a Junior Instructional Ski Program for 14 and 15-year-olds. Take your teen along and they’ll learn about ski training from the professionals.

2. Loon Lake

2 hours away from Boston Logan Airport, Loon Lake is enveloped by the White Mountain National Forest and has three great mountains to test out. A majority of the resort’s trails, 60%, are intermediate but there is also a good mix of 17% advanced trails and 20% beginner. All skill levels will find something suited to their ability. Double black diamond runs like Ripsaw or Mike’s way will give visitors a run for their money. Mike’s way, weaving through the trees in the forest, includes a 10 inch boulder, which expert skiers will fly on and off at the end of their run. For a less challenging trail, try Brookway, which is meant to be a sweet glide for first time skiers.

3. Mount Sunapee

Mount Sunapee is located in Southern New Hampshire, conveniently close to Interstate 1-91 and I-81. It is home to 66 trails, many of them geared toward beginners. With a 2,743 foot Summit, this family operated resort always emphasizes a fun first atmosphere. Mount Sunapee has great terrain parks, including the Six O’ Three, which has a triple seat lift splitting it into two sections - with lots of rails, boxes and jumps to go around. Easier trails include the two-mile, slow going Ridge Run slope. Plus, Mount Sunapee has lots of summer activities like zip lining and aerial sky rides to keep vacationers happy in the sun.

4. Cranmore Mountain Resort

Cranmore Mountain Resort is found in North Conway Village, right in the middle of the White Mountains, and is much more than a ski resort. With 57 different trails and 10 snow tubing lanes, visitors will never be bored. Cranmore has a storied history as the place where Hans Schneider, the father of modern skiing, opened his ski school. For the ski buffs hoping to cruise down a mountain, we recommend one of the trails on the 1,200 foot SkiMobile Quad, like North Slope or SkiMeister. There are also exciting terrain parks for all levels, including the Upper Double Feature Progression Park, which allows beginners and intermediates to try out jumps and jibs that mimic each other, getting progressively more difficult as you move into the lower park area.

5. Cannon Mountain

In Franconia Notch State Park lies Cannon Mountain and its partner, the 98 acre Mittersill Ski Area. Cannon Mountain has the highest vertical ski drop in all of New Hampshire, at 4,180 feet. Its trails are not too difficult, at 47% intermediate. From Cannon Mountain’s record high summit, visitors get gorgeous views of the White Mountains. Visitors should also try out the first aerial tram in North America, or visit the New England Ski Museum, which is on the same grounds as the ski area. Mittersill ski area offers well loved backcountry skiing with on point snow making. The toughest trail at Cannon Mountain is DJ Tramline, which was originally a direct tram route to reach the top of Cannon. It is steep, rocky and cold, but if you’re looking for a challenge, this is the trail. Children and first time skiers will want to start off at Tuckerbrook Learning Area, This area is designed specifically for new skiers and is easily accessed from the main mountain. Robin’s nest, a trail with just the right amount of trees, allows visitors to try out tree skiing fear free.

It's no surprise that the best places to smoke weed and snow ski are the states where cannabis use has become legal, especially Colorado, who has long been a premier ski destination in the United States. But in 2012, with the legalization of marijuana there as the first US state, not only did it become the dream of every skier everywhere because of its terrain, but also every stoner because you can light up without much hassle.

Furthermore, it's had the desired impact on tourism that you might expect, with skiers from around the world coming to the likes of Colorado, Oregon and California to legally smoke recreational marijuana. Just after legalizing cannabis, Colorado saw a huge 10% year-on-year increase during its 2014-15 winter season.

A disclaimer: we do not condone skiing while stoned (unless you really know what you’re doing). It can certainly be a dangerous activity. In addition, most ski resorts operate on federal land, which means that smoking marijuana while on the mountain is still technically illegal, even if the state has legal marijuana laws.

Check out our 5 best places to smoke and ski:

1. Telluride, Colorado

Telluride looks a little like heaven, and if you’re high enough it just might feel like that as well. What began as a small, old mining town in the 1700’s is now home to world-class restaurants, a nightlife worth checking out, and some of the best skiing in the US. Dispensaries where you can pick up your green are sprinkled throughout the quaint town, like the Telluride Bud Company and the Telluride Green Room. And you don’t have to be an expert skier or boarder. While the mountain gets gnarly at the top, the resort has over 50% beginner and intermediate runs. It was ranked as the #1 Ski Resort in North America in the Conde Nast Readers Choice Awards in 2018. There may be a lot of cool ski towns to smoke, ski, and hang, but Telluride has to be up there in anyone’s book who has visited.

2. Breckenridge, Colorado

We’ll focus on the great ski resort of Brekenridge here, but really a lot of this is relevant to all ski facilities in Summit County, Colorado, that boasts five quality ski resorts in Copper Mountain, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Loveland, and of course ‘Brek’ short for Breckenride. In terms of towns, Breckenridge has the most going on. Once being a mining town, today Brek boasts an impressive scene of eats, drinks, arts, shopping, and charm — and it also has a robust weed culture. There are a handful of top dispensaries located on Airport Rd. We recommend Breckenridge Organic Therapy and the Green Dragon, who both offer nice specials. Oh, and of course we can’t forget to mention how rad the skiing is. The ski resort has a lot of attributes, one worth noting is the 657 acres of snowmaking ability, which means they can pump it out if the conditions call for it. But also 5 six-person lifts and 34 of them in total means you should get your skiing in even on busy days (which there are a lot of). If you’re a boarder or a freestyle skier, this is a nice spot for you with a 22’ superpipe and 4 terrain parks.

3. Mount Bachelor, Oregon

When you talk skiing in Oregon, most people point to Mount Hood and its crazy year-round skiing regardless of season. However, we recommend staying in Bend and drive a half hour to Mount Bachelor. Now the 6th largest ski resort in North America, the mountain has 3,365 ft of vertical, 101 runs and over 4,000 skiable acres. Bend has fast become a trendy city for free thinkers and all-things-conscious people to hang out in, much to the shagrin of long time locals. In any regard, in Bend you can have a fun time and visit over 25 top-notch cannabis dispensaries, then hop in the car for 30 minutes and arrive to Bachelor for some great skiing and nice vertical, while enjoying the laid back atmosphere Oregon has to offer.

4. Tahoe, California

It was only April, 2019 when marijuana became legal for recreational use in Tahoe, so this coming ski season will be the first where you can pop into a dispensary to pick up some weed on your way from the mountain. Now states on both sides of Lake Tahoe (Nevada and California) have legalized marijuana! Some of the most majestic views known to man will transform your thoughts (or maybe it’s the strong Cali weed). Either way, with the recent legalization, natural laid back attitudes, and dispensaries popping up all over, Tahoe now becomes a part of this list given its great skiing and breathtaking beauty.

5. Winter Park, Colorado 

Just over an hour outside of Denver, Winter Park features some really nice skiing conditions spanning over seven different territories (3,081 acres, to be exact). It’s the best skiing you’ll get so close to an international airport (Denver International) and is very friendly to cannabis users. I mean...one of the territories is even called Mary Jane for pete's sake! The Winter Park village is home to multiple 420-friendly hotels where smoking weed is permitted, and loads of dispensaries, especially if you are driving in from Denver. Easily accessible, close to the city, lots of terrain, and weed-friendly hotels...sign me up!

Not listed: Everywhere in Utah

**********UPDATE (MAY, 2021)**********

1. Mount Hermon, Israel

Israel is often known for its pristine Tel Aviv beaches, Jerusalem history and desert heat, but located in its northern Golan Heights region, bordering Lebanon and Syria, is the country’s one and only ski resort. Just a two-hour drive from tanning on a Tel Aviv beach, you can head up to Mount Hermon and be skiing down the resort’s 14 pistes, ranging from green to black, and complete with five chairlifts.

2. Mauna Kea, Hawaii

Skiing in Hawaii? That’s right, Mauna Kea (Hawaiian for 'white mountain') is a 4,205-meter volcanic mountain which might not have lifts or any ski resort facilities, but during December to February receives sizable snowfalls. Those extreme enough to scale one of the highest island mountains in the world are treated to some of the best views a summit can offer. In the absence of a ski lift, you’ll be taking it in turns to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle up and down the mountain, but with a Hawaiian beach as your après-ski reward, it doesn’t get much better than this!

3. Tiffindell, South Africa

Tiffindell is South Africa's only ski and snowboarding resort which is located in the Southern Drakensberg offering a variety of activities. Don’t expect too much snowfall, but nestled in the shadow of Mount Ben McDuie, the location is breathtaking and is rated number 19 on CNN's "Top 100 Ski Runs of the World." It’s also not every day that you can fit a safari and a ski run into the same day.

4. Masikryong, North Korea

Now while we don't recommend picking North Korea as your next ski destination, this luxury resort was in fact developed by leader Kim Jong-un to increase tourism to the country. Developed at a cost of over $35 million and constructed in just ten months, Masikryong includes nine beginner to intermediate level pistes, an on-resort luxury hotel, a swimming pool and an ice-skating rink.

5. Union Glacier, Antarctica

And finally, the ski resort that puts all others to shame! At Union Glacier there no such thing as lifts, lines and overcrowding. It's only accessible by air and you'll take your first steps in Antarctica on a naturally occurring blue-ice runway. Not for the faint-hearted, skiers will traverse miles of rugged, isolated, snow-capped terrain.

GoPro’s newest wearable video camera is waterproof down to 33 feet, and guaranteed fall resistant, so you can drop it in the snow, step on it with your skis or drop it down a 1,000 foot vertical. You’ll still have a camera to record all your master jumps and spins because this device is as tough as they come. Along with its always reliable durability, GoPro has greatly improved the camera’s video quality so that the picture remains stable against high impact movement, like wobbles and sudden jolts. Another addition to the Hero7 is built in voice communication. 16 different voice commands allow the wearer to take photos or videos right in the moment, so you’ll never miss the one great shot. In an upgrade from the Hero 6, now users can live stream their adventures and share them with loved ones! For the same $399 as the Hero6, this gadget is a steal.

Glade Challenger Lenses

Glade Challenger Lenses are ultra-impressive quality at a much lower price than most ski goggles at $80 - $90. All of Glade’s lenses are % 100 anti scratch, anti-fog, and are tailor made for the light you’ll be skiing in. The PhotoChromatic Flux Lenses takes the cake for its innovative riff on a useful product. Glade’s photochromatic goggles adjust to the light balance of your surroundings, doing the job of many googles for one price point. Some of Glade’s other lenses are their polarized silver and orange low-light lenses, which both enhance the contrast of your vision and allow for a clearer picture without any lense pieces blocking your view.

Rossignol and PIQ Wearable Ski Tracker

An app that lets you track your ski stats and also gives your your own profile, the Rossignol is perfect for avid skiers who want to improve their skills. This tracker measures angle, transition, torque and speed among many other things  The tracker straps onto your ski boots so you can focus on the best jumps and turns, and then you can check the app after to view how you performed. This device is also waterproof and holds battery for up to 6 hours. If you need to charge up, simply plug the tracker into its portable charger and continue improving your technique and confidence on the slopes.

POQ Auric Communication

POC Auric Communication Helmet lets users groove out to their favorite tunes as they’re skiing, in case you were looking for any more entertainment than the curves and swerves of the mountain ahead of you. The helmet also includes a mic so you can chat with your friends or family as you’re riding. Two adjustable flaps hang down from the helmet, where the earphones sit in the fabric. The helmet is waterproof and you can adjust the ventilation to decrease airflow from cold wind or increase airflow during intense exercise. A removable clip hooks on to your goggles so everything fits together nicely, while internal padding guarantees nothing will irritate your head. All in all, this helmet is as protective and practical as it gets.

Hyperice Hypervolt

We all know that all that athletic endurance can be exhausting, so this review wouldn’t be complete without a great little massager to soothe sore muscles after skiing. Even though this won’t help you on the mountain, self care is just as important as having fun. With 3 high speed settings and up to 3,200 beats per minute, Hypervolt’s head swivels to reach all the painful spots that you worked hard while on the mountain, and is very easy to use on yourself because of its long neck and wide handle. This device is specifically designed to aid recovery from intense sports by increasing blood flow to worn out muscles and can also be good before skiing, to warm up your muscles before they start working and to prevent a sport-related injury. Indulge yourself a little with this wonderful body massager - you deserve it!

1. Kaprun (Kaprun Kitzsteinhorn, Austria)

At the first glacial ski resort in Austria, visitors have their choice of 41 km of slopes and 10.5 km of ski routes. For advanced skiers, the resort offers a  “Black Mamba piste.” The Black Mamba is the steepest piste in the entire resort at a 63% incline. Trails like the Alpinecenterpiste are easier to test, where a wide glacial plateau allows beginners to ski gently down the mountain. There are also plenty of summer activities other than skiing. Travelers may be interested in the gorgeous mountain biking routes or even the ice arena, where you can take a hiking tour or just have a snowball fight. The summer season at Kaprun starts June 2nd so eager visitors can get a head start on the mountains.

2. Timberline Lodge (Oregon, USA)

Located near the top of an 11, 245 foot volcano,  Timberline Lodge is always an exciting place to be. The resort is a good spot for intermediate skiers, with 50% intermediate trails, while the other 50% is half advanced and half beginner. In the summer, Timberland offers a 2,161 foot vertical drop, while their five high speed lifts whisk visitors to the mountaintop. This means shorter lines and more time to speed down the slopes. The lodge is also the only ski resort in the USA open all 12 months of the year!

3. Zermatt (Theodul, Switzerland)

This ski resort is the highest in Switzerland at 3,883 meters high, the equivalent of 2.4 miles. Many national ski teams practice at Matterhorn mountain . An observation window inside the mountain allows visitors to admire Zermatt’s 21 kilometers of ski slope. If you’re visiting Zermatt to snowboard, the resort hosts “Snowpark Zermatt,” which is open all year round with 15 jibs and 7 boxes to explore. Visiting with kids? Check out “Furi Adventure World.” Here, kids can play on tire swings, try out a suspended bridge or explore Gorner Gorge’s sweeping waterfalls.

4. Hintertux (Hintertux, Austria)

Hintertux is known for its groomed slopes but also has varied mountain courses for all ski levels. 57 national ski teams have practiced their technique at the resort before competing. Hardcore skiers should try out the freeriding at Larmestang, where the snow is very thick. Hintertux has a playground for children called the “Glacier Floh,” built at 3,250 meters with a snow tire carousel, tubing runs and baby lifts for apprehensive riders. The park is also great for other summer activities. Nature’s Ice Palace is an ice cave with stalactites, frozen ice crystals and a beautiful glacial lake. Cave scaling is a popular activity as well at Hintertux - just make sure you adventure with an experienced guide!

5. Cervino (Cervinia, Italy)

Cervino resort spans both Italy and Switzerland, starting at the Piccolo Cervino and ending in Valtournenche. There are 150 total ski runs which reach a maximum altitude of 3,3883 meters. A majority of their slopes are intermediate and beginner, so Cervino is a great place for cruising and for challenge slopes. Some of the most difficult slopes are the long runs between Klein Matterhorn and Cervina with vertical slopes up to 2,300 meters, as well as trails down from the Schwarzsee ski area in Switzerland, which are ungroomed, challenging runs. Cervino runs a summer snow camp for kids and adults, and the program comes with hotels, slope discounts, lessons and insurance. Some activities not included in the package include rafting, canyoning, game fishing and horse riding.

1. Windham Mountain

Known for its upscale atmosphere, Windham Mountain is home to six terrain parks, a spa and a golf course. The resort features several terrain parks, from Wraparound Park with basic rails and jumps to the expert course at Wilbur Park which has large tabletops and step ups. Windham’s trails are separated into the East and Main Peaks. At the East Peak, skiers will find many single black diamonds as well as Wanderer, the park’s longest green slope. The Main peak features mostly intermediate and double black diamond trails. Don’t know how to ski? Windham prides itself on its educational programs, such as its OWNIT beginner’s program, for both teens and adults, that gives you a free pair of Rossignol skis upon conclusion! Unwind and kick back any way you want at Windham’s luxury resort.

2. Gore Mountain

Located in the Adirondack Mountains, Gore is geared toward real ski enthusiasts. If you’re a sport lover, this ski park is a great place to start. The park’s most challenging slope is the 1 km long “Rumor.” Visitors can also climb 1700 feet to Bear mountain, on the award-winning Northwoods Gondola. The park hosts 8 different freestyle trails, for both skiing and snowboarding. Potluck is Gore Mountain’s competition level course that features 30-45 foot step downs and several different kinds of boxes to test out your ski tricks. The mountain’s Nordic Center, located in the ski bowl, has groomed snow and lighted tracks for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. For both athletes and ski buffs, Gore is certainly never boring.

3. Hunter Mountain

Hunter Mountain has just added 80 new acres to its north face, increasing its sprawl with five new trails and four new glades. The resort is also known for its top-notch snowmaking, which covers 100 percent of the mountain. If skiers aren’t satisfied with the snow, they can return their ticket by a certain time to get a ski voucher valid until the end of the season. Hunter’s Empire Terrain parks cater to all kinds of skiers. Those just starting out should try out the gentle slopes and easy freestyle courses of “Boston Road” or if you’re looking for a challenge, try Drop Off terrain park, which is meant for experts. Hunter Mountain also offers ice climbing and rappelling for true thrill seekers. This service is offered through a partnership with Alpine Endeavors, who will be your guides in everything from adjusting your gear safely to proper knot tying.

4. Holiday Valley

One of the top rated eastern ski resorts in North America,  Holiday Valley is within three hours of major cities like Buffalo, Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Its accessibility makes it a very popular eastern ski destination, as well as its even keeled orientation toward all levels of skiing - 34% beginner, 27% intermediate and 27% advanced. The snow here is from authentic lake water, and the staff are known to be warm and welcoming, which gives Holiday Valley that priceless small town feel. Night Skiing is also a perfect experience in Holiday Valley, with temperatures that remain steady from daylight to nighttime. Look no further for a cozy, soulful ski vacation. Holiday Valley has you covered.

5. Whiteface Mountain

Whiteface is located in Lake Placid, one of the most well known ski towns in the country. It is no small operation, with 87 trails and a peak elevation of 4,867 feet. 2.1 mile Wilmington Trail is the longest single intermediate trail in the entire North East. At Whiteface, you can also go bobsledding and downhill mountain biking, but there’s a reason Lake Placid is one of the best loved ski destinations in the USA. While you’re at Whiteface, make sure to visit Lake Placid’s historic Olympic Center, or take a soaring Cloudsplitter Gondola Ride above Lake Champlain, the Ausable River and the Adirondack Mountains. The Whiteface Mountain experience is a must have for any curious skier exploring the Northeast.