Holiday Mountain, located in New York, is a popular
area for skiing. Even though the highest elevation is
only 1300 feet, and the vertical drop is only 400 feet,
this area is a popular place for the younger crowd,
and it is definitely a great place to learn how to ski.

There are eight lifts, including three chair lifts and five
surface lifts. There are 15 trails for beginners,
intermediate skiers, and expert skiers. While skiing
and snowboarding are the main attractions, there is
much more here as well, including bumper cars, an
arcade, and a mechanical bull. There is always
something to do at Holiday Mountain Ski Resort.

The best place to stay when visiting Holiday Mountain
Ski Resort is the Villa Roma Resort Hotel, which is
located in the Sullivan County Catskills. Villa Roma
was named as one of America’s 50 Best Family
Resorts by Better Homes & Garden Magazine, and
with the amazing amount of fun activities, it is easy
to see why. The resort features a rail park for
snowboarders, birthday packages, snow tubing, and
of course skiing.

Mount Snow, located in Vermont, is the one of the
largest ski resorts in the Eastern United States.
Featuring 26 lifts and more than 135 trails, the top
elevation at Mount Snow is 3600 feet, with a vertical
drop of 1700 feet. There are 20 chair lifts and six
surface lifts available.

Snowboarders are welcome at Mount Snow, and
there is a ‘kids only’ terrain park as well as a special
tubing park. The Grand Summit Hotel and Crown Club
sits right off the slopes, and guests enjoy a heated
outdoor pool and ski in/ski out accommodations. There
is something to suit everyone at Mount Snow.

Many different winter ski vacation packages are
available. Many of these packages are really great
deals designed to save families money. Child care is
available at Mount Snow, and the youngsters will be
well cared for, and learn to ski as well. The adults
aren’t left out of the learning process either! Both group
and private lessons are available.

Mount Snow is very family oriented. At Mount Snow
a unique ‘back-to-base’ trail system is used that
keeps everyone in your family from getting lost. Kids
under six ski and ride for free. When an adult buys a
3 - 5 day ticket during mid-week, their kid receives a
free ticket for that same time period as well. During
January, the Kids Ski & Learn Free weeks seem to
be the most popular family deals.

Mount Snow features a full service health spa that
you should take full advantage of. A variety of
massages are offered, as well as various skin
treatments. Spa packages are also available, and the
spa caters to couples as well, and wedding parties are
also welcome.  There is also a fully equipped health
club and fitness classes are offered. There is always
something to do at Mount Snow – even if doing
nothing but relaxing is on your agenda!

Winter activities at Mount Snow also include
snowmobiling, snowshoeing, tubing, cross country
skiing, and sleigh rides. There is a ski shop on the
premises and rental equipment is available. There are
several restaurants and bars on the mountain to
choose from as well. Again, Mount Snow is family
oriented. You will find that this is a very safe environment
for your entire family, where you can relax and have fun
– without any worry. Be sure to ask about the family deals
when you call for reservations or information.

Oregon is famous for the ski slopes found around the
state, and if you are planning a ski vacation, you
should definitely consider Timberline Lodge, located
near Mt. Hood in Oregon. There is quite a bit of
history in the area, starting with the lodge that was
built during the Great Depression by a master
craftsman. The Timberline Lodge also has a bit of
more recent history attached to it. Part of the movie,
The Shining, was filmed here. Many of the ‘outside’
shots were done at Timberline Lodge.

The lodge is entirely hand made, and well preserved.
The hand woven draperies and the hand hewn beams
add to the rustic charm and history of the place. The
lodge sits in the middle of 1400 acres consisting of
35 trails. The trails are perfect for beginners,
intermediates, and experts. The top elevation at
Timberline Lodge is 8504 with a vertical drop of 2501.
There are six chair lifts to accommodate skiers.

One of the most unique things about Timberline is
that it is the one place in the United States that offers
year-round snow skiing. Palmer Snowfield is part of
the Timberline Resort, and it is permanently covered
with snow. Beginners are not always allowed on
Palmer snowfield – the conditions are considered
each day when making this determination.

Skiing, snowboarding, hiking, snowshoeing, and
lodge tours are the main attractions at Timberline.
Here, it is all about the powder! Mt. Hood is an active
volcano which is considered to be dormant.
Occasionally, tremors are felt, and steam vents are
often visible. The Cascade Dining Room is open for
breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day, but the hours
do change with the seasons. Other fare can be found
at the Ram’s Head Bar, the Blue Ox bar, the Wy’East
Kitchen Cafeteria, the Market Café, and the Mt. Hood
Brewing Company.

Rental equipment is not available at Timberline. You
must bring your own equipment. However, smaller
items such as gloves and goggles can be purchased
at the lodge, along with some clothing items. There is
a snowboard and ski school on the premises, and
private and group lessons are available.

If the idea of a ‘rustic’ ski vacation appeals to you,
as opposed to trips with accommodations that are a
bit fancier, then Timberline Lodge in Oregon is the
place to be! Again, it is definitely all about the history
and the powder here. However, whether you ski or not,
you must not miss the Magic Mile, which offers a
panoramic view of the Cascade mountains that cannot
be matched!

If you are looking for the ultimate Utah ski vacation,
Solitude Mountain Resort has everything that you
could want or need. During the early 1900’s, the
area was full of silver miners, who gave the area its
famous name. Today, the area is covered with
skiers – but the crowds are rather light.

The area became a skier’s paradise in 1957. It was
developed by Robert Barrett, who made his fortune
as a uranium miner. He basically started developing
the resort because he was denied restroom privileges
at the ski area in Alta – because he was not a guest.

Now owned by a different family, the resort features
1200 acres of 63 runs for beginners, intermediate
skiers, and experts. There are eight lifts, including
seven chair lifts and one surface lift. The top
elevation at Solitude Mountain is 10036 feet, with
a vertical drop of 2048 feet.

There are five lodging options for guests, and
activities and events take place all throughout the
year. The resort looks like a Tom Kincaide painting,
and one can’t help but wonder if this is where some
of his inspiration came from!

If you will be traveling for a ski vacation, it is often
difficult to know what to pack. You may not even
have a problem knowing what to pack, but instead
have a problem figuring how to get everything that
you need from your home to your destination. Skis
do not easily fit into suitcases, and if you are flying,
this presents a huge problem.

Start by knowing what is available at your destination.
Is there a rental shop? How much are the rental fees
for skis, boots, and poles. If it is reasonable, and you
don’t mind skiing with rented equipment, this is a
viable option – and it makes packing and traveling
much easier.

If you don’t care for rented equipment, there is
another option. Find out if there are any ski shops in
the area. There usually are. Get prices on skis, poles,
and boots, and then ask if they buy used equipment.
If they don’t, ask if there is anyone near by that does
purchase used equipment. Call that place to get an
estimate on how much you could get for barely
used ski equipment. Figure the difference in the
money you will spend on the ski equipment, and the
money you will get for the used equipment when you
are finished with it. If it isn’t much more than what it
would cost you to rent the equipment, go for it!

Ski suits, ski jackets, and sweaters can be very
bulky, and hard to pack. These items will take up a
lot of room in your suitcase, and leave less room for
other clothing and essentials. If you are trying to
pack for a two week ski vacation, it will be impossible
to fit everything you need into one suitcase.

There is a way to solve this. Call the lodge or resort
where you will be staying. Tell them that you need
to ship a package, for yourself, to them, and that
you need that package to be there when you arrive.
Ask them if they will hold it for you at the desk. In
most cases, they will. Next, get a box, put all of
your ski suits, your ski jacket, and any other
bulky items in the box, and ship it to yourself, in
care of the lodge or resort. Shipping can be
overnight, two day, or three day depending on
how far it must travel. Depending on how much
the box weighs, you will usually pay less than
fifty dollars to ship a package in the continental
United States….which is a lot less than you
would pay an airline for extra baggage!

Located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Ober
Gatlinburg is the only ski resort in the state. It is
more than just a ski resort, however. It is a complete
family vacation spot with an amusement park, indoor
ice skating, a bungee tower, an alpine slide, and
many other activities and attractions – there is
something to please everyone.

With an elevation of 3301 feet, and a vertical drop of
600 feet, Ober Gatlinburg features eight trails: two
beginner trails, four intermediate trails, and two
advanced trails. There are three lifts, including two
quad lifts, one double lift, and one surface lift. The
season runs from the middle of December through
early March, and night skiing is allowed on all trails
except the Grizzly trail.

Rentals are available for both ski equipment and
snowboarding equipment. Private and group lessons
for skiing and snowboarding are also available
through the Smokey Mountain Snow Sport School.
You can also easily find food at the many snack
bars, food carts, the café, the restaurant, or in the
lounge.

You must not miss the longest chair lift ride in the
south! You will see awesome views of the Great
Smoky Mountains. You will also get a bird’s eye
view of some of the slopes, and you can have your
picture taken on top of the mountain. If you don’t
ski, don’t worry! You can ride back down the
mountain on the chair lift as well. Don’t forget the
Tramway. The tramway departs from downtown
Gatlinburg and takes you to the ski resort and the
amusement park.

Even if you don’t ski, you can still explore the thrill
of flying down a mountain at a high speed – or a
slow speed if you choose. This is possible with the
Alpine Slide. The slide is approximately 1800 feet
long, and takes you down a winding wooded slope.
You have total control over your speed with the
use of a braking device on each sled. Other
attractions at the amusement park include the
Black Bear Habitat, a bungee jump, a water race,
go karts, indoor ice skating, kiddie land, an arcade,
miniature golf, a Spider Web Velcro Wall Jump,
water rides, and a shooting range.

No matter what type of fun or adventure you are
seeking, there is something to satisfy everyone in
the family at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and
Amusement Park. This is definitely a trip worth taking
– especially if you have younger kids or senior
citizens traveling with you.

Known as the single best ski resort in the South,
Wintergreen Resort in Virginia has quite a bit to offer
skiers. Featuring 11,000 acres with 19 trails,
Wintergreen has a top elevation of 3516 feet, with a
1003 foot vertical drop. Beginners, intermediates,
and experts will all find suitable trails at Wintergreen
Resort.

To accommodate skiers, there are six lifts, including
five chair lifts and one surface lift. There is also a
dedicated terrain park for snowboarding. The resort
is located near Charlottesville, Virginia, and you will
experience breathtaking views of the Appalachian
Mountains, and be surrounded by luxury that most
people only dream of. There is also a world class
golf course located near the resort.

Other activities include tubing, snowmobiling, tennis,
hiking, and horseback riding. The Out of Bounds
Adventure Center is a very popular attraction at the
resort with rock climbing and bungee trampolines.
The Outdoor Wilderness Leadership school offers
corporate retreats, real rock climbing, rappelling,
and mountain biking.

This is an ideal spot for a family vacation. You and
your children can participate in a variety of craft
workshops, enjoy campfires and storytelling, go on
hay rides, and enjoy many more community events
that are scheduled throughout the year. There are
many planned activities for families, including winter
hiking, skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and swimming
in a cozy indoor pool.

While vacationing at Wintergreen Resort, make time
to see the civil war history attractions, and visit the
local wineries as well. Also take time to enjoy the
Wintergreen Spa. At the spa, you can be pampered
with massages, body wraps, skin treatments, and
nail care. You can also visit the Mountaintop
Aquatic and Fitness Center which features the
latest in cardiovascular equipment, strength
equipment, heated pools, hot tubs, steam rooms,
and saunas.

The Wintergreen Performing Arts has many musical
performances throughout the year that are sure to
delight you and your family. If you are less interested
in culture, and more interested in nature, the
Wintergreen Nature Foundation is for you. This
foundation promotes the understanding and
conservation of natural resources that the Blue Ridge
Mountains are famous for.

No matter what your interests are, if getting away
from the hustle and bustle of city life is what you
want, this is the number one spot in the South for
fun, relaxation, and rejuvenation. The Wintergreen
Resort is open all year long, with activities that are
suitable for every season.

If you are planning a ski vacation and there are
beginners in your group, or you are a beginner
yourself, you should definitely consider Tahoe
Donner in Truckee, California for your ski vacation.
Since 1971, when construction first began at Tahoe
Donner, the area has come to be known as a world
class cross country ski center, but beginners are
still welcome, and this is one of the better places to
learn how to ski.

Located near Tahoe and Truckee, Tahoe Donner
provides a family atmosphere, and is very affordable.
It features a 601 foot vertical drop, and the highest
elevation is 7353 feet. There are approximately 120
acres for skiers to enjoy, with over 13 trails for
beginners, intermediate skiers, and expert skiers.
The resort features four lifts, with two of the list
being surface lifts, and two being chair lifts.

Snowboarders are also welcome at Tahoe Donner.
The resort has reasonable lift ticket rates, and there
are rentals available. Here, you will also find a variety
of ski programs and a ski school. After a full day of
skiing, be sure to visit the Lodge Restaurant for a
wonderful and relaxing dining experience.

When you start thinking about ski vacations, you will
find a lot of information about various resorts and
packages. Finding terrific vacation spots isn’t difficult,
however, finding ski vacations that fit into your budget
can be a challenge.

To save money, look for lesser known resorts. This
doesn’t mean that these resorts won’t provide you
with a fun vacation – it simply means that they aren’t
quite as well known as other resorts, and therefore,
the prices may be a great cheaper. Also look for ski
vacation packages that will include your lodging, lift
tickets, lessons, rentals, and possibly even some
meals.

Be willing to make some sacrifices if money is a real
issue. For instance, instead of eating in an expensive
restaurant each night, eat cheaper fast food, or make
sandwiches in your room. Borrow equipment from
friends instead of renting it. Join a group for lessons
instead of taking private lessons. Don’t stay at a
lodge, stay at a motel farther away from the slopes
if necessary. There are numerous ways that you can
cut down on the expense of your ski trip. It is all about
the powder after all!

Red River, New Mexico is home to one of the most
popular ski resorts in the United States, and has
been for many decades. The resort offers six chair
lifts and one surface lift, and the trails are equally
divided for beginners, intermediates, and experts.

Top elevation at Red River is 10354 feet, and the
vertical drop down the face of the mountain is 1601
feet. Unfortunately, it doesn’t snow much, and about
85% of the powder is man made. There are 58 trails
scattered over 247 acres. Red River is called the ‘ski
town of the Southwest.’

The resort has three restaurants, all of which offer
fabulous fare. Lodging can be obtained in cabins,
chalets, inns, or private condominiums in the area,
and many lodging packages, as well as ski packages
are available through Red River Central Reservations.
Red River also offers snow pass rates which allow
children to ski for free, and teens to ski at reduced
rates. This is a great way to save money on your
family ski vacation.

Red River also has a ski school, and group lessons
and private lessons are available. Even if you’ve never
skied before, you will quickly be on the slopes after
your lessons. There are even lessons for
snowboarders, who are welcome on the Red River
slopes. You can also rent all of your ski and
snowboarding equipment for very reasonable rates.

The nightlife in Red River is also great. After a day
on the slopes, you can kick back and relax at the
lodge, or visit one of the taverns in the area. For the
younger crowd, there is a great game room located
right in the center of the town. One of the great things
about Red River is that everything is within walking
distance of the lodging areas, and shuttles are
provided for transportation to and from the slopes.

You can also enjoy taking scenic chairlift rides,
hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping,
snow-mobiling, and hunting. You can even take one
of the jeep tours to go see the abandoned gold mines
in the area. So, even if you don’t ski, there is still
plenty of fun to be had at Red River Ski Resort.

Childcare is available while you spend your day on
the slopes. Your child will be well tended at the Li’l
Buckaroos Child Care Facility, and the center
provides lunch for your child as well. At Red River,
everything has been thought of and taken care of to
ensure that your ski vacation is as enjoyable as
possible.