Lake Tahoe, California

Sierra-at-Tahoe is often overlooked by destination skiers visiting the South Shore due in part to the areas own strategy of being “Lake Tahoe’s Full Service, Value Oriented, DAY Use Snowsports Resort.” What exactly does that mean? Basically that other than on-site lodging, Sierra-at-Tahoe has pretty much everything else you are probably looking for in a ski resort like 2,000 acres of terrain, a 2,212 vertical rise, 46 trails, 6 terrain parks, 9 chair lifts and 3 surface lifts and…oh yeah, about 560 inch of snowfall on average. As for that whole lodging thing, the resort is located just 30 minutes away from South Lake Tahoe where there are plenty of options and Sierra at Tahoe even runs a shuttle which stops at over 40 of them.

Terrain

If there is one common complaint about Sierra at Tahoe it’s that it doesn’t ski as big as it is or that it doesn’t feel like the trails are really 2,000 acres worth. Here’s the thing, a good amount of that acreage is in the trees. In fact, you’ll find some of the best tree skiing in the country here making it a must visit, especially on a powder day. You might have to look around a little for your line but they’re there. In West Bowl, try the trees between Horsetail and Clipper. Off the Grandview Express the area between Preacher’s Passion and the Tahoe King lift is a good spot as well. There are also a total of five backcountry access gates, all accessible from the top of the Grandview chair, and guided tours of the backcountry are available. So the trees are great but you aren’t ready to go into the woods yet? Don’t worry there are also some excellent beginner and intermediate terrain here as well. Beginners will enjoy trails like Wagon Trail from the top of the Grandview Express or Sugar N Spice of the Hob Hill double. However, be aware that Sugar N Spice does cross several advanced trails so make sure you look up hill. The Westbowl area is a great place for the intermediate skier or rider and also has a terrain park coupled with a few more advanced trails to keep things interesting. When the day is done head for the Sierra Pub for live bands and tasty beverages.

Off-slope Fun

Sierra-at-Tahoe also offers tubing, snowshoeing on-site. Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snowmobiling and other outdoor activities are all available nearby and of course there is plenty to do in South Lake Tahoe from daytime shopping to night time bar hopping.

Crystal Mountain, Washington

Crystal Mountain has undergone some major improvements since being bought by Boyne USA back in 1996. Part of the sales agreement was that Boyne had to invest some serious money into the resort over the next 10 years and that is exactly what they have done, and continue to do. This upgrading has included the Forest Queen and the Chinook Express, both high-speed “six packs,” the Green Valley high-speed quad up to Grubstake Point and most recently, the Northway double which added 1,000 acres of lift serviced backcountry style terrain. In addition to the updated lifts they have also expanding the trail system, increasing the size of the rental shop, renovated bathrooms, added new groomers, built the Campbell Basin Lodge, and they still aren’t done! The already approved Master Development Plan also includes an all-season 80-passenger tram, the conversion of some of the fixed-grip chair to high-speed lifts, a slope side hotel and more base facility upgrades. The bottom-line is that Crystal Mountain Resort is doing everything it can to make itself THE place to go in Washington and perhaps the whole West Coast. Crystal welcomes skiers and snowboarders to its slopes; however, a downside to Crystal is its complete lack of man-made freestyle terrain. As of this writing there is no terrain park or halfpipe at Crystal. So, if you are looking for terrain your best bet is the backcountry.

Terrain

With a total of 2,600 acres and over 50 runs there truly is something for everyone at Crystal. The terrain breaks down to 11% Beginner, 54% Intermediate, and 35% Advanced/Expert which makes Crystal an experienced skier or rider’s dream! However, although percentage-wise the newbies or those without a lot of mileage seem to get the short end of the stick, keep in mind that this is a good-sized resort so there are still plenty of options. Discovery, Quicksilver, Chinook Express, Miner’s Basin, and the Forest Queen Express all assess beginner terrain so you should have no trouble finding something you can handle. For the intermediates, you might try warming up on Gold Hill or jump right in and take Chinook Express to Rainier Express and get to the top of the tree line. The backcountry crew will have plenty of options here and the true experts will want to head to Northway Peak. At the end of the day everyone can meet up at the Base Lodge and head to BullWheel Pub for some great casual food.

Off-slope Fun

Although parts of Mount Rainier National Park are not open in the winter there is still plenty to do there including ranger-guided snowshoe walks, snowplay at Paradise, camping and snowmobiling. In nearby Enumclaw there is cross country skiing and even trout fishing in the nearby rivers. Restaurants, shops and lodging can also be found in town.

Blue Mountain, Ontario

Ontario may not boast of tall peaks (at 2275 feet, Ishpatina Ridge is its highest point) but the province is ski and snowboard crazy nonetheless. That’s evident at Blue Mountain, where 34 trails are spread over a two-and-a-half-mile long ridge, with 720 feet of vertical. And there’s more. The area has three terrain parks, two superpipes and a standard half pipe, 12 lifts including four detachable sixpacks and a detachable quad, and a tubing park. The resort is about 90 minutes north of Toronto and sits at the southern end of Georgian Bay, so it benefits from Lake Huron’s lake-effect snow. But there’s also 100% snowmaking. Of more import, perhaps, to visitors is Blue Mountain’s status as a four-season resort, thanks to a spate of development the past few years by Intrawest. The result has transformed the base area, which now has a full range of fine lodging, condominium clusters, a spa and conference center, restaurants, shops, and night life.

Terrain

With just a couple of exceptions, the beginner terrain is clustered in two pods. Novices should head to the South Base Lodge, where there’s everything needed to get started and gentle learning terrain. There’s another pod of easy terrain at the main base area. The rest of Blue Mountain’s offerings are pretty much evenly split between wide fall-line cruising trails and advanced terrain, including several black diamond trails. Of course, with three parks and three pipes, there’s a lot of air play at Blue Mountain, and you’ll find that the radical riders and twin-tippers gravitate to these more formal playgrounds. You can also enjoy the place at night, when about two-thirds of the terrain is lighted. The resort’s accommodations range from the modern Blue Mountain Inn (where you’ll find a spa, tennis, and indoor pool), to The Grand Georgian, done in the style of Canada’s great railway hotels. Also of note is the Weider Lodge, a handsome inn finished in the rugged style of old alpine ski lodges.

Off-Slope Fun

The tennis pavilion houses five Omni courts open all year. And there are a number of retail establishments where you can satisfy a shopping urge. But much of the post-ski action centers on a quiet meal at one of the several good restaurants about the resort and an early bedtime, or one of the night spots. The original Jozo’s is the place to be if you have energy to burn and the stamina to stay up until the wee hours, but mere mortals will enjoy the slower pace of the Indian Motorcycle Cafe and Lounge or the Copper Blues Bar and Lounge. In the nearby town of Collingwood, check out Planet Collingwood for dancing and pool, or The Admiral’s Pub for darts and conversation and about a dozen different ales and stouts on tap. Inside Line Weekend after-lunch lift lines at the Silver Bullet Express Quad – fast though it may be – can be rather long. Best bet is to lunch at the South Base Lodge, lunch early, lunch late, or lunch long.