US Ski resort

If you are planing a ski vacation this winter, the United States has hundreds of ski resorts that you can choose from. Many of them offer amenities and guest services that allow them to compete with some of the best five star hotels. With so many available choosing the one that's right for you can be difficult. Here are the top 3 ski resorts in the United States.

• Jackson Hole
Definitely number one on the list; Jackson Hole in Wyoming is made up of two areas, Tetons Village and the Town of Jackson. This area is ideal for anyone that loves natural beauty and snow. Although it is known as some of the toughest skiing in the country, there are also fantastic intermediate and beginner trails available. Rendezvous Mountain gives you some of the highest in bound terrain available, rated as black and double black diamond trails.
Apres Vuos Mountain is considered an intermediate trail that's great for cruising and enjoying the majestic mountain views. Once your day of skiing is finished relax at the Tetons Mountain Lodge and Spa. This ski resort is located slope side to the Jackson Hole Resort. Warm up next to the fireplace in your room, or make your way to the recently added Solitude Spa. There you can enjoy one of 10 treatment rooms that are available or take a relaxing swim in the heated pool. Top off the evening with a dip in the 24 person rooftop hot tub.

• Park City Mountain Resort
This ski resort is number two on the list. Not only is it home to some of the best skiing in the world, but it's also home to the United States Olympic Ski Team. The slopes are great with everything from beginners to "Oh my goodness are you crazy" trails. A bonus this ski resort offers is accessibility. You can ski directly to Main Street and have a selection of 100 shops and restaurants that you can visit. When you're finished you can ride back to the slopes on the Town Lift.

Lodging is plentiful with several convenient locations to choose from. The Resort Plaza is located at he base of Park City Mountain Resort and offers one to four bedroom condo style units, underground parking, and full kitchen units.

• Squaw Valley
This ski resort is number three on the list. Located in the North Lake Tahoe Region of California some of the most awe inspiring slopes can be found here. You will enjoy watching some of the best skiers in the world brave the 100 foot cliffs and some of the ride down lines look almost impossible. If your skills are not quite that of an expert Squaw Valley also offers beginner and intermediate trails as well. Cruising to High Camp Summit gives you a gentle ride with great views of the beautiful mountains.There are several lodging choices near this beautiful ski resort. The Resort at Squaw Creek has the ability to rival any five star hotel. It is connected to the ski resort through it's own lift system. Suites are equipped with slate entryways and gas fireplaces. The view from your room will allow you to see historic ponderosa forests and beautiful meadowlands. If a bed-and-breakfast inn is more of what you're looking for then Lake Tahoe's North Shore may be more what you're looking for.

BRECKENRIDGE

Mountain Stats
Base Elevation: 9,600 feet / 2,926 meters
Summit Elevation: 12,998 feet / 3,963 meters
Vertical Rise: 3,398 feet / 1,036 meters
Lifts: 30

• 30 total
  
• 2 high-speed 6-passenger SuperChairs
  
• 7 high-speed quad lifts
  
• 1 triple lift
  
• 6 double lifts
  
• 1 8-passenger gondola
  
• 4 surface lifts
  
• 9 carpet lifts
  

Lift Capacity : 37,880 people per hour
Operating Since : December 16, 1961
Total Ski/Ride Terrain : 2358 acres / 954 hectares
Groomed Daily : 600 acres / 241 hectares (29 percent of total terrain)
Bowls : 772 acres / 312 hectares
Terrain Parks : 25 acres / 10 hectares
Snowmaking : 565 acres / 228 hectares
Number of Trails : 155
Longest Trail : Four O'Clock - 3.5 miles / 5.6 kilometers

BRECKENRIDGE TERRAIN CLASSIFICATION
Easiest: 14%:

Breckenridge boasts some of the best learning terrain anywhere. Skiers and riders will find most beginner trails located off Chair 7 on Peak 8, including a portion the 3.5 mile Four O' Clock run, the longest trail at Breckenridge, and the Quicksilver Super6 and A lifts on Peak 9.

More Difficult: 31%:

An intermediate's paradise, Peak 7 is home to seven new gently rolling more difficult runs, accessed by a six-passenger SuperChair. Undoubtedly the local's favorite, Claimjumper is located on Peak 8 in addition to Northstar and Crescendo. Two high-speed SuperChairs on Peak 9 access more than ten intermediate trails for non-stop skiing and riding.

Most Difficult: 19%:

Duke's Run on Peak 8 offers a winning combination of both bumps and groomed terrain. Take the T-Bar up to Pika, Ptarmigan, White Crown and Forget-Me-Not for wide-open bowls and stunning views. Peak 9's Peerless is a great place to learn how to master the bumps, while bump masters will appreciate 6-Chair, especially on a powder day. A quick ride up the Falcon SuperChair on Peak 10 wisks skiers and riders to three advanced intermediate groomers, steep and deep bump runs, and the legendary glades of The Burn.

Expert: 36%:

Peak 7 offers vast steep terrain without the trees at a 45-degree pitch. On Peak 8, the experienced skier and rider can enjoy amazing alpine vistas from atop Horseshoe Bowl (lift access) or Imperial Bowl at 12,998 ft via the new highest lift in North America! Hike to Lake Chutes for a 55 degree pitch (extreme terrain), between 10 and 80 feet of cornice, rocks to jump and of course, fresh tracks. Peak 9 features tree skiing at it's best. The Windows is an easy hike (anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes depending on a skier or rider's speed) from the Patrol Hut atop Peak 9. The South Side of Peak 10 sports big fat bumps, hidden kickers and glades - all without seeing another soul (or at least many souls).

Mountain Creek and Crystal Spring

Recreational activities
Tucked away in the Northwest corner of New Jersey lie two little known gems - Mountain Creek Resort & Crystal Springs Golf Resort (affiliated with the Minerals Resort). Far and away the top ski and snowboard destination in New Jersey, Mountain Creek offers not only fabulous skiing and snowboarding, but a top notch water park for those hot summer months. Being at elevation in quaint Vernon, NJ not only serves the skiers well but helps to keep the temperature an average of ten degrees warmer in summer.

The snow resort is home to classic beginner-through-expert terrain on Vernon and Granite Peaks. First-timers, families and all leisure skiers and snowboarders spend their time playing then choose where to relax for a break. Discount lift tickets are available for much less than the retail price. There are myriad places in nearby Vernon, Warwick NY, and other small towns which offer a tremendous selection of activities for both singles and families. More about this below.

Mountain Creek - formerly known as Vernon Valley or Great Gorge - has long been a fixture in the NJ Skylands region. In the 70's Action Park was the summer attraction. It has long since been revamped and modernized and is now called the Mountain Creek Water Park, a truly unique park carved into the natural mountainside, and featuring over 26 rides and attractions.
When mountain biking became popular in the 80's the designers sculpted out an internationally renowned mountain bike course. Diablo Freeride Park has risen to the top of every thrill-seeking mountain biker's must ride list. Playing host to the U.S. Open of Mountain Biking, Diablo features challenging terrain serviced by the open air gondola used by skiers and snowboarders in winter.

If golf is your game, you can experience world class golfing just minutes from Mountain Creek. Choose from six award-winning golf courses, each with its own set of characteristics and challenges. From beginners to experts, the courses offer something for everyone. There are 6 distinct and challenging courses to choose from:

- Crystal Spring Golf Club in Hardyston, NJ
- Wild Turkey Golf Club - Hardyston, NJ
- Great Gorge Country Club - McAfee, NJ
- Minerals Golf Club - Vernon, NJ
- Ballyowen Golf Club - Hamburg, NJ (rated #1 public golf course in NJ)
- Black Bear Golf Club - Franklin, NJ

Real Estate
As urban and suburban areas get more and more congested, people are increasingly moving further and further from NYC and the more congested areas of NJ.

The Village at Crystal Springs is an exclusive, northern New Jersey real estate community in a comfortable resort setting. Nestled in the scenic Kittatinny Mountains, the collection of luxurious New Jersey homes are situated in the Northeast's premier four-season residential resort.
This choice selection of prime real estate in New Jersey is complemented by Crystal Springs Resort's 7 award-winning golf courses, 2 luxury spas, world-class dining and wine-cellar - and is just 47 miles from Manhattan.

Whether you're looking to buy a primary residence, vacation getaway spot or investment property, you'll find a variety of home styles and floor plans to meet every taste.

Spas

Elements Spa
The Elements Spa is located at Crystal Springs Resort (often called Minerals Resort) is ranked in the top 20 spas in America and #1 in NJ. This Northern New Jersey luxury spa was designed in such a way that the healing powers of the earth have been incorporated into breathtaking design and rejuvenating services.

Reflections Spa
The brand-new Reflections Spa is certain to challenge Elements for the honor of being the # 1 ranked spa in NJ Reflections' Service Menu includes many themes and elements of the resort and local environment, such as "The Wine Cellar" featuring treatments using wine and grape seed extracts.

Other local attractions and activities in the NJ Skylands region:

There are a plethora of things to do year round in this area. Pumpkin and apple picking, hayrides, wineries, vineyards, and distillers. Experience how wine is made and life on the orchard.

Explore the Appalachian trail through the Kitatinny range in Northern, NJ. You'll find amazing scenery and you only need a day to hike a portion of beautiful New Jersey. They are located just over the border in Harriman, NY.

Warwick, New York

Located fifty-five miles from New York City, The Town of Warwick has a distinctly rural character with rolling hills and farmland dotted with red barns and gracious old farmhouses. The Town of Warwick spans 104 square miles and includes three villages (Florida, Greenwood Lake, and Warwick) and five hamlets (Amity, Bellvale, Edenville, New Milford and Pine Island). Warwick's natural beauty extends beyond its farmland to mountains, streams and lakes. Greenwood Lake, the closest lake to New York City large enough to accommodate water sports, has long been a popular summer resort of such famous entertainment and sports figures as Babe Ruth. The ten-mile-long lake straddles the New York / New Jersey border.

Mont Tremblant vs. Whistler Blackcomb

Over the past 10 years, both Whistler Blackcomb and Mont Tremblant have experienced significant growth. Lodging options have expanded and there is now more variety than ever. From ski-in/ski-out condos located in and around the pedestrian villages, to 5+ bedroom private chalets that spread across hectares of open forest; every guest will feel at home.

Winter Lodging - Mont Tremblant vs. Whistler Blackcomb

During the wintertime, both resorts offer a plethora of lodging options. Mont Tremblant has three main lodging areas: the Pedestrian Village, Domaine de la Foret and Domaine du Geant. These three lodging regions can be compared respectively to Whistler Blackcomb's: Whistler Village, Blackcomb Benchlands, and Creekside area.

Comparing Lodging Areas in Mont Tremblant & Whistler Blackcomb:

Mont Tremblant Pedestrian Village & Whistler Village: Both areas are very central in location and have the most selection when it comes to shops & restaurants. Lodging here is ideal for those who like to dine out and enjoy the nightlife.

Domaine de la Foret (Tremblant) & Blackcomb Benchlands (Whistler): Many of the properties in these locations are larger in size and offer ski-in/ski-out access. Not quite walking distance to the village, hopping on the shuttle bus service to and from the mountain hubs is a breeze.
Domaine du Geant (Tremblant) & Creekside (Whistler): Lodging in these areas is much more secluded and further away from the hustle & bustle of the villages. Guests who appreciate the ambience of nature will feel very comfortable in these areas.

Summer Lodging - Mont Tremblant vs. Whistler Blackcomb
Aside from skiing, both mountains feature an array of activities for guests. Both Mont Tremblant and Whistler Blackcomb feature world class golf courses, lakes, and mountain biking/hiking trails.

Passionate golfers will be glad to know that the two public courses on Mont Tremblant were voted no.1 in all of Quebec.

Whistler Blackcomb on the other hand, has 4 prestigious golf courses which earned it the distinction of being ranked Canada's no.1 golf destination by Golf Digest. Golfers looking into Whistler will be impressed with the selection of vacation homes that are situated right on Nicklaus North and the Chateau Whistler golf courses.

Mont Tremblant's Lac Tremblant is a great place to escape the summer heat. Lodging options that surround the lake are usually larger-sized private chalets, many with their own private stretch of beach.

Whistler Blackcomb's Lost Lake is also a great place to take a dip. Set apart from all civilization, Lost Lake is a simple walk along the Nature Valley Trail.