Vail. Banff. Chamonix. These ski destinations are world-renowned for their lavish resorts and breathtaking runs. Whether you’re new to the sport and looking to get in some practice on less-crowded mountains, or an expert looking for a new challenge, here are three off-the-beaten-path ski destinations to check out first.
Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Pagosa Springs may be four hours north of the nearest major airport (Albuquerque), but it’s worth the drive. And it means crowds are rarely a problem. Located at the foot of the San Juan Mountains, the town is just a few miles from the family-friendly Wolf Creek Ski Area. This place gets an insane amount of snow, often starting as early as October. For the adventurous, there’s even ungroomed, backcountry-like forest terrain to take on.
But a good ski vacation is about more than just the runs, and here good things come in threes. The town’s namesake mineral hot springs (the world’s deepest) feed several pools open to the public for post-slope soaks. Once you dry off, the town’s three craft breweries will quench your thirst and provide food for your belly.
Los Alamos, New Mexico
We’re pretty sure more than a few visitors to the Pajarito Mountain Ski Area has indulged in James-Bond-like fantasies as they careened down the slopes. Hidden high on a mountain plateau only 35 miles northwest of Santa Fe, Los Alamos was originally founded as a top-secret government research facility during WW2, and Pajarito’s first tow line was built by lab techs in their free time.
To this day, the mountain is still run by the local ski club, many members of which still can’t tell you what they do for a living. It’s not a huge ski area, but there’s plenty of black-diamond action for those looking for it, plus backcountry skiing in the nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The town’s nightlife caters more towards the cerebral than the celebratory: there’s only a few bars but plenty of culture, including theater, an orchestra and a fascinating science museum.
Waitsfield, Vermont
For the classic New England skiing experience, look no further than the mountains of northern Vermont. Welcome to Mad River Valley, where the small village of Waitsfield is filled with buildings, barns and covered bridges reminiscent of a Currier & Ives print.
The experience of skiing at Mad River Glen is certainly one that will take you back in time. It’s the definition of rustic: you won’t find any high-speed chairs, condos or snowboards here, and its narrow, plunging trails were cut by hand almost 70 years ago, earning it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
For a more modern experience, there’s the recently renovated Sugarbush Resort. Over a hundred runs and extensive snowmaking mean there’s something for every skill level, including expert runs on Castlerock Peak, terrain parks on Mount Ellen and guided backcountry tours in Slide Brook Basin. Off the slopes, there are charming country inns and relaxed taverns serving local food. Oh, and the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory is only 20 minutes away.
