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From the Rockies to the Appalachian, these destinations are the best when it comes to skiing.

The resorts of North America bring some of the best snow in the world to skiers and riders around the world. Whether its prices, powder, steeps, bowls, size, or activities that draw you to a ski resort, you can find it here. Our top picks are compiled from ski magazine rankings, word of mouth, and just plain common knowledge. From California to Vermont and Utah to Canada, we present the best skiing around.

Colorado is recognized for its great powder and top ranked resorts. Vail, consistently ranked in the top five by Ski Magazine is popular for its size (5,289 acres!) and some of the best powder in the state. An added bonus is that by buying a lift ticket at Vail also gets you access at the luxury resort of Beaver Creek, the four mountains of Breckenridge, the night skiing at Keystone, and the Legend, Arapahoe Basin. Heading west takes us to Snowmass in the Elk Mountains. Snowmass has some of the best “true” ski-in/ski-out accommodations and its tickets are multi passes as well. Buy a ticket and ski at Aspen, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands, too.

Utah and California are known for superb skiing conditions, as well. Deer Valley is renowned for being a great family friendly resort. Maybe that is what earned the resort the coveted #1 spot on Ski Magazine’s Top 50 in North America list. In addition, if you fly into Salt Lake City take your ticket to the resort to get a free day of skiing. In California there is no greater skiing than that found around Lake Tahoe. There are seven resorts in the area, Heavenly, Kirkwood, Sierra at Tahoe, Mount Rose, Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley, and NorthStar at Tahoe, all offering exceptional terrain and skiing conditions. At the beginning of the season, be sure to buy the six-pack to access it all including 100 lifts and 500 runs.

For skiing with a Wild West twist, visit the resorts in Wyoming and Montana. Big Sky in Montana is located right outside of the Yellowstone National Park and is the top resort in the state. The resort receives an annual snowfall of 400 inches and has a great sister resort, Moonlight Basin. A lift ticket at either allows you to ski at both! Jackson Hole located in Wyoming is becoming known as a luxury ski resort due to its great service and gorgeous vacation homes. The resort is known for its steep terrain and deep powder. They have a great kids program where your children can learn to ski and learn about the Wild West at the same time.

Heading east to find skiing takes you to Vermont, home to many of the United States’ top skiers and snowboarders. The two best resorts in this area are Killington and Smugglers Notch. Killington is known for great terrain and some of the best skiing in the east. There are always great deals throughout the season for lodging, skiing, and gear. In fact, kids under twelve ski free with an adult lift ticket purchase. Smugglers Notch, voted the Best Family Friendly Resort in the East, is a great place for expert skiers and those just learning to spend a day on the mountain. They have a great concept where you can “test out the snow” by allowing people to be on the mountain for free for the first half hour. For this, and many other reasons, Smuggler’s Notch is on our list of top resorts.

An article on North America skiing cannot be written without mentioning the resorts in Canada. Tremblant in Quebec was voted the #1 Resort in Eastern North America due to its service, family friendly attitude, and superb terrain. Kids can stay and ski for free with adult purchases on lodging and lift tickets. Heading west to British Columbia takes us to the #2 spot in North America, Whistler/Blackcomb. This legendary resort is known for a great backcountry experience and great powder. This combined with new snowmaking ability makes it one of the best places to ski. Head to Whistler April 14-23, 2006 to witness the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival, sure to be a good time for all.

The mountains of North America have provided us with the best skiing in the world. Whether you want your next vacation at a luxury resort or at the resort with the best conditions, there are plenty to choose from. Our top picks are the best of the best whether you are planning a family escape or a weekend getaway. Enjoy North America skiing at its best!