Winter is on its way, and with the season of snow coming up, you might be thinking of going on a skiing trip. In fact, according to the National Ski Areas Association, over 60 million people went skiing during the 2021-2022 winter season. If you’re planning on joining the many people who visit ski resorts in the winter, consider checking out the four largest ski resorts in America.
Park City Mountain – Park City, Utah
At 7,300 acres, Park City Mountain is the largest ski resort in America. This resort has over 40 lifts and 330 trails, so there are plenty of options for skiers of varying skill levels. Additionally, while only 8% of the terrain is suitable for beginners, the resort offers multiple classes to help new skiers get up to speed. Children can also enjoy Park City’s All-Terrain Program. The program allows kids to spend the day exploring 7,300 skiable acres with the guide completing challenges. These challenges vary based on the participant’s interests and weather conditions. There are also private guides that offer a customized journey across the mountain. Travelers can even ski directly from the mountain to Park City’s Main Street.
If you’d like to visit Park City, check out Westgate Park City. Guests can dine on-site at the Edge Steakhouse and Drafts Burger Bar. A coffee bar is also available for guests to have a quick breakfast. After a day on the slopes, guests can retire to a one, two, or four-bedroom villa. These villas host four to 16 guests depending on the unit chosen, and all come with at least one king-sized bed. If you’d like to rejuvenate during your stay, the Westgate is also home to the Serenity Spa. This 30,000-square-foot spa boasts 14 treatment rooms and a waterfall.
Big Sky Resort – Big Sky, Montana
The Big Sky Resort boasts 5,850 acres of skiable terrain, ranging from beginner slopes to challenges suited to more experienced skiers. Big Sky has 39 lifts and 300 named runs to ski through. This resort is somewhat more balanced regarding how many runs are suited for different skill levels. For beginners 23% of the runs are recommended, 25% are for advanced, 13% are expert-level, and 5% are considered extreme. Located right at the base of Big Sky Resort is Mountain Village. The village has plenty of opportunities for dining and shopping. Plus, you can rent gear here.
Speaking of Mountain Village, the Big Sky Resort is located right at its heart. Guests have their choice of nine dining options on-site. From Mexican to burgers to pizza, the resort has a variety of meals to choose from. The Solace Spa, also located at the resort, features body treatments, facials, and massages. Additionally, the Solace has a storefront with women’s clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Accommodations include studio, one, two, and three-bedroom suites. Studios come with a queen Murphey bed and queen sleeper sofa. Meanwhile, the one-bedroom features a king or queen Boyne bed with a queen sleeper sofa, and the two-bedroom boasts a king bed, a queen Boyne bed, and a queen sleeper sofa. Finally, the three-bedroom suite has a king bed, two queen Boyne beds, and a queen sleeper sofa. These units can accommodate anywhere from four to eight guests depending on the suite chosen.
Vail Ski Resort – Vail, Colorado
Coming in at 5,317 acres, the Vail Ski Resort is the third-largest ski resort in the United States. Beginners are suited for 18% of the resort’s terrain, 29% is for intermediate skiers, and 53% is considered advanced/expert terrain. The resort boasts 195 trails and 32 lifts. Vail is separated into eight areas. Mid Mountain is home to a lot of beginner terrain with family-friendly adventure zones. Golden Peak features Vail’s Ski and Snowboard School and a race course. Northwoods and China Bowl have various options for intermediate skiers. Meanwhile, Game Creek, Sun Up and Sun Down, and the Blue Sky Basin are filled with open terrain. Finally, the Siberia and Mongolia Bowl features advanced and highly variable terrain.
If you’re looking to stay in Vail consider staying at Marriott’s StreamSide Douglas at Vail. The StreamSide Douglas is just under four miles from the Vail Ski Resort, so you’ll have some distance without needing a lengthy drive to get to the ski slopes. In fact, this resort offers a complimentary shuttle to Vail Mountain. There’s also a fitness center as well as an indoor pool. Guests have their choice of either a one or two-bedroom villa. The one-bedroom villa comes with a king-sized bed, sofa bed, and fireplace. Meanwhile, the two-bedroom villa has all the same features as the one-bedroom alongside two queen-sized beds. The one-bedroom villa can house up to six guests, while the two-bedroom can accommodate up to eight.
Heavenly Mountain Resort – South Lake Tahoe, California
Located on the southeast side of Lake Tahoe, the Heavenly Mountain Resort straddles the California-Nevada state line. With 4,800 skiable acres, this resort is the largest in Lake Tahoe. There are 28 chairlifts and 97 trails, ranging from wide-open cruisers to plunging 1,600-foot chutes. Heavenly Mountain is home to Groove Park, a progressive park with nearly 20 features, as well as LTR, a beginner park with four features. Just off the mountain are guided snowmobile tours, snow tubing, and even a scenic Gondola ride. So there are multiple options to stay entertained when not braving the mountain’s many slopes.
If you want to stay near the Heavenly Mountain Resort, the Marriott Grand Residence at Lake Tahoe is just two miles away. This resort is located within the Heavenly Village and features a heated outdoor pool and fitness center. Guests can also enjoy a massage or beauty treatment at the on-site Serenity Spa. Serenity offers massages, facials, and a steam room to help visitors unwind after a day on the slopes. Accommodations include studio, one, and two-bedroom villas. Whichever you choose, you’ll be able to enjoy a queen-sized bed and a fully-equipped kitchen. The one-bedroom suite also comes with a sofa bed and fireplace, while the two-bedroom suite offers all the accommodations found in the studio and one bed alongside an additional king bed and a whirlpool.
Staying at Some of the Largest Ski Resorts in America
If you decide to stay at or near one of these ski resorts, consider buying a timeshare there. Buying a timeshare allows you to hone your skills on these slopes every year. If saving money is important to you, then buying off the resale market can be a good way to cut costs compared to buying a timeshare directly. Overall, timeshares can be a good way to save money on starting a new, yearly tradition.
More articles from the Wealth of Geeks Network
