As we transition to the winter months, two kinds of people emerge.
There are the gung-ho winter activities lovers — the people who live for 5 am wake-ups and fresh tracks in the snow, undaunted by even the coldest temperatures.
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Then, there are the people for whom the thought of spending several hours outside in 30 degree temperatures sounds like pure torture.
What’s a family to do then, when faced with planning a winter vacation for a combination of ski bunnies and the snow averse?
Here at Hopper we live for these travel quandaries and have pulled together our list of best ski destinations with something for everyone.
To do this, we looked at the biggest resorts in the East and West, narrowing it down to mountains that are easily accessible by plane or car with a wide variety of on and off mountain activities.
From challenging black diamonds to cozy chalets, here are the mountains that offer the best of both worlds:
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Stowe Mountain, Vermont
Two very different ways to hit the slopes in Stowe, VT.
Stowe, Vermont is a New England winter wonderland with an Alpine vibe. In 1950 the Von Trapp family (famously depicted in the movie classic Sound of Music) opened a ski lodge in town, and the place has been a mecca for families ever since.
Stowe Mountain Resort is one of the largest in New England, boasting 116 trails over 39 miles. Mt. Mansfield, one of Stowe’s two peaks, is the highest in Vermont and the birthplace of downhill skiing in VT.
The first slopes were carved into the mountain in 1933. With terrain for all abilities (16% beginner, 59% intermediate and 25% expert), everyone from wobbling school kids to wild teenagers will have plenty of trails to choose from.
Non-skiers will be equally occupied. Stowe Lodge boasts a top of the line Wellness Center and Spa for pampering. The town is classic New England with clapboard colonials and a white church.
It’s also home to more than 70 unique stores and several outstanding restaurants. Off mountain activities include dog sledding, a trip to the Ben & Jerry’s factory or a tour and tasting at Boyden Vallery winery.
Under 4 hours from Boston and a little more than 6 from New York, it’s accessible from most everywhere in New England. Burlington is the closest airport, just 45 minutes away from Stowe’s snowy peaks.
Mont Tremblant, Quebec
Mont Tremblant, like the Alps, but in Canada.
Mont Tremblant is like Disney World on ice. Just 90 minutes from Montreal, it’s a winter playground in the vein of the great European resorts, which means awesome skiing and snowboarding but just as much off mountain fun.
First, the ski facts: with 95 ski trails, four separate slopes, and 13 lifts, there’s enough terrain here to keep even the most intense athletes happy and buzzing on adrenaline for days. The off mountain activities are equally buzzworthy.
Tremblant boasts its own casino and over 40 top tier restaurants and bars. The resort village is home to number of chic boutiques as well as a spa and wellness center. Families will love the movie theatre, ice skating rink, acqua club, and dog sled or helicopter tours.
Mont Tremblant also wins for its charming ambiance. Its distinctly European vibe is entrenched by the abundance of native French speaking Quebecois and its quintessential Alpine architecture.
Its village set up, with many of the bars and restaurants accessible on foot and by skis, means it’s easy for families of all activity inclinations to meet up for lunch or dinner.
Flying into Montreal from NYC and Boston is more affordable for East Coasters than a trip out West, and the drive (7 hours from Boston and 8 from NYC) is not so prohibitive either.
Snowbird/Alta, Utah
The best of both worlds, less than an hour apart.
Utah’s Snowbird and Alta resorts are known for being havens for dedicated skiers & snowboarders (note: Snowbird allows both, Alta is skiing only).
While this would suggest it’s not necessarily the best spot for the snow sport averse, its prime location makes all the difference. Only 45 minutes from the surprisingly hip Salt Lake City, non-skiers have access to all the amenities of an urban center.
With an elevation of 10,550 feat, Alta easily trumps Eastern peaks and has 116 trails on 2,200 acres of land. Yes, everything is bigger in the West. Like so many resorts, Snowbird/Alta has a top of the line spa as well as several heated pools and hot tubs for all your relaxation needs.
Further afield, there’s a lot to do in Salt Lake: explore the city’s unique Mormon culture at the Church History Museum and Temple Square or hang with some “hipsters” in trendy neighborhoods like 900 South & 900 East. Enjoy great local food and good music at Tin Angel (very kid friendly) or farm to table fare at the Copper Onion.
Park City, home to the Sundance Film Festival, is only an hour or so from Alta, and another fun day trip for the mountain weary. Since it’s so close to Salt Lake City, Snowbird and Alta are an easy plane ride for most travelers, and since SLC is a Delta hub, chances are you’ll be able to score some affordable flights as well.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider