Downhill

It's Downhill From Here

The best resorts have greens, blues, and blacks all overwhelming

Looking for lots of expert terrain? Head to Jackson Hole, Mad River Glen, or Mammoth Mountain. Deep powder? Your best bets are Alta, Grand Targhee, or Snowbird. Kids love skiing at Smuggler's Notch, Beaver Creek, and Snowmass, while teen activities are excellent at Sugarloaf, Breckenridge, or Kullington. The ski schools are highly rated at Taos, Beaver Creek, and Deer Valley, while scenery alone is enough reason to go to lake Louise or Telluride. Crowds are seldom found in Solitude or Big Sky, and the weather is consistently fine at Purgatory, Alpine Meadows, and Squaw Valley, Wonderful European ski villages are at Vail and Whistler/Blackcomb, while art aficionados might prefer Aspen or Taos. It's funly and western in Steamboat, and an old mining town waits in Red River. Gamble at Heavenly or party on at Whiteface/Lake Placid. You'll eat well on the mountain in Sun Valley or dine happily in the town of Stowe.

Of course, all these areas have multiple attributes and flaws, as well. The process of weighing them all to get a ranking is, of course, purely subjective. In fact, the table at left shows how three major ski magazines obtained dramatically different results. Here are some of the pros and cons of the ski areas that made Ski magazine's top 10 list. We've noted readers' top preferences at the different resorts.

1. Vail, Colorado: The perennial favorite for Ski readers, Vail is a complete resort. Twenty-five lifts service 4,000-plus acres, including the seven bowls on the back side that often hold powder for days after a storm. The twon is huge, too, with 41,305 beds and plenty of options for shopping, dining, or partying. Vail appeals to a wide range of people, from Europeans and Hollywood celebrities to dishwashing ski bums and snowboarding home-boys – ensuring big crowds throughout the season and lots of votes in readers' polls. Prices are ski-high, too. Top ratings: Snow conditions and grooming, terrain, challenge, fair weather, food, lodging, après-ski, and family programs.

2. Telluride, Colorado: Although tough to get to, there is great scenery and a funky small-town atmosphere in Telluride. The front side looms over the town with a 3,165-foot vertical rise and plenty of bump skeeing, while the back side slopes away to the mountain village. Overall, this is an excellent ski mountain with plenty of terrain variety, and relatively few people crowding it. Top rating : Terrain, lifts and lines, challenge, and fair weather.

A Snow Pyramide. Photo by Elena.

3. Aspen Highlands, Colorado: Aspen Highlands has the highest vertical lift in Colorado (3,800 feet) and two new high-speed quad lifts to service it. There is good variety of terrain, and experts love the two steep ridges that provide innumerable challenges. At the foot of the lifts is one of America's great ski towns, with plenty of restaurants, bars, and jet setters. Top ratings: Snow conditions and grooming, terrain, value, challenge, and fair weather.

4. Alta, Utah: Alta gets 500-plus inches a year, draped over challenging terrain. The lift prices are low too, but that's largely because the resort owner has resisted the urge to modernize. Old and slow lifts result in lineups on the weekends. The local amenities are limited, but Salt Lake City is just 45 minutes away. Top ratings: Snow conditions and grooming terrain, value, challenge, fair weather, and accessibility.

5. Whistler/Blackcomb, British Colombia. These two close-by Canadian resorts boast long runs, wide open terrain, lots of variety, and breathtaking vistas. The service and on-slope lodging are first class, and there are excellent children's programs. The village is car-free with easy strolling between shops and nightspots. But proximity to the Pacific often means wet snow. Terrain, lifts and lines, challenge, food, lodging, apres-ski.

6. Snowbird, Utah: Like Alta a mile up the road, Snowbird gets 500-odd inches of bone-dry powder each year. The terrain is steep (3,100 feet vertical), and features excellent chutes and gullies. There is also an enlarged intermediate section and a separate area for families or beginners. Local apres-skiing options are limited, but not as limited as Alta's. Top rating: Snow conditions and grooming, terrain, challenge, fair weather, and accessibility.

7. Snowmass, Colorado: Just down the road from the town of Aspen, Snowmass is a family area, with vast intermediate terrain (lots of cruising runs) and an excellent ski school. Top ratings: Snow conditions and grooming, terrain, challenge, fair weather, food, lodging, apres-ski, and family programs.

8. Taos Sky Valley, New Mexico: Taos is a hybrid resort, combining European flair with southwestern charm. Steep is the operative word, with long mogul runs and out-of-bounds skiing on Kachina Peak, but there is plenty of intermediate terrain, too. The ski school is consistently ranked as one of the country's best. There are on-slope hotels and restaurants, but a far greater selection exists in the nearby town of Taos, Top ratings: Snow conditions and grooming, terrain, lifts and lines, challenge, fair weather, and family programs.

9. Mammoth Mountain, California: This huge resort is aptly named. At last count there were more than 30 lifts and 150 runs, many of them above the tree line. There is extensive snowmaking in addition to an average annual snowfall of 340 inches. Ans it's only a five-hour drive from Los Angeles. Top ratings: Snow conditions and grooming, terrain, challenge, and fair weather.

10. Steamboat, Colorado: The area is known for its tree-skiing, dense aspen glades that hold powder beautifully. There also is a great ski school, especially for kids, and above-average possibilities for dining and nightlife. But the most prominent feature about Steamboat is the working ranch-town atmosphere. Top Ratings: Snow conditions and grooming, terrain, lifts and lines, challenge, lodging, and family programs.