Flashy ski resorts like Whistler and Vail could get all the eye with their Insta-friendly après-ski cocktails and heated bubble chair lifts. At these mega-resorts, you may get lavish spa therapies and a ski valet to hold your gear – however what you received’t get is an genuine Alpine expertise.
Fortunately for individuals who don’t want a private butler, there are many no-frills, low-key, classic ski resorts in North America. Mellow and unpretentious, these ski areas really feel homey as a substitute of hectic. Embrace the true spirit of the mountains at these nostalgic ski resorts, from New England havens constructed within the Nice Melancholy to West Coast vintage-chic hangouts.
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1. Camden Snow Bowl (Camden, Maine)
Nestled 4 miles from the coast in charming Midcoast Maine, the Snow Bowl is the one ski vacation spot on the East Coast with views of the Atlantic Ocean. Household-friendly and community-owned, the small ski space options 20 runs, a terrain park, and cross-country snowboarding — excellent for rookies. There’s additionally a classic throwback picket toboggan chute, which hosts the U.S. Nationwide Toboggan Championships each February. Tobogganers sled out onto the ice of frozen Hosmer Pond, the place you may also skate and play pick-up hockey video games.
2. Alta Ski Space (Alta, Utah)
No snowboarders allowed. Retro-chic Alta is for purists of the alpine expertise. One of many oldest ski resorts in America, it opened in 1939, when carry tickets had been 25¢. You’ll discover 5 vintage-hip lodges on the base of the mountain, together with the unique Alta Lodge. Because of its excessive altitude within the Wasatch Mountains, Alta will get extra snowfall than nearly each different ski resort in Utah (over 500 inches per 12 months). Recognized for its mild and powder snow, it’s no surprise snowboarders have sued (unsuccessfully) for entry to the epic terrain.
3. Mount Ashland (Ashland, Oregon)
Immerse your self in Ashland’s folksy but cultured vibe at this non-profit ski space. The eclectic enclave close to the California border hosts the Oregon Shakespeare Competition. However the slopes close by aren’t any slouch both, with Shakespeare-inspired trails like Sonnet, Romeo, and Avon. The mountain’s historic lodge additionally honors the Bard with its Tudor-style design. Get pleasure from distinctive neighborhood occasions all through the season, together with Bavarian Night time, Dummy Downhill, and the Midwinter Jam Collection.
4. Black Mountain (Jackson, New Hampshire)
Step again in time and uncover idyllic New England at this hidden gem resort, which is nearly 90 years previous. Off the radar even for a lot of locals, its 1,100-foot vertical faces Mount Washington for dramatic views. Black Mountain was the location of the nation’s first overhead chairlift, and also you may swear you’re driving it as you slowly chug as much as the highest. Tranquil and comfortable, the independently-owned ski space is a perfect antidote for the chaos of recent life. Be sure you seize a cup of sizzling cocoa on the base lodge.
5. Homewood Mountain (Tahoe, California)
Boasting phenomenal views of Lake Tahoe from each path, this Nineteen Sixties-era ski resort is right for individuals who wish to keep away from the crowds at close by Northstar, Squaw, and Heavenly. The classic vibe right here is decidedly totally different from its fancy-pants neighbors (and the carry tickets are inexpensive), however you’ll discover the identical scrumptious powder and in depth snowfall. Don’t put this one off—plans are in improvement for a brand new ski village with further lifts and a lodge.
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