Have you been dreaming of a winter getaway to hit the slopes with your family? Picture this: arriving at a picture-perfect location where you’re not expected to do any of the snow shoveling, you have your pick of delicious restaurants for your apres-ski, shuttles drop you off wherever you need to be, and you’ve even set up a reservation for rental equipment so everything is already taken care of and waiting for you! Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?
If you’re into snow and cozy lodges, keep reading to find out more about the five suggested destinations that are all perfect for a ski trip. With your Palmera Vacation Club membership, you can use the RCI Exchange or Quest Travel Club to plan and save on your next vacation.
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
With a nickname like Ski Town USA, Steamboat Springs makes it on almost every list ranking the best places to ski and snowboard in the United States. So, what makes it so great? Some visitors like how the altitude is significantly lower than other similar locations, making it easier to adjust if you’re only staying for the weekend. Steamboat Springs is generally known to be more affordable than other ski resorts of its nature, and ever since it’s been added to the Ikon Pass, its popularity has only grown. To top it all off, you’ll have 3,000 acres of trails and 3 terrain parks to discover, plenty of areas that are kid-friendly, and you’ll have many opportunities to book a ski or snowboard lesson.
Park City, Utah
Known for having Utah’s “Greatest Snow on Earth,” Park City is a winter sports hub that offers three ski resorts—one exclusively only for skiing, sorry snowboarders—and a seemingly endless list of other outdoor and indoor activities visitors can enjoy when there’s snow on the ground. About a half-hour’s drive from Salt Lake City, Park City is easily accessible and does have a free trolley that takes you through the historic downtown. Visitors can also stop at the Utah Olympic Park built for the 2002 Winter Olympics or the Woodward Park City complex which offers the best tubing in the area and a massive Indoor Hub. Learn more about the Deer Valley and Park City Mountain resort areas on the Park City Destination Highlight.
Lincoln, New Hampshire
This family-friendly town is the second largest by area in New Hampshire and is a great getaway to the White Mountains, a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains, year-round. In the winter season, you’ll have easy access to Loon Mountain Resort, as well as nearby Bretton Woods and Cannon Mountain. Loon Mountain Resort offers 73 trails that stretch across 3 peaks and currently has 8 lifts. Plus, word has it that during the 2023/2024 season, there will be an expansion of the South Peak that brings an additional 30 acres that includes new trails and tree-skiing areas. Lessons for all ages are available, and ticket packages are extremely affordable, including specialty Novice Tickets.
Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada
This world-renowned alpine skiing destination made it on the map in the 1930s when the Lake Tahoe Ski Club hosted the 1931 and 1932 Winter Olympic Tryouts. Investors like Walt Disney laid the groundwork for Tahoe to become a premier winter destination. The Lake Tahoe area offers more than a dozen ski resorts collectively on both California and Nevada sides. Some of the favorite world-class ski resorts are Palisades Tahoe, Heavenly Ski Resort, and Northstar California Resort. The beauty of Lake Tahoe—other than its literal gorgeous scenery—is that there’s a ski resort and trail for everyone, no matter if you’re just learning or you’re a pro. With many different accommodation options, there are many ways to save on a trip to Big Blue.
Sugarloaf Mountain, Maine
One of the tallest mountains in the Pine Tree State at 4,237 feet, Sugarloaf is a paradise for families looking to hit the slopes and play in the snow. Activities like Cat Skiing, Sno-Go Ski and Fat biking, ice skating, snowshoeing, and more are all ways that visitors can explore the outdoors other than heading up the mountain with their skis or snowboard. With 176 trails and glades to choose from in the 1,360 skiable acres, Sugarloaf is also the only lift-serviced above-treeline terrain on the East Coast—say that 5 times fast! Great for beginners and also for those looking for a challenge, you’ll want to put this destination in Carrabassett Valley on your list.
