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Does the idea of skidding down a steep mountain perched on two narrow blades leave you, er, cold? But your friends and family live for the slopes? Not to worry, we put together a list of Trip.com users’ favorite ski towns where you can ALL be happy on your winter vacation:
by: Ken Lund flickr – Courtesy: Trip.com
Diverse Lake Tahoe is popular for many visitors who never even see a pair of skis: in town, peruse art galleries and the boutique shops, or go beer and wine tasting at the handful of good wineries and breweries nearby. You can also test your luck at the casinos (it is a resort town, after all), or take a gondola/cable car ride at Squaw Valley and go ice skating on the mountain before sitting down to a cozy, scenic lunch.
Whistler, Canada
by: jeffwilcox flickr – Courtesy: Trip.com
Though widely considered Canada’s top ski resort, Whistler is known for a plethora of winter sports, thanks to its location next to Blackcomb Mountain. But the main village offers plenty of shopping, dining, day spas, or cozying up in a warm pub with live music, too.
Vancouver, Canada
by: PoYang_博仰 flickr – Courtesy: Trip.com
True, Vancouver is not accurately categorized as a “town,” but the city is well-known for its fantastic skiing on Grouse Mountain. Luckily, there’s so much more to do here that even if your friends drag you on a “skiing trip,” you can fill your own agenda while they hit the slopes. Poke around historic Gastown or vibrant Chinatown for a taste of culture, or just eat your way through the city: it’s one of the best foodie destinations on the planet.
Aspen, Colorado
by: felix388 flickr – Courtesy: Trip.com
Aspen is actually a fairly old city (for America, anyway) — its history dates back to the mid-19th century. Filled with art galleries, historic architecture, and eight-figure vacation homes for Hollywood elites, it’s a lovely walking and people-watching town.
Mammoth Lakes, California
by: Just|n W|se flickr – Courtesy: Trip.com
True, skiing is king here, but there are plenty more winter sports and adventures to be had. Check out old 19th century mining camps or the Hot Creek Geological Area, or even day-trip it to Yosemite, Mono Lake, or the ghost town Bodie — all of which are less than an hour away.
Park City, Utah
by: josephdepalma flickr – Courtesy: Trip.com
Non-snow bunnies will appreciate the art galleries and traditional eateries along historic Main Street any day of the year, but December is especially popular with its frenzy of holiday events and festive lights. And in January, there’s a little thing called the Sundance Film Festival (you may have heard of it.)
Jackson, Wyoming
by: si_si_ay flickr – Courtesy: Trip.com
World-class skiing is to be had at nearby Jackson Hole, but the delightful Old West village of Jackson offers boardwalks filled with boutiques, galleries, cafes, and bars. You can also visit the National Elk Refuge on the north side of town, romp around the outskirts on snowshoes, or explore Grand Teton National Park, just five miles outside of town.
Stowe, Vermont
by: print57 flickr – Courtesy: Trip.com
Cute, quaint Stowe is the picture-perfect Americana town. Ski enthusiasts flock to Stowe Mountain Resort on Mount Mansfield, but you can just stick to the colonial village and its charming, old-fashioned storefronts (like Shaw’s General Store.) Duck into any of them for treats like maple syrup or apple cider, or go tour the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory. And in the fall, the changing foliage is some of the best in the country.
Vail, Colorado
by: followcarl flickr – Courtesy: Trip.com
Though Vail was built specifically as a ski destination, the fairy tale-like Swiss Alpine-style village itself is delightful. There’s plenty of shopping and world-class dining to be had, but even just meandering through the chalets, charming town squares, and European clock towers is an experience that makes you feel as though you’re not even in the States.
Source: gogobot.com