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Copper MountainCity/Region: Rocky Mountains
Copper Mountain is the largest resort, in terms of area, in the whole of Summit County Colorado. The resort, owned by Intrawest, which also owns Winter Park (Colorado), Mammoth (California) and Whistler-Blackcomb (B.C, Canada) is incredibly popular and noted especially for its varying terrain and diverse runs. The resort has three villages filled with shops, restaurants, bars and a variety of accommodation. The Village at Copper is the center of the resort and most of the action takes place around here. The East Village and
Union Creek (on the west side) have fewer restaurants and shops. A few years back, Intrawest put a lot of money into the upgrading of the villages, with massive amounts of construction aiding to bring up the standard and reputation to where it stands today. Copper Mountain is now one of the most popular resorts in the whole of Colorado and continues to attract visitors from within the United States and worldwide.
SteamboatCity/Region: Rocky Mountains
Steamboat is a hugely popular resort boasting a wide variety of options for families of all skiing levels, and topped off with rustic cowboy charm. The resort is located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado on Mount Werner in the Park range. With almost 3,000 acres of varied terrain, reaching a height of 3,668 feet (1,118m), 165 trails including mogul fields and tree runs there is bound to be enough for everyone. The resort is incredibly popular due to its rich Olympic heritage and friendly atmosphere, and is perfect for families accommodating beginner skiers and snowboarders quite comfortably with experienced trainers at the ski school.
Winter ParkCity/Region: Rocky Mountains
Winter Park has been increasing in popularity over the last few years and the resort management, Intrawest Corp. are putting some funding ahead for new improvements. The resort sits at over 9,000 feet (2,743m) above sea level, and is roughly one and a half hours away from Denver, in the snow and ski heavyweight state of Colorado. Spread over more than 3,000 acres of ski terrain are 134 trails, most of which will suit the more advanced skiers and boarders. Linked with Winter Park are Mary Jane, Vasquez and Parsenn Bowl, suited only to intermediates and expert skiers and riders. The resort is popular with locals and those in the know, and one of the favorites in the hearts of snowboarders from all over Colorado for its wonderful parks and the great community spirit.
KeystoneCity/Region: Rocky Mountains
Keystone attracts all types from all over the world. From first-time families to rogue snowboarders, all manage to delight themselves with the many options available at this all-encompassing resort. Keystone is situated only one and a half hours from Denver, and just over two hours from Denver International Airport. It is part of the Vail Resorts group, and lift tickets can be purchased to include the other resorts in that group: Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Arapahoe Basin, Vail and Heavenly (California). An efficient bus system in Summit Country connects all of these resorts (excluding Heavenly) to allow for an incredible variety of skiing in the area. Keystone itself has three separate villages with bars, restaurants, shops, rental equipment facilities and a wide range of accommodation. But what really separates Keystone apart from all the other resorts is the night skiing.
Beaver CreekCity/Region: Rocky Mountains
A major resort in Colorado, this upmarket ski haven is great for families, couples, even a few celebrities, as it offers good skiing, fine dining, world-class shopping and fantastic accommodation. Beaver Creek has a very European feel to it, styled similarly to Switzerland's St. Moritz, Italy's Cortina and Spain's Val d'Aran, and exudes the sense of luxury that complements the resort's maxim:
Not Exactly Roughing It. The resort hosts three villages with mountain access from all. The Beaver Creek Village is the heart of the resort and has plenty of shops and restaurants in its surrounds, whereas Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead are more secluded but with great access to the slopes. Beaver Creek is part of Vail Resorts and ski packages can include access to Keystone, Vail, Breckenridge, Arapahoe Basin and Heavenly (California), all of which (excluding Heavenly) can be accessed via an efficient transport system in the Summit County Area.
VailCity/Region: Rocky Mountains
Time and again Vail is ranked among the top ski destinations on the continent, the most visited ski resort in America and known to be one of the world's premier winter destinations. With the largest single mountain ski area in North America it offers miles of ski terrain and the opportunity to choose a different descent every time. The Austrian-styled village is a neat concentration of trendy shops, restaurants and nightlife all within easy reach of the hotels, inns and lodges, and never more than a five-minute walk to the slopes. There is also a lift system that provides access to a backcountry experience with trees and peaceful ungroomed terrain. The ski season lasts from November to early May, but the resort remains open for summer activities such as hiking, mountain biking and fishing.
AspenCity/Region: Rocky Mountains
Aspen's reputation precedes it; the name is synonymous with glitz, glamour, unparalleled skiing and spectacular mountain scenery. Most reviews would have one believe that it is a resort exclusively for the rich and famous. Although this elite resort does see super stars such as Jack Nicholson and Cher, anyone with a lot of cash can experience the powder snow, superb skiing, sophisticated accommodation as well as good dining and high-society shopping, with an unrivalled range of winter and summer activities. Summer is more affordable; prices are lower at this time, and there are numerous trails for hiking, biking and horse riding, as well as renowned cultural festivals of dance and music. The resort attracts thousands of Americans as well as European visitors every year. Aspen began as a silver mining town with the discovery of the world's largest silver nugget in the 1870s; after the crash of the silver market its economy dwindled until it was recognized as a prime ski location. The ostentatious après-ski is a celebrity's watch of 'who's who'.
BreckenridgeCity/Region: Rocky Mountains
The beautiful Colorado high mountain valley of Breckenridge first attracted settlers back in 1859, when the glitter of gold drew hundreds of hopeful prospectors to the banks of the Blue River. The gold wore out in the 1940s, but Breckenridge soon boomed again, this time as a world-class ski resort where visitors come seeking thrills and spills on the white powdery slopes. When it comes to snow-sports, Breckenridge is acknowledged as one of the finest places in the USA to experience them all, and it has a reputation for being the best place to learn to ski, with more than 600 professional instructors and gentle beginner slopes available. Breckenridge is also a haven for snowboarders, having been one of the first resorts in the country to cater for this booming sport. The quaint mining town with its charming preserved Victorian buildings forms the nucleus of the Breckenridge resort, and has become a year-round popular holiday destination with a host of activities on offer during the summer months as well as its exceptional skiing in winter. The resort's popularity is enhanced by its easy accessibility from Denver via the Eisenhower Tunnel, the drive taking about an hour and a half.
TellurideCity/Region: Rocky Mountains
At the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains, tucked into a canyon ringed by the soaring peaks of the San Juan Mountains, lies the tiny historic mining town of Telluride, which, twinned with its modern purpose-built 'alter-ego', Mountain Village, perched 9,500 feet (2,895m) up the mountain-side, forms one of America's most spectacular alpine resorts. Telluride sports a dozen or so blocks of quaint Victorian homes and clapboard storefronts, around a pedestrianized core. A unique feature of the twinned towns is the three-stage gondola system, which provides the only access to high altitude Mountain Village. Visitors take the swift, scenic free ride to the elegant, contemporary resort town, marvelling at the panoramic views of some of Colorado's most magnificent mountain peaks. While Telluride provides the picturesque historic atmosphere, Mountain Village, founded in 1987, provides modern recreational and accommodation options for discerning guests with luxury hotels and condominiums, sophisticated boutiques, eclectic restaurants, a championship golf course, conference center and a world-class spa. The attractive, upmarket modern facilities and stunning setting have ensured that Telluride/Mountain Village is not just a winter sports destination with eminently attractive ski slopes, but popular all year round as a mountain holiday destination. It is easy to see why the Ute Indians in days of yore cherished this valley and its guardian peaks as sacred territory.
Crested ButteCity/Region: Rocky Mountains
Crested Butte is located in Gunnison County, considered the wildflower capital of Colorado. Regardless, when the resort is covered in white each winter, the flowers are forgotten and skiers from all over the world descend on this resort town, often touted as one of the best extreme skiing locations in the world. Both the US Extreme Skiing Championships and X-Games have been hosted here but the extensive terrain has something to offer everyone. The resort town is famous and well loved within the skiing community as a laidback, unpretentious, fun-loving place to visit,
Worth Getting To, as their saying goes.
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