Where to Ski: A Guide to Finding Your Mountain
A ski trip is about so much more than the mountain. It is the town at the end of the day, the fireplace, the food, the whole feeling of the place. My rule for planning one is simple: match the mountain to your level, and the town to your vibe. The right destination depends entirely on you, your crew, and the feeling you are after, so let me paint the picture of each and help you find yours.
Out West: the biggest mountains and the full experience
For sheer scale, the American West is unmatched, huge mountains paired with a complete town and culinary scene. Two I have skied and adore:
- Vail, Colorado, enormous and polished, with legendary back bowls, a storybook alpine village, and world-class dining. When you want big-mountain skiing with luxury built in, it is hard to beat.
- Sun Valley, Idaho, the original American ski resort, with the glamour and none of the crowds. It feels special and a little under-the-radar: gorgeous skiing and a warm, classic town.
Two more my clients rave about: Aspen, for its glossy, see-and-be-seen glamour, and Lake Tahoe, for its enormous lake-and-mountain scenery and its range of resorts for every level. Tell me the feel you are after and I will match you to it.
The East: low-key, cozy, and great for beginners
Out East, the mountains are smaller, which makes them ideal for beginners and for families finding their feet on skis. Vermont and Maine lead the way, cozy, low-key towns with less glitz and more fireplaces-and-flannel charm. I also grew up skiing the Poconos in Pennsylvania, an easy trip from the New York area with that same relaxed, beginner-friendly feel. Depending on the vibe you want, I will steer you to the right one, and any of them make an easy East Coast ski weekend.
International: the bucket-list Alps (and Canada)
When you are ready for the trip of a lifetime, go international. In North America, Whistler Blackcomb in Canada is the giant, the biggest, most complete resort on the continent. But the pinnacle of ski culture is the Alps. In Switzerland, picture Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn, chic St. Moritz, and lively Verbier. In the French Alps, it is Chamonix under Mont Blanc for serious mountains, and Courchevel and Val d’Isère for ski-in, ski-out luxury and unforgettable mountain dining. These trips are all about long runs, jaw-dropping scenery, and a culture that treats skiing as a way of life, and I arrange them through my trusted local partners on the ground.
Skiing with kids
Ski destinations can be wonderful for families. Most children can start ski lessons around age 3, and the big Western resorts in particular have excellent ski schools. Some resorts offer daycare, though many families choose to bring a nanny along so the parents can get their own runs in too. Either way it is very doable, and I plan it so everyone, every age and level, has a great day.
The timing nobody warns you about. The best ski-in, ski-out lodging books six months to a year out, and the holiday weeks like Christmas, New Year, and Presidents’ week go first, along with the ski-school spots and the good instructors. Lift tickets are far cheaper bought early than at the window, and rentals and lessons need to be locked in before you arrive. Miss those windows and you pay more for less, which is where I come in.
How to choose, and why plan with me
It comes back to that one rule, the mountain to your level and the town to your vibe. Big and buzzy or small and cozy, Rockies or Alps, first-timers or experts, I match you to the right place, then arrange the ski-in, ski-out lodging, the lessons and rentals, the lift tickets, and the dinners that make the trip, with VIP recognition where available. It makes a spectacular honeymoon or family trip. And for the Alps, because it is a long-haul flight, it is worth reading whether business class is worth it for the journey over.