by Melanie Grimes

Created on: February 16, 2008   Last Updated: February 04, 2011

The best ski resorts in the West cover mountains located from the Canadian Rockies to the southern slopes of New Mexico. Winter recreation and some of the best resorts in the world are located in these western mountains of North America.

LAKE LOUISE/ BANFF, ALBERTA, CANADA In Banff, you can ski at three different ski areas in the Canadian Rockies-Mount Norquay/Mystic Ridge, Sunshine Village, and Lake Louise. Mt. Norquay is known for its vertical and moguls. Ski here from November until May. The average snowfall here is over 30 feet so there's plenty of snow to go around on the 3000 acres of terrain for beginners and experts. You can also experience extreme skiing if you bring you avalanche beacon and shovel.

PROS: scenery, moguls, powder, extreme cliff skiing.

WHISTLER/BLACKCOMB, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA Whistler has the largest vertical drop in North America-5,280 feet and over 100 restaurants when you're done for the day. In season, 16,000 skiers traverse 7,000 skiable acres, but there is plenty of room for everyone. Area also features backcountry and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, heli-skiing and sleigh rides. You can ski on a glacier year-round. The elevation of 7000 feet will be the site of the XXI Winter Games in 2010. Whistler offers numerous amenities for families, ski in/out accommodations, and a lovely pedestrian village. PROS: Glacier skiing, charming village.

PARK CITY, UTAH Park City is one of Utah's thirteen world-class ski resorts.
Located only 36 miles from the Salt Lake City airport, the slopes are easily accessible from one of the west's largest airline hubs.
Recently named one
Park City has set a standard in environmental sustainability by reducing its carbon output by nearly 3,800 tons during the 2006-07 season. The ski area covers 3,300 acres. Skiers can enjoy eight peaks, nine bowls, and four terrain parks along with North America's largest superpipe.

SUNDANCE, UTAH Sundance is the only ski area that offers classes in both skiing and jewelry making. It's located an hour's drive from Salt Lake City. In addition to alpine skiing, you can snowboard or cross country ski. Sundance slopes feature 42 alpine runs from novice to experienced, as well as 26 kilometers of groomed cross country and 10 kilometers of snowshoeing trails. Sundance is great ski area that balances art and recreation.

BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO Breckenridge is great for beginners. The town is a great place to walk around.
With 146 trails for skiing, a great

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