A 2½ -hour drive from Aspen, this is the resort for those who relish the idea of miles and miles of perfectly groomed trails, high-speed lifts, an easy introduction to off-piste skiing, and plenty of family activities. Like most other North American winter resorts, it boasts an excellent ski/snowboarding school.

Accommodation choices lie between the three base areas, Vail Village, Lionshead, and West Vail, linked by heated pedestrian walkways and each with its own shops, restaurants, and bars. The buildings – especially in bustling Vail Village - have been designed to make the whole place look like an Alpine resort. The lift pass also covers neighbouring Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin, adding up to a huge variety of skiing.

Lifts: 31

Nearest airports: Eagle County Regional Airport (flights from Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, JFK New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, Phoenix, Washington DC), 56 km (35 mi.), and Denver 195 km (121 mi.).

Read more in our post 6 Top Winter Resorts of the USA´s Rocky Mountains.

Steve Boice