by James Michaud

Taos, NM - A while back, my wife and I came to terms with the fact that we have conflicting expectations for ski vacations. Her ideal trip follows a more European model. It should be a sacred, relaxing time when you’re able to do everything that's normally impossible at home – sleep until mid-morning, leisurely sip coffee over breakfast, linger over an unhurried lunch, relax with a late-afternoon massage or facial, drinks, a nice dinner, along with a couple hours of skiing. Meanwhile, I lean toward the North American "ski yourself into the ground" mentality. I want to wake up early, get to the mountain before the lifts open, rack up a maximum amount of vertical in (hopefully) powder, go to bed early, and do the same thing again the next day.

by James Michaud

Highmount, NY - While the formation of a citizen's group to help save a local ski area in danger of closing isn't unheard-of, the longevity, enthusiasm, and organizational powers of the Coalition To Save Belleayre Mountain are. Formed in the early 1980s when New York State threatened to shutter this government-owned and -operated ski operation in the western Catskills, the Coalition has, over more than a quarter century, served as a vigilant watchdog and public-relations advocate for an unspoiled, but economically struggling region.

by Leigh Mytton

St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria - Most of us dream of walking in a winter wonderland, and this festive season I was fortunate enough to experience a genuine white Christmas in the picturesque resort of St. Anton am Arlberg.

How I Came To View North Carolina As A Legitimate Ski Destination
By Jeff Hemmel

A ski and snowboard vacation in the mountains of the Kitty Hawk state can be summed up in a variation on one simple phrase: “We’re in North Carolina.”

by Tony Crocker

Revelstoke (BC), Canada - For several decades Revelstoke has been home base for some of the world's finest backcountry powder skiing, but in 2007-08 the tiny local Powder Springs ski area was replaced by the new Revelstoke Mountain Resort on Mt. MacKenzie, which now boasts the greatest lift-served vertical drop of any ski resort in North America.

Story and photos by James Michaud

Jackson, WY – Friends sometimes ask me why I often fly to ski regions with large, world-famous mountains and then end up spending as much or more time at the lesser-known "second-banana" areas nearby.

by Jeff Hemmel

Tahoe City, CA - There's something about the onslaught of spring that makes me long for a few last days on the snow. Maybe it's the simple realization that I won't venture onto a slope — at least not one covered in white — for more than six months. Or maybe I just kind of like that combination of sunshine, corn snow, and those tanned faces at the outdoor grill. Whatever the case it's about this time every year I start getting a little itchy to take one last, glorious road trip.

by Leigh Mytton

With numerous skiing opportunities in North America, its easy to overlook the potential of the European Alps. It's not cheap to get there and you lose valuable mountain time in making such a mammoth trip.