From the Inside: Our Favorite Ski Destinations
Spring has officially sprung, and while ski areas across the country are bumping their last chairs of the season, we find our minds wandering back to the mountains — the giddiness we felt after dropping into powder-filled bowls and cruising through the trees, a heartwarming return to one’s home mountain, and tips for your own visit to these snow-day locales.
Jump to a Location:
Have you hiked the Knife Ridge at Wolf Creek Ski Area?
Bear Valley, California
What makes this place special
I will always consider Bear Valley to be my “home mountain” as it’s where I learned to ski at age 5 and was the only ski resort I had actually experienced until getting a driver’s license in high school. Super family friendly and yet packs a punch on par with any Tahoe ski areas.
Must-do while visiting
The lower mountain Grizzly Bowl area remains some of the most adrenaline inducing fun terrain I’ve ever skied, and with its relatively low elevation, people should prioritize skiing it now because 20+ years from now it’s hard to imagine many powder days at 6,500ft elevation.
Submitted by Brian Bensch, Fractional Media Director
Beaver Creek, Colorado
What makes this place special
Beaver Creek is my home mountain! I learned how to ski there when I was 3 years old. It has great terrain for every level of skier — from beginner green to the downhill world cup course.
Must-do while visiting
3pm cookies!
Submitted by Marisa Dobrot, Administrative Assistant
Mammoth Mountain, California
What makes this place special
Year-round, Mammoth Mountain is the spot. When I lived in CA I was constantly finding an excuse to get up there. The Sierra Nevada Mountains are stunning. I’m no extreme skier but Mammoth has something for all levels. The town is insanely fun. Great food an apres scene to boot. Just outside of town are some great hot springs.
Must-do while visiting
Mammoth Brewing Company, Clocktower Cellar, Lakanuki if you’re looking for a dance party, Stellar Brew & Natural Cafe for organic coffee and plant-based drinks, and Skadi has amazing food — just to name a few.
Submitted by Justin Page, Graphic Designer
Monarch Mountain, Colorado
What makes this place special
February 2011: Our trip to Monarch was absolutely incredible — an epic day on the slopes in every sense of the word. We had 30+” of snow that day. They closed the pass for part of the day after we got to the hill (yay) so not only was it incredible powder, but there were not many people.
Must-do while visiting
Stay in Salida — fun town, great vibes. Hit the Mount Princeton Hot Springs while you’re there, too.
Submitted by Amy Hume, Account Director
Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort, Japan
What makes this place special
Niseko Moiwa delivered the best powder and slack-country of my life. Moderate magical glade runs. Simple and low key vibes.
Must-do while visiting
Gorge on delicious Japanese food, but obviously the most important après activity is soaking in the onsens. Onsen all day baby!
Tips for maximizing the fun
Baked potatoes in your pocket for warmth and slopeside snack. Have a great crew, but remember there are no friends on a powder day!
Submitted by Sara Grant, Directory of Story
Silverton Mountain, Colorado
What makes this place special
Silverton Mountain has only one, single chairlift that whisks you away into some of the best inbounds big mountain riding in the country. Due to the rugged nature of the ski area, avalanche equipment (beacon, shovel, probe) is required to ride here. A guide is also required during their main season (December through mid-March), but is super helpful for first-timers as it’s somewhat easy to send it off a cliff if you’re not familiar with the terrain. Stunning 360-degree mountain views are just the cherry on top for this simple yet wild ski operation.
Must-do while visiting
Highly recommend securing a heli drop at the same time as your lift ticket. This opens up your terrain options massively, and delivers you directly to fresh powder and untouched lines.
Also, a stop at the Coffee Bear in town before heading to the mountain is a must. I’m a big fan of their chai, breakfast “burrito” (more like a polygonal hand pie), and carrot cake.
Tips for maximizing the fun
Pack your own lunch and eat on the bus ride from the backside of the mountain to the base area in order to get as many runs in before the lifts stop turning at 3pm.
Submitted by Ti Eversole, Marketing Manager
Sol Mountain Lodge, Canada
What makes this place special
Tucked into the middle of nowhere in the Monashees of British Columbia, Sol Mountain Lodge is a backcountry skier’s dream. The only way into the lodge in winter is via helicopter, and when the bird drops you off for the week, the real world dissolves, and all that’s left is a comfortable lodge, sauna, five-star meals, and of course — skin tracks that lead to deep, endless turns. The zone averages 700+ inches of snow every winter, and guests have access to 30,000 acres of rolling terrain including steep trees, alpine crags, and everything in between.
Disconnecting and disappearing into a cloud of fresh powder at Sol Mountain Lodge in the British Columbia backcountry.
Must-do while visiting
I took the best run of my life down Payback Glades in 2019. The photo above says it all.
Tips for maximizing the fun
- Tour from dawn to dusk.
- Sauna with a finger of scotch.
- Stuff into your pack as many fresh-baked treats as possible.
Submitted by Erik Lambert, CEO
Wolf Creek Ski Area, Colorado
What makes this place special
My family came out for Christmas this year. We spent a week hanging out in Pagosa Springs and skiing Wolf Creek. My parents loved it so much that they ended up buying a house in Pagosa!
Must-do while visiting
Hit the Alberta Lift and keep traversing left to get to all the perfect low angle tree runs you can possibly imagine. Freshies all the way to the boundary and barely anyone else around!
Tips for maximizing the fun
If you stay in Pagosa Springs, make sure you go to the Neon Mallard for a delicious cocktail with a funky speakeasy vibe.
Submitted by Jeannie Markosky, Jr. Paid Media Planner & Buyer
From the Inside is a segment in our monthly newsletter — The Brief — where we highlight our adventurous, fun, and dynamic team. We created The Brief to provide you with simple, relevant, and useful information, where we’re dishing out scoops from the confluence of Marketing + Outdoor Industry + Environment.
