Early Snow = Early Winter Fun

It seems as though fall has turned to winter for several states around the country. Early snowfall in several states, like California, Colorado, and Maine has allowed many ski resorts to open early. So, grab your skis, snowboard, and snowsuit to get a head start on your favorite winter activities!

Most people wouldn’t necessarily think of Southern California as being a place to get in your alley-oop while snowboarding, but at the Mountain High Resort you can. The resort is just an hour and a half away from LA making it the perfect winter getaway, and you can get your snow fix now. The resort opened on November 5^th, making it the 4^th earliest opening since the resort opened in 1941. Mountain High Resort has 59 trails and accommodates all levels. It even has 3 distinct resorts to accommodate every snow bunny. The West Resort is popular among the younger crowds with various promotions, contests, and live performances. It is also the only resort open 7 nights a week. The East Resort has the longest trails and offers beautiful views of the Mojave Desert. The North Resort is perfect for families and beginners and also offers a tubing park.

When I think of winter resorts I of course think of Colorado – and with Aspen Snowmass opening 5 days earlier than scheduled you can put Colorado on your winter getaway destination list. Snowmass has over 5,300 acres for maximum skiing pleasure. You only need one lift pass to access all four mountains, making it perfect to experience all that Aspen has to offer.Snowmass has 4,406 vertical feet, making it the only ski resort in the country to have that much vertical feet. The mountain offers 91 trails, 21 chairlifts, and numerous terrain parks and half pipes. The infamous black-diamond terrain has made Aspen Mountain a legend since 1947. This mountain is definitely for the skilled, with the trails noted at 48% difficult, 26% most difficult, and 26% for experts only. The Aspen Highlands is perfect for experts and cruisers alike. With great views of the Maroon Bells and plenty of places to hike you can take some time to truly enjoy the scenery.  Last, but certainly not least is Buttermilk. Don’t let the name fool you – this mountain has been made famous after hosting the ESPN Winter X Games, and it has been voted #1 by Transworld Snowboarding Magazine for best park and pipe. Check out this mountain to experience what many X Game winners and Olympians already love about this place.

Sunday River in Maine is used to opening early, but an unexpected 9-inches of snow made opening weekend a true winter haven. This resort has 133 trails, 16 lifts, and a lot of snow. This massive resort has 8 interconnected mountain peaks and 743 acres to explore. If you’re a beginner check out South Ridge, all of the trails have been designed for beginners with the exception of the South Ridge Jib Park. If you want to spend some alone time head to Aurora Peak, as it is the most quiet and secluded. White Cap is perfect for those up for a challenge. It has the longest, steepest lift in the east. This resort also offers a variety of entertainment. Check out magic shows, music, fireworks, and dancing.