NORWALK, Conn., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Did you know you can ski in Iowa (but watch out for the cornstalks)? Or down south through Georgia and Alabama (dodge the peaches and peanuts)? In fact, you can ski in 39 of our 50 states.
From Alaska to Vermont -- and lesser known Midwest and Southeast climes in between -- resorts are grooming the slopes, greasing the lifts and cranking up the snow machines for sky-high adventure on the peaks. So, grab your skis, snowboards and snowsuits and head for the mountains.
"As we glide into winter and slalom into the big snow skiing season, it is hard to believe that we have such a great variety of exciting mountain resorts in America," said Leslie Downey, director of communication for Travelers Advantage and Travelersadvantage.com. "In fact, ski moguls and snowbunnies can catch a drift in 80 percent of the states in the U.S."
Some of the best snow skiing packages are in Colorado and British Columbia. Clamp on your skis and trek to Inn at Keystone, one of the most popular resorts in the Rockies, for a three-night package that includes car rental and airfare for $429 from Chicago and $529 from Los Angeles. If you desire more northern Rocky Mountain climes, jump into a three-night package to Whistler, British Columbia, for $939 from Chicago and $899 from Los Angeles, including airfare and airport transfers*.
The Travelers Advantage snow bunnies offer a peek at some great U.S. peaks:
West ... 1. Alaska -- The Alyeska Resort -- the northernmost ski destination -- remarkably boasts the lowest base elevation (250 feet) for any major ski resort in the U.S. This burgeoning mountain resort features 1,000 acres of terrain, ranging from gentle slopes for beginners to a vast selection of double black diamond runs to challenge the experts. 2. California -- Squaw Valley -- This Lake Tahoe resort boasts over 4000 acres of skiable terrain. Spread over six peaks, and accessed by the most advanced lift system in the world, Squaw enjoys an abundance of warm California sunshine nearly 300 days of the year. Its wide open bowls and carefully groomed runs beckon the beginner to the advanced. 3. Nevada -- Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe -- Perched high on the Nevada side of the Sierras, Mt. Rose has the highest base elevation of any ski area at Lake Tahoe -- 8,260 feet. With more than 900 acres of skiable terrain, a vertical drop of 1,440 feet, and 43 runs, Mt. Rose provides exciting terrain for every level of skier and snowboarder! Rocky Mountains ... 1. Arizona -- Sunrise Park Resort -- With 65 trails spread over three mountains -- Sunrise Peak, Apache Peak and Cyclone Circle -- Sunrise offers a wide range of runs for beginner or intermediate skiers, and enough slopes to keep the experts guessing. You also can snowboard, cross-country ski and go tubing! 2. Colorado -- Keystone Resort -- Three mountains offer some of the best terrain, including steeps, bowls, bumps, glades, rails, hits, and lights. Keystone is home to the largest single-mountain night skiing experience in North America. 3. Utah -- Park City Mountain Resort -- Utah's largest ski area, both in terms of skiable acreage and lift capacity, Park City's 100 trails and 750 acres of open bowl skiing offer terrain to please every ability level and taste. Night skiing is offered seven nights a week on Payday, the longest lighted run in the Rockies, as well as First Time, a special area just for beginners. Midwest ... 1. Iowa -- Mt. Crescent Ski Area -- Provides Midwest skiers a variety of slopes that fascinate new skiers and challenge experienced ones. Runs up to 2,000 feet offer a 300-foot vertical drop, while leading-edge snowmaking equipment covers it all with well-packed snow. All trails are lighted for night skiing. 2. Minnesota -- Lutsen Mountains -- Lutsen consists of four mountains with 87 runs on 462 skiable acres, a 988-foot area vertical rise, and an 825 foot lift-serviced vertical rise. It boasts the Midwest's largest snowmaking system and also has mid-America's only mountain gondola! 3. Ohio -- Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski Resort -- These resorts offer skiers and snowboarders a unique two-for-one winter sports opportunity in Northeast Ohio. Boston Mills and Brandywine can manufacture snow to cover 75 acres of ski slopes overnight. 4. Wisconsin -- Sunburst Ski Area -- Sunburst is a small, family-run ski area that offers 10 runs on 35 skiable acres. All the runs are fully lighted for night skiing. Snowboarders will enjoy a half-pipe and snowboard park complete with rope-tow, lights and sound system. Southeast ... 1. Alabama -- Cloudmont Ski Resort -- Since 1970, advanced snow-making equipment has provided powder to Cloudmont's two 1,000-foot, beginner-intermediate slopes. Two "pony lifts" take skiers to the top of the slopes that have an elevation of 1,800 feet. 2. Georgia -- Sky Valley Resort -- In the highest city in Georgia, the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains hide this picturesque valley. Night skiing offered and snowboarders welcome! 3. Tennessee -- Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort -- This southern ski area offers numerous trails for alpine skiers and snowboarders. Beginner to advanced skiers will find enough cruising space and challenges to keep them entertained! 4. West Virginia -- Snowshoe Mountain -- Snowshoe Mountain is the largest winter resort area in the mid-Atlantic. Explore three mountain faces with just one lift ticket. Benefits include night skiing, a five-lane tubing hill, Kids World, and a 300-foot half pipe offering plenty of rails and kickers! Northeast ... 1. Connecticut -- Mohawk Mountain -- There are 23 trails covering 107 skiable acres, providing wide, sweeping and open trails. Fourteen lighted trails make this the largest night skiing area in Connecticut. 2. New Jersey -- Mountain Creek -- With trails across four peaks, Mountain Creek is the ultimate winter experience. A vertical of more than 1,000 feet combined with new trails, terrain parks and a half pipe have quickly made Mountain Creek the premier winter resort in the region. Night skiing means that the fun doesn't stop when the sun goes down! 3. Vermont -- Smugglers' Notch Resort -- Three interconnected mountains -- Morse, Madonna and Sterling -- offer terrain from friendly, groomed slopes for learning, to expert mogul runs, thrilling glades and the East's only triple black diamond, The Black Hole! About Travelers Advantage
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*Tours operated by Certified Vacations Group, Inc. Rates packages include round-trip airfare from Los Angeles to Vancouver on US Airways, from Chicago to Vancouver on American Airlines, and from Los Angeles and Chicago to Denver on American Airlines. Rates valid for travel 1/29 - 4/30/07, for bookings made by 1/31/07. Effective travel dates vary by destination and/or hotel property. All rates are per person, based on double occupancy, and include round-trip Economy Class airfare. Some rates are based on published airfares which are capacity-controlled and subject to change at anytime. Rates are subject to airline, hotel and tour availability, and may vary significantly based on departure date and destination. All rates are subject to change without notice. Rates may require travel on specific flights, dates and/or days of the week, and may not be available from all local airports or during certain peak travel periods. Some vacation packages may be non-refundable. Other significant restrictions (including advance purchase requirements, minimum/maximum stay requirements, cancellation penalties and travel embargo dates) may apply and vary by destination and property. Other vacation packages may be available at higher rates. Rates include 9/11 Security Fees and Passenger Facility Charges. Rates do not include a $10 (CDN) per person improvement fee which is collected by the Vancouver airport upon departure. Gratuities require direct payment by passenger. Operating dates of each ski resort vary and may change due to snow conditions. Blackout dates may apply. Alamo compact car rental only included in Denver rates. Rental car rates include unlimited mileage, governmentally imposed or authorized taxes or fees, airport fees or concession recoupment fees, which may apply (unless otherwise noted). Rates do not include fuel, Collision Damage Waiver, additional driver fee, under-age driver fee, or optional items. Renter must meet the standard age, driver, credit and cash rental requirements. The rental car company reserves the right to refuse any request for rental. Additional restrictions may apply. Operator reserves the right to discontinue promotions at anytime without notice. Operator is not responsible for omissions or typographical errors.
Travelers Advantage
