If you're dying to go skiing, skating, or snowboarding for your winter break, then we have some great options for you! // Photo Source: The Lusso Report
Now that the holidays are upon us, it’s a perfect time for college students and high school kids everywhere to enjoy their winter break downtime with some fun in the snow. So if you’re in the mood for some serious skiing action or any other winter sport, there’s no better place to make it happen than a popular ski destination. Whether you desire to conquer the powdery white slopes like a professional Olympic athlete or you just simply want to channel your inner Queen Elsa and live out your Frozen fantasies, consider booking a trip to any of these prime ski destinations for a well-deserved winter break vacation.
If You’re in New England…
The northeastern region of the United States is home to many accessible ski resorts for students studying in the area and don’t want to schlep all the way to other well-known ski destinations in the country.
Connecticut is home to Ski Sundown and Mount Southington while Maine has places like Baker Mountain and Powderhouse Hill. You can also check out other cool ski spots in New England like Jiminy Peak in Massachusetts, Granite Gorge in New Hampshire, Yawgoo Valley in Rhode Island, and Smugglers’ Notch in Vermont.
If You’re in the East Coast…
Students in the Mid-Atlantic States have plenty of nearby options when it comes to great ski destinations. New York and Pennsylvania alone have a plethora of ski resorts between them that East Coast kids won’t have to shell out the big bucks for airfare to go someplace else that’s far away from them.
You can try out places like Greek Peak, Holiday Valley, and the Belleayre Ski Center in New York. Over in Pennsylvania, you’ll find some fantastic choices like Boyce Park, Elk Mountain, and Jack Frost Big Boulder. Outside of these states, neighbors like New Jersey have Campgaw Mountain while Maryland has the Wisp Ski Resort.
If You’re in the Southeast…
If you think that just because you’re living in the South, it doesn’t mean that there’s a severe lack of snowy places for you to enjoy winter break. If you’re tired of the sunny beaches in Florida and want some hardcore snow-filled action, then head on over to Wolf Ridge in North Carolina or take a trip to Ober Gatlinburg in Tennessee to shake off the sweltering temperatures of whichever southern state you’re living and studying in. Elsewhere, you can visit awesome locations like Wintergreen Resort or The Homestead, which are both situated in the state of Virginia.
If You’re in the Midwest…
Midwesterners basically have a winter wonderland smorgasbord when it comes to quality ski destinations. States like Michigan and Wisconsin have the highest concentration of ski resorts in the Midwest, so you won’t have any trouble finding good places to stay for your winter break vacation.
Michigan has spots like Mount Bohemia, Nub’s Nob, and Ski Brule; Wisconsin lays claim to places such as Granite Peak, Trollhaugen, and Book Across the Bay. You might also want to try out these other Midwestern hotspots: Ski Snowstar in Illinois, Perfect North Slopes in Indiana, Welch Village in Minnesota, Snow Creek in Missouri, Frost Fire in North Dakota, Great Bear in South Dakota, and Mad River Mountain in Ohio.
If You’re in the Rocky Mountains…
Congratulations! Students who live in states near the Rocky Mountains are considered as the best places to ski in the United States whenever the winter season approaches. And the glittering crown jewel of this blessed region undoubtedly goes to Aspen in Colorado, where it is hailed by many visitors as a world-class ski destination to rival those in Europe and Asia.
However, Aspen can get too crowded during its peak season, though you won’t run out of other fabulous options. Head on over to these places that are just as great when Aspen is fully booked for the season: Arizona Snowbowl in Arizona, Lookout Pass in Idaho, Big Sky in Montana, Angel Fire Resort in New Mexico, Solitude in Utah, and Jackson Hole in Wyoming.
If You’re in the West Coast…
Normally, when you think of the West Coast, you’d think of activities better suited to the summertime like sun-drenched surfing than skiing on the snowy slopes. That’s where you’re mistaken, because there are several high-altitude areas in the western United States where snowfall is sufficient enough to do some serious winter sports! Take California, for example. Not only is the Golden State known for its sunny coastlines, but it also happens to have the most ski destinations in the West Coast!
Places like Alpine Meadows, Sugar Bowl, Alta Sierra, Kratka Ridge, China Peak, and Snow Summit can all be found in California. Outside of this popular state, you can also take a decent winter break in locations like Arctic Valley in Alaska, Diamond Peak in Nevada, Cooper Spur in Oregon, and Snoqualmie Pass in Washington.