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Keystone on Wednesday, 9 Nov 11 Courtesy of Keystone's FB page
Outside magazine just released its list of "best" ski resorts in North America and don't ya know that Colorado has some Top Spots to Ski and Ride!
Here's why we're notable, Outside says:
BEST EARLY SEASON (November-December) HIKE-TO TERRAIN
Crested Butte
"No resort gets a bigger La Niña bang for the dump than Crested Butte, which often has thin cover until February. But last year, 62 inches fell between December 16 and 23, allowing early access to the mountain's best terrain, Third Bowl, which could open early again this year. ..."
BEST MIDSEASON (January-February) PARTY"
Vail
"Last season, Vail got 56 inches of snow between January 17 and 23. With anything close to that, the inaugural Winter Teva Mountain Games (February 9–12) should be a powder paradise. ... On powder days, head to Beaver Creek. It has a reputation for easy groomers, which is why the Grouse Mountain area, 1,838 vertical feet of steeps, often stays untracked."
BEST ALL-AGES PARTY
Keystone
"During Kidtopia Family Weeks, Keystone offers movie night, arts and crafts, a chance to meet the avalanche rescue dogs, and a maze-and-slide-equipped snow fort."
BEST PLACE TO SKI THE GLADES TOGETHER
Steamboat
"Open glades like the Shadows, with trees spaced 50 to 60 feet apart, offer a great stepping stone to tighter tree skiing."
BEST HELI-SKIING
Silverton
"It's like skiing something in Alaska - Big terrain, long and steep, and the guides are really good."
BEST SKI-RACING CAMP
PointZero1, Aspen & Vail
"Former U.S. Olympians Erik Schlopy and Jake Zamansky, along with former U.S. Ski Team head coach Phil McNichol, teamed up to start PointZero1, a fantasy ski camp that re-creates the experience of training for the World Cup. Participants receive the same caliber of coaching and ski tuning as the world's top pros. December 5-8 (Vail) and 16-19 (Aspen). ..."
BEST BACKCOUNTRY SCHOOL
Real Aspen Extreme
Ski mountaineer Chris Davenport's camp teaches advanced skiers backcountry skills in a three-day progression, from skiing steeps to hiking backcountry to using avalanche beacons. (February 18-20)
BEST COMEDY FESTIVAL
Telluride
"Telluride saves its best parties - Mountainfilm, the bluegrass festival, Blues and Brews - for the warmer months. The exception to this rule: the comedy festival, which takes place every Presidents' Day weekend. Rip the hike-to Gold Hill Chutes by day; by night, check out comedians like Ed Helms in the Sheridan Opera House. ..."
Read more about each category and the best place to ski all season at Outside magazine.
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