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Skiing

LA PLAGNE
Savoie, French Alps, France
La Plagne is located 150 km (92 miles) from Geneva, the nearest international airport. Travel time is about 3 hours.One of Europe’s largest and most popular resorts, La Plagne has 10 different bases, six purpose-built and four traditional and semi-autonomous, offering 'something for everyone.' The highest part is Aime La Plagne at 2100 metres, which is one huge complex with a slightly less huge Club Med property next to it. Also known as ‘Snow liner,’ it’s great for those obsessed with skiing and not much else (see Arc 2000 or Spain’s Astun for similar destinations).
At 2050m there are neighbours Plagne Villages and Plagne Soleil, and nearby the larger Belle Plagne. The largest resort with the most facilities and the livliest atmosphere is the original Plagne Centre at 1970m, with Plagne Bellecote at 1930m. Lowest, and least imaginatively titled of the six purpose built complexes is Plagne 1800 at, you’ve guessed it, 1800 metres.
Traditional resorts down in the valley include neighbouring Montchavin with Les Coches above, Champagny en Vanoise and Plagne Montalbert.
In a land of world record statistics, La Plagne can claim to have the largest single ski area of any resort (there are bigger ones of course, but they are made up of joint areas shared by two or more resorts). La Plagne is, officially at least, all one resort with a world class 2000m (6562 foot) vertical drop. The 210km (130 miles) of trails are served by over 100 lifts, including 68 drag lifts and 8 gondolas, with a combined hourly uplift capacity of a remarkable 120,600 skiers.
In recent years the resort has pioneered the installation of high capacity chairs and has more of the newest 'six-pack' six seater high-speed detachable chairs than any other resort on earth. Nearby resorts include Les Arcs and with the Savoie Olympic Pass it is possible to ski there and at other resorts participating in the ’92 Winter Olympics including the huge Espace Killy (Val d’Isere and Tignes) and the Trois Vallees of Meribel, Courchevel, Les Menuires and Val Thorens, among others.
Apart from the skiing La Plagne offers a number of exciting alternative snowy experiences, including runs in the ‘taxi bob’ on the Olympic bobsleigh run.

Vertical Drop: 2,000m/6,562'
Top Elevation: 3,251m/10,663' (Bellecote Glacier)
Lifts:110 (1 tram, 8 gondolas, 30 chairs,71 surface)
Marked Runs: 210 km
Cross Country: 90 km
Snowboards: Yes/park/halfpipe
Winter season: Mid December - Late April
Activities: Toboganning, para-gliding, bowling

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO
Ampezzo Valley, Italy
Cortina d'Ampezzo is located 160 km (98 miles) from Venice, the nearest international airport. Driving time from Venice to Cortina is about 2 hours. The nearest train stations are Dobbiaco and Calalzo, both about 32 km (20 miles) from Cortina. Regular bus service is available from both train stations, and there is also daily bus service from Venice to Cortina. Driving time from Milan to Cortina is four to five hours.
One of the world's first ski resorts, Cortina is Italy's most stylish ski resort. Cortina is often ranked alongside St. Moritz (you can play polo at both) and was host to the 1956 Winter Olympic Games. Located in the wide and sunny Ampezzo valley (hence the full name 'Cortina d'Ampezzo') among spectacular Dolomitic scenery, the resort has three major ski areas and is included in the famous Dolomiti Superski pass. Unlike many other resorts on the Pass, the resort is very Italian and does not have the strong, often dominant Germanic influence found at many of its neighbors.
Cortina's skiing is more varied than at many resorts in the Dolomites. The famous mountain precipices and steep walls go straight down to relatively flat and narrow valley floors, which make it difficult to create much beyond easy slopes in the valley and the occassional steep expert run down from on high.
The resort has fantastic shopping (more than 200 boutiques), restaurants (gourmands can choose from 20 eateries rated 'deluxe') and apres ski (sophisticated night clubs and piano bars abound). Families do well with a rare Italian day-care facility and free skiing for kids up to age 8.
Sporting one of the 'No Limits' centers that are dotted around the world (others include Colorado's Crested Butte), a wide range of adventure sports are available through a one stop central booking center. Visitors receive a Cortina card which gives discounts to many of the numerous facilities available off the slopes.

Vertical Drop: 2,020m/6,624'
Top Elevation: 3,244m/10,640'
Lifts: 40 (including 22 chairs, 12 surface)
Terrain: 20/50/30 (beg/int/adv)
Pistes: 110 km
Cross Country: 58 km
Snowboards: Yes/park/halfpipe
Night Skiing

ST. MORITZ
Grisons, Southeastern Switzerland
St. Moritz is located 200 km (124 miles) from Zurich, the nearest international airport.
Possibly the world's most famous ski resort, St. Moritz can legitimately claim to be the birth place of winter sports holidays. In 1864, the owner of the Kulm hotel offered two English tourists a "free stay" if they dared to spend the winter there. The rest, as they say, is history.
St. Moritz's many claims to fame include hosting the Winter Olympics of 1928 and 1948. It is the site of the famous Cresta Run and the town has a long association with the jet set who have access to unrivaled facilities at the best hotels. Some imagine St. Mortiz to be a quaint alpine village which it isn't, but the lakeside setting in the Engadin Valley is stunning. Winter activities on the frozen lake include golf, horse racing and a mass cross country race. Perhaps surprisingly, St. Moritz is Switzerland's sunniest spot with 322 days of sun each year,.
It is not widely reported that, although a genuine traditional settlement, St. Moritz is a high altitude resort with a modern infrastructure. While many other famous names in skiing have been content to rest on their reputations, St. Moritz has invested heavily in state-of-the-art lifts and is now served by a host of high speed detachable triples and quads.
The Engadin ski pass, which includes St. Moritz's ski areas and several others, covers 350 KM of terrain, with 80 km of "local" St Moritz terrain and the three ski areas of Corviglia, Corvatsch and the Diavolezza Glacier area.

Vertical Drop: 1,327m/4,354'
Top Elevation: 3,057m/10,029'
Lifts: 25 (5 trams/gondolas, 7 chairs,13 surface)
Terrain: 10% 70% 20%
Pistes: 80 km
Cross Country: 160 km
Snowboards: Yes
Activities: Heli-skiing, paragliding, hang gliding, bobsledding

PARK CITY,UTAH
Area Profile
Park City was once a thriving mining community, but now Main Street area is lined with interesting shops, galleries, and restaurants that have been classically refurbished. The mountain is big, welcoming, and offers some of the most varied terrain in the Wasatch range. Park City is home base for U.S. Skiing, the parent corporation of all the American snowsports teams. The resort is also the official training site of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard teams.
Lodging Profile
Approximately 17,000 pillows are available at the base of Park City Mountain Resort and in the surrounding town of Park City.
Services Profile
Located 37 miles from Salt Lake International Airport with free town-wide bus service. Services include 4 mountain restaurants and several at the base, on-mountain performance demo center, rentals, and apparel, 14 lifts serving 100+ trails, and snowmaking from top to bottom.
Area Recreation Profile
Ice skating, Nordic skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, theaters, galleries, shopping, and world-class dining.
Snowboarding Profile
All 3,300 acres are open to snowboarders including 4 terrain parks - the newest built under the lights on Payday Run for after-dark - with pro rider signature rails, two halfpipes including a superpipe. Its new freeride terrain features are open to skiers and snowboarders alike. Rentals and lessons are available.

Important Dates
Projected Days Open: 155
Days Open 03/04: 151
Year Open: 1963
Avg. Snowfall: 350
Lift Information
Total # of Lifts: 15
High Speed Six Chairs: 4
High Speed Quads: 2
Triple Chairs: 4
Double Chairs: 4
Surface Lifts: 1
Lift Capacity: 27200 hr
Resort Stats
Elevation
Top: 10000 ft
Bottom: 6900 ft
Vertical Drop: 3100 ft
Longest Run: 3.50 mi
Skiable Area: 3300 acres Snow Making: 500 acres
Runs/Trails
Beginner: 18%
Intermediate: 44%
Advanced: 38%

VAIL,COLORADO
Area Profile
Vail will bring you what is arguably the best vacation experience in the world. The mountain offers virtually everything from the Lionshead cruisers to the justifiably famous Back Bowls. The new Blue Sky Basin has catapulted Vail back to the top of the heap in virtually everyone's opinion. The Bavarian-like Village at the base is pedestrian friendly and charming. The shopping is upscale.
Lodging Profile
More than 150 lodging options provide for all tastes and budgets including hotels, bed and breakfast inns, homes, and condominiums. There are also a number of quaint villages and towns nestled in the Vail Valley, where you can find the perfect place to stay with exactly what you are looking for.
Services Profile
Vail/Eagle County Airport is located 30 miles west. Shuttles and car rentals available. Lessons and rentals available. Movie theaters, 111 restaraunts, nightclubs, bars, retail outlets, and spas. Child care available for children 2 months - 6 years.
Area Recreation Profile
Adventure Ridge at the top of the mountain provides lift-served tubing, ski-biking and more. Also enjoy snowmobiling, ice skating, sleigh rides, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, backcountry, and nightly entertainment.
Snowboarding Profile
Golden Peak Terrain Park with the Superpipe that's 425 feet long with 15-foot walls and 17-foot transitions. Park includes table tops, rails, jumps, and a heated yurt with foosball, music, a deck and more. Groomed parks and pipes open daily.

Important Dates
Projected Days Open: 166
Days Open 03/04: 166
Year Open: 1692
Avg. Snowfall: 346
Lift Information
Total # of Lifts: 34
High Speed Six Chairs: 1
High Speed Quads: 14
Triple Chairs: 3
Double Chairs: 5
Surface Lifts: 10
Lift Capacity: 53381 hr
Resort Stats
Elevation
Top: 11570 ft
Bottom: 8120 ft
Vertical Drop: 3450 ft
Longest Run: 4.00 mi
Skiable Area: 5289 acres Snow Making: 500 acres
Runs/Trails
Beginner: 28%
Intermediate: 32%
Expert: 40%

JACKSON HOLE,WYOMING
Area Profile
Jackson Hole has 2,500 skiable acres serviced by 10 lifts. You will find one gondola, one aerial tram, two high-speed quads, two quad chairs, one triple, and one double. Vertical is around 4,100. Simply put, one of the best ski experiences in the world. New this year is the opening of the Crags terrain to the public. There's a terrain park for riders and unlimited cross country trails.
Lodging Profile
The luxurious new Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole is now open, boasting 125 rooms, 40 unit Residence Club, and 17 slope-side penthouse suites. The Crystal Springs Lodge is also new and has 18 condos available. Ski in/ski out lodges and condo units are available at the base of the ski area: luxury properties to a backpacker hostel. Full range of accomodations in Teton Village. Additional accomodations available the town of Jackson located ten miles away.
Services Profile
Restaurants, lounges within walking distance, many of both in Jackson. Ski shop, boutique, specialty, drug, liquor, cleaners and post office at area. Clinic at area, St. John's Hospital, 12 miles. Kids Ranch for ages 2 months-5 years. Ski and snowboard school for ages 6 and over. Ski and cross country rental and repair available at slope and in Jackson. Ski classes offered for racing, cross country, powder, Junior and children, steep camps, women's camps and snowboard camps.
Area Recreation Profile
Unlimited miles of cross country trails, sleigh riding, snowboarding. Nearby, dog sledding, ice skating, indoor tennis, mountaineering, movie theatre, sledding, snowmobiling, snowcat rides and NASTAR course available.
Snowboarding Profile
The resort is known for its "Big Mountain Powder Riding." Snowboarding is allowed on all trails. The Terrain park has a number of slope-style features, and there is a Superpipe under the Apres Vous Quad chairlift.

Important Dates
Projected Days Open: 121
Days Open 03/04: 128
Year Open: 1965
Avg. Snowfall: 402
Lift Information
Total # of Lifts: 11
High Speed Six Chairs: 2
High Speed Quads: 2
Triple Chairs: 1
Double Chairs: 1
Surface Lifts: 1
Lift Capacity: 12096 hr
Resort Stats
Elevation
Top: 10450 ft
Bottom: 6311 ft
Vertical Drop: 4139 ft
Longest Run: 7.2 mi
Skiable Area: 2500 acres Snow Making: 500 acres
Runs/Trails
Beginner: 10%
Intermediate: 40%
Advanced: 45%
Expert: 5%