World best Ski

Best PLaces to ski on the World

l Love to ski.  Wind in the face, skis flying over the ice and snow, racing ever so fast an trying to keep it all together. Have skied:  Zermatt, Bad Shools, Portillo, Aspen, Jackson Hole, Vail, Taos, Alta, Snowbird, Park City and Stowe- Stowe was the most difficult= Star, Goat and National.  Corbetts in Jackson was the biggest drop off and steepest in the short run and Portillio was the steepest over the top. Raced number one position in BSC at one time.

I have skied these place below except Whistler and Las Lenas

Portillo is a resort unique in the world. In this intimate valley you will never have more than 450 people on the slopes. Guests form a special camaraderie in the deluxe Hotel Portillo as they recount adventures on the slopes, enjoy sumptuous meals and dance the night away in the hotel’s discotheque.South America’s best-known ski resort is set far above the timberline in a desolate moonlike landscape of rock and snow. Portillo’s very low humidity combined with a 9,350 foot base altitude assure a crisp climate producing legendary dry powder. With a Portillo ski vacation package you will discover a resort world renown for superb ski conditions and celebrated beauty of the Laguna de I…Hotel Portillo is located on the edge of the Lake of the Incas. The lake and mountains provide an unparalleled setting for skiers. The crescent shaped Hotel offers rooms with lake or valley view and is a completely self-contained hotel with full spectrum of resort services including; fine dining room, piano bar, retail store, fitness center, heated pool, skating rink,discotheque, rental/repair shop, gym, sauna/massage, game room, and ski check.

Las Lenas ski resort located in Mendoza province of Argentina has rightfully earned it’s reputation as the most extreme ski resort in Argentina. Some say that Las Lenas is like your favorite resort on steriods. Las Lenas boasts the most lift -serviced ski terrain than any other ski area in the Western Hemisphere. The mountain is completely above tree line, offering huge open bowls, long steep chutes as well as groomed runs to satisfy skiers of all levels. Divided into two areas-the lower mountain and the upper mountain, the lower mountain is serviced by 8 lifts and offers beginner and intermediate terrain. Also known as the “American Switzerland”, this area offers more than just a great ski destination. This city rich with tradition is located in the heart of the Nahuel Huapi National Park. With international ski slopes, renowned chocolate shops, and chalet style architecture,

Bariloche is thriving with cultural dining, dancing and shopping.Catedral Alta Patagonia or Cerro Catedral is the actual ski resort located 12 miles from town. Catedral Ski Resort is a full service resort with all the amenities that are expected from a world class ski area. The resort just completed a huge 4 year renovation adding many on-mountain amenities, including hands free ski passes, increased snowmaking, on mountain dining, new chairlifts.

Mile-high Zermatt, an idyllic mountain village at the foot of the Matterhorn,has developed into one of the world’s most famous ski resorts. Favored by it’s southern exposure, sheltered by the wind and generously endowed with snow, Zermatt enjoys some of the most spectacular skiing in the Alps. The scope and variety of skiing is tremendous with a network of lifts serving trails that rise over 12,000 feet. Three main ski areas offer wide open slopes for beginners while the more advanced skiers enjoy the challenge of the internationally known Tiefbach, Aeroleid or Momatt. You can ski over the Theodulpass to Cervinia, Italy for lunch. The new Matterhorn glacier paradise lift, ascending to 12,533 feet, the highest aerial cable car in the Alps has opened up new glacier ski runs.

Verbier, the second largest resort in the Swiss Alps, is a delightful French speaking village located on a sunny plateau, in the grand circuit of the “4 Valleys” ski area. Situated between the Matterhorn and Mont-Blanc at a height of 5,000 feet, Verbier has one of the largest skiing areas in Europe. Your lift ticket is honored at the 100 plus lifts and cable cars which service over 250 miles of ski runs. This vast ski area is topped by Jumbo, the Verbier-Mont-Fort cable car, with a 150 person capacity. Ascending to almost 11,000 feet, this telepherique opens up some of the steepest mechanically accessible ski runs in the Alps.

Chamoinix The oldest ski resort in France is really a quaint village of 10,000 people where the tradition of fine skiing combines with the diversities a town this size can provide. The main ski areas through the valley offer 50 lifts and varied terrain for skiers of all abilities. Le Brevent cable car begins just above the town and climbs to over 8,000 feet. Les Houches, Le Tour and sunny La Flegere is where beginners and intermediates will find many trails to ski. Les Grands Montets is the most popular area for the intermediate and the more advanced skiers. Strong intermediate and above skiers will want to accept the challenge of the Aiguille du Midi, reached by a two-stage cable car. This 7,000 foot descent on and along the glacier of Vallee Blanche includes spectacular mountain scenery

Experience Whistler is a friendly ski town located in British Columbia, Canada and is home to almost 10,000 residents. One of the many things that makes Whistler so special is two unbelievable mountains – Whistler and Blackcomb. Side by side, they represent over 8000 acres of skiable terrain, rising a mile above the valley of Whistler. Located in the Coastal Mountains of BC, Whistler is approximately 115 kilometres (72 miles) from Vancouver. There is little need for a car once in Whistler, so if you are flying into Vancouver, the best way to get here is by bus, limousine or charter plane. Footsteps from …

Aspen/Snowmass, anywhere else this would be four separate vacations. It’s not just one mountain. It’s Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk. Decide which mountain fits your passion. Four choices and nearly5,000 acres. Snowmass, so many runs, so much variety – cruisers, steeps, glades, off-piste, terrain parks, super-pipe and the longest lift-served vertical rise in the United States. Rising out of the heart of downtown Aspen and famous for its steeps, bump and incredible views, Aspen Mountain and its double-black and tree runs are fun for skiers and snowboarders alike. Known as the locals’ favorite mountain, Aspen Highlands features extreme terrain, groomed cruisers and breathtaking views of the Maroon Bells.  …

The Canyons has a total of 19 lifts, 3,700 acres of skiing, and is Utah’s largest ski & snowboard resort (and one of the five largest in the USA).The Canyons features six new lifts, including Utah’s only gondola and three The Canyons Resort caters to folks who really love to ski and snowboard and can appreciate how well our diverse terrain holds and protects an average annual 355 inch bounty of snow. Whether you visit as a family, a group or a single, Vertical Rise: 3,190 feet Total Skiable Acres: 3,700Lifts: 17Trails: …

Jackson Hole: The majestic Tetons of northwest Wyoming provide a spectacular backdrop for your Jackson Hole ski vacation. Far from the crowds and close to nature with terrain so vast it appears uncharted, Jackson Hole is indeed a rare breed. With 2,500 acres of legendary inbounds terrain, a 4,139′ vertical rise, 459″ of average snowfall each winter, and unparalleled backcountry access, Jackson Hole offers a truly unique winter experience. Two distinct mountains in the heart of the Tetons – Rendezvous and Apres Vous – make up Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and have been home to incredible skiing and snowboarding for the past 40 years. Whether you want to experience “The Big One’s” wild, untamed terrain, rolling, wide-open groomers, or you’re just getting out on the snow for the first time,

Taos:  A magical place defined by deep traditions, desert-dry powder, awe-inspiring terrain and alpine vistas, Taos Ski Valley was created by famed ski pioneer Ernie Blake. He built his dream on a mountain with terrain varied enough to challenge his skiing friends forever. Today Taos Ski Valley still brims with ski enthusiasts drawn by that same passion- they love to ski! Combine an altitude of 8,000-plus feet, an arid climate and New Mexico sunshine, and you have champagne powder!

I have skied these places in the North East:  Stowe, Sugarbush, Killington, Mt Snow and Mad River they are the ones I love in the East. Places that are excellent but that I have not skiied are: Heavenly, Squaw, Momouth, Alpine Meadows.

 

Portillio and others

This is Chile the Atacama Desert Sand Boarding.  We had about 1500 feet of elevation.  A lot of climbing and very fun riding down the waves of sand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3yBAn9vOFhY

Not a bad little hill in the middle of nowhere.  This is one third of the slope and really fun above

This is Arden carrying her board to the top.  Do not forget the water.  The shop in San Pedro Atacama was fully stocked and the town was a two road town nice and small the way  I like it

The shop in San Pedro Chile above  was great.  The town was so small but had everything one wanted. Stowe Vermont below This is Stowe Vermont Cross Country Skiing at the Von Trapp Family Lodge

I have been skiing Stowe from over 40 years.  IT has the most difficult runs in the States:  Nose Dive, Star Goat and lift Line.  Yea it is not long like the west or Europe but it is icy and steep and narrow.  You ski here you can ski!!

This is Zermatt, big ski and it was taken after I skied over from Italy on the glacier -this is really a huge place like Chamoinix.  We had fun with our adopted son Mathew and some Baltimore friends John Hyuhn.  Our hotel was pure Swiss with a pool and Sauna. Train, lift, Gondola or tram to top of the huge mountain.  Wow very big.

Above is the Town of Zermatt and it is without cars very nice with nice night life and shopping for the women.  We had a great time and went to church here in the old small local church.  The nice thing is to ask for forgiveness then party like a rock star.  Below is Portillio

Portillo is a resort unique in the world. In this intimate valley you will never have more than 450 people on the slopes. Guests form a special camaraderie in the deluxe Hotel Portillo as they recount adventures on the slopes,

The steep above is very steep see if you have the guts to go up and over.  .  Enjoy sumptuous meals

This is me at Tio’s Bob munching down on good grub. The food 4 meals a day is scrumptious.   One can dance the night away in the hotel’s discotheque which I did until 3 AM,   party hard and play hard.   South America’s best-known ski resort is set far above the timberline in a desolate moonlike landscape of rock and snow. Portillo’s very low humidity combined with a 9,350 foot base altitude assure a crisp climate producing legendary dry powder. With a Portillo ski vacation package you will discover a resort world renown for superb ski conditions and celebrated beauty of the Laguna de I…Hotel Portillo is located on the edge of the Lake of the Incas. The lake and mountains provide an unparalleled setting for skiers. The crescent shaped Hotel below

offers rooms with lake or valley view and is a completely self-contained hotel with full spectrum of resort services including; fine dining room,

This is me dinning in the formal dinning room.  I always had a jacket and tie.  We all went to the piano bar after dinner before heading to the late night discotheque,

Here I am at the wine tasting event which was very nice.  They also had a retail store, fitness center, heated pool,

skating rink,discotheque, rental/repair shop, gym, sauna/massage, game room.  The pool above is where we met for beer after skiing hard all day. We also went to sauna and or workout room for additional exercise.

The hotel as shot by me from one of the steep slopes.  One can party with good friends and dear God knows I love “Hot Chicks” What else I am to do.

The hot chicks above were mine.. ( I am faithfully married) but it is fun to take my new friends “hot chicks”  to dinner and treat to drinks, what else is an old man good for but having two lovely hot chicks on his arm.  During the day I skied with great friends

Chris above I was honored to ski with him he could light the slopes with his skiies

Stepp slopes above