---
title: "Plan Your Winter Travels Now with 5 \"Must Ski\" Resorts!"
description: Plan your military family's winter travels early with these expert tips!
---

[MilitaryByOwner Housing Blog ](https://blog.militarybyowner.com)

# [Plan Your Winter Travels Now with 5 "Must Ski" Resorts!](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/plan-your-winter-travel-now-with-five-must-ski-resorts)

 Written by [Mary Ann Eckberg](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/author/mary-ann-eckberg) | Sat, Oct 10, 2015 @ 12:10 PM

******

**Winter is coming.**

Rather than dread the winter blues and frigid temps, why not daydream of family-friendly snow play with skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing? Picture a crackling firepit luring you to make melty s’mores and enticing you to sip hot cocoa from oversized mugs. I've got several suggestions for your winter daydreams! 

## **Sound good? Then consider these 5 locations for a winter wonderland getaway!**

##  1. Stowe Mountain Resort

Flickr user [futuremar768](https://www.flickr.com/photos/134443020@N04/)

**Visit because:**

**The Green Mountains** are the tallest mountains in Vermont and stretch into The Berkshires of Massachusetts.

**Nicknamed “The best of the East,”** [the well-groomed slopes](http://www.stowe.com/) offer spectacular views of woodsy Underhill State Park and Putnam State Forest

Two mountains are available for skiing and snowboarding:

- Mount Mansfield for those with more experience
- Spruce Peak for the intermediate and beginner

**Additionally, Stowe Mountain offers:**

- A competition hill for racing
- Cross country skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Adaptive equipment for those with disabilities to ski or ride
- Dog sled rides
- Guided mountain tours
- Adventure Program with lessons

**Powderhound tips:**

- Scan lift ticket at turnstile--this convenience creates shorter lines.
- Arrive early--ice sets in around noon.
- Wrap up early--not well lit in the evening.

**At the base of Spruce Peak, you’ll find Spruce Camp with:**

- An ice rink and community park
- Shopping
- Dining
- Performing arts center
- Entertainment options such as live music, ice carving competitions, and a variety of activities for children

**Fly into:**

Burlington International Airport, Vermont

## 2. Whiteface Mountain Resort

Flickr user [Marco](https://www.flickr.com/photos/foqus/)

**Visit because:**

The Adirondack High Peak region offers incredible views and the greatest vertical drop in the East.

Nicknamed “The Olympic Mountain”-- hosted the 1980 Winter Olympic Games and two notable Olympic medalists have trained on its terrain.

Boasts steep glades, challenging moguls, long trails, and chute-style skiing.

**Additionally, Whiteface Mountain offers:**

- Backcountry skiing, Telemark skiing, Slide skiing, and Cross country skiing
- Ice climbing
- Snowshoeing
- Snow tubing
- Guided mountaineering
- Cloudsplitter Club with lessons

**Powderhound tips:**

- Search online for lift tickets and rental deals to avoid the lines.
- Consider half-day tickets and arrive early.
- Nickname is “Iceface”--windy and freezing cold at the top, snow melts after noon and gets icy.
- Enjoy downhill runs created for the Olympic Winter Games!

**A few miles from the base is the Olympic Village at Lake Placid featuring: **

- Lake Placid Olympic Museum
- Olympic Center--games and events in the arena
- Olympic Sports complex--bobsled, luge and skeleton track, jumping complex, speed skating oval
- Biathlon shooting range
- Toboggan chute
- Dog sled tours
- Ice skating
- Shopping
- Dining
- Wide variety of entertainment in the Lake Placid area

**Fly into:**

Albany International Airport, New York or Burlington International Airport, Vermont

## 3. Crystal Mountain Resort

Flickr user [MarLeah Cole](https://www.flickr.com/photos/marleahjoy/)

**Visit because:**

- Secluded Northwest Michigan enclave
- Ideal location for Midwest skiing and snowboarding
- Well-groomed slopes overlook the Betsie Valley

**Additionally,[ Crystal Mountain](http://www.crystalmountain.com) offers:**

- Night skiing
- Snow biking
- Snowmobiling
- Snowshoeing
- Cross country skiing
- Totem Park with lessons

**Powderhound tips:**

- Arrive early to beat the crowd.
- Splurge at the spa on a massage or aromatic bath. Unwind in the spa meditation lounge, private hot tub, sauna, or steam room.
- Gather at the park for a bonfire with unlimited marshmallows, and
- Horse-drawn Surrey rides
- Ice skating
- Hockey
- Shopping
- Dining
- Family-friendly entertainment.

**Fly into:**

Traverse City Cherry Capital Airport, Michigan (American, Delta and United fly into this Northern Michigan Regional Airport) or Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids, Michigan

## 4. Solitude Mountain Resort

****[Vasily Merkushev](https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/63552/vasily-merkushev)

**Visit because:**

- Generous amount of light, dry, fluffy powder graces the Big Cottonwood Canyon
- Hidden gem with less crowds and more family-friendly terrain
- Optimum place to re-acclimate to skiing and snowboarding

**Additionally, [Solitude Mountain](https://www.solitudemountain.com/) offers:**

- Alpine skiing, Telemark skiing, Nordic skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Guided mountain tours
- Snowsports Academy with lessons and specialty clinics

**Powderhound tips:**

- Use the handy shuttle system for transport to/from your vehicle.
- Enjoy the private resort feel without crowds or long lines.
- Practice techniques for those at the “beginner” or “intermediate” level.
- Grab a cup of hot cocoa at the base where you’ll also find
- Community fire pit with s’mores
- Ice skating
- Shopping
- Dining
- Activities for family fun.

**Fly into:**

Salt Lake City International Airport, Utah

## 5. Heavenly Mountain Resort

Flickr user [USDA](https://www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov/)

**Visit because:**

- Bordering California and Nevada, Heavenly has the highest elevation with the longest vertical drop in the West
- Open to both skiing and snowboarding, the backcountry trails offer scenic vistas of the Sierra Nevada mountain range
- With Lake Tahoe below, the steep slopes have stellar views of the largest Alpine Lake in North America

**Additionally, [Heavenly Mountain](http://www.skiheavenly.com/) offers:**

- Terrain parks
- Snow tubing
- Sledding
- Epic Promise conservation program
- Epic Mix Academy with lessons

**Powderhound tips:**

- Use care around the heavily wooded trails.
- Be aware that the steep slopes pick up speed quickly.
- Look for weekday [discounts](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/bid/182642/Military-Travel-Discounts).

**Enjoy the hot cocoa bar at one of the slope side lodges, as well as**

- An 8-plex Cinema
- Ice skating
- Shopping
- Dining
- Variety of entertainment and nightlife in the Lake Tahoe area

**Fly into:**

Reno Tahoe International Airport, Reno, Nevada

Make sure to check for [military family travel discounts](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/make-the-most-of-your-vacation-with-military-travel-discounts) before you book 

Main image credit: Flickr user Trysil

[View full post](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/plan-your-winter-travel-now-with-five-must-ski-resorts)

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