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Everything in America is awesome - so they tell me - and now I can say from what I have seen it is true. Colorado powder snow is so light that intermediates can enjoy most runs after a snowfall, without getting stuck in heavy snow. The two resorts I visited, Vail and Beaver Creek, certainly lived up to that description and with Vail getting a huge amount of snow over the winter period - some 30ft average per year - the light snow is needed. Covered by the same lift ticket, Vail and Beaver Creek are only a 25 minute bus ride apart and both slightly different: 
We stayed on the outskirts of Vail in the Chalet Cheyenne, where our Chalet host Richard kept us well fed and entertained. The food was excellent, Richards' talents as a chef ensured we had good wholesome food to keep us going on the long ski runs each day. And to cap all that, there was always a freshly made cake or cakes layed out when we arrived back weary from the day's excursions. A FREE bus service runs throughout the area so we had no problems in getting from the chalet to the lifts each day and it was always regular even if it was packed at peak times.
When you need a break you will find plenty of places to eat or drink - the Two Elk Restaurant at 3,420m and the Eagles Nest at 3,155m being just a couple. So if you are looking for a great resort with fabulous skiing and that great American welcome, you'll certainly find it in Vail.  A day trip to Beaver Creek gave us the opportunity to see and try this exclusive resort. BC is world famous because of it's, awesome - sorry but it is - 'Birds of Prey' World Cup Downhill course. A frightening prospect for the likes of me, but it is open for anyone skilled enough to take the plunge. However, although the resort is not quite as large as its sister Vail, it is packed with runs for all abilities.
On-mountain dining is well covered by Beano's Cabin, Red Tail Camp, Spruce Saddle Lodge or Zach's Cabin all serving different types of food. Off the mountain the choice is endless, check out the Trail Map for more information. For those who, like me, like to ski the long runs through trees with great views, you will find plenty to keep you occupied, runs for all abilities are available, and for the more advanced amongst you there are plenty of mogul fields and black runs. Beaver Creek is certainly worth a day trip or two, I found it more exhilarating than Vail because of the runs available, less bowls full of powder. Some Ski Facts
The Piste coding system in America is slightly different to that of Europe, runs are classified as follows: Green - Easy. Blue - More difficult/Intermediate. Black /Single and Double Diamonds - Most Difficult. The 'Birds of Prey' racecourse is for experienced skiers only. Both resorts have their own Ski & Snowboard Schools, together with many shops offering Ski & Board hire. Ski passes vary in price from around £97 to £286 depending on the number of days and the season. But whatever you pay you will certainly get great value out of the huge areas available. This was my first trip to America and going by what I experienced it won't be my last.
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Vail is a huge expanse, with its ski area stretching 7 miles from east to west. And with bowl after bowl to enjoy, it is the largest single ski area in Colorado and America which also has something to offer all ski abilities. Facing onto Vail Village, you have a huge network of trails through woods leading you back to the village. Alternatively, you can go through beautiful scenic woodland trails that take you to the many American style restuarants dotted around the mountain.
The slopes are accessible through 3 main points, Vail Village, Lionshead and Golden Peak, and the area covers some 5,289 acres and caters for all levels - from the advanced through to the beginner. Snowboarders are not forgotten either with plenty to keep them amused and opportunities to hone those rail and pipe skills in the Snowboard/Free ride Park. Golden Peak is the domain for intermediate/advanced riders with both expert and beginner pipes and numerous kickers.
There is even a place for the kids, Fort Whipper Snapper that will keep them occupied for hours.
The piste grooming is fantastic, those great corduroy pistes giving you the best possible surface to practise those long carving turns on and in BC it's virtually queue free (quite strange that more skiers in Vail don't pop over here). 
For more information on Vail and Beaver Creek go to our 
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