Alta Ski Resort, Alta

116 different runs weave their way down the 2,200 acres of skiable slopes at Alta Ski Area. With its deep powder, varying terrain, and majestic panoramas, the resort offers an idyllic escape intended solely for skiers—right down to the groomed three-kilometer track for cross-country and Nordic skiing. And Alta intends to keep things this pristine; the resort invests in energy-efficient technologies and keeps its carbon emissions low by not lining its slopes with open refrigerators.

Alta Ski Area's activities span all skill levels. Beginners can take an intro class at the Albion Base before playing with the size and shape of their turns on the nearby green runs. Intermediates can accompany a ranger and learn about the area's mining history as they speed down a groomed run.