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Areas like Park City, Utah offer several resorts in close proximity, with multiarealift passes and local transportation between them resulting in the ability toexperience multiple resorts on a single trip. photo courtesy of Deer Valleyespecially at the lower elevations. Althoughthere are exceptions, most Northern Hemisphereski resorts will close in early to midApril depending on snowpack and weather.Although late in the season, closing weekendsare extremely popular, filled with fun, frolicand festive activities. Resort websites willhave more information for their respectiveareas. Remember, next season is months away.You have to take advantage of days on theslopes before the lifts close for the season.Now comes the hard part. So many fineski resorts. So little time to enjoy them. Howdoes one choose a destination, especially if skiingis a new adventure, or if for some reason,only the most well known resorts like Aspen,Vail and Sun Valley, plus a handful more arefamiliar names. The aforementioned resortsare on every avid snowsport enthusiast’s list,but there are numerous other resorts thatshould also be on that list.Ski resort towns each have a personality.Many times, that factors into the selection decision.Some towns have maintained an historicflavor. Aspen, Breckenridge, CrestedButte, Durango, Park City and Telluride wereall mining towns dating back over a century.Many of their main streets are all listed on theNational Register of Historic Places. It’s notuncommon to walk along narrow streets, see“dudes” dressed with cowboy hats and hear ahonkytonk piano in a popular saloon.Sun Valley, Whitefish, Whitewaterand Banff/Lake Louise/Sunshine owe theirheritage to developing railroad lines crossingNorth America - some with the expressed purposeto provide more revenue to the railroadsas they brought visitors to the mountains andnational parks. The town’s development wasinfluenced by the architecture of the day. Theluxurious Banff Springs Hotel styled after aScottish Castle is a classic example and stillone of the most beautiful hotels anywhere. Asthe resorts were developed into ski destinations,the nearby communities preserved thepast for the future generations to enjoy.Jackson Hole and Steamboat also have along history, retaining the western influencetoday. Visiting these resorts provides a glimpseinto life as is was a hundred plus years ago.In addition to the wonderful skiing, the historicaspect is a draw for those who appreciatethese special ambiances. Yet, modern amenitieshave been incorporated such as a fullrange of dining choices, world class spas andthe gamut of interesting après ski activities.They are an excellent blend of yesterday andtoday - all done in style.Other resorts were built as skiing becamea popular sport in the early 1960s. Surroundingmountains were chosen because of theirexcellent and varied ski terrain, and accessibilityfor its future guests, as well as room togrow. Resorts such as Deer Valley and TheCanyons in Utah; Vail and Keystone in Colorado;Mt. Tremblant in Quebec and Whistlerand Big White in British Columbia, Canadaare fine examples of a more modern flair havingspent millions, even billions of dollars tocreate the ultimate ski resorts. Architecture,although not really glass and steel modern, isdefinitely different than the historic buildingsin older ski towns. From their inceptions, thesetowns were planned as resorts. The buildingsare large with much of the architecture influencedby villages found in the European Alps.Then, there are small boutique resorts offeringwonderful ski vacations, and muchmore. Resorts such as Taos Ski Valley in NewMexico; Solitude and Sundance in Utah; SilverStar in British Columbia; and the futurerevitalized Homewood Resort in California arephoto by Ken Calkins / Sun ValleyFar West Skier’s Guide / Digital Edition Insert 2O12 - 2O13 4