KEY POINTS:
There's a saying in Colorado that goes: "You come for the winter but you stay for the summer." Well, with 25 resorts catering to all tastes and budgets, over 9m of snow each winter and tens of thousands of acres of powdery terrain, no one would blame you for only being interested in the Rockies when the white stuff is thick on the ground. But there's a lot more on offer than snow.
Vail Resorts run four immense ski sanctuaries in close proximity: Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone and Breckenridge. One lift ticket allows access to all four, plus the legendary Arapahoe Basin, famed for having the longest ski season in North America, from November to July, and there's a free bus service between resorts.
VAIL
The single largest ski mountain in North America, Vail has diverse terrain and the most groomed runs in the world, perfect for every level of skier.
Novice skiers should favour the forgiving gentle cruisers on the mountain's front side with 127 trails to choose from. Kids will love the Adventure Zone, with pretend abandoned mines and bear caves.
The back of the mountain comprises seven powdery bowls set in challenging terrain, ranging from the gentle blue slopes of the Blue Sky Basin, to scary black runs like Genghis Khan. Don't miss the front-side groomers daily at 2pm. Like a scene from War of the Worlds, enormous tractor-like machines, complete with sirens and flashing lights, descend on the mountain leaving freshly groomed runs in their wake.
Apres
It's all about Bridge St. Head to Los Amigos just before last lift, order a margarita on the deck and cheer fatigued skiers making their way home. Move along to The Red Lion for specialty draught beers and live entertainment before hitting the dance floor at Samana or The George.
Eat
Covered Bridge Coffee in Bridge St has tasty, low-priced breakfast and lunch and the best coffee in the region (the Milky Way Latte is a must). Visit Two Elks for lunch and enjoy alpine cafeteria food. For dinner, try La Bottega on Vail Rd. Devour gourmet pizza at the bar, or book in advance to dine a la carte. Across the road at The Bully Ranch in the Sonnenalp, you'll find mouth-watering ribs and burgers. And for a special experience, ride the gondola to Eagle's Nest, where you're whisked by snowcat to the chalet.
Indulge
Vail Mountain Lodge and Spa is the place to soothe ski-weary muscles. If you can afford it, try the Moor Remedy, US$240 ($314), where after body brushing, you're immersed in 20,000 year-old Moor Mud, then massaged with lavender oil.
Price Scale
Vail can be as expensive, or as reasonably priced as you wish. Typically, the further you are from the centre of the village, the cheaper rates tend to be. For more information visit: www.vail.snow.com
BEAVER CREEK
Beaver Creek is over-the-top opulence. Its gated compound with life-sized bronze sculptures, heated footpaths and escalators from village to lifts make it a perfect luxury destination. If you're on a budget make a day trip to its breathtaking trails.
The rolling green and blue runs are perfect for beginners and intermediates, but there's also plenty of challenging black, tree and bump runs for thrill seekers. The Rose Bowl is a favourite, like skiing in a real life snow globe. Unique to Beaver Creek is the "Park-ology Scheme" with three terrain parks ranging from beginner to advanced, so those wanting to get air or ride rails can do so at their own level.
Apres
Not a lot happens at Beaver Creek in terms of typical apres rowdiness. Instead, guests choose to sip cognac by the fire at The Whiskey Elk Bar at the Park Hyatt, or enjoy a quiet shiraz at the Rocks Modern Grill.
Dine
The Mountainside Terrace and Grill serves light American fare at reasonable prices. Stop by The Cafe for coffee and picnics-to-go. Bivans at the Park Hyatt serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with stunning mountainside views. Rocks Modern Grill cooks some of the best steak in the Rockies, while The Grouse Mountain Grill serves delicious fresh fish and meats. Arrive by sleigh to Beano's Cabin and enjoy a luxurious five-course dinner.
Indulge
Visit Allegria Spa for the Sweet Orange and Citrus Salt Glow, a full-body scrub followed with a warm honey infusion and lotion application (but be prepared to part with upwards of US$130).
Price scale
Beaver Creek is expensive. It is, however, a sight to behold, a beautiful on-piste experience. For more information visit: www.beavercreek.snow.com
KEYSTONE
Keystone lacks Vail's pizzazz and Beaver Creek's polish, but brims with affordable accommodation, thrilling slopes and lively apres activities. With three diverse mountains and villages, it's an ideal budget destination.
Keystone has the largest night skiing terrain in the world and Thursday night's poker run (you're dealt cards as you ski and winning hands score prizes) culminates in a firework spectacular and a US$25 all-you-can-eat feast at Summit House. More experienced skiers should consider Cat Skiing, where a snowcat drops you in the Outback Bowl to ride untouched terrain.
Apres
Start at the Last Lift Bar at Mountain House Village. It's noisy and fun, with the house band encouraging audience participation. Hop the shuttle over to River Run Village to Parrot Eyes with over 25 cocktails to choose from. Mountain institution The Goat features live music that sees revellers dancing every night until closing.
Dining
The River Run Village is the place to eat. Visit Fritz Alpine Bistro for dinner Wednesday to Sunday, with a fixed three-course menu for US$40 with wine. The Kickapoo Tavern has delicious salmon and tuna steaks and red meat grills, while Paisano's Italian serves hearty Italian. A romantic option: hop a Dinner Sleigh Ride to the back cabins for a Western-style feast complete with guitar-strumming cowboy, for around US$70.
Price scale
Keystone is a great budget holiday destination with plenty of fun activities for kids and kids at heart. Visit: www.keystone.snow.com
BRECKENRIDGE
A storybook town built around Main St, Breck provides a no-frills, plenty-of-thrills holiday. It has some of the best learning terrain in North America. Its powdery acres have 146 trails, groomed runs, moguls, tree and black runs and terrain parks.
Apres
Hit Breckenridge Brewery then visit Park Avenue Pub for friendly atmosphere. For live music, Sherpa and Yeti's features high profile artists, while Cecelia's is great for dancing.
Dine
Poirrier's Cajun Cafe has authentic Cajun food with mains under US$12. At The Prospector Restaurant you'll find affordable American cuisine, while Briar Rose has great seafood and steaks for under US$20.
Price scale
Breckenridge offers a great budget ski holiday. See www.breckenridge.snow.com
ASPEN
One of the world's most exclusive ski towns, Aspen boasts four diverse mountains and a vibrant, elegant township. The rich, the famous and the everyday folk mingle side by side sharing a common bond.
Each mountain - Aspen (aka Ajax), Highlands, Snowmass and Buttermilk - has its own personality. On Aspen Mountain, known for its steeps, bumps and double blacks, you'll find gasp-inducing surprises such as the "ski museum" (a wall of early-design skis) and dead-celebrity shrines (think Jimmy Hendrix, Marilyn Monroe, John Denver).
As a rule, Buttermilk is the easiest to ski, Highlands the most picturesque and Snowmass massive, with 1200ha of diverse terrain. Not only will the beauty of the mountains overwhelm you, but you might find yourself sitting next to Elle MacPherson, Billy Crystal, Diana Ross, Bill Clinton or Will Smith on a skilift.
Apres
Aspen is a party town and apres often lasts until daylight. Start at Ajax Tavern for a warm cider and the best cheeseburger you'll ever eat. Enjoy a legendary Aspen Sludge (milkshake laced with brandy) at the Hotel Jerome's J Bar, a favourite drinking spot of Jack Nicholson, Kate Hudson and Goldie Hawn. Apres heats up at 39-degrees at the Sky Hotel with locals, ski instructors and famous faces alike flocking to the lively bar to drink its signature cocktail, the Menage A Trois. Jimmy's bar is always filled with revellers, Eric's is a great place to people-watch and play pool, while The Belly Up hosts some of the biggest names in the music business.
Dine
Aspen is renowned for endless dining choices. Ink Cafe, opposite the gondola, offers tasty breakfast and heaven-sent coffee. Pricier, epicurean institutions include Renaissance Cache Cache, Elevation, Takah Sushi (don't miss the Atomic Shrimp), Campo di Fiori, Crystal Palace Theatre Restaurant and Montagne at Little Nell's. Cloud Nine, a renovated ski patrol shack atop Aspen Highlands, is the ultimate alpine lunch stop, offering hearty meals and a wide selection of schnapps at reasonable prices.
Indulge
The Remede Spa at the St Regis offers personalised treatments. The wet rooms are jaw dropping, with a 14-head shower, arched pool with waterfall/dump shower, spa, sauna and steam room. Visit www.remede.com
Price Scale
While pricey, there are plenty of bargains to be had in Aspen in terms of food, accommodation and bars. For more information visit www.aspensnowmass.com
TELLURIDE
It's nicknamed "To-Hell-You-Ride" for two reasons. Firstly, the isolated boxed canyon is extremely difficult to get to. But don't let this put you off because Telluride is undoubtedly the most magical town you will ever visit and the most exquisitely beautiful mountain you will ever ski.
And so to the second reason for its nickname ... While there's plenty of gentle runs for beginners, Telluride is famed for its steep, deep black and double black runs that only very experienced skiers should attempt. We're talking serious vertical action.
Apres
Apres in Telluride is quite possibly the most hard-core in terms of fun and frivolity of any ski town you will ever visit. The small local community welcomes visitors as though they were old friends or family and the party is a never-ending event. Better still, every watering hole in Telluride tends to be within seconds walk, so you're never alone - or without a drink - for long.
Dine
The Town of Telluride and Town of Mountain Village are joined by a free gondola service that runs until midnight each night. Between them, there are over 55 dining spots. For lunch, stop at the Gorrono Ranch Restaurant. For dinner, stroll down the street to French restaurant, La Marmotte, or take a few steps to the left to discover the fusion-cuisine delights of Cosmopolitan. Alternatively, ride the gondola to Allred's, a mid-peak fine dining restaurant that offers local game and mountain-style cuisine.
Price scale
Telluride can be expensive if you choose to enjoy a luxury experience, but you can also shop around for great deals in accommodation and dining. For more information visit: www.tellurideskiresort.com
* Shonagh Walker resort-hopped as guest of Colorado Ski Country.
