Everywhere SKI Editors Are Hoping To Ski This Winter

Summer is one of the best times of year to plan a ski trip.

Booking far enough in advance gives you a better pick of accommodations and gives everyone plenty of time to secure PTO. Here at SKI, we’re looking to make the most of our winters and plan some trips before our calendars fully book up. If you need some trip inspiration, keep reading; here’s where the foremost experts in everything ski are looking to make some turns this winter.

Sam Berman, SKI Executive Editor:

Telluride, CO.

I’m planning to follow the Super El Niño and capitalize on the resorts (hopefully) in its path. Telluride is at the top of my list. I haven’t been there in several years, and my boys have never been and are dying to go. There’s no big story this year—no new terrain or lifts—so I’m thinking that I’ll focus on travel tips and advice for this resort that’s notoriously hard to get to, and how to maximize your time there. For most people, Telluride is a bucket list trip. You really want to get it right the first time because you might never make it back, and I want to help people do that.

Powderhorn, CO.

Powderhorn is also on my list for this season. The resort has a big upgrade in the works—its first high-speed lift—and I’m excited to check it out. I’ve never been, and I love exploring new ski areas for the first time and experiencing skiing’s smaller, less traveled spots. Powderhorn is unique because it sits in an area of Colorado with few ski areas, and I’ve heard the scenery and views are stunning.

Jamie Aranoff, SKI Senior Editor:

Mad River Glen, VT.

Mad River Glen (ski it if you can!) lives rent-free in my brain. From the infamous single chair (the country’s oldest single operating chairlift) to the Co-op ownership structure that owns and operates the resort, this place is filled with all sorts of stories just waiting to be told. The MRG community recently raised close to 3 million dollars to purchase over 1,000 acres of land surrounding the resort, so it’s clear this place still has plenty of soul, and I have got to see what it’s all about!

Telluride, CO.

As much as I wanted to change my answer for lack of repetition from Sam, I just can’t; I really want to visit Telluride! Given that it’s so hard to reach (and I live in NYC), I’ve never been able to make the trip out, but I’m hopeful this is the year that changes. I don’t always love super steep runs, but I’m going through a phase of skiing where it feels good to challenge myself, and I’m hoping to capitalize on that while the momentum is still there. Plus, I’ve never skied in the San Juans before!

Sierra Shafer, Outside Editorial Director, Lifestyle:

Whitefish, MT.

I’m headed back to Whitefish this winter for the first time in almost 10 years. A lot has changed since I was last there, and that’s exactly why I want to go back.
Whitefish has always stood out to me because it doesn’t feel like every other destination resort. It’s still independently owned, gets around 300 inches of snow in a typical year, has more than 3,000 acres of terrain, and those iconic snow ghosts that somehow make a storm day feel even more magical. But I’m just as interested in what’s changed off the mountain.

The airport has gone through a massive expansion, making the trip that much easier. I’ll be checking out the new Larch House, seeing how the food scene has evolved with newer restaurants like Herb & Omni, and ending at least one ski day at the Bierstube, because some traditions shouldn’t change.
Mostly, I’m curious whether Whitefish still strikes that balance of big-mountain skiing, an authentic mountain town, and the kind of breathing room that’s getting harder to find at destination resorts. It made a lasting impression on me 10 years ago, and I’m excited to see how it feels today.

Japanuary

I’ve somehow never skied in Japan, which feels increasingly indefensible for someone who has built so much of her life around skiing.
It’s been on my list for years, and maybe this is the winter it finally happens. When it comes to Japan, I’m as interested in everything around the skiing as I am in the skiing itself. The onsens. The food. The trains. It feels like a completely different rhythm of ski culture than what I’m used to out West.

Then comes the hard part. Do I start with Niseko and experience the famous Hokkaido powder? Head to Furano for something a little quieter? Or ski the bigger terrain around Hakuba? I have a feeling there isn’t a wrong answer. I just need to pick a direction and book the trip.

Giorgia Menetre, Senior Social Media Strategist

Georgia

Call me vain, but ever since I learned I can ski in a country with the same name as me, I’ve wanted to go. The country of Georgia might not be on everyone’s top destination list, but since I’ve never been to that part of the world, I’d love to check it out, and what better excuse than making it my first cat-skiing trip.

Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains are remote and full of untouched powder potential. Known for legendary tree skiing (often compared to Japan’s), remote villages, and Georgian hospitality. When we published this article covering cat skiing in the Georgian village of Bakhmaro, with cozy mountain-refuge vibes, I knew I had to get out there. Plus, it’s a more budget-friendly destination for cat skiing. If I play my cards right this season, you know where to find me.