5 Reasons to Ski North American vs. European Resorts
The French have their champagne, but we’ve got Champagne Powder ®
It’s not just a brand, but a for-reals thing, and North American ski resorts get lots of it. Skiers are hooked on carving through the legendary dry fluffy white stuff in Steamboat, Banff and many other regions up and down the Rocky Mountain range. On average, U.S. and Canadian ski resorts receive more annual snowfall consistently throughout the season than European resorts. And if there isn’t enough snow at one, just drive down the highway and choose from a handful of others, because in North America, we’ve got infrastructure like that.
Orderly lift lines vs. free-for-all
When you’re dealing with crowds, orderly lines work – take voting lines, car lines and lift lines. Getting on a chair at a European resort is something to behold, but not a good thing to experience. The ski hordes in Europe dwarf the largest resort crowds in America. Described as chaotic at best, it’s every man, woman and child for themselves in the Euro lift areas, and you may get pole-checked in the process. Fore!
Ski more runs before 10AM than most ski in Europe all day
Efficiency is as American as baseball. While Europeans are wrapping up their breakfast event before they hit the trails with their posse, Americans have checked the kids in ski school and have made several runs down the slope. And with the efficient way that high-tech chairlifts like the heated bubbles at Okemo make ascending the vertical a smooth 6.5-minute-ride, you
can lap the mountain faster than a Maserati on the Autobahn.
Service is our middle name
If you didn’t know, the “S” in USA stands for service when it comes to ski. We’ve got corduroy runs, snow-making superpowers, high tech lifts and apps with maps that track your stats. Let’s not forget the on-mountain services such as friendly ski instructors and, and oh yeah, ski patrols who show up in a flash when your life is at stake. The mega resorts like Vail and Park City offer the latest and greatest in ample lodging and dining, so much so they are a favored for World Cup events and Olympics. Even heli and cat skiing are easily accessed. Although the historical sites in Europe are intriguing, at the end of the day, I’d rather have working hot water in my chalet.
Barbeque
Fine dining has its place, but after a day of carving and turning down the slopes in high altitude, there’s nothing like a steaming hot plate of pure cowboy protein to replenish the bod. Yee-haw!
Did I forget anything? What do you like most about North American ski areas?