Vail's Blue Sky Basin

The Blue Sky Basin is like a ski area in a ski area. There's a different look to the terrain than the rest of Vail, and a real sense of being in the backcountry instead of part of one of world's biggest resorts.

As you would expect in Vail, Blue Sky Basin has a very modern lift system with three high-speed quad chairlifts but provides a more retro ski experience. Instead of boulevard-wide runs Blue Sky Basin features mostly glades and natural tree-free meadows. Most of the runs are general routes rather than specific, defined trails. Signage is directional, pointing to a destination rather than funneling people onto specific trails.

Skiers and snowboarders can stick to groomed sections, dance through the powder in the trees or mix and match. In fact, even the snowcat operators have been instructed to groom where it "feels" right. In that manner, every trip down Blue Sky's slopes can feel and look different.

If it is at all possible to get sick of Vail's huge back bowls, Blue Sky Basin offers skiers a snowboarders a wilder side of Vail.

Panorama British Columbia, Canada.

There is probably no resort more underrated or overlooked in North America as Panorama Mountain Resort. Few people are aware of Panorama's many assets, and for the skiers and boarders that frequent this ski resort the most - this is exactly how they would like to keep it!

Even on a relatively busy day at Panorama you feel like you have almost exclusive use of Panorama's 2890 acres and 120 runs. The peak of Panorama represents the 3rd highest vertical rise in North America, a place where expert skiers and snowboarders regularly plunge down gladded runs blanketed in dry, fluffy powder snow.

At lower elevations the terrain is more suited to the less adventurous or inexperienced skiers and riders, with plenty of nice cruising runs over a large area. At the end of a long day on the mountain, Panorama's unique slope side hot springs are the perfect way to relax those weary muscles, or if the apres scene is more your thing then maybe you will feel more at home in pub style bar for a few drinks with the locals.

This well kept secret may not stay that way for long, so get out there and enjoy it while you can!