Best Freeride Resorts
The ‘Bird. Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. PHOTO: ANDREW MILLER
Mt. Baker
Loads of snow, crazy pitches, natty hits abound, and serious sidecountry. It’s off the beaten path but worth it.
Jackson Hole
Vast sidecountry, loads of inbound action, a Burton Stash Park, and home mountain of Mr. Travis Rice.
Snowbird
Can’t beat the cat tracks on Chip’s. Trees on Gad 2 are good, so is anything on Baldy—especially Alta…
Best Jib Parks
Ethan Deiss. Bear Mountain, California. PHOTO: CHRIS WELLHAUSEN
Bear
Like oxygen is to breathing, jibbing is to Bear. For a double decade they’ve led the charge with innovative setups, and they’re not slowing down.
Mountain High
The City of Angels is surreal as it is, but Mountain High took it one step further and transformed four LA landmarks into street setups on snow.
Seven Springs
They have The Streets, The Alley, and they’ve been number one on our Resort Poll for years. Check it out.
Best Nightlife
Whistler
Mix with the pros at Garfinkel’s or the newly opened, rider-owned, El Furniture Warehouse. The village is pure chaos (and entertainment) when the bars let out.
Aspen
Late-night concerts at Belly Up, celebrity sightings, bangin’ house parties during X Games, and a little dive called Woody Creek Tavern.
Park City
Best to start off with a PBR at Cobra Dogs. After that, Downstairs, Lindsay O’s, or Cisero’s are worthy.
Best Snow
Jackson
Light, deep, and cold. Jackson’s one of the coldest places in the country, making it a refrigerator for pow.
Revelstoke
It’s the kind of place you can show up to a week after it’s snowed and still smash pillow stacks of tits deep, untracked Interior BC blower.
Snowbird
Little Cottonwood Canyon is cool. Most years the snow is light and there’s a lot of it. Goes fast though…
Best Value
Brighton. Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. PHOTO: AARON BLATT
Brighton
Good snow, fun rails, awesome sidecountry and hikeable lines. Great deals on passes and day tickets.
Whitewater
Forty feet of annual snowfall, 2,044 feet of vertical, and non-existent liftlines for just 64 bucks a ticket. Plus, some of the best affordable grub.
Sierra-at-Tahoe
The cheapest pass in Tahoe comes with some of the best parks, pillow stacks, and tree riding found around the Lake.
Best Eats
Aspen
Believe it or not, the fabled land of fur and celebrities actually has cheap, top-notch eats. See Johnny McGuire’s, Grateful Deli, and The Big Wrap, and the many après deals for proof.
Whistler
Sachi Sushi, Sushi Village, Splitz Grill burgers, Zog’s dogs and poutine, Pasta Lupino, and Gone Bakery are just a few.
Jackson
After dropping chutes, drop into Teton Thai, Silver Dollar Bar & Grill, or Lotus Café. If you have extra cash, try Nikai Sushi or Trio.
TAGS: aspen, bear, Brighton, jackson hole, mountain high, Mt. Baker, Park City, resort poll, Resort Poll 2013, Revelstoke, Seven Springs, Sierra at Tahoe, snowbird, Whistler, Whitewater
