Travelers Advantage....

WINTER WONDERS

There’s never been a better time to book a winter vacation that’s all white. North American “ski” resorts are better than ever, thanks to a wide array of activities and amenities, varied accommodations, and some serious snow (and modern snowmaking).

Mountain resorts in North America are also evolving from simple ski areas to winter recreation destinations. There is now an outdoor winter pursuit for the entire family, as well as singles, couples, and practically anyone else in search of a winter wonderland of their own.

Along with snowboarding, tubing has given families yet another reason to head to the mountains. Both snowboarding and tubing are attracting younger crowds in record numbers, as new boarding and tubing parks are being built or expanded at many resort (especially in the southeast U.S. Both parents and kids who have never skied or boarded before are now quite comfortable with vacationing in the mountains.

The popularity of tubing led to last year’s introduction of the Airboard (www.airboard.com) in North America. The first all-mountain bodyboard for snow, riding an Airboard is easy to learn and typical of the new options at mountain resorts. This season, more than a half-dozen (and counting) winter resorts will offer fun Airboard programs, including: Park City, Utah’s Olympic Park; Keystone, Colorado; Hoodoo, Oregon; Loon Mountain, New Hampshire; Schweitzer Mountain, Idaho; and Sugar Bowl, California.

In addition to snowboarding, tubing, and the new Airboard options, winter resorts continue to add many other non-skiing options. The possibilities include: snowshoeing (industry leaders Tubbs and Atlas have popular programs at many resorts); snowmobiling; ice skating; large and luxurious spas and fitness centers; year-round pools; evening activities; children's programs; a wide range of restaurants and entertainment; backcountry cabins; and even winter golf or sleigh rides.

Oh, Canada! Winter bargains found north of the border have drawn many winter wanderers to Canada. Renowned resorts and a wide variety of options make the U.S. doller go even further.

In the east, Mont-Tremblant, Quebec is a favorite among those who like a little francais with their snow. Quite simply, this award-winning destination is one of the premier "winter villages” in the country.

To the west, in the Canadian Rockies, resort destinations like Banff Springs, Lake Louise, and Jasper, Alberta all provide an ideal introduction to the country’s Rocky Mountain highs. Further west, Whistler Blackcomb--host of the 2010 Winter Olympics--continues to enhance the offerings for a wide range of visitors.

Both the southeastern and the northeastern United States offer a wide range of options, with states like West Virginia and Vermont leading the way in winter pursuits east of the Mississippi. Eastern resorts have evolved in the past decade to become complete winter getaways that offer much more than simple ski runs.

In West Virginia, Snowshoe Mountain is a long-time favorite for those south of the Mason-Dixon line, with more than $100 million in additions and improvements to go along with a wide new array of activities. Western North Carolina also has an array of winter resorts popular with southerners in the know--and snow.

Up in Vermont, centrally-located Stratton Mountain and Killington continue to provide great experiences to everyone. Stratton will welcome visitors to a new Bill Koch-designed trail this winter, while Killington/Pico continues to welcome everyone with it’s huge array of on-mountain amenities. Of course, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York State, New Hampshire, and Maine also feature top regional resorts. Maine’s renowned Sunday River is a perfect example of a northeast resort providing so much more than just skiing, while New Jersey’s Mountain Creek provides an incredibly convenient destination for many in the region.

West of the Mississippi, the options are better than ever. When many people think of winter sports out west, they think of Colorado--and for good reason!

Out at Winter Park Resort, more than $4 million was invested in the off-season--with a primary focus on creating more user-friendly terrain and equipment for learning the basics of skiing and snowboarding. Up at Copper, a new Irish pub, wireless Internet, great sleigh rides to dinner at a cabin in the woods, and more await this winter’s visitors.

Of course, the wild (and mild) west offers many other great states for winter play. Some possibilities include: Utah (fresh off Olympic success); Idaho (Sun Valley); Montana (Big Mountain and Big Sky); New Mexico (Taos); Wyoming (Jackson Hole); and, surprisingly (for some), sunny California or Nevada (Mammoth, Lake Tahoe, and more).

Savvy travelers will soon be heading to North America’s numerous mountain resorts. With so much to choose from, it’s a great time to book a trip to your favorite winter wonderland, or try out a new one!