Go West, get a break at these resorts

November 15, 2009|Kate Siber, Globe Correspondent

Skiers and snowboarders tend to flock to a handful of Western winter resorts, but these hidden gems often have just as much powder and terrain with fewer lift lines and greater value.

Grand Targhee Resort, Wyoming

Grand Targhee is often forgotten in the shadow of its glitzy sister, Jackson Hole, yet it has the same amount of skiable terrain (about 2,500 acres) and gets even more snow: an outrageous average of 500 inches a year. The first snowstorm rolled through in September. With a single compact base area, the vibe here can be described as relaxed, ski-centric, and even a little retro. The local town, Driggs, has more outdoor shops than fine-dining establishments. It follows that Targhee has a high proportion of expert runs, but the bonus is that the beginner area is entirely separate from the rest of the hill, giving newbies a respite from others whizzing by. Alta, Wyo., 800-827-4433, www.grandtarghee.com

Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort, Colorado

Purgatory, also known as Purg or DMR to locals, has a location that affords certain perks. Here at the intersection of the desert and the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado, the snow arrives dry and fluffy, but big storms are inevitably followed by startingly clear days. All the better to see the views of the pristine San Juan Mountains. (Don’t forget the sunscreen.) Long known as a family-friendly resort, DMR recently beefed up its offerings to appeal to an even broader audience. Last season, Purgatory Lodge, a luxury ski-in ski-out hotel, opened with a pool, spa, and unimpeded views of the mountain. This season, the resort expanded to incorporate 125 acres and 1,200 vertical feet of new expert tree terrain that was thinned for optimal turns. Durango, Colo., 800-982-6103, www.durangomountainresort.com

Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico

The trails that funnel into Taos Ski Valley’s base area are so steep the resort established a sign at the base area that reads “Don’t Panic!’’ and reminds skiers that there’s also beginner terrain. Perhaps it is Taos’s fearsome reputation, the fact that it didn’t allow snowboarders until 2008, and its location in a tight valley that have insulated it from development and kept the atmosphere a little wild. Beginners will undoubtedly find suitable slopes here, but the real gems lie in the plentiful black diamonds and the hike up the ridgeline to stunning 12,481-foot Kachina Peak. At the end of the day, a green-chile-spiked dinner awaits in the atmospheric adobe-lined streets of Taos, 19 miles south. Taos, N.M., 866-250-7313, www.skitaos.org

Snowbasin Resort, Utah