Skiing is big business in the resorts of the United States.  Finding the right place to enjoy a trip a few years ago was much more complicated than it is in the 21st century, thanks to the Internet. 

Yes, the Internet has brought the world into our home – the good, bad, and ugly!

It is all there right in the window in front of you.  The “information age” is here.  The upside is that the decisions about travel can be made with much more accuracy, and money savings.

You can find the best snow, the best resorts at the best prices, and travel conditions, all with the click, click, click of the computer keys.

Some of the places on the Internet that can provide excellent information (there are literally thousands):

CNN.com  The power of CNN television  company is behind this site, and needless to say, has a lot to offer in ski reports,  weather updates,  great  graphics with their reports and maps.  I love looking at    this site – after one types in the ski area for information, there is a “click” for going

to the home page of that particular slope.

On the Snow    Their  “Travel Center” section ask – Where do you want to ski today? Click on a region for discounted ski trips and pricing. Yes, there it is – all at your fingertips.  All of the major ski slopes, pricing, lodging availability, and  special “deals.” 

SnoCountry.com               

This site gives us one of the most extensive listings of resorts.  For the snowboarders there is up-to-date information on this unique site, as well as information for snowshoe travelers, cross country  skiing, etc.

SkiReport.com    Here is a good place to check on conditions, etc.

Below is some of my photography in a recent trip to Aspen, Colorado.  The slope is the Buttermilk  slope, a choice area for youth.

“Home of the ESPN Winter X Games through 2010 (for an unprecedented run of NINE consecutive years!), Buttermilk also welcomes beginners. Less experienced skiers and riders cruise wide, rolling trails while experts jib in the terrain park.  The existing west Buttermilk chair was recently replaced and now has a midway load station, allowing beginners and young children to do laps on the gentle trails of west Buttermilk.

Buttermilk Deluxe is back! This slope is considered by many the best learning mountain in the world. This ski & snowboard school’s package includes a private lesson for you & up to four friends or family members, lift ticket, equipment rental, video analysis and more”

Season:  12/9/06 - 4/1/07

Terrain: 435 acres/176 hectares

Trails: easiest: 35%, more difficult: 39%, most difficult: 26%, expert: 0%

Parks and Pipes: 2 terrain parks (Crazy T'rain and S3) and 1 superpipe

Best-kept secret: Long, wide groomers at West Buttermilk and steeper rolling runs at Tiehack.