I have just negotiated 5 weeks off work, starting in mid February, and my plan is to take the time skiing in the USA.  I am a fairly good skier, having skied about 25-30 weeks in the last 10 years, and I am reasonabkly experienced off-piste (which is my main preference when conditions allow).  I will also be travelling alone, although I hope to be able to find people to ski with there.
 
My current plan is to visit Jackson Hole (and to ski Corbet’s couloir), Alta/Snowbird and Heavenly/Squaw.
 
Is there anywhere else that I should be thinking of?  I have deliberately avoided Aspen because I think it will suit a future trip with people with varied ability levels.
 
Also does anyone have any tips for traveling alone but not skiing alone?
 
Cheers
M.

Lucky you! Sounds great.
 
If you are touring around, then I’d recommend dropping in on Colorado anyway - Breckenridge, Vail, Beaver Creek etc are all fairly accessible from the I70 highway and fairly "close" together in driving terms. There’s also a good bus service. And they share a lift pass.
 
Winter Park also has its fair share of expert terrain, with some of the steepest chutes etc in the US. Also, it’s one of the closest resorts to Denver - a great city too!
 
But you might prefer somewhere like Silverton:  
(see News archive: Silverton )- an all off-piste resort in southern Colorado, served by one lift. Definitely off the Brit beaten track I reckon - but it’s a lot further south.
 
Or heading in the other direction: how about considering Big Sky/Moonlight Basin in Montana? Apparently the combined slopes make it bigger than Vail and is known for uncrowded runs, big vertical and plenty of powder
 
You could save on accommodation costs by trying hostels/guest houses - for example there’s one in Winter Park (Rocky Mountain Inn & Hostel)which, apparently, offers either dormitory or private rooms. Unlike the European image of a youth hostel, these places are run more along the lines of B&B’s. More likely to get chatting to fellow skiers there than in motels etc too - which usually base their room prices on 4-sharing!
 
Enjoy the trip. Perhaps you’ll share your experiences of solo travel and the wonderful powder when you get back….?
 
W  

Wendy thank you.
 
Certainly planning on sharing details fo the travel - and hopefully writing a few reviews for the book!
 
Staying in hostels is definitely a good idea - I must admit that I had originally been put off by images of spotty teenagers drinking cider and nicking my stuff!
 
One place that I am certainly going to is Jackson Hole.  Have you been there and, if so, would you recommend staying in Jackson or in Teton Village.  It seems to me that the decision is between better night life and easy access to the slopes.
 
Cheers
M.
 

Sadly, I haven’t been to Jackson H yet - not quite brave enough to tackle those infamous couloirs!
 
Sounds like you might prefer staying nearer the mountain, than 15 minutes away in the main town - though there are shuttle buses.
 
Teton probably has enough bars / restaurants to suit and a past visitor has recommended the Hostel X lodge as good value accommodation (think its about £30 per night) - worth a look maybe? Guess it all depends on how long you plan to stay and etc.
 
Anyone else out there with tips for Matthew?
 
W

hi, guess youll be on your trip by now, but you may read this whilst travelling, and others too.if you need a break from the slopes, but want to include an excellent and unique ski paradise, truck on south to taos nm.the snow there right now is unbelievable. the resort is the most challenging spot and without snowboarders,is very rare.as a local gnarley 14 year old said to me on a lift ride ,‘its too steep for snow boarders!‘the pow is wonderful, and ernie blake who discovered it (by plane!) in the early 50’s,believed that you should earn your pleasure ,thus the best bowls under kachina peak have a good stiff hike to enter them,tough going at that altitude but wow, worth it or what!!!!!.the easier terrain is excellent too,quiet during midweek.but probably the big ,big bonus of taos ski valley, is the town itself,some eleven miles down the well cleared canyon road.absolutely unique in the world this wild, facinating town, with its many art galleries,splendid eateries( michaels kitchen for huevos rancheros before a full-on day up ‘the valley’),and of course the local first nation culture with the world heritage site @ taos pueblo, blending with the hispanic and anglo incomers,their ‘out- there’ life styles and truly memorable building character both ancient and modern form a brilliant addition to the whole ski trip.several other small,excellent resorts lie nearby,(in american distance ,1 hours easy drive)sandia peak,santa fe, sipapu, red river, angelfire,good range of slopes and runs at all, but not as top end or legendary as t.s.v.!  on your way back north,do wolf creek, and if you have any legs left fit in telluride.definitely worth a trip! i love taos! enjoy!!!!!