Vail Ski Resort

Vail ski resort is the biggest of its kind in the USA, and it's also often voted one of the best in popularity polls. Built in the 1960s as a faux Austrian village for an upmarket clientele, Vail has broadened its appeal in recent years into a destination for everyone, while continuing to serve the well-heeled extremely well.

The traffic-free village, which meanders along the slopes, is mostly attractive, with smart hotels, shops and restaurants. It does have some of the most expensive lift tickets in the USA (if you buy in the resort), but bargains are to be had by buying in advance online or through a tour operator.

There's a good choice of skiing, from the conventional pistes on the front face and the big, open Back Bowls, to the pleasure of skiing through widely spaced trees at Blue Sky Basin.

The resort has tried to promote a greener agenda on its slopes and in its properties in recent years, having installed some solar panels on mountainside restaurants and introduced hybrid low-pollution buses.