10 Benefits of Vacationing at Major Ski Resorts

One of the challenges of vacationing with family or friends is finding common ground when it comes to daily activities. For ski vacations, if you've got a non-skier with you (or a ski-for-2-runs-in-the-morning-and-call-it-a-day kind of skier), they'll be much happier at a major resort where alternative activities like wellness centers, spas, skating, snowshoeing, yoga, and cultural excursions, are readily available. These kinds of things are also a perk if you're vacationing for 1 week or longer: you'll appreciate some time off the slopes and a chance to experience the resort in different ways.

Major ski resorts cater to foodies. Head to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for authentic western fare, Palisades Tahoe for hip healthy cuisine, and Courchevel for a taste of the best of France. If you're seeking a luxury experience, resorts like these deliver when it comes to dining. What's more, you'll likely dine in style with some of the best mountainscape views in the world – something that's just not available outside major resorts (or in, like, New York City).

If you choose to go to a major resort, there is likely ski vacation packages available that include lodging, lift tickets, ski rentals, and transportation. Bundling all aspects of your ski vacation saves time, energy, and money; the all-inclusive ski package is the best option for a major ski vacation with very little planning stress. SnowPak is a mountain travel company specialising in ski trips and offers experience, expertise and exceptional customer service to ensure your trip goes smoothly. See here for more information.

Ski schools at major resorts are well-oiled machines. Take Vail Ski Resort, for instance: over 700 instructors make up a team that teaches people of all ages and ability levels skiing, snowboarding, telemarking, and adaptive skiing every day of the season. There are clinics for women, camps for teenagers, specialty instructors for park and pipe enthusiasts, and socially-focused weekend getaways that include après hour as a fundamental part of the "lesson." Major resorts have the most – and best – options for those interested in honing their skills or just getting out on the mountain with someone who knows it best.

Resorts owned by large corporations – or even resorts owned by families that just happen to be multi-million dollar operations – sometimes have a reputation for being impersonal and dry when it comes to customer experience. But from ski school instructors to cafeteria cashiers to lift attendants, you can count on the staff to have professional flare. The best resorts in the world train their staff to offer the best customer experience – and that means cultivating knowledge about the workings of the resort itself, the surrounding area, and how to serve you in the best way possible. Full-time and some part-time staff are usually receiving lift pass and other benefits, so they're happy to working and playing in the mountains – and happy to help craft a great customer experience.

European resorts are known worldwide for their colossal peaks and hundreds of kilometers of marked trails; the Rocky Mountains also boast resorts that offer enough in bounds terrain to keep skiers spinning laps for days and still finding new powder stashes. In New England especially, heading to a big-name resort ensures the most terrain and terrain variety. This is essential for families and friends of different terrain interests and skiing ability levels.

Granted, some of the coolest resorts in the world are less accessible than others, but know this: if a ski resort is thriving, it means they've done a lot of work to pave the way for ease in customers actually getting there. Resorts like Aspen and St Moritz boast private airports, while places like Tahoe offer door-to-door shuttle service from the closest international airport. Direct flights from major cities like New York to smaller regional airports like that in Jackson Hole increase every season.

Shotskis and massive outdoor concerts in Colorado; cocktails in igloos in Switzerland; dancing all night to deep house at underground clubs in France: if you're intension is hitting some of the best parties in the world on your ski vacation, book at a major resort. Since the beginning of – well, since the 19th century – après ski has been in integral aspect of ski culture. Socializing over drinks on the sun-washed decks of the Alps or the old time bars of the American West offers opportunities to mix with locals, tune into resort life, and appreciate the cultural roots of the pastime. For the biggest parties, head to the biggest resorts.

Within the ski industry, insiders take care of each other. Even if you don't work for a major resort, there are ways to enjoy the "small world" effect of the ski industry. Holding a season pass at one resort can get you discounts at an affiliated resort; frequently booking the same hotel chain can score you a free night or two on your next vacation. Major resorts are the places most likely to offer these kinds of deals.  

Large, well-known resorts sometimes have the reputation of being ultra expensive; for the most part, this is true. Major resorts offer plenty of opportunities to live in luxury for a week, but they are also most likely to boast a variety of options for lodging, lift tickets, and food. Students often receive discounts on lift tickets; families can find plenty of mid-range options for hotels. All-out elegance is great, but most big resorts cater to a wider range of customers with varying budgets.