Skiing

Chances are that if you head to the Rockies, you're going for a spot (or a lot) of snow. The choices are embarrassingly endless, as can be the season—in some high places, you can still find snow in early summer. For downhillers, Montana's boonies gem Big Mountain gives good powder and great size—an amazing one skier per acre. Just down one state, Wyoming is tops for sheer volume of snow—the insider's picks are Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole. And of course, Colorado. The skiing here is legendary both for its quality as well as for its apres-ski opportunities. The diversity of terrain and the glamorous celebrity-spotting potential of such big-name resorts as Vail and Aspen don't hurt either. Colorado skiing is a true American classic.

But wait! There's more! Free-heelers can find an equally staggering choice of ski trails as their downhill brethren. The White River National Forest in Colorado provides hut-to-hut options for those interested in heading out for more than a day, while sunny Devil's Thumb boasts fabulous scenery. Rocky Mountain National Park, also in Colorado, caters to skiers mainly in the lower valleys, with Bear Lake and Wild Basin the most popular. Those with more work on their minds, however, can look for wilder stuff in other parts of the park. Finally, Yellowstone, one of our greatest national parks in the summer, continues to excel in winter, where the geyser basins reward the skier with abundant wildlife (such as buffalo and elk) and gorgeous vistas.