If you’re reading this and it sparks something—dust off your boots.
The West is waiting.
And so is your best chapter.
There’s something about the silence of a snowy ridgeline at 10,000 feet that recalibrates a man. It’s where adrenaline meets awe—an intersection I’ve sought out year after year across the American West.
As a former athlete and lifelong lover of crisp air, elevation, and the humbling grace of nature, I’ve spent the better part of my adult winters chasing soft turns, steeps, and soul across the Rockies. The goal? Ski what I recognize as the major western U.S. ski resorts—and soak up every moment, one run and one lift ride at a time.
Utah: My Powder Playground
If there’s a home base for my snow addiction, it’s Utah.
- Alta is my North Star (not to be confused with the Tahoe-area resort. Been there too, though!). Multiple trips, and it never fails. Deep, dry powder. No snowboarders. Just pure skiing bliss and jaw-dropping views. If the snow gods made a blueprint, they started with Alta.
- Snowbird is where I’ve pushed myself technically—multiple trips and memories of dropping into Mineral Basin with a grin and a little prayer.
- Powder Mountain is Utah’s sleeper hit. Wide-open terrain, no lift lines, and a sense that you’re skiing with locals who know they’ve got a secret.
- I’ve knocked out Snowbasin, Deer Valley, Park City, Canyons, Sundance, Brighton, and Solitude—each with their own flavor, but it’s Alta that holds the throne.
Colorado: Majestic, Diverse, and Damn Good Fun
Colorado doesn’t just offer variety—it delivers elevation, personality, and beauty that punches you in the chest.
- Steamboat Springs (2021) surprised me with its tree skiing and that signature Champagne Powder®. And let’s not forget the town itself—laid-back, authentic, and fun.
- Crested Butte and Beaver Creek (2023) stole the show in recent years. Buttery groomers at Beaver, big mountain energy at the Butte.
- Aspen Highlands and Snowmass—what can I say? They’re bucket list-worthy for a reason. Classy, classic, and every bit as stunning as the magazines suggest. The photo on the home page was taken with my Samsung Galaxy (not the best resolution but it’s a good personal memory).
- A-Basin, Breck, Vail, Keystone, Copper, Loveland, Winter Park—they’ve all seen my edges, and each left a mark.
And this year? 2025’s visit to Aspen was a stand-out. I also took the time to visit Glenwood Springs; soaking in hot mineral water after kicking off my boots was the definition of “earned indulgence.” The vapor rose, the stars were out, and I realized I wasn’t just skiing the West—I was living my best life in it.
California & Beyond
I’ve ventured beyond the Rockies too:
- From Dodge Ridge to Heavenly, Kirkwood, Northstar, and Squaw/Palisades Tahoe, California’s resorts bring drama, vertical, and serious beauty.
- I even dipped into the European scene with Stubai Glacier, Austria (1985) while experiencing a semester of school abroad, back when it was called ‘Ball State London Centre’.
- Still to come: those rugged runs at Jackson Hole, Big Sky, Whitefish. Taos, Wolf Creek, Telluride. Mammoth. Perhaps Mt. Hood & Mt. Baker to spur me to the Canadian side?
Why I Ski (Still)
People ask why I still ski aggressive terrain into my 60s. My answer is simple:
Because skiing reminds me I’m alive.
There’s no passive living when you’re navigating a steep pitch, chasing your kids through glades, or cracking open a beer at après with steam rising off your base layers.
It’s presence.
It’s grit.
It’s reward.
Final Thoughts
I may be chasing a self-appointed goal of hitting all the “major resorts,” but in truth, I’m just collecting moments—morning sun on mountain peaks, the crunch of boots on packed snow, and the rare silence that only elevation provides.
And because I’ve earned it, a soak in a steaming pool with mountains surrounding me and a memory or two to hold onto forever.
Stay vertical,
Brian
