TravelWorld International Magazine Winter 2023

Guests staying in
Tamarack Resort can
rent ski-in ski-out
accommodation.
Two ski-patrollers take
in the view over Lake
Cascade at Tamarack
Resort in Tamarack Idaho.
Skiers and
snowboarders assess
snow conditions at the
top of the mountain in
Tamarack Resort near
Boise, Idaho.
D
ave Rathbun, General
Manager at Purgatory
Resort near Durango
notes that they have
"made significant capital
investments in recent
years to improve the overall resort
experience, including expanded
snowmaking firepower, more parking
spaces, and infrastructure upgrades to
lifts, restaurants, and guest services.
Many new accommodations have also
been added to the resort, and many
existing lodging units have been
renovated and upgraded.”
Personally, my favorite part about this
type of resort experience is the fact
that you are able to ski the majority
of the trails that are at your current
level within a day or two. High-quality
terrain is on offer, and you are also able
to have time to ski your new favorite
trails as many times as you want. With a
more approachable resort, it is easy to
quickly become familiar with the terrain
and even start to link a few of your
favorite runs together. This gives the
opportunity to progress on a particular
ski run and try new lines within that
terrain.
Scott Turlington, President of Tamarack
Ski Resort in Idaho says, “Because we’re
family-owned, we can be nimbler and
more innovative in how we run all
aspects of the resort and how quickly
we respond to our guests and their
desires for unique and personalized
experiences no matter what the
season.” In my experience skiing at
Tamarack Ski Resort, the efficient work
of the lift operators meant a lack of
lines at the ski lifts during a busy day
in prime ski season. I was also able to
ski many different runs and confidently
push my ability level on terrain that
quickly became familiar to me. The
resort amenities were never more than
a few minutes away, and the apres ski
options were top-notch.
T
hese aspects are present within each
of the resorts, including Colorado's
Purgatory resort: "Skiers and riders
also love our iconic location in the
San Juan Mountains, which means
fewer crowds and shorter lift lines
for a more authentic and enjoyable Colorado
on-snow experience," says Rathbun. These
properties are very family-friendly and also
great to visit if you are traveling with a group
of friends who have kids. The programs for
beginners are affordable and easy to access. At
Purgatory, "Our guests appreciate free skiing
for all children ages 12 and under, as well as the
variety of lodging and amenities available at
the resort and in nearby downtown Durango,"
says Rathbun.
Guests who are brand new to the sport of
skiing, no matter their age, can seek out new
skills with a progression program at Brian
Head. "This season we’re opening a new free
on-snow experience for first-time skiers and
snowboarders,” says Palmer. “The experience
is a series of step-by-step clinics to prepare
guests for their first time on the snow. As
guests move through learning stations, ski
instructors provide personalized tips along the
way. Guests can stay in each station as long as
they need to feel comfortable before moving
on to the next station. This takes the pressure
out of the learning curve and helps build
confidence. From tips on loading and unloading
the chairlift to teaching safety and the skier
responsibility code, we’re setting them up for
success and making the mountain a safer place
for everyone."
Single-day tickets at these resorts are also very
accessible, with price points that are affordable
to a family looking to try skiing. "This season
we're expanding our demand-based ticket
pricing strategy to make skiing more accessible
and enjoyable, resulting in some of the most
affordable lift tickets in the U.S. starting at
$9 on select days. Of course, we're bringing
back popular favorites like Power Kids for free
unlimited skiing and riding for all kids 12 and
younger, plus exclusive discounts for season
pass holders and guests," says Rathbun of
Purgatory Resort.
A free skier does a 360
degree turn over a jump at
Tamarack Resort in Idaho.
The view over Mica Ridge at
the top of Tamarack Resort
near Tamarack Idaho.
Seeking out an independent ski resort will
definitely provide you with the benefit of
staying and skiing at a resort that is more
approachable in terms of terrain, and geared
towards those seeking a unique winter
vacation experience. A smaller ski resort can
also be a great place to expand your skill set as
a skier and can be an affordable way to get a
taste of what skiing has to offer.
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