Ski While You Can

“If you don’t ski it this year, you’ll be another year older when you do!” say Warren Miller. If you're as inspired by his spirit as we are, take a look through this selection of iconic mountains and resorts that beg to be skied while you still can.

Warren Miller, beloved Maker of ski films, utters a trademark line at the end of each movie: “If you don’t ski it this year, you’ll be another year older when you do!” Inspired by his spirit, I’ve put together a skiing bucket list—a selection of iconic mountains and resorts that beg to be skied while you still can.

Any such list is by nature highly subjective. Read mine, and you may launch into an imaginary argument with me. Ok, then, which hills would you substitute? Make your own list, and the very act will increase the chances that you ski these great destinations sooner than later or not at all.

Arapahoe Basin

Hardcore skiers with a mellow ’tude flock to A-Basin for the longest season in North America, which typically stretches from mid-October to July. “The Legend” also has the highest altitude inbounds skiing on the continent (tied with Telluride and Silverton), which, along with north-facing slopes, helps keep the snow fresh. During the 2007/08 season, the Montezuma Bowl expansion added 400 acres to the backside of Arapahoe Basin—blue, black and double black slopes for a total of 36 additional runs.

Banff

Nestled in the national park whose name it shares, the town of Banff offers an elegant year-round perch from which to enjoy the albertan wilderness. With skiing at Ski Norquay, Lake Louise and Sunshine Village, winter is the best time to visit. One lift ticket gives you access to the three peaks, 8,000 skiable acres, the best on-piste views in the hemisphere and the chance to ski amidst wildlife. Carving with wolves got your heart pumping? The après scene will take the edge off.

Kitzbühel

If the charming town doesn’t captivate you, then surely the breathtaking scenery of the Eastern Alps will. Not that any serious skier would need convincing to make a pilgrimage to Kitzbühel: The Streif course, home to the Hahnenkamm race, is the stuff of downhill legend, and the rest of the resort has had more than a century to build its reputation. Fill up on hearty Tyrolean fare, and then head out to some of the most storied runs in skiing.

Les Trois Vallées

If you were to assume that each of the three valleys corresponds to a single French ski resort, you’d be sorely mistaken. If you were to try and ski each resort, well, you’d just be sore. Attempting to conquer the eight resorts over three valleys (technically four, but who’s counting?) might be hell on your knees, but you’ll limp away with the honor of having explored the single largest lift-served ski area in the world. The question isn’t whether to go, but where to start.

Portillo

The best way to satisfy a ski jones in the summer months is to fly to where it’s winter—in the Chilean Andes. The go-to resort is Portillo, which offers everything from well-maintained cruisers, guided excursions down the off-piste terrain and even per-run heli-skiing flights to the surrounding peaks. There is one big yellow hotel (yes, yellow), no town to speak of and few commercial distractions—just great skiing and a party atmosphere.

Stowe

What better way to celebrate Vermont, a skiing state at heart, than to tackle its highest peak, Mt. Mansfield? From the renowned Front Four slopes to pristine cross-country trails, Stowe nicely sums up what the East has to offer. Ride the transfer gondola between Mansfield and Spruce Peak for one of the best views of the Green Mountains. And the village of Stowe? It’s New England postcard-perfect.

Sun Valley

Idaho may not have the highest reputation when it comes to skiing or culture, but a visit to Sun Valley will put any jokes to rest. Home of the world’s first chair lifts, the resort has been creating and captivating skiers since the 1930s. The main hill, Baldy, has plenty of vertical, snow and sunshine, plus an almost complete absence of wind. Once your boots are off, anything from a quiet look through a gallery to drinks while a jazz combo plays will offer a taste of Sun Valley’s thriving arts scene.

Tuckerman’s Ravine

At this New Hampshire gem, weekend warriors are barred from checking e-mails on the lift between runs. That’s mainly because there are no lifts. As spring arrives and avalanche danger passes, tradition dictates that aspirants climb to the summit with skis flung over a shoulder or strapped to the back. Once on top, a number of challenging routes and chutes offer a thrilling way back down.

Vail

The smooth groomers of the front side appeal to all ranks, but the real grail of Vail lies in its back bowls. Staying knee deep and steep from Sun Up to Sun Down (Bowls) never disappoints. For further diversion, head to the gladed playground of Blue Sky Basin. The resort celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013, and it’s hard to imagine a time when this peak went through whole winters untouched—even harder to imagine yourself leaving once you get there.

Zermatt

Between the gemütlich town and the wild beauty of the Matterhorn, Zermatt looks almost like a Hollywood set. Four ski areas offer plenty of variety. Here you can strap on the planks 365 days a year, although skiing can get down to two on-glacier slopes in June. It’s even possible to ski from Switzerland into Italy for lunch. Motorized traffic is banned from the town, which is dotted with centuries-old chalets. This is perhaps the best place in the world to get your fondue on.