What makes a great ski resort? Hard to say. In nearly 30 years on the slopes, I've had spectacularly memorable times fighting my way down Stowe's bulletproof hardpack, cruising the scored white boulevards of Utah's Deer Valley, flailing through a raging snowstorm in the storied bowls of Vail. But for me, and I suspect for most, the best ski vacations have little to do with elevation, or acreage, or even ideal snow conditions. Often, what makes or breaks a trip is what you encounter off the slopes: the wit of the bartender who serves you that first cold draft after your last run; the tastiness of the Jagerschnitzel you order for dinner; the smile of a local when you ask for directions; the plumpness of the down comforter you pull close at night. To make a list of the continent's 25 best ski areas, I took into account those unmeasurable but crucial factors. Here, then, is my roster of resorts that deliver it all - stellar skiing plus distinctive lodging, dining, shopping, services, and off-slope activities - in various configurations, but with the same winning effect.

 
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