On a windy day in March, Warren Linde, Robert Blank, and Brent Holbrook, the co-founders of Mountain Drones, partnered with members of the Telluride Ski Patrol to fly a UAV loaded with mock explosives above a secret location outside of Telluride, Colorado.听

Mountain Drones makes UAVs for avalanche mitigation and the prototype in the air was the result of two years of innovation, eight months of component research, and hundreds of hours of testing, both on the ground and in the air. Nine months later, the prototype has evolved into the Prospect, which was ready for demos by ski resorts, departments of transportation, and railways this month. It will go to market听in 2016.听

This long R&D phase is typical of drones, which鈥攄espite the fact that the U.S. government doesn鈥檛 yet require UAVs to meet any federally mandated specifications, although they do need to be registered with the FAA鈥� typically spend years in development going through thousands of tests.

While testing typically takes place on private property, in recent years, new public drone testing sites have opened. One such site is the in Colorado鈥檚 San Luis Valley, which was launched by a consortium of drone developers and researchers in partnership with the San Luis Valley. There,听amid the high valleys and mountains of the south central part of the state, companies can test commercial drones at high altitude and in a variety of climates and geologic conditions. The FAA has opened six such drone-testing sites since 2013鈥攊n Alaska, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Texas, and Virginia.

When it comes to the testing itself, a developer must first dial in a drone鈥檚 software, namely its flight code, which governs the machine鈥檚 motors, ability to fly autonomously听and orientation. Then, the drone takes to the skies, where it鈥檚 put through tests that measure听key performance criteria, including range, speed, and battery life, as well as usability for the operator.听

Mountain Drones has developed an extremely robust testing program. 鈥淲e basically attach cinderblocks to the drone鈥檚 landing gear so that it can鈥檛 go anywhere and just run the motors so it has the highest level of strain that it could possibly ever see,鈥� says Blank.

To gauge how its drones might perform in nasty weather, looked to the office freezer, in addition to subjecting the units to the elements outside. 鈥淲e put components in the freezer and misted them with water to see what would happen. Is this thing going to lock up? Are the electronics going to fail? Then we modified components to make sure that鈥檚 not going to happen,鈥� says Blank.

3D Robotics, North America鈥檚 largest manufacturer of consumer drones, took its inclement-weather testing one step further by building a small wind tunnel at its Berkley, California,听headquarters. 鈥淲ind is important and we test our drones in wind tunnels to make sure they can withstand certain speeds,鈥� says Roger Sollenberger, 3D Robotics鈥� editorial director. 鈥淲e found that our drones are stable in winds of about 30 to 35 miles per hour. They can maintain their position and they can fly acceptably in winds higher than that.鈥澨�

When it comes to testing drones in different climates and environments and ensuring they meet the standards of various international regulatory bodies, 3DR supplements its continual in-house testing with a global community made up of employees, developers, and brand ambassadors. The company also uses data from the听drone鈥檚 app.听鈥淥ne of our brand ambassadors is on a motorcycle trip around the world, and right now he鈥檚 down in Chile riding the spine of the Andes,鈥� says Sollenberger. 鈥淗e鈥檚 flying his [3DR] Solo drone there, and if he sends flight data back to us we can use that to evaluate the drone鈥檚 performance at high altitudes. In addition to his anecdotal evidence, we can see things like the drone鈥檚 power, altitude and how much torque and lift it can generate.鈥澨�

In addition to finding the limits of these drones, it鈥檚 also critical for the manufacturer to ensure that they鈥檙e user friendly. To test its e, 3D Robotics set听up user groups comprised of filmmakers, photographers, and action sports athletes, as well as normal prospective buyers. 鈥淲e take extensive notes on the whole experience, as well as getting direct feedback and suggestions from them. Then we refine performance and repeat the process as much as needed until we鈥檝e nailed the experience our users want,鈥� says Sollenberger.听

This method led 3D to add two companion computers to Solo, which made Smart Shots possible, an application that lets flyers capture video with the press of a single button.听

Testing aside, the real question on most drone developers鈥� minds is what other government regulation might come down the pike in the next few years. Some drone manufacturers are optimistic about the future laws. 鈥淐onsistent and clear regulations are going to be helpful for the drone industry and the FAA is working to getting to that point,鈥� says Linde, of Mountain Drones. 鈥淭hat will be very good for the industry.鈥�

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With untouched peaks and posh mountain lodges, heli-skiing is a dream for many powder fiends. But a trip can easily run upwards of seven grand per week, so, for most folks, heli-skiing remains just a dream. But even in this pricey segment of an expensive sport deals can be found鈥攊t just takes a bit of strategic planning. This is all relative鈥攔iding in a chopper will never be as cheap as bumping lifts. But how else are you going to get to those big mountain lines? 听

Book a Trip During the Shoulder Season

This can net up to 25 percent off prime season rates. For outfits in Alaska, the shoulder season is usually February to early March. In the lower 48, it鈥檚 early December, some of January, late March, and April. For most Canadian operations, the shoulder months are December and April. To wit: a five-day trip to in December is $3,828, that鈥檚 25 percent off its high-season rate.

Be Flexible and Fly Standby

Operators are often looking to fill up their lodges and birds last minute and will sometimes offer deals then. At Nevada鈥檚 , prospective clients can add their names to a standby list. When a spot opens up, they鈥檒l be notified a couple of days before it鈥檚 time to ski. A day of standby heli-skiing at Ruby runs $750, compared to $1,475 for a reserved-in-advance day.

Book Day Packages or Single Heli听Bumps

Located outside of Revelstoke, BC, 听offers a day of heli-skiing starting at $750 per person, which includes five runs, breakfast, and ski and avalanche gear rental. In the U.S., Colorado鈥檚 听and Utah鈥檚 听deliver day packages that start at about $1,235 per person and deliver six runs, ski and avalanche gear, and chow. 听in southwest Colorado serves up what might be the best deal in ski country: a single heli bump for $179 per person per ride.

Consider Heli-Assisted听Touring

These programs offer a helicopter lift into a hut or camp in spectacular backcountry terrain. After that, you鈥檒l have to earn most of your turns, but you won鈥檛 have down days due to inclement weather preventing the choppers from flying. In Cordova, Alaska, 听offers an all-inclusive, six-night heli-access package in which clients post up at a remote camp in the Chugach鈥攖hink wood stove-heated tents and limitless first descents鈥攆or $2,525, more than half off its week-long heli-ski program. Some heli-assisted programs, like Ruby鈥檚, offer the option of purchasing additional heli-bumps for competitive rates.

Go to Canada

Due to the strong American dollar, greenbacks net about a 25 percent discount in the Great White North. Book a through 国产吃瓜黑料 GO, and you'll听get an extra day of free听accommodations and听activities.

Book Far in Advance听

Many operations offer an early bird rate if you book during the summer for the upcoming winter.听

Look for Outfits That Have Heliports Close to Their Terrain

听in Haines, Alaska, where it takes about three minutes to get to your first run. That way fuel, which can cost $50 a minute, isn鈥檛 wasted just accessing the skiing, which brings down the overall cost of a trip.听

Speak to a Human听

It鈥檚 always best to call an operation and discuss rates directly with someone鈥攊deally, the owner鈥攔ather than rely on what鈥檚 published on a website. If there are free seats in the chopper, many times the owner will cut you a deal.听

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One of the big misconceptions about skiing Europe is that it鈥檚 outrageously expensive, but it doesn鈥檛 have to be. Here鈥檚 a breakdown of all the ways you can save while shredding in the Alps this winter.

Go Now听

Because the exchange rates are in your favor: The dollar hasn鈥檛 been this strong against the euro in more than ten years.听

Book a Ticket听

There鈥檚 no getting around it: the flight will cost some money. But think about it this way: it鈥檚 really not that much cheaper for East Coaster to head to the Rockies than to cross the Atlantic. Using a low-cost airline like , a flight from Washington D.C. to Paris, an easy train ride to most French resorts, starts at at $530鈥攁bout what you would pay to get to Jackson or Aspen. 听

Pick the Right Mountain听

The real deals start when you arrive in the Alps. To get the biggest savings, pass on big name resorts like Val d鈥橧s猫re and Zermatt and try off-the-beaten path destinations like and , France, or and , Switzerland. While you won鈥檛 find swanky sushi bars or a rocking apr猫s scene, you will find crowd-free slopes, miles of off-piste terrain, and charming alpine villages that haven鈥檛 changed much in hundreds of years鈥攁ll for the right price. In La Grave, the Skier鈥檚 Lodge offers six days of guided skiing, accommodations, two meals a day, and avalanche gear for $1,268.听

You can also save big by heading to Italy, home to some of the Alps鈥� best and most budget friendly resorts. A five-day lift ticket in , an under-the-radar freeride mecca, will set you back just $163, and five nights of accommodation at 听will run you about $300.听

Grab the Right Pass听

Don鈥檛 forget that some season ski passes in the U.S. include days at international resorts. The scores you five days of skiing in , Switzerland. In Colorado, Monarch Ski Area鈥檚 season pass delivers unlimited days at a handful of small Austrian, German, and Spanish resorts. And the 11-resort pass nets two days at Chamonix.听

But don鈥檛 worry if you don鈥檛 have a line on free days with your current pass. In general, lift tickets in the Alps tend to be cheaper and offer more value than their American counterparts. Consider this: A five-day pass to costs $278 and offers access to 30,000 acres of skiing across the valley鈥檚 six mountains鈥擝r茅vent, Fl茅g猫re, Grand Montets, Le Tour, Les Houches, and the Aiguille du Midi鈥攁s well as days at partner resorts Verbier, Meg猫ve, and Courmayeur. Compare that to $660 for five days at . 听

Take the Train听

Forget driving, it鈥檚 expensive. Travel by rail. It's convenient, since trains access most villages in the Alps. Purchase a , a remarkably affordable and efficient way for snow-lovers to ski Europe. We suggest buying the two country Regional pass, which offers four travel days over two months in two bordering countries鈥攕ay, Switzerland and Austria鈥攆or $283. Earn an extra travel day if you buy a pass before December 30, 2015. Once in Europe, consider taking overnight trains to maximize ski time and save on a day of lodging.听

Get Smart听

Research when local school holidays occur and avoid them, since rates surge during these times. Many villages across the Alps host weekly farmer鈥檚 markets throughout the winter where you can pick up dried meats, cheeses, and produce, which, when paired with a baguette, make a perfect packed lunch. Bed and breakfasts in the Alps are often affordable and deliver great value and huge charm. In posh , $95 bucks a night scores you a room and breakfast at a three-star B&B in the heart of the village鈥檚 medieval core.听

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On Tuesday, the Alpine world championships kicked off in Beaver Creek, Colorado. Featuring over 700 athletes from 70 countries competing over a two-week span, the biannual event is comparable to a mini Olympics, except the only sport on tap is ski racing. With Bode Miller, Lindsey Vonn, Julia Mancuso, Ted Ligety, and Mikaela Shiffrin, the U.S ski team heads into these world championships with one of the strongest teams in history.

Fresh off of her 64th victory in St. Moritz, Switzerland, and a third place in the super G at Beaver Creek, Lindsey Vonn has definitively announced that she鈥檚 back in prime form. Recovering from an ailing back that required surgery in November, Bode Miller, who has not raced this season, has confirmed that he will compete in the super G on Thursday and the downhill, and perhaps the combined.

Olympic gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin has five World Cup podium finishes this season and is a favorite for a medal in the giant slalom and slalom. Julia Mancuso, Ted Ligety, and Andrew Weibrecht, along with Steven Nyman and Travis Ganong, who have nabbed three podium finishes between them this season, are in the hunt for medals, too.

[quote]鈥淭he U.S. team has a seat at the table on the tour. They know the formula for success鈥攖hat wasn’t the case in the nineties.鈥漑/quote]

There鈥檚 never been a better time for American ski racing, and this world championships could be an all-time medal haul for the U.S.

Coinciding with the world championships is the debut this week of sports journalist Nathaniel听Vinton鈥檚 book, . The book serves up a superbly crafted account of how the U.S. ski team, led by Vonn, Miller, Mancuso, and Ligety, evolved from a D-list squad in the 1990s into a ski racing powerhouse by 2010, and how in the process, they changed the sport forever.

In honor of the world championships, we asked Vinton for some behind-the-scenes insight on ski racing and some its biggest stars.

OUTSIDE: Can you put Lindsey Vonn’s 63rd victory into context and talk a bit about Annemarie Moser-Proell, who previously held the record for most wins by a woman. Was it harder to accomplish this feat in Moser-Proell’s time or in our time?
VINTON:听It’s fun to compare them and impossible to say when it was harder to accomplish. Moser-Proell is a fascinating figure to me. I found a copy of Ski Racing from 1975 that called her the sport’s “problem child” because of her squabbles with coaches, her indifference to training, and “a smoking habit that occasionally got out of control.”

But then I met her and she’s so dignified. One of my favorite pieces of research was a visit to the cafe in her hometown of Kleinarl that she opened up. She sold it, but her trophies are still there and they are so beautiful and strange. There was a silver axe that she won at a World Cup in Sugarloaf, Maine鈥攁 race called the Tall Timber Classic.

Do you think Mikaela Shiffrin will eclipse Vonn in terms of success and fame?
The scary thing about ski racing is the injury rate, especially in the speed events, where Shiffrin is heading. Shiffrin is a really special talent, but success like Vonn鈥檚 requires avoiding one of those unspeakable endings that I write a lot about in The Fall Line. Fame is a totally different thing. Shiffrin handles it well, like Lindsey, but personally I hope she also emulates Miller too, because for all of the drawbacks to the way he presents himself, he gets to live free, and that is so extremely rare in professional sports these days.

Do you think the U.S. will ever have another generation with same depth of talent and star power as we do today?
I don’t think the U.S. ski team is likely to slip back to the kind of condition it was in the mid-1990s. There were a few stars on the team back then, but a closer study shows how really bleak it was, a revolving door of executives, small and unreliable budgets, far less funding and no unified vision. People like Jeremy Nobis ditching the A team in favor of the pro tour. In 1996 the best American man on the World Cup finished 43rd in the season standings. The year after that, the men’s team didn’t earn a single GS point all season.

Then Bode Miller and Bill Marolt came along, and Lindsey Kildow and Julia Mancuso joined the development team. The Fall Line focuses a lot on how they all drove the team to evolve into something more professional, nimble, and assertive. I suspect that will remain after they’re gone. It would take a conscious effort to undo it. The U.S. team has a seat at the table on the tour. They know the formula for success鈥攖hat wasn’t the case in the nineties.

Developing new racers is a huge challenge. But today they come into the team and are immediately benefiting from institutional knowledge. For instance, they train out of the team’s apartments in Soelden, Austria. Compare that to what Bode faced when he joined the team. When he and Erik Schlopy decided they wanted to get an apartment in Austria for better access to training, they met active resistance from the team. Coaches were opposed to it. They had to go out on their own and convince a trustee, Paul Fremont-Smith, to help make it happen.

Is Bode Miller intrinsically a good guy or a selfish guy?
The short answer is probably yes to both. Every top athlete has to be somewhat selfish, and it was especially important for Miller at the start of his career, when he joined a team that wasn’t really ready to provide what he needed.

I don’t think Miller ever sets out to hurt people. But he does have a very rare sort of absolute confidence that can make him seem blunt and disrespectful. And he truly cares less about what people think about him than anyone I’ve ever known.

If you’re asking if Miller can be a jerk, yes, I could tell you some stories. But he’s only human. In my book I call him the “anti-Lance” because he’s genuinely not interested in dominating his sport. He mainly wants to put on spectacular, inspiring performances. That makes him a showman, and that’s a fundamentally generous role.

Also, he helps a lot of people through his nonprofit foundation, the听, many of them total strangers. His family places a lot of value on helping less fortunate people find a way to thrive. His grandfather was famous for it.

Based on your research, how do you think climate change might change ski racing?
They鈥檒l be ski racing at St. Moritz, Lech, and Saas Fee when my kids have kids. Kitzbuehel is more vulnerable. But based on my research, climate change has already altered top-level ski racing, forcing organizers to ice every course in order to guarantee races. At current warming rates, winter is less and less certain at the places that produced Vonn and Miller鈥攖he upper Midwest and New England, two hotbeds of Alpine skiing that have nurtured the two greatest skiers in American history.

Why aren’t more Americans interested in ski racing as a sport and why should they be?
This book is steeped in the culture of the Alps, where the sport鈥檚 legends are born and where I spent so much time. The Austrians and Swiss have so much respect for ski racers and I wanted to help Americans understand why.

The U.S. ski team is one of the great success stories in sports, full of tremendous personalities and intrigue. I hear America likes winners, so I hope America reads the book.

This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.

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Here鈥檚 the thing about Aspen: No matter who you are or where you鈥檙e from, most everyone is here for the same thing鈥攁 taste of the ultimate ski-town dream, which Aspen serves up in in spades.听The town delivers some of the best skiing (5,300 acres of inbounds terrain over four mountains), nightlife, and dining in the country. Hit Ajax for thigh-burning cruisers and the Highlands for steep skiing and a laid-back local vibe. But save some energy: When the lifts stop spinning, that鈥檚 when things really fire up.

Here鈥檚 your road map to the best Aspen has to offer鈥攊n a weekend or less.

Must Stay

About a five-minute walk to the gondola, the delivers the best overall value and vibe in town. Board games, a fleet of cruisers, and two hot tubs are at guests鈥� disposal. A tasty complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning. And you don鈥檛 have to go far for apr猫s鈥攆rom 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. each day, the Limelight serves up a bar menu with wallet-friendly prices, live music, and one of the best apr猫s scenes around.

Must Ski

Meet at the gondola at 8 a.m. for , a complimentary program for ticket holders that allows 15 skiers on the hill before the mountain opens to the public at 9 a.m. Lap miles of corduroy or lace figure eights through virgin snowfields while the rest of Aspen is still in bed. Sign up at the ticket office at the gondola base station 24 hours in advance to lock your spot.

Jump on the Ajax Express lift on Aspen Mountain and take it to the top of the mountain. From there, head right over to , an east-facing double black diamond run that gets tons of morning sun, which makes for great powder turns or corn skiing.

Don鈥檛 forget to hit . Head straight for the Highland Bowl, some of the best lift-accessed skiing in the Lower 48, via the Deep Temerity lift or Lone Peak chair. From there, jump on the cat for a boost a third of the way up, then begin the 40-minute bootpack to the top. Trust us, it鈥檚 worth it: 2,500 vertical feet of perfectly pitched, wide-open bowl skiing awaits.

Must Eat

For one of the best breakfasts in town, head to . Beloved by locals and located on Aspen Mountain, this eatery serves up dynamite oatmeal pancakes and apple strudel.

Come lunchtime, head to the foot of Aspen Mountain and post up at . Grab an Ajax Double鈥攖he best damn burger in town. If it鈥檚 warm, also grab a seat on the sun-drenched deck and watch as wealthy cougars mix with celebrities and colorful locals like Benny the Blade, an Aspen icon often spotted sporting a fanny pack and his signature shaggy blond mane.

You can also try the newly renovated听, a popular mid-mountain lunch spot where you can grab quick organic bites. From there, point it to the parking lot and hightail it home.

When the dinner bell rings, head to the ski-in-ski-out听 for one of the best dining experiences in the Rockies. Found in the old mining town of Ashcroft, about 30 minutes from downtown Aspen, Pine Creek serves up killer food in a cozy log cabin with a roaring fire and views of the Elk Mountains. Park at the top of Castle Creek Road, then snowshoe, cross-country ski, or ride a horse-drawn sleigh to the Cookhouse.

Rehash and recover from the night鈥檚 antics over homemade doughnuts and blueberry pancakes at , the best breakfast joint in town. This place is what all breakfast spots should be: downhome vibe, awesome grub, and friendly service. Main Street Bakery gets slammed, so go early.

Must Drink

As you roll into town, stop at the听, the old stomping grounds of Hunter S. Thompson, the legendary gonzo journalist who ran for sheriff of Pitkin County in 1970. About 15 minutes down valley of Aspen and festooned with Christmas lights and photos of regulars, Woody Creek is a funky dive bar that serves up killer burgers, anything from canned to draft beer, and a taste of old-school Aspen.

Apr猫s options abound in Aspen. For a rowdy singles scene and scantily clad snow bunnies in hot tubs, try听听at the Sky Hotel. For more than 200 craft beers on tap (including Colorado classics like Telluride Brewing Co. and Upslope), a cozy fireplace, and American comfort food, head to听, a recently opened pub that鈥檚 on track to becoming an Aspen drinking institution.

With its A-list roster of talent, intimate setting, and great sound system,听听is one of the best live music venues in the country. On any given weekend, Chromeo, Spearhead, or Taj Mahal might be headlining. This is the kind of place where rock and roll memories are made.

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Just 29 miles from Salt Lake City, Snowbird has everything a skier might want: 2,500 acres of steep bowls, chutes, and trees, all covered in 500 inches of snow annually. What听听lacks in rustic charm (it鈥檚 a purpose-built concrete village), it makes up for in terrain鈥攁rguably the best in Utah. Thirty-foot cliffs and 50-degree chutes beckon rippers while mellow cruisers satiate the adrenaline averse. At day鈥檚 end, four lodges at the bottom of the mountain welcome weary skiers into their high-thread-count arms.

It鈥檚 easy to understand why some of the best skiers on the planet鈥擳odd Ligare, Sage Cattabriga-Alosa, Angel Collinson鈥攃all Snowbird home. And if you don鈥檛 already get it, read on to learn why.

Must Stay

With a world-class spa and spectacular views of the Wasatch, and within stumbling distance of the lifts and bars, the听听has been a Snowbird staple for more than 40 years. Check in and then head to the听听on the pool level for drinks and a nibble. Start off with a High West Double Rye Manhattan, a blend of two of the best whiskeys in Utah, produced at Park City鈥檚听. For dinner, try the winter greens Caesar followed by the roasted salmon. Finish your meal with bittersweet chocolate cake.

If that鈥檚 not enough hedonism for one day, slip on your robe and head for the outdoor hot tub on Cliff鈥檚 roof deck, one of the best in ski country. Get those legs nice and loose鈥攜ou鈥檙e going to hammer them over the days to come.

Must Ski

With access to over 90 percent of the resort鈥檚 terrain and some of the best inbounds skiing in the Lower 48, laps off the Snowbird tram are a must. Line up by 8 a.m. to ensure first cabin once the tram starts spinning at 9:00. (Be forewarned: It gets packed, especially on powder days.)

From the top of the tram, at about 11,000 feet, follow the Cirque Traverse, which serves up an almost endless supply of steep lines. Take the Traverse to the end to hit Dalton鈥檚 Draw, a hidden favorite. The hike-to terrain on Mount Baldy, where some of the Freeride World Tour comp takes place, is insane. Pro skier Todd Ligare, a TGR staple and Snowbird devotee, suggests the Keyhole, a vast area on Baldy that requires little exploring and holds soft pockets days after a storm, or the Wilbere Chute, which serves up long, clean, consistent shots that will make your legs burn.

You could easily spend half a day exploring Mineral Basin, a steep, wide-open bowl that dishes up some of Utah鈥檚 most sought-after terrain on a powder day. Ride the Peruvian Express to the top, then take the tunnel through Hidden Peak to access Mineral Basin. Traverse far skier鈥檚 right and tip into the Bookends. The traverse weeds out the crowds, and the northeast aspect keeps the snow nice and cold.

By midday, most of the powder stashes are gone, so hit Chip鈥檚 Run, a fun late-afternoon choice for great groomers, wall hits, and rollers. It鈥檚 a playground stretching almost three miles that delivers you right to the base of Snowbird, putting you within striking distance of the tram, or Tram Bar, a favorite apr猫s joint.

Must Eat

Grab breakfast or brunch at the听, a Snowbird institution across from the tram on the Plaza Deck. Its Sunday brunch is not to be missed. Fill up on homemade granola, whole-wheat pancakes, or chorizo hash, and finish off with a Bloody Mary.

Come lunchtime, head to the Mid-Gad Restaurant, at the top of the Mid-Gad lift. Fuel up on a gooey Gad Melty, a sharp cheddar and havarti grilled cheese combo served on fresh sourdough bread. With one of those in your belly, you鈥檒l be ready to charge.

You don鈥檛 even have to leave the confines of the Cliff Lodge for one of the best meals in Snowbird. Jump in the elevator and head to the sushi bar at the听听on the 10th floor for live music and some of the best sushi in the Rockies. There鈥檚 no better way to top off a day at the 鈥橞ird.

Must Drink

At day鈥檚 end, make your way to the听听for the $5 shot-and-beer combo. The Tram Club is nothing fancy鈥攁 subterranean lair with a few widescreen TVs, a laid-back vibe, and live music on weekends鈥攂ut it鈥檚 the best place in Snowbird to get your drink on. After a few shot-beer combos, make your way back to the Cliff Lodge hot tub and rest up for another day in powder paradise.

Must Do

If you鈥檇 like to sample the finest skiing the Wasatch has to offer, splurge on a day of heli-skiing with听. At $1,195 a day, it鈥檚 not cheap, but can you really put a price on pure bliss?

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A 19th century mining town turned ski bum Shangri-la, Crested Butte is classic Colorado in all the right ways. Rowdy skiing compliments raucous drinking establishments, where cowboys sidle up to the bar next to Flylow-clad locals. Mount Emmons dominates the skyline and the white stuff that blankets it is light and fluffy.

Because it's a bit out of the way (about a four-hour drive from Denver) and legendary for its extreme terrain, Crested Butte has managed to retain its funky charm and old-school, laid-back vibe, as well as affordable prices. Keep in mind that downtown Crested Butte is about a five-minute drive away from the 1,547-acre mountain and serviced by a free shuttle bus that runs every 15 minutes. Aside from development at the base of the mountain, Crested Butte delivers a taste of the Old West right alongside of a dose of world class skiing.

Must Stay

To get a true sense of what Crested Butte is all about, stay downtown at the 19-room . Located just steps from Crested Butte's main drag, the Elk Mountain Lodge is owned by a nice local couple, the Nolans, who are full of good insider beta. Example: If it's a full moon, head to the mountain for a skin up the resort to Uley's Cabin for a raging bonfire and party. The complimentary breakfast is a dream鈥攈omemade granola, huevos rancheros, and cinnamon-raisin French toast. Plus, you're only two blocks from the bus stop, where you can catch a ride to the mountain.

Must Ski

Start off with a few warm up laps in the East River area, a zone that gets tons of morning sun and is filled with cruisey groomers. For perfectly spaced trees, hit Sully Glades at the top of Double Top.

There are a few reasons is known as a hardcore skier's mountain and the Extreme Limits terrain is one of them. Take either the North Face Lift or High Lift (both T-Bars) to access the Extreme Limits' 543 acres of black diamond pitches, trees, and 10- to 60-foot cliffs. When the Freeride World Tour comes to town, this is where the event takes place and after a day schralping these steeps, you'll understand why.

On a powder day, Crested Butte is one of the best places on the planet to be. The snow is sublime and the skiing is steep and crowd-free. Your best bet is to follow a local, but in any case, beeline it to Phoenix/Spellbound Bowls, or to the Peel, a 1,700-foot banana-shaped chute that slices down the resort's front side.

Must Eat

Breakfast is one of Crested Butte's great pleasures. And there's no place better for early morning sandwiches than Izzy's. Grab a mug of locally brewed coffee and a Basically Mikaela sammy to go and hop on the bus to the mountain.

Located at the bottom of the Paradise Lift, the is the go-to spot for a quick and easy lunch. Another on-mountain option is Uley's Cabin, located at the base of the Twister lift. The mushroom bisque and Elk bourguignon are sublime.

Once night falls, refuel at the , ground zero for Asian food. Try the spring rolls and lamb korma, topped off with a mango mojito. With those in your belly, you'll be ready to rock the next day of skiing.

Go totally local and head to the , a bonafide pizza emporium. Located in the heart of downtown Crested Butte, the Stash serves up tasty, creative pizzas in a lively setting. Try the Notorious F.I.G., a blend of mozzarella, asiago, and blue cheese topped with prosciutto, figs, and truffle oil. Go ahead and order a Moscow Mule. After a day skiing Crested Butte, you've earned it.

Must Drink

Crested Butte is a town that likes to party and there's no shortage of places to kick your heels up.

Start off with a drink at on Mount Crested Butte. Uley's serves up a rocking on-mountain apr猫s scene, complete with a bar made of packed snow and ice, lots of afternoon sun, and tasty rum drinks, thanks to the new partnership with , the local rum distillery, which has a killer tasting room in town that's also worth a visit.听

Off the mountain, nightlife options abound. Hit Kochevar's for pool, darts, and a helluva good time. A Western bar that dates to 1919 with bullet holes in the walls from the old days, Kochevar's is the kind of place where cowboys and ranchers mix with bearded locals.听

For something a bit more upscale,听head to the , a refurbished miner's cabin from 1891 that serves artisanal tipples, like the Beetnik, a beet-infused martini, which, paired with the chocolate fondue for two, is the perfect evening night cap.

With the tagline, “a sunny place for shady people,” the is where you go to have the kind of really good time you don't always remember. A deck with great afternoon sun, live music, and an anything goes vibe make the Eldo a local's favorite.

Must Do

Just ten miles outside of Crested Butte, 听is one of the best cat-skiing ops听in the lower 48. Situated in a unique orographic vortex, Irwin gets over 600 inches of snow a year, whereas Crested Butte averages 300. Plush cats zip you from the bottom of runs to the top and depending on your group's speed and size, you'll average about 8 to 10 laps, skiing some of the best chutes and bowls of your life.

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There鈥檚 a reason鈥攕everal, actually鈥攖hat the U.S. Ski Team calls Park City home. First off, Park City Mountain Resort delivers 3,300 acres of some of the best cruisers, bowls, and parks in the country. Then there鈥檚 the charming main drag lined with bars, restaurants, and shops. Plus, a couple mountains, including Deer Valley, are less than a 10-minute drive away. That鈥檚 the beauty of Park City: There鈥檚 something for everyone.

Alpine purists might turn their noses up at Deer Valley, but they shouldn鈥檛. Sure, ski valets are a staple, but while the furry-collared types lap Deer Valley鈥檚 2,026 acres of meticulously groomed cruisers, powder stashes last for days. The perfectly spaced trees on Lady Morgan Peak and the chutes off the Empire lift will scratch most hardcore skiers鈥� extreme itch. With so much to choose from, you really can鈥檛 go wrong at either resort, so go to both.

Must Stay

With its lively downtown, Park City makes the perfect home base for a weekend exploring Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley. Located just 150 feet from Park City鈥檚 lifts and a 10-minute walk from the main drag, offers an old-school vibe, complete with board games, complimentary breakfast, hot tub, and even a dormitory for those who are really holding onto their purse strings.

If it鈥檚 creature comforts you鈥檙e after, there鈥檚 no place better than the slopeside 听in Deer Valley. With its 23,000-square-foot spa, four-star restaurant, and army of ski valets who will warm your boots and then help you into them each day, the 180-room lodge will deliver you straight into the lap of luxury.

Must Ski

is known for its impeccable grooming, but guarantee fresh corduroy by signing up for , a program that offers private, early access skiing with a guide from 8 to 9 a.m., before the lifts open to the masses.听

Warm up on Stein鈥檚 Way, a 4,500-foot thigh burner of a cruiser named after legendary Norwegian ski racer Stein Eriksen, before heading to the Empire Express. From the top of Empire, take Orion at skier鈥檚 right, then duck into Anchor Trees toward the Daly Bowl. Drop into the bowl, or keep traversing to access a series of chutes.

Next up? Lady Morgan Express for some of the best tree skiing in Utah. From the top of the lift, go skier鈥檚 left into Centennial Trees, where you鈥檒l find perfectly spaced trees at just the right pitch and stashes of fresh powder. Or go right from the top of Lady Morgan and into the trees between Argus and Magnet for wide-open aspen glades. For more epic tree skiing, check out Triangle Trees, accessed from the top of the Wasatch or Sultan Express lifts via Tycoon. End the day with cruisey GS turns down Star Gazer, which drops you into Silver Lake Lodge, one of Deer Valley鈥檚 hubs.

Must Eat听

Do breakfast in Park City. For a classic cozy coffee shop, stop into and grab one of its famous red velvet lattes and a breakfast bagel sandwich to go. For a sit-down, full-menu breakfast, the Eating Establishment (or Double E in local-speak) serves up huge portions of yummy seasoned potatoes and eggs, Belgian waffles, and biscuits and gravy.

Deer Valley is known for its world-class dining. Any meal there is a treat, though probably an expensive one. The doesn鈥檛 mess around when it comes to spoiling guests, and lunch at the is no exception. With acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten at the helm, J&G dishes up sophisticated city cuisine in a luxurious mountain setting. The black truffle pizza and steamed shrimp salad are standouts, as is the J&G cheeseburger.

Do yourself a favor and check out听, one of the newest dining options in Deer Valley.听Located in the Montage Deer Valley, Burgers and Bourbon serves the state鈥檚 largest selection of whiskeys as well as spiked milkshakes and an unmatched menu of signature burgers made with farm-raised beef, artisan cheeses, and vegetables from Utah farmers and dairies.听

Another new addition to Deer Valley鈥檚 culinary scene is the听 in the Lodges at Deer Valley. Blending a fun, casual atmosphere with DV鈥檚 signature service, the Brass Tag serves an unusual and delicious menu. The fresh-baked pretzels and tandoori rubbed quail are not to be missed.

Must Drink

Word is that you should ski in Deer Valley but drink in Park City. We tend to agree, but start apr猫s in Deer Valley with the 7452 bloody mary听at the . From there, head to Park City and its all-star roster of bars.

Located at the bottom of the Quittin鈥� Time run, next to PCMR鈥檚 Town lift, the is Park City鈥檚 crowning drinking establishment. Equal parts distillery, tasting room, and rowdy saloon, High West serves up top-notch pub food, some of the finest whiskeys in the West, and a rockin鈥� apr猫s ski party.

Top off any ski day or night out at the . With its festive, down-and-dirty dive bar feel, No Name is the kind of place where locals play shuffleboard, eat nachos, and put back cold ones鈥攍ots of 鈥檈m.听

Must Do

Perfect for adventurous advanced to expert skiers, the guided听听is a ski tour that links six of Utah鈥檚 premiere resorts鈥擜lta, Brighton, Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Resort, Solitude, and Snowbird鈥攚hile also exploring some of the Wasatch鈥檚 most spectacular backcountry. Be prepared to skin and ski about 25 miles鈥攁nd have the time of your life.

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Breckenridge gets a bad rap as being a mecca for park rats and Front Range day-trippers, but that鈥檚 not the whole story. True, is only an hour and a half from Denver and features five terrain parks, but there are also 2,908 acres of bowls, chutes, and hike-to terrain鈥攕ome of the most interesting inbounds skiing in Summit and Eagle Counties.

Whereas many resorts in the area lack personality, Breck has plenty. Founded in 1859 as a mining outpost, downtown Breckenridge showcases the largest national historic district in Colorado. So it鈥檚 no surprise that Breck鈥檚 main drag is lined with Wild West鈥揺ra buildings that are home to shops, swanky eateries, and dive bars.听

Must Stay

The makes the ideal base camp for a weekend in Breck. Within walking distance of town and situated on the free bus route to the mountain, the Bivvi features six private rooms and four dormitory-style bunkrooms, a hot tub, fire pit, and delish complimentary breakfast. All of this, plus the fact that beds start at $45 per night, make the Bivvi perfect for ski bums like us.听

Must Ski

Spread over five peaks (all connected by trails and lifts) and featuring the Imperial Express, the highest chairlift in the United States, Breckenridge is a great mountain for everyone from beginners to expert skiers.听Start the day with a few crowd-free laps off the Falcon SuperChair on Peak 10, an oasis of gladed tree runs like the Burn, which delivers perfectly spaced trees and powder stashes that last for days. Stay skier鈥檚 left for low-angle, wider-spaced trees; go right for steeper, tighter lines.

Come midmorning, traverse to the Peak 8 SuperConnect chair and continue on to the T Bar. From the top of the T Bar, warm up your steep-skiing skills with first tracks down Horseshoe Bowl. After a couple laps on the T Bar, hit the听Imperial Express SuperChair, which tops out at 12,840 feet, for somewhat technical, big-mountain-style lines in Lake Chutes. Nine Lives, the second run as you ski toward the boundary rope, is littered with cliffs (airs, if you choose) and is the steepest run on the mountain.

Be sure to check out Peak 6, Breck鈥檚 newest terrain. Opened in late 2013, Peak 6 delivers 540 acres of expert and intermediate bowls, chutes, and hike-to terrain in the alpine.

Must Eat

You don鈥檛 have to travel far on Breck鈥檚 main drag to fill your belly with something scrumptious. Begin your day with a latte (the mocha-flavored is the bomb) and a green chili burrito at ,听a cozy breakfast joint favored by locals, just off Main Street. The burritos are huge鈥攕plit one with a friend or save half for later.

For a lunch, hit the Snowdrifter, a food truck听that鈥檚 an alpine take on the popular food truck movement. Currently parked in front of the Horizon hut on Peak 6, the Snow Drifter dishes up killer grab-and-go lunch options, like the Philly cheesesteak, which you can nibble on your way up the Kensho chair.

After a day of roughing it on the hill, you might crave a little city-style atmosphere. If that鈥檚 the case, head to the for happy hour, which means live music and buy one, get one martinis and appetizers. We suggest the Champagne Dream martini, fried calamari, and honey and cashew鈥揺ncrusted brie.

When night falls, fuel up on comfort food staples and a wide selection of craft beer at the , one of Colorado鈥檚 original microbreweries. Pair the four-cheese mac with an Avalanche Ale, and you鈥檒l be in heaven. If head brewmaster Jimmy Walker is around, ask for a tour of the vats and get the whole story of how the Breckenridge Brewery got its start in this teensy mountain town.

Must Drink

Breck鈥檚 drinking culture runs deep, and the town serves up everything from martini bars and nightclubs to breweries, pubs, and everything in between.

With a DJ spinning beats, Mexican-inspired apps (hello, dirty nachos), and tasty margaritas, the is the perfect place to post up after a day on the hill. Located slopeside at the base of Peak 8, the T-Bar gets packed鈥攁rrive early if you want to score a table. Right next door, the gondola to town runs until 5 p.m., so once you鈥檝e apr猫sed up, go home, take a disco nap, and then head out on the town.

features craft beer, spirits, and drinks鈥攖hink small-batch whiskeys from Breckenridge Distillery, 30 unique beers on tap, and Colorado wines. It鈥檚 BYOF (bring your own food), so grab a slice of Fatty J鈥檚 pizza and settle in for a proper quaffing session.

Launched in summer 2014, 听is the latest addition to Breck鈥檚 thriving brew scene. Already a local favorite, this brewpub offers killer beer, music, and a lively scene. Try the eight-flight sampler鈥攁nd make sure the coconut porter is one of the samples.

No trip to Breckenridge is complete without a visit to the , the oldest continuously operating bar west of the Mississippi. When the Gold Pan opened in 1870, it was a favorite haunt among the region鈥檚 crusty gold miners. Today, it鈥檚 a favorite haunt of crusty ski bums and tourists alike.

Must Do

The 听offers a behind-the-scenes look at the golden era of Breck鈥檚 pubs (the 1880s) and samples from today鈥檚 , an award-winning producer of small-batch bourbons (and more) made from alpine snow melt, the perfect souvenir.

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With 8,171 acres of terrain spread over two mountains slathered in a thick maritime snowpack that averages 458 inches a year, is the granddaddy of North American ski resorts. It also has 16 high-alpine bowls, killer hike-to zones, massive backcountry access to three glaciers, six terrain parks, and insane tree skiing.

When it comes to nightlife, the pedestrian village at the resort鈥檚 base is the Las Vegas of ski towns, serving up a heady mix of nightclubs, brewpubs, and dive bars and populated by a steadfast tribe of locals and tourists who wouldn鈥檛 have it any other way. After a trip to Whistler, you鈥檒l likely join their ranks. Here鈥檚 why.

Must Stay

Tucked in a cozy Euro-style chalet at the edge of Whistler, about a five-minute drive from the mountain, the offers one of the best deals in town. Whether you鈥檙e in the dorm or a private room, rates include a simple breakfast and access to the hot tub, sauna, and shared kitchen. If you鈥檙e unfamiliar with the resort, the staff will set you up with someone who can show you around the hill. Or kick back by the fire in the great room and you鈥檙e likely to meet a like-minded skier to rip around with for a day or two.

Must Ski

Start the day on the Blackcomb side with a warm-up lap on the Wizard Express. From there, make your way into the alpine on the Glacier Express lift. Go hard left off the chair and line up at Spanky鈥檚 Ladder for the five-minute bootpack to access the Garnett, Sapphire, Diamond, and Ruby Bowls, an enormous zone of bowls, chutes, and features, and ground zero of Whistler鈥檚 steep-skiing scene. This area is steep and deep and can be complicated, so you might want to hire a guide or go with a local. Keep in mind that Whistler offers a complimentary daily orientation tour at 11:15 a.m. for intermediate and advanced skiers. If you鈥檙e unfamiliar with the area, this is well worth your time.

From the bottom of any of the aforementioned bowls, ski all the way down to Whistler鈥檚 base via Glacier Run and start to make your way to the Peak Express chair on the Whistler side of the resort, which accesses Whistler鈥檚 killer high-alpine terrain. Go left off the chair and hit the Couloir, an approximately 1,000-foot coulie with a sustained 40-degree pitch, sometimes hairy entry, and one of the gnarliest inbounds runs in North America. Go right off the chair and hit Whistler Bowl, a wide-open zone loaded with snow, or take Upper Peak Creek to Bagel Bowl, a local favorite for secret powder stashes and sweet tree skiing on the far skier鈥檚 left of the lower bowl, near the resort鈥檚 boundary line.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. You could spend a lifetime exploring Whistler鈥檚 bounty.

Must Eat

Delicious Belgian waffles are a Whistler phenomenon, and Crystal Hut on Blackcomb serves up some of the resort鈥檚 best. Try the Fully Loaded, stacked with berries, whipped cream, chocolate chips, and maple syrup. Located at the top of the Crystal Ridge Express, Crystal Hut is small and cozy. The hut also does accompanied by live music. Accessed by snowcat or snowmobile, this is one dining experience that shouldn鈥檛 be missed.

Poutine is Canada鈥檚 national delicacy, and no trip to the Great White North is complete without a heaping serving. (For the uninitiated, poutine consists of french fries topped with gravy and cheese curds.) Head to Zog鈥檚 at the base of Whistler for some of the best poutine around, grab-and-go-breakfast sandwiches, burgers, and hot dogs.

After winning bronze in the downhill at the 2010 Olympics, Bode Miller celebrated with dinner at . If that鈥檚 not a ringing endorsement, we don鈥檛 know what is. People come for the food and stay for the scene, which is laid-back and fun, with the low din of tables slamming sake bombs echoing in the background. Try the sake margarita, the fish ta-cone, and mango caterpillar roll. Top that off with a few sake bombs of your own.

Must Drink

With a sprawling patio, huge fireplace, and live music, the听听(or GLC) is the spot to kick back and drink a cold Kokanee come day鈥檚 end. Just feet from the Whistler Village gondola, the GLC听is the hub of Whistler鈥檚 apr猫s scene and where locals go to get their drink on. The GLC gets busy fast, so get there early to snag a table.

Into 35-cent wings? Hit up the Happy Hour at the super low-key听. You'll also find plenty of drink deals and tons of events like karakoke, ski giveawaya, open mic mights and live music. Grab a Jenga set and a whiskey jack ale and settle in for the night.

More club than bar,听听has been a Whistler drinking institution for more than 20 years. That鈥檚 largely due to its long-running local鈥檚 night, sizable dance floor, and the big-name DJs who roll through, like听. Post up on a banquette or grab a pool table. Either way, you鈥檙e in for a show.

Must Do

Spearhead Traverse: A 20-mile ski tour that never dips out of the alpine, the Spearhead links Whistler and Blackcomb via a stunning horseshoe-shaped backcountry traverse. Though it can be done in a day, most people do it in three or four, taking time to pick off backcountry gems like Mount Trorey and Overlord Peak, and to soak in the splendor of the Spearhead and Fitzsimmons ranges. This tour requires travel in avalanche and glacial terrain and is best done with a guide, like .听

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