Destinations

Great Expectations

What’s New in North America This Season

It’s been a long, relatively snow-free summer. And while you were logging the training hours (sprinting in oxygen-deprivation tanks, that sort of thing), these resorts were making their own improvements. Here, what to look for this season at five go-to North American spots. Might as well start close to home...

NOVEMBER 10

Mammoth Mountain Ski Area

What’s new: Wooly’s Adventure Summit Tube Park, a snow tube course between the Village and Main Lodge, where you’ll make like Chevy Chase in that sledding scene from Christmas Vacation.
What’s still good: Hyde Lounge, where you’ll drink cucumber margaritas and join ski bunnies dancing on tables (something you may not find at the Staples Center location).

NOVEMBER 18

Northstar California

What’s new: Zephyr Lodge, a 500-seat ski-in, ski-out restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive views. Oh, and pizza.
What’s still good: Last season’s EpicPass app, now with EpicMix—allowing you to take photos and share your GPS-tracked runs, speed and distance on Facebook and Twitter.

NOVEMBER 19

Park City Mountain and Canyons Resort

What’s new: The Flying Eagle Zip Line at Park City Mountain takes you 750 feet up the mountain in a ski-lift-like contraption and then sends you back down to the village base at breath-stealing speeds. Buckle in.
What’s still good: Iron Mountain at Canyons Resort (the ninth peak) opened its 300 acres of new terrain just last season. You have yet to memorize at least 124 of those acres.

NOVEMBER 24

Whistler Blackcomb

What’s new: Whistler Blackcomb Live, an app that uses GPS to track your runs, total vertical and distance, and max speed—while taking photos. And yes, you’re encouraged to share on Facebook.
What’s still good: Whistler’s five terrain parks, with countless walls, tabletops and rails to practice your big air tricks.

NOVEMBER 26

Jackson Hole

What’s new: The Marmot, a double chairlift that will take you 1,200 feet from just below Thunder Lift to Gondola Summit—where you can refuel before riding Casper Traverse down to the Stash park.
What’s still good: Couloir at Gondola Summit, where you’ll partake of fried Pacific oysters, pan-seared foie gras and grilled venison loin. Consider it refueling.