It's a fact of life the world over...when the first flakes start to fly, diehard skiaholics get a tingling sensation in their blood. It's a restlessness that won't let go until they file their edges, strap on their skis, and carve some S-turns down virgin, powder-covered slopes.

Whether you're one of those powder hounds in search of the next adrenaline rush or you're just looking for a great place to take the family skiing, Hideaways can help you find some out-of-the-way places to stay where the flakes fly fast and furiously. Come along on our west-to-east tour of the hottest snowy retreats in Northern America.

Rocky Mountain highs

Steamboat
The Colorado Rockies are right up there with the creme de la creme of ski destinations in the world. And Steamboat is right in the thick of it all, encompassing a complete mountain range of four spectacular peaks that offer 2,939 acres of diverse terrain for alpine skiing and snowboarding. With 4000-plus inches of "champagne powder" blanketing their slopes each season, Steamboat Ski Resort and the town of Steamboat Springs have built a reputation around the fluffy white stuff. In fact, the term "champagne powder" was coined in Steamboat in the early 1950s. Since then, Steamboat has produced more winter Olympians than any other town in North America—a record 50, to be exact.

Fall/Winter 1998