 Discover These Small "Hidden Gem" Western Ski Areas
It’s no secret that ski enthusiasts from beginners to experts head west in the winter for the powder, long runs and beautiful scenery. Since airline prices are starting to dip, now may be the time book those tickets out west. And, we’ve uncovered some smaller ski resorts where you may find shorter lines, lower cost lodging and just old-fashioned winter fun. So, if you are willing to skip the celebrity sightings and five-star restaurants this year, check out some of these ski areas and quaint towns – you may just find your new favorite winter vacation spot.
Red River Ski and Snowboard Area, Red River, New Mexico
 This small town with the skiing literally right off Main Street is virtually unchanged from when I first went there – over 30 years ago! This year, the ski area celebrates its 50th anniversary and families from all over the Southwest flock there during the holidays and spring break because it is an easy drive. Visitors coming from farther away can fly into Albuquerque and then make the 3-hour scenic drive. This small town is filled shops, a community center with year-round family entertainment and the Playhouse with a roller rink and game room. A trolley runs through town regularly and can deliver you right where you need to go including the ski area. Lodging runs the gamut from condominiums, cabins or motels and there is truly something for every budget. Dining choices are somewhat limited but do cater to visitors and are very family friendly. One of the most popular places in town is the Sundance Restaurant serving excellent Mexican food (call ahead for reservations).
Moonlight Basin, Montana
 In close proximity to Big Sky and offering excellent terrain, this smaller ski area has a nice mix of long runs for every level of skier. The scenery in this part of the country can not be beat and seeing it from the top of a snowy mountain is ideal. Ski-in/ski-out accommodations are available – some of which are adjacent to both Moonlight Basin and Big Sky (lift tickets can now be purchased that are good for both ski areas) Yellowstone National Park is nearby as is the delightful college town of Bozeman (40 miles away) where you will find quaint shopping streets and good-quality restaurants. For a new adventure, try a dog sledding trip – another unique way to experience the natural beauty of Montana.
Monarch Mountain, Colorado
 This small ski and snowboard area nestled in south central Colorado is one of the state’s oldest and feels like a world away from the crowds of Summit County. This year Monarch will open a new ski school and have other upgrades to its facilities. The small size has several advantages – including that you can literally walk from your car right to the lifts. Lift lines tend to be short, if there is a line at all – meaning you get your money’s worth with plenty of runs each day. One disadvantage is that there are no ski in/ski out accommodations on the mountain. Monarch Mountain Lodge is just a few minutes away and the nearby town of Salida has plenty of lodging and a historic downtown area filled with restaurants and art galleries. The region offers every outdoor activity imaginable so if you want to skip the slopes one day you can also try your hand at snowshoeing or snowmobiling.
Snowbasin, Utah
 One great thing about skiing in Utah – most all of the ski areas are easily accessible from Salt Lake City – an airport that is easy for most travelers to fly into. Geared more toward experienced and expert skiers, Snowbasin Resort is approximately a 30-mile drive from Salt Lake City and has over 100 runs. With over 400 inches of snow on average each year, other winter sports are also readily available including snowshoeing and a
tubing hill.
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