Carve Culture

If you're like me, your best friend goes just about everywhere with you.  Including trips to the mountain. There's nothing better than getting several runs in then taking a break to play in the snow with your buddy. I even bought a travel trailer solely for this purpose and do the vast majority of my "camping" in ski resort parking lots.  Not everyone has an RV though and not every resort is equipped to accommodate dogs.  I'd like to share with you and your furry pal the top 5 western United States ski resorts with dog-friendly accommodations and amenities:

If you're a skier or snowboarder, chances are you've heard of the Epic Pass and the Ikon Pass.  Here we are going to talk about a lesser-known option:  The Powder Alliance.  It works a little bit differently than the "Big 2." It's a network of independent ski resorts across the western United States, Canada, and Japan that offer season pass holders access to multiple resorts with just one pass. The Powder Alliance is a great way to explore new mountains and get the most bang for your buck, all while supporting independently-owned ski areas.

The Epic Pass for the 2023/24 season is on sale, and you won't want to miss out on this early-bird deal. With unrestricted pass prices announced this year at $909, there's never been a better time to hit the slopes and enjoy some of the world's best skiing and snowboarding terrain.

Growing up near Tahoe with some of North America's top ski resorts practically in my backyard, I was surrounded by snowboarders and their tales of adventure on the slopes. It was the 90's, and snowboarding was exploding across the world.  But my family couldn't afford to invest in this expensive sport, and I was left feeling like a wannabe snowboarder in my cousin's hand-me-down Burton jacket. When we moved to Northern Utah when I was 15, with its reputation for the "Greatest Snow on Earth," it only added insult to injury.

As skiing and snowboarding become more popular every year, many ski resorts and operators are offering season passes to attract customers. Two of the most popular season passes are the Epic Pass and the Ikon Pass. These passes offer access to dozens of ski resorts around the world and can save skiers and snowboarders a significant amount of money. However, there are some differences between the two passes that you should consider before making a purchase.  Expect both passes to be offered for 2023/24 season starting sometime in March.

Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Idaho is a world-class ski and snowboarding destination located in Northern Idaho, just a short drive from the charming town of Sandpoint. I had the pleasure of visiting this incredible resort in mid-February for three nights and three days of non-stop snowboarding.  This was my third trip to Schweitzer in as many years.

The Pacific Northwest region of the United States is known for its breathtaking natural scenery and abundance of outdoor activities, especially skiing. While popular resorts like Whistler and Mt. Bachelor attract hordes of skiers every season, there are several lesser-known ski resorts in the area that offer equally thrilling experiences without the crowds. In this article, we'll take a look at the top five underrated ski resorts in the Pacific Northwest.