In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, you can get down the mountain in a more creative way. Take a tandem paragliding flight with a trained expert from the top of the tram and gondola.
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Adventure Ridge in Vail takes tubing seriously. The multi-lane hill and covered dedicated lift is open throughout the day, but we recommend you go at night after a day of adventuring.
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While the crowds head to the slopes, enjoy peace and quiet on the river. Various resorts in Park City, Utah connect visitors with local fly fishing guides who can help you catch rainbow trout and a variety of other fish species in nearby streams.
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Get off the ski runs and wander through quiet alpine meadows and forests by snowshoe. Some resorts, such as the Telluride Ski Resort, offer miles of groomed trails. Many resorts also offer guided snowshoe hikes led by naturalists.
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If you’re keen to explore at a faster pace, dogsledding could be your answer. Many resorts, including Squaw Valley, pair guests with a racing guide and a team of eight to ten Alaskan Huskies. The dogs pull you through meadows and valleys at around 12 mph.
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Take in the views from far above the slopes on a gondola ride. This activity is popular at many resorts and sometimes includes a stop at an observation deck. The 4.4-kilometer gondola ride at Whistler Blackcomb Resort—the biggest lift of its kind in North America—includes a full service lunch overlooking Whistler Village and the surrounding peaks.
At the Park City Mountain Resort, visitors can book an evening dinner trip to a nearby viking yurt. Guests take a 25-minute snowcat-pulled sleigh ride 1,000 feet up to the structure where they are treated to a hot mug of glogg–a type of Nordic spiced wine–and a five-course dinner with live music.
Dan Campbell, Park City Mountain Resort
Fly down 4,000 feet of curves, bends and loops in Park City Mountain Resort’s toboggan-style cars. You control your own speed as you take in views of the Wasatch Mountains.
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While many resorts offer horse-drawn sleigh rides, Keystone Resort in Colorado pairs the experience with dinner and entertainment with horse wranglers at a rustic cabin.
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Anyone worried about balancing on skis or a snowboard should try snowbiking. With its low center of gravity and six support points, the snowbike gives you extra stability. Take a lesson with an experienced snowbiking instructor and then hit the slopes.
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A snowmobile package can give you the speed you need to reach more remote areas with limited time. At Snowbird, your snowmobile trip starts with an aerial tram ride to Hidden Peak at 11,000 feet. Guides can then take you through 5,000 acres of snowy meadows and trails.
