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Despite the Back Bowls, the Deer Valley ski resort edged Vail out of the No. 1 spot in this year's SKI magazine reader survey.
BOULDER — The plush groomers and celebrated service of Deer Valley supplanted Vail as the No. 1 ski resort among readers of SKI Magazine.
Vail received the runner-up position, besting five Colorado resorts in the top 10. Beaver Creek dropped from No. 4 in 2005 to No. 6 this year.
Vail received the runner-up position, besting five Colorado resorts in the top 10. Beaver Creek dropped from No. 4 in 2005 to No. 6 this year.
“Statistically the drop is fairly insignificant,” said Greg Ditrinco, executive editor for SKI. “You can’t really point to one area they fell precipitously.”
Vail ranked in the top spot three of the last four years, and six times in the past decade. But the resort’s success can be an enemy, Ditrinco said.
“If you ski Vail you realize it can get busy,” he said. This year’s accolades include No. 3 in terrain and no. 6 for lifts.
“No other resort has ever been ranked No. 1 more than twice,” said Bill Jensen, chief operating officer for Vail. “While SKI Magazine's rankings do move about minutely from year to year, clearly, Vail continues to evidence our unshakable commitment to Vail's skiers and snowboarders.”
The rankings evoked glee in Aspen, though only Snowmass, at No. 4, finished in top five among the resorts in the region. The headline to a story in Friday’s Aspen Times read: “We’re not No. 1 (but neither is Vail).
The rivalries and importance of the ranking are not just for the big resorts.
“Some locals get irate because they want to be No. 1,” Ditrinco said. “Some think it would be nice to be No. 20 because then they could have the town back.”
Beaver Creek came in second for service and fifth for grooming.
“Beaver Creek is more on the fine service, more of a country-club take,” Ditrinco said.
Deer Valley, celebrating its 25th anniversary, received top marks for service, on-mountain dining, grooming and access.
“Deer Valley had a very strong year,” Ditrinco said. “They’re still in the post-Olympic glow.”
Staff Writer J.K. Perry can be reached at 949-0555, ext. 450, or jkperry@vaildaily.com.
Vail, Colorado
Vail ranked in the top spot three of the last four years, and six times in the past decade. But the resort’s success can be an enemy, Ditrinco said.
“If you ski Vail you realize it can get busy,” he said. This year’s accolades include No. 3 in terrain and no. 6 for lifts.
“No other resort has ever been ranked No. 1 more than twice,” said Bill Jensen, chief operating officer for Vail. “While SKI Magazine's rankings do move about minutely from year to year, clearly, Vail continues to evidence our unshakable commitment to Vail's skiers and snowboarders.”
The rankings evoked glee in Aspen, though only Snowmass, at No. 4, finished in top five among the resorts in the region. The headline to a story in Friday’s Aspen Times read: “We’re not No. 1 (but neither is Vail).
The rivalries and importance of the ranking are not just for the big resorts.
“Some locals get irate because they want to be No. 1,” Ditrinco said. “Some think it would be nice to be No. 20 because then they could have the town back.”
Beaver Creek came in second for service and fifth for grooming.
“Beaver Creek is more on the fine service, more of a country-club take,” Ditrinco said.
Deer Valley, celebrating its 25th anniversary, received top marks for service, on-mountain dining, grooming and access.
“Deer Valley had a very strong year,” Ditrinco said. “They’re still in the post-Olympic glow.”
Staff Writer J.K. Perry can be reached at 949-0555, ext. 450, or jkperry@vaildaily.com.
Vail, Colorado
SKI Magazine top 10
1. Deer Valley
2. Vail 3. Whistler/Blackcomb 4. Snowmass 5. Park City 6. Beaver Creek 7. Breckenridge 8. Aspen 9. Mammoth Mountain 10. Sun Valley |
