Northstar

Freeriders will find many great black-diamond trails in the back bowls of Northstar. The recently opened back-country area called Sawtooth Ridge, is a must for any hard-core powder seeker. Also check out Lookout Mountain for some tight-turning tree runs.

Don’t expect any cliff drops or wide open bowls to bang in some big powder turns. The whole area is well covered with obstacles to please all standards.

Freestyle riders may well find themselves in heaven when riding at Northstar. The resorts six terrain parks and two halfpipes recently got voted 7th best in North America by Transworld Snowboarding Magazine. The main park is found on the Pinball trail and plays host to a huge selection of perfectly maintained jib features and good sized table tops. If you want more air-time to throw down the big spins check out the monster hits on the Moonshine trail next door. For those riders just beginning to explore freestyle the Burton Progression Park is the perfect place. Northstar's 420 foot superpipe is shapped by the one-and-only Frank Wells; pipe shaping expert for the X Games and the Vans Triple Crown. Carvers have a good mountain to roam with some well-groomed trails to throw down those deep trenches. Advanced carvers may find Northstar a little too mellow though.

Beginners have some good, easy green trails to enjoy. However much of the mountain is intermediate terrain, so it may pay to take a lesson or two from the reputable Ski School, helping you to get turning down the blue trails a little quicker.

Tuition for beginners is excellent, but you'll be hanging with groms most of the day, and they tend to keep you well clear of the others flying down the slopes.