Southwest Highways January 2013 | Page 16

Of course, we cannot forget Utah. The

Beehive state has many resorts to choose

from, with Snowbird and Powder Mountain

being the most popular destinations. Snow-

Bird proclaims "The Best Snow on Earth",

and they may just be right. They offer many

downhill trails for any skill level, and should

not be overlooked. Check out their website,

It's really cool! www.snowbird.com

Snowboarding can be done at a lot of these

resorts and can be an adrenaline-rushing

alternative to skiing. There are no ski opportunities in Texas...Yet. Bearfire resort near Fort Worth is under construction; a 250' man-made mountain with snow year-round. I personally would not want to ski on an imitation mountain in 70 degree weather, but I can see people going on a day trip to ski close to home. An opening date is not released.

Downhill skiing is not the only

winter sport enjoyed by south-

westerns. Cross-Country

Skiing can be more peaceful than

it's downhill counterpart, but is

also a great way to enjoy the

winter mountain air, and the

enchanted snowy woods. Cross-

country skiing is usually cheaper

than downhill. When I'm in Red

River, I like to visit Enchanted

Forest Cross-Country Ski Area,

with many ski and snowshoe

trails. Some cross-country areas

offer nice amenities and groomed trails, while others are simply cleared paths. Some Alpine resorts offer X-Country trails, some free of charge. Please do not get the idea that skiing is the only winter sport to partake in; Snowshoeing is a slow paced enjoyable pastime for those tired of skiing. It definitely beats hiking in snow. For those that are not familiar with this

winter activity, you attach special shoes onto your ski boots, and you can walk in the snow much easier. The shoes are large, and designed to spread out your weight so you don't sink up to your ankles in the cold, wet snow.

15 Southwest Highways & Fields

Monarch Ski Resort, CO

-Colorado Ski Country USA

Snowboarding at Angel Fire, NM

-New Mexico True