Fly direct to Denver, pick up your 4x4 and set the radio to Denver: KBPI (106.7 FM) Classic Rock! When you turn out of the car rental office you’re on Pena Boulevard which turns into I70, stay on that and watch the mountains getting closer!

Day 1 - 4:

As you’ve had a long flight the best place to head for is Winter Park on Highway 40, 1 ½ hrs drive away. Stay at the Zephyr Mountain Lodge which is located right at the base of the mountain. The Colorado resorts are high so you may feel the altitude a bit to begin with. Just carry water with you at all times and take it easy for the first couple of days. When you awake refreshed, head for Parsenn Bowl on Mary Jane Mountain as it has some great cruisy blue runs to get your legs started. After a few days try the powder at Vasquez Cirque. If you're looking for ski après activity after a hard day on the mountain then go to Doc’s Roadhouse in the Zephyr Mountain Lodge. If you look to the north you can see Steamboat which will be your next stop.

Day 4 - 8:

Load the up the car and take the I40 to Steamboat. The drive takes you through Clear Creek Canyon and if you’re lucky you’ll see freight trains with 60+ carriages, this is quite something to see as ledges have been blown out of the rock to allow the trains to pass.

Once you get to Steamboat check-in to the Steamboat Grand which is located off Ski Times Square. Ski Times Square is the main area at the base of the mountain which has lots of great bars, restaurants and rental shops as well as the ski school and the main lifts taking you up the mountain.

Ski everywhere!! If Steamboat gets a big dump all you hear on the mountain is ‘waahhooo’! For great cruisy terrain head to the Sundown Express or if you’re feeling adventurous make for Morningside Park where there are lots of gullies and chutes.
At the end of a tiring day stop by The Slopeside Grill (we’re talking lazing in the sunshine looking at the vast view of the valley!) - they have great music playing and beer is $3 or a pitcher is $14. Bear River is another good choice at the base, as is the Tugboat bar/restaurant which has great live bands. For you shoppers - take the shuttle or drive to downtown Steamboat and experience this real cowboy town. You can buy cowboy hats at F M Light & Sons which has been owned by the same family for 4 generations! For you foodies - check out the Ore House for the best steaks in town or if you fancy fine dining Café Diva, with its great wine list, is a must.

If you fancy trying cat-skiing, I really recommend checking out Steamboat Powder Cats, it's a great little operation that makes sure you get the most from the experience.

Day 8 - 12:

Load up the car again and head to Vail travelling through Wolcott on the 131. Be careful on this road as deer do like to jump out on the road.

Vail has the feel of an Austrian village. Renovated in 2004, the Evergreen Lodge offers the best value hotel accommodation in Vail and is ideally located between the Vail Village and the Lionshead base areas.

Vail has three distinct mountain areas, each with their own features and fortés, including four terrain parks, seven bowls and 5,289 acres of freeride terrain - plenty for every level of skier/boarder. If you have never skied bowls, ‘The Back Bowls of Vail’ is the place to discover them, and if you’re new to off-piste skiing, head over to Blue Sky Basin as this has blue un-groomed runs. Game Creek Bowl is great place to ski if you enjoy cruisy blues. For something more testing go to Earls Bowl and try Lover’s Leap!

For the best chilli, pizza & chicken wraps on the mountain look no further than the Two Elk Ridge. If you have the energy in the evening, which you will as the mountains always seem to give you that boost, catch the gondola at Lionshead up to Adventure Ridge. Here they offer ski bikes, a kids snowmobile track, ice-skating and a slippery slope of rip-roaring tubing lanes... great fun!

As for après-ski, I'd recommend the Red Lion bar in Vail Village which has live acoustic music and Garfinkels at Lionshead. Bart & Yeti’s is great for burgers, and fine dining can be had at Russell’s, but you must book as it is a favourite.

Day 12 - heading back:

If you have room in your suitcase, driving back to Denver on the I70 you’ll go through Dillon & Silverthorne where they have Outlet Shops such as Nine West, Timberland, Nike and Donna Karen etc. There are some great bargins to be had!

After 12 days in the sunshine, get on the plane and starting planning the next trip back. My advice, come again, there’s plenty more to ski!!