• Located in northern New Mexico, Taos Ski Valley has everything a serious skier or rider looking to take on the Rockies would want. The rugged mountain feel transcends from the highest peak (12,481 feet) all the way down to the base lodge, styled as one would expect in America's southwest. The mountain is great for the family and those with the need for something a little more exciting than the average run because more than half the trails are expert level. And this year the Jeep® King of the Mountain Series selected Taos as the host site for the 06/07 Skiing and Snowboarding World Professional Championships. Girlawhirl may not be ready to make her run for “King of the Mountain,” but she certainly wouldn't mind relaxing in the family owned and operated resort soaking up the southwest vibe.

• The three mountains of Keystone Colorado – Dercum, North Peak, and The Outback (with 80% of its trails rated “most difficult”) – have the total ski resort package for a group or family looking for a one-stop vacation. A Super Pal said once he pulled up to the mountain, he didn't use his car again until it was time to head to the airport. There are great trails for all experience levels and three separate villages with everything from grocery stores to boutiques with designer clothes and tons of nightlife options. And for skiers and riders looking to rip it up in the park, Keystone's A51 terrain park is one of the largest night parks in the country and rated among the top 10 snowboarding parks this season.

• Vail, one of Keystone's sister resorts, is another favorite of the Super Pals. An East Coast based Pal has an allegiance to Stratton Mountain Resort in Vermont, but when he decides to take on the Rockies, Vail is his favorite spot to ride. The largest ski resort in the US, Vail has something for everyone. The groomed trails are great for family friendly riding, but the mountain's seven backside bowls are really what he, and other powder-junkies just like him, go there for. Plus, the Blue Sky Basin (a third distinct area) has some of the best tree skiing anywhere. With a world-class base village full of shops, galleries, boutiques and nightlife options, it's sure to appeal to everyone. And there are tons of nighttime family fun activities like snowmobiling and laser tag.

• Then another Super Pal jumped in and said if it's a question of Vail, he prefers Beaver Creek Ski Resort. Also a member of the Vail family, Beaver Creek offers vacationers a little more elegance than the average mountain resort. While still featuring the difficult and exciting terrain one would expect from the Rockies, five-star Beaver Creek resort offers just as much off the slopes, like sleigh rides, ice skating, a world-class spa, fabulous dining, and the freedom to enjoy a peaceful vacation.

• Girlawhirl's only heard good things from native Californians and visitors alike about Mammoth Mountain in the Eastern Sierras in Central California. With 150 trails and three parks, there's plenty of terrain to tackle and with an average snowfall of more than 30 feet, the ski season stretches into June. So it's a great spot for spring skiers and riders. The Village at Mammoth is full of shops, restaurants and bars and it has a gondola that transports guests from the Village up to the slopes for free. Plus, the nearby town of Mammoth Lakes offers many more dining and nightlife options.

• Another Super Pal added if she's going on a ski trip, she makes it worth her while, and she says no place on earth offers more for her tastes in one place then Heavenly Mountain Resort. Featuring 91 trails straddling the California/Nevada boarder, Heavenly Resort, Lake Tahoe, features a solid base, world famous mogul courses, steep verticals, exciting terrain, acres of tree riding and some of the most beautiful vistas she's ever seen from the top of a slope. Plus, when the day is done, night has only just begun, and it's time to head into the casinos to win money for tomorrow's lift ticket. And while a little casino time is fun, the extensive village offers more than enough activities to keep her busy.

• British Columbia's Whistler Mountain/Blackcomb is always at the top of must ski lists, and this year is no different – voted number one by Skiing Magazine for the 2006/2007 season. The Super Pals couldn't agree more. One says the outrageous riding is the draw for her. Another favored the total Canadian vibe and “crazy” nightlife. No matter what the reason though, everyone agreed: anyone looking to add a notch to their “conquered mountains” belt must check this resort out. Once rival mountains, the two resorts were joined to create one huge skiing and riding experience. And Girlawhirl loves that a mountain opened with the hopes of hosting the 1968 Winter Olympic Games will finally see its dream realized in 2010.

• Serious skiers looking to get away from the typical ski-town resort feel will do well at Montana's Big Sky Resort. Big Sky offers the outstanding skiing one would expect in the Rocky Mountains, but with a much more relaxed atmosphere, or “room to breathe” as a Super Pal puts it. And the tram to the top of “Lone Peak” – opened in 1995 – added more than 1200 acres to the resort's ski area and increased the vertical to over 4,000 feet. The tram successfully moved Big Sky up to the top of the list of North American ski resorts, opened up new terrain to advanced skiers, and - for the not-so-advanced like Girlawhirl - a ride up the tram offers a 360 degree view spanning three states, two national parks and peak after peak after peak.

• Another Super Pal, who has traveled the continent looking for the very best powder, says Alta, in Utah, is her favorite mountain of all time for it's waist high powder. Someone looking to party should stay elsewhere, but serious skiers in search of the best powder should ski and stay at Alta. Alta Lodge is as traditional as a ski get-away can be: a small slope-side lodge with big warm dinners, hot tubs, a small cocktail hour room with a warm fireplace and wood bar overlooking the slopes. And her favorite part is passing Snowbird mountain and the helipad that both Alta and Snowbird share on the way in. She says it amps her up for some serious heli-skiing - which is huge here. There's also the option to hire a guide for an afternoon of back-country skiing that some might never attempt alone. But this mountain is for skiers only – sorry, no boarders allowed - but joint passes to both mountains are available, and you can actually ski from one mountain to the other at a peak. But a world of warning from this expert-skiing Super Pal - Alta is basically an expert's only mountain and her advice is to be sure skiers can handle all that powder, and beware because it is avalanche country. But for skiers in the know, there's no place like Alta.

• Before the Super Pals extensive debate over just where the best skiing in North America is ended, another pal had to throw in one more mountain: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Celebrating its 40^th Anniversary this year, the Wyoming resort is made up of two mountains (Apres Vous and Rendezvous) that have a 4,139-foot vertical drop and access to more than 3,000 acres of backcountry. Plus there's every kind of outdoor/snow activity one could dream up from sleigh riding to snowmobiling and everything in between. And her Jackson Hole favoring Super Pals say the vibe is quintessentially western, just what she would expect in Wyoming.

As they were about to adjourn for the evening, one Super Pal who'd been rather quiet all night piped up with quite the loaded question. After spending hours discussing the best mountains in North America, she wanted to know where the crew was heading next year. After a group sigh, and several quickly rattled off destinations, they agreed that the question would have to be answered at their annual summer vacation gathering.

Girlawhirl and Pals always book their ski adventures through expedia.com