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Condé Nast TravelerOct 7, 2026

7 US Ski Resorts That Could Benefit From El Niño This Winter

The 2026–27 El Niño could be the strongest on record. Before booking your next ski vacation, here's what to know.

21 things in this story

Arizona SnowbowlHotelbase sits at 9,200 feet, lifts climb to 11,500 feet
Modern rustic cabin AirbnbHotelbest for a group-friendly log cabin with peak views
Basecamp at SnowbowlHotelbest for affordable stays on the mountain
High Country Motor LodgeHotelbest for frequent ski pass discounts
Elsewhere
Mammoth MountainSightMammoth Lakes, United StatesCalifornia's highest ski-resort summit, 3,500 acres
The Westin Monache ResortHotelMammoth Lakes, United Statesbest for jaw-dropping views of the Sierras
The Village LodgeHotelMammoth Lakes, United Statesbest for ski-in/ski-out condos
Mammoth Mountain InnHotelMammoth Lakes, United Statesbest for affordable ski trips on the slopes
The Village at Palisades TahoeHotelPalisades Tahoe, United Statesbest for direct ski access
Everline Resort and Spa, Lake TahoeHotelOlympic Valley, United Statesbest for Olympic Valley views
Ski-in/ski-out penthouse AirbnbHotelPalisades Tahoe, United Statesbest for a group-friendly condo
The Blake at Taos Ski ValleyHotelTaos Ski Valley, United Statesbest for a stay just steps from the main lift
Tiarra del Sol CondosHotelTaos Ski Valley, United Statesbest for family-friendly fun
Alpine Village SuitesHotelTaos Ski Valley, United Statesbest for mountain proximity and ski amenities
Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge CollectionHotelTelluride, United Statesbest for upscale on-mountain lodging
New Sheridan HotelHotelTelluride, United Statesbest for a historic stay and downtown fun
The Peaks Resort and SpaHotelTelluride, United Statesbest for ski-on/ski-off access surrounded by the Rockies
Waldorf Astoria Park CityHotelPark City, United Statesbest for true mountain luxury
Hotel Thaynes, Park City, a Tribute Portfolio HotelHotelPark City, United Statesbest for easy ski shuttles to the base
Westgate Park City Resort and SpaHotelPark City, United Statesbest for ski-to-door access
Alta Ski AreaHotelAlta, United States2,614 acres of terrain, famous for light, dry powder

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OutsideJul 29

Woodshop to Whitewater: How Cricket Zarn Learned to Build Boats for the West’s Biggest Rapids

How do you design a wooden dory strong enough to handle Grand Canyon whitewater? If you’re Zarn, you start by crashing a lot of boats.

5 things in this story

Fretwater BoatworksPlaceoutfit specializing in wooden boats
Elsewhere
Colorado RiverSightGrand Canyon National Park, United Statesdories bob down the river
The Green MilePlaceGrand Canyon National Park, United Statespopular Grand Canyon epic
PeekabooPlaceGrand Canyon National Park, United StatesZarn's own dory
Nissan FrontierPlaceGrand Canyon National Park, United Statesvehicle for hauling dories

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Atlas ObscuraDec 29, 2025

Discover Arizona’s Majesty

Arizona is wild in its environmental diversity, boasting five of the six distinct types of ecological biomes. Tundra, forest, woodland, scrub, grassland, and desert biomes are spread across the state, with four deserts, over 210 named mountain ranges, a biblical-scale monsoon season—and, of course, the Grand Canyon. The Sonoran Desert, which stretches across much of the state’s southern half, i…

22 things in this story

Lowell ObservatoryMuseumWorld-class astronomy destination, Pluto was discovered here.
Mars HillSightSite of the apocryphal origin story of dark matter theory.
Clark RefractorSightIconic dome of a telescope dating back to the 1800s.
Anderson MesaSightFlattop plateau hosting a dark-sky astronomical observatory.
Anderson Mesa StationSightA dark-sky astronomical observatory.
Elsewhere
Verde Canyon RailroadPlaceClarkdale, United StatesHeritage railroad running through vibrant wilderness landscape.
Petrified Forest National ParkSightHolbrook, United StatesFeatures largest and most colorful displays of petrified wood.
Rainbow ForestSightHolbrook, United StatesFeatures huge, vibrant rocks, petrified over millions of years.
Rainbow Forest MuseumMuseumHolbrook, United StatesLearn about geological and cultural history of the land.
Painted DesertSightHolbrook, United StatesRegion with unique geological characteristics and visible layers.
Montezuma Castle National MonumentSightCamp Verde, United StatesPreserves prehistoric cliff dwelling architecture of the Sinagua people.
Perkinsville TrestleSightClarkdale, United StatesA metal trestle crossed by the Verde Canyon Railroad.
Arizona Copper Art MuseumMuseumClarkdale, United StatesTestament to the creative uses of copper.
Montezuma WellSightCamp Verde, United StatesNaturally occurring spring-fed limestone sinkhole.
Jerome’s Sliding JailSightJerome, United StatesA jail structure that slid down a mountain.
Buenos Aires National Wildlife RefugeSightSasabe, United StatesEcological reserve with habitat restoration for endangered species.
Bisbee Breakfast ClubRestaurantBisbee, United StatesOriginal location in a classic American diner with Southwestern twist.
Old Bisbee Brewing Co.RestaurantBisbee, United StatesOffers eclectic menu of draft beers brewed on-site.
Tubac Center for the ArtsSightTubac, United StatesArts and leisure complex with galleries, performance space, library.
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic TrailTrailTubac, United StatesTrail system connecting Tubac arts complex.
Paton Center for HummingbirdsNature reservePatagonia, United StatesConservation space for over 250 bird species.
Chiricahua National MonumentSightWillcox, United StatesFeatures physics-defying rock stacks and 17 miles of trails.

Read the full piece at Atlas Obscura →

7 US Ski Resorts That Could Benefit From El Niño This Winter

Woodshop to Whitewater: How Cricket Zarn Learned to Build Boats for the West’s Biggest Rapids

My Feet Were Destroyed After 40 Miles in the Grand Canyon. This Barefoot Trail Saved Them.

Discover Arizona’s Majesty