There are certain criteria that make you feel like a better skier than you are, including bluebird skies, cruising past a 20-something skier, and finishing a season without a yard sale crash. The biggest advantage, though, is when a mountain is covered with a fresh dumping of powder. That’s what associate editor Daliah Singer and a friend (pictured) found on Steamboat last year. The conditions—just look at those tracks!—made for a truly epic day of skiing.

Bonus: Read about Steamboat’s night skiing or snowshoeing Rabbit Ears Pass.

Natasha Gardner
Natasha Gardner
Natasha Gardner is a Denver-based writer and the former Articles Editor for 5280.