Watch » Steamboat Springs’ Howelsen Hill Ski Area is famous for its Fourth of July ski jumping—that’s right, smack in the middle of summer. This year, the resort adds a little more high-flying fun with a $1.75 million improvement to its ski jump, which will serve as a training ground for competitive athletes in winter and summer. steamboatsprings.net

Ride » As part of Vail’s 50th anniversary celebration, Vail Resorts is welcoming a new gondola. The state-of-the-art transport system is decked out with heated seats and Wi-Fi. Moving 1,200 feet per minute, it’s also the fastest gondola of its type in the world. vail.com

5280 November 2012
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Sit » Monarch Mountain is already known for its shorter lines and cheaper lift tickets. Now, a $2.3 million capital improvement project makes it a little more comfy to sit back and refuel. The base lodge will nearly double in size to accommodate a larger cafeteria and a refurbished kitchen. skimonarch.com

Glide » For the nonskiers and nonboarders in the family, check out Winter Park Resort’s new tube park. Set to open this month, the attraction features four lanes and, to keep the fun lasting longer, a warming structure where you can grab some hot cocoa. winterparkresort.com

Fly » Colorado’s latest craze—zip-lining—gets a cold-weather spin with Copper Mountain’s Alpine Rush Zip Lines, which opened this summer. Guests can soar side by side 300 feet across West Lake, reaching speeds up to 30 miles per hour. It’s a great way to give your legs a rest after some hard-core schussing. coppercolorado.com

Eat » A long day on the slopes deserves a hefty après meal, and Telluride Ski Resort is happy to oblige with Bon Vivant, a recently opened on-mountain restaurant. Located at the top of the Polar Queen Express, Bon Vivant’s French cuisine is complemented by a sundeck and a motorized, 40-foot overhead umbrella. tellurideskiresort.com

Race » Female ski racers will flock to Beaver Creek’s new ladies’ downhill ski course. The speedy route, which will host part of the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championship, adds 17 acres of skiable terrain to the resort. Test your pro-level moves throughout the winter on the Peregrine and Kestrel trails. beavercreek.com

Play » Keystone Resort is ramping up its already popular Kidtopia program by expanding entertainment and activities to a daily basis, including après-ski festivities and dance parties on the resort’s two ice-skating rinks. Don’t miss the weekly Kidtopia parade and the debut of the Snowed-In Festival (January 12–20), which brings the best parts of a snow day together: Expect snowman-building contests, movie marathons, and plenty of comfort food to keep the kids satiated. keystoneresort.com