California: Squaw Valley (MC + Ikon)

There are plenty of options for getting to Squaw, depending on where you’re coming from and how long you want to stay. If you’re on your own coming from the Bay Area, consider a single-day ski bus, which drops you off in the morning and picks you up when the slopes close. It may sound rough, considering it’s a 4-hour journey each way, but it’s surprisingly easy to sleep on the way there and some give you complimentary wine before the journey home. If you’re coming from out of state, flying into Reno and taking a shuttle is your best bet. But of course the best is carpooling with friends from San Francisco, Sacramento, or Reno, renting a cabin, and taking full advantage of Squaw’s awesome après scene.