For the third time in a row and the 5th time this decade, the readers of Ski Magazine have ranked Deer Valley Resort the number one ski resort in North America. Down the road, Park City raised in rank from #5 to #4 this year. Neighboring resort, The Canyons also made the top 20 list.

Known for its diversity of terrain and easy access from Salt Lake City. Deer Valley Resort is best known for its commitment to providing a level of care rarely found at a ski resort; delivering classic, consistent, and quality service both on and off the mountain.

Rounding out the top 5 top resorts are 2. Whistler/Blackcomb, B.C. 3. Vail, CO. 4. Park City Mountain Resort 5. Beaver Creek, CO. TheSociety.com offers vacation home rentals in the top 5 resorts as voted on by readers of Ski Magazine.

It has been a tradition of Ski Magazine to list their top ski resorts annually. The ranking criteria consider many variations from terrain to nightlife to readership ratings. Last week we provided “opening dates” for a few resorts, this week, the top 30. Below is the list with a few comments added by our “winter sports specialists” here at The Society.com:

1. Deer Valley, Utah – no snowboarders allowed on mountain & limited # of passes sold per day.
2. Whistler Blackcomb, B.C. –site of the 2010 Winter Olympics
3. Vail, Colorado – largest single mountain resort in North America & legendary back bowls
4. Park City, Utah – consider the Silver Passport lift pass
5. Beaver Creek, Colorado – where locals escape Vail weekend crowds
6. Snowmass, Colorado – new base area for 2009/2010
7. Sun Valley, Idaho – say hello to Gov. Arnold of California
8. Squaw Valley, California – former Winter Olympics venue
9. Mammoth, California – option for the S. California resident
10. Steamboat, Colorado – western family resort, challenging trees and powder
11. Telluride, Colorado –hidden gem, culinary tour de force
12. Jackson Hole, Wyoming – not for the faint of heart
13. Heavenly, California – cross the border and gamble into the morning
14. Aspen Mountain, Colorado –the original “glamour gulch”
15. Breckenridge, Colorado – spring break central for colleges and universities
16. Northstar-at-Tahoe, California – small scale, big challenges
17. Aspen Highlands, Colorado – expert terrain and a Ritz-Carlton
18. Copper Mountain, Colorado – segregated terrain, bowls can challenge
19. Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana – never a crowd
20. The Canyons, Utah – see #4, Silver Passport program
21. Keystone, Colorado – a true resort with “charging privileges”
22. Big Sky, Montana – limited nightlife, to exhausted from skiing all day
23. Winter Park, Colorado – drop in next door at Mary Jane
24. Crested Butte, Colorado – high-altitude skiing/boarding
25. Snowbird, Utah – for strong intermediates and experts
26. Solitude, Utah – small family-oriented enclave
27. Taos, New Mexico – from valley heat to snowcapped peaks in 30 minutes
28. Alta, Utah – skiing as it was 40 years ago
29. Snow Basin, Utah – rustic chic
30. Alpine Meadows, California – Tahoe’s hidden gem

Whistler, the outpost of great skiing and boarding in British Columbia, Canada is preparing for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. While the resort area is well known for its winter sports pursuits, foodie’s in the know appreciate Whistler for its outstanding culinary opportunities.

One of our partners in Whistler is Whistler Tasting Tours. The owners, Skai and Joe provides visitors to Whistler and unforgettable experience to explore the best Whistler restaurants in one enjoyable evening on a Whistler Tasting Tour.  Each restaurant on the tour serves a delicious culinary creation paired with a tasty local British Columbia produced wines.  It’s a dining experience guests will not soon forget!

Of course, dining alone does not make a vacation. Be sure to check out vacation home rental options available through The Society at:  Whistler Vacation Home Rental Opportunities

As the fractional ownership market continues to expand, we at The Society thought you, our clients may be interested in the Top Ten for this week according to the Luxury Fractional Guide. What does the list mean for you, read between the lines and access based on popularity and demand and the fact that owners of fractional’s are entering the rental marketplace to generate income.

Once known as “time-shares” with one of two fixed weeks of use, the new generation of fractional’s offer their owners inherent flexibility concerning use and many more nights of ownership. It is not uncommon to see fractional’s in 1/8th, 1/4th, and 1/3rd shares, most notably with super-luxury properties. (links are included for in-depth review):

#1 - The Bermuda House (Emerald Isle, NC)
#2 - Gulf Winds (Hernando Beach, FL)
#3 - Villa Bonair (La Jolla, CA)
#4 - Beach Club at Siesta Key* (Siesta Key, FL)
#5 - Crane Residence Club (Barbados)
#6 - Poet’s Cove Resort (Pender Island, BC, Canada)
#7 - Woodhaven Country Club Condo (Palm Desert, CA)
#8 - Santa Barbara Beach Club (Santa Barbara, CA)
#9 - Serenity Cove (Soda Springs/Lake Tahoe, CA)
#10 - Waikoloa Beach Resort Villa (Waikoloa, HI)