Moles inside the moguls

If you indulge in any of the snow sports in the western U.S., this is your new slope map. This guide profiles the major winter sports spots from California to British Columbia and New Mexico, covering dozens of regional mountain resorts, offering the kind of insider info that can help you avoid traffic bottlenecks, lift lines and overpriced pizza. The contributors -- experienced ski instructors and ski journalists -- give free rein to their opinions, peppering the tips, from mogul to peak to half-pipe, with a refreshing honesty .

Unlike guidebooks that simply list the facts and figures, the writers also manage to convey the feeling and ambience of these mountain getaways. But there are plenty of practicalities, too, from advice on budget travel, to clear maps and charts and technical details that can improve your moves. This guide should be your new companion as you explore winter sports destinations across the West.

-- Mike Koehn