Most Europeans by contrast have grown up with ski in, ski out lodging as the norm. Alpine villages, and the ski areas they were associated with, grew alongside one another and developed into the large ski areas we know today. The ski resorts began as part of the centre of the town and naturally as new ski lifts and runs were added and more people wanted to ski, the towns expanded around them to accommodate their needs.
Ski in, ski out properties just became a normal part of the expansion and although often commanding a premium prices are relatively easy to find. Skiing in the US is increasing in popularity with the Europeans,
but especially the Brits due its superior snow conditions and uncrowded slopes.Several US ski towns such as Breckenridge, Telluride and Aspen started life as mining towns,
before they grew into the world famous ski areas they are today. Steamboat Springs was originally a ranching town and still retains much of its Old West character.
Many of these ski towns in the US were already established before the ski areas were developed, so the ski lifts are a mile or two from the town associated with them.
