Steamboat review: 51 facts and highlights

The total number of ski slopes available at the resort.

In resorts which allow off piste-skiing, you can ski anywhere which is great for adventurous types. However, there are hazards such cliff edges, avalanches or simply getting lost and suffering exhaustion.

Ski schools offer lessons to beginners.

The resort will be more easily accessible when serviced by public transport. It is also usually cheaper than other modes of transport.

Cross country skiing is an Olympic sport which provides great exercise for both the upper and lower body.

More restaurants and bars can indicate a lively nightlife, as well as offering visitors more choice.

Ice climbing is a great sport for adrenalin seekers. It entails climbing frozen cliff edges/waterfalls using tools such as ice axes in order to grip the surface.

Toboggan runs are dedicated slopes or slides that you can slide down on a toboggan.

The longest ski run at the resort. A longer run can be more challenging and will test your endurance.

Certain trails are illuminated so that you can carry on skiing even after the sun goes down.

Rather than having to trek back to the base of the mountain, it is a lot more convenient to have restaurants and bars on the slopes.

With more hostels and hotels at the resort you have a range to choose from.

Source: city's official website, 2018.

A nearby airport is ideal, as journeying by car or bus through mountainous areas can take longer than on flat terrain.

The resort is pet-friendly, so if you like you can bring your dog along if you need to.

Source: Wikipedia, 2018; city's official website, 2018.

Average snowfall in the month of March.

This is the amount of people that can be transported by ski lifts etc. per hour. A bigger uphill capacity can indicate less waiting time, although it will be affected by how busy the resort is.

Average snowfall in the month of December.

Ski trail difficulty is measured in "percent slope", a system in which a 100% slope equals a 45-degree angle. High-difficulty trails (marked with a black diamond) have a slope gradient of more than 40%; such trails are designed for experienced skiers who enjoy a good challenge.

The average snowfall each season as measured in inches. The more snowfall there is, the more powdery and fluffy the ski slopes will be.

The summit is higher above sea level. This means the mountain can have lots of snow, even in springtime.

The resort offers facilities so that companies and organisations can hold conferences or other corporate events.

Ski trail difficulty is measured in "percent slope", a system in which a 100% slope equals a 45-degree angle. Medium difficulty trails (marked with a blue square) have a slope gradient between 25% and 40%. These trails are ideal for regular skiers.

The level of the base of the mountain above sea level.