PHOTO: Travelers will want to head to places like Lake Tahoe in the coming ski season.

If you are a winter sports fanatic, you are probably gearing up to hit the slopes. Most of the top ski resorts in the West open in late November, meaning it’s time to start looking at which resorts you are going to visit, whether you are just learning or you are already doing a Frontside Triple 1440 (which means you are Shaun White).

The western U.S. boasts a stunning amount of world-class ski resorts, offering a wide variety of trails (both in-bound and backcountry) for all difficulty levels and set in some of the most beautiful and scenic spots on this planet.

If you have lived in this part of the country, chances are you have heard of/carved up these resorts, but for those who need a crash course on some of America’s and the world’s top ski destinations, look no further: Agent@Home has you covered. Whether you are traveling with your family or you fly solo, here are some of the top ski destinations in the western U.S. Tackle them yourselves and pass them along to your clients.

But, most important of all, have fun out there, folks.

Vail

We’ll start with Vail, Colo., one of the world’s premier skiing destinations.

According to Ski.com, Vail gets 350 inches of annual snowfall and comprises more than 5,200 skiable acres, with a top elevation of 11,571 feet. Terrain varies from beginner level (18 percent) to intermediate (29 percent) to advanced (25 percent) to expert (2 percent). In addition, Vail sports the nation’s largest bus system for easy transportation, and it offers a variety of shops and restaurants. The Town of Vail is surrounded by 350,000 acres of national forest.

Some of the top ski areas at Vail include the wide-open Back Bowls, Mountaintop Express, Simba, Born Free and, of course, Blue Sky Basin, an expert skier’s paradise complete with steep drops, grueling runs and expansive powder fields. Signature properties and accommodations in Vail include The Arrabelle at Vail Square, Lodge at Vail and The Ritz Carlton Residences, Vail.

For those looking to party this winter, you may want to check out Snow Daze on Dec. 1. Vail Family Holidaze (running from Dec. 16-22) is always popular for families who want to experience Vail’s holiday season and festivities. There’s also the Vail New Year’s Eve celebration, which tends to surprise people with its music lineups.

Vail’s 2014-2015 winter season kicks off on Nov. 21 and winds down on April 19, 2015. For more information, go to www.vail.com or www.visitvailvalley.com.

Aspen/Snowmass

Located just a few miles from downtown Aspen, Snowmass has regularly been included among the top ski destinations in America and the world.

Snowmass boasts 3,300 acres of terrain, 94 trails, 21 chairlifts and a wide variety of runs, from cruisers, glades and steeps to terrain parks and halfpipes. There are 150 miles of trails, three terrain parks and a 22-foot halfpipe. The longest run is more than five miles long. Snowmass’ summit elevation is 12,510 feet and it sports a vertical elevation of more than 4,400 feet.

The destination accommodates all levels of skiers, from easy (6 percent) to more difficult (47 percent) to most difficult (17 percent) to expert (30 percent).

Premier accommodations include Treehouse on West Fork, Afterglow Home, Chill Out Home and Viceroy Snowmass.

The X Games Aspen will celebrate its 14th year during Jan. 22-25, 2015. The free Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series runs from Nov. 29 to March 28, 2015. From Feb. 6 to March 27, 2015, some of the premier athletes in the world will show off their newest tricks every Friday as part of Bud Light Big Air Fridays.

The Snowmass winter season runs from Nov. 27 to April 12. For more information, visit www.aspensnowmass.com.

Telluride

Telluride is a world-class ski destination in Colorado that perhaps doesn’t get as much credit as it should, especially in comparison to Vail and Aspen, which are globally recognized. However, if you’ve been paying attention to top skiing publications and award shows, chances are you’ve heard of Telluride. If you haven’t, then it’s time to get over there.

Located in southwestern Colorado, Telluride features 309 inches of annual snowfall, nearly 2,000 skiable acres and a summit elevation of 13,149 feet. The mountain town also features a wide variety of runs, ranging from groomed cruising trails to rock-littered challenging terrain. All levels of skiing are accounted for, including beginner (23 percent of terrain), intermediate (36 percent), advanced (41 percent) and expert (2 percent).

Top accommodations include Townhomes on the Creek, Yellow Brick Road, 570 West Colorado, Wilson Peak Home, Highlands and Adams Ranch Retreat.

The Telluride Photo Festival is a popular event that celebrates photography, art and nature. This year it takes place from Sept. 29 to Oct. 5.

Telluride Ski Resort’s winter season begins Nov. 27 and runs through April 5. For more information, visit www.telluride.com.

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe offers so much in the way of skiing that it has two separate tourism authorities: North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe South.

PHOTO: Ski vacations in Lake Tahoe are popular for families.

Heavenly Mountain Resort, Northstar, Squaw Valley, Sugar Bowl Resort and Kirkwood are among the highest-rated skiing destinations in Tahoe. Heavenly averages 360 inches of snowfall and offers 4,800 skiable acres, complete with a 3,500-foot vertical drop. Its summit reaches higher than 10,000 feet. It accommodates beginners (20 percent), intermediate skiers (45 percent), advanced skiers (30 percent) and experts (5 percent). Heavenly also includes three different terrain parks.

Northstar has long been known as one of the area’s top family resorts, but, beyond the wide range of beginner and intermediate trails, it’s also important to note that 27 percent of Northstar’s terrain is designed for advanced skiers, too. There are 3,000 skiable acres at Northstar and seven terrain parks. Heck, the resort even features a 22-foot halfpipe designed by Olympian Shaun White.

Squaw Valley doesn’t have the high elevation or vertical drops of Heavenly or Northstar, but it has nevertheless received dazzling reviews, which highlight its 3,600 skiable acres. The resort has also received high marks for being family-friendly, having four terrain parks, sporting an impressive ski lift system (including the 29-person gondola Funitel), and having some of the best powder in the area (450 inches of snow annually).

Top properties include The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe; Northstar Lodge-A Welk Resort; and Marriott Grand Residence Club Tahoe.

For more information, visit www.visitinglaketahoe.com.

Park City/Deer Valley

Park City has three world-class resorts, as well as the outstanding Utah Olympic Park.

Perhaps the most famous of Park City’s resorts is Deer Valley, which has received numerous accolades and awards as a top skiing destination throughout the years. Deer Valley boasts 2,026 skiable acres across six mountains during the winter season. To get from Point A to Point B before flying down to Point C, there are 21 lifts (including a gondola).

Advanced skiers will be pleased to hear Deer Valley sports a vertical drop of 3,000 feet. And, for the newbies, 27 percent of Deer Valley’s ski runs accommodate the beginner level.

Some of the top lodges at Deer Valley include Black Diamond Lodge, Lodges at Deer Valley and Stag Lodge.

Utah Olympic Park, a competition venue for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, is a 400-acre free park featuring a variety of sports facilities and visitor areas. There are daily tours of Olympic competition sites: you can ride in a bobsled screaming 80 mph, you can learn how to steer a luge, or you can take a ride up to the K120 Ski Jump (elevation: 7,130 feet). The choice is yours.

For more information, check out www.visitparkcity.com.

Jackson Hole

This brings us to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming. Jackson Hole has not only been ranked among the top ski destinations in the U.S., it has also been dubbed the top ski destination in the U.S.

Jackson Hole has a lot going for it. For one, it’s located in the beautiful Jackson Hole valley. Secondly, it experiences more than 450 inches of snow per year. Third, it includes 2,500 acres of in-bound terrain, more than 3,000 acres of backcountry terrain and 1,250 acres of expert terrain. Fourth, it sports a vertical drop of more than 4,100 feet. Fifth, it boasts 116 named trails. Sixth, it has over 100 passenger aerial trams. Seventh, it features a beginning terrain park, an expert terrain park and a superpipe. And, well, you get the idea.

Premier properties include Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, Snake River Lodge & Spa and Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa.

The SHIFT festival focuses on food, film and outdoor recreation and highlights the importance of conserving the environment. It takes place Oct. 8-12 in the Town of Jackson.

Jackson Hole’s ski season runs from Nov. 27 to April 5. For more information, visit www.jacksonhole.com.