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Fresh Tracks: Where to Catch the Ski Season’s Best Snow

Whether you own an all-wheel drive CX-3, CX-5, or CX-9, the ski and snowboard season is here. If you’re jonesing to get your “Shred On” this season, any of the AWD Mazdas offer the most exhilarating, fuel-efficient and safe ways to get to the slopes.

Wherever you decide to go, in most cases, you won’t need chains with the superior traction and predictive nature of Mazda’s i-ACTIV AWD technology currently available on the CX-3 and CX-5. While Mother Nature has her own schedule, historically these are the five resorts likely to get the substantial snow fall in the lower 48.


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Mammoth Mountain, California

Historically, Mammoth is a reliable bet for great early-season ski trips, and if this season’s El Niño forecast comes to life, Mammoth will reap the rewards in feet, not inches, as they have already hit almost 17 feet of snow this season. Mammoth offers dozens of lodging options from condos to hotels, as well as world class dining. For the brave of heart, the Cornice Bowl at the top of Mammoth is one of the most exhilarating runs in North America.


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Sunday River, Maine

Savvy East Coast skiers know about Sunday River’s legendary snow-making, and they’ll be schussing Locke Mountain’s pristine corduroy. Be aware if you’re traveling to Maine, man-made blown snow that drifts in the wind across active ski lifts can feel extremely frigid. Pack extra layers, just in case.


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Grand Targhee, Wyoming

Grand Targhee has been known to open early, when conditions permit. And unlike many other resorts, early-season skiing at Targhee—starting on the Shoshone lift and spreading out from there—is almost exclusively on natural snow. Annually, Grand Targhee sees on average 500 inches of natural snow.


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Alta, Utah

When storms barrel down Little Cottonwood, they settle in over Alta and tend to stay a while. Seasonal snowfall is one of Alta’s strong attributes, and this year is no exception. Skiers found fresh tracks early on in this season.

Whichever resort you choose, and whichever Mazda SUV gets you there, Mazda’s i-ACTIV AWD and SKYACTIV Technology will make it a trip you’ll want to repeat as soon as possible.