Las Vegas may not by synonymous with fresh powder and winter weather, but 30 minutes from Las Vegas, there is snow falling. And winter sports. In fact, the Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort, the area’s only winter sports mountain, featured the deepest snow base in the region, measuring at 50 inches.

This winter, visitors enjoying cheap flights to Las Vegas can take a side trip from The Strip and head up to the mountain for daytime skiing through April.

Located in the Spring Mountains, Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort features 11 trails ranging from easy to black diamond, as well as a terrain park.

Forgot to pack those skis? No problem. The resort offers equipment rental for skiers and boarders. In addition, it also offers clothing rentals for those who couldn’t fit that parka in with all of the fancy clubbing clothes.

Amenities at the resort include the Big Horn Café, plus an outdoor mesquite-fired grill. For those who prefer to take in the scenery and have a drink, the Bristlecone Bar is the perfect place to grab a beer and watch people ride the mountain.

The resort offers shuttle service from Town Square and Santa Fe Station every morning. Two lodging options are on the mountain, plus an entire town below with cheap hotel rooms.

For those looking for ski and snowboard specific events to check out, the resort has the following events scheduled this winter visitors can enjoy:

The Strip Gets Lit Up: On Feb. 25, Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resorts opens up for one night only to celebrate its annual The Strip Gets Lit Up event, an after-dark contest and party complete with a live DJ, drinks and a rail jam style ski and snowboard contest under the lights of the park.

NASTAR: Through March 31, visitors to the resort can race people in the world’s largest public grassroots ski race program. NASTAR, the National Standard Race, allows racers to compete and compare scores at resorts participating around the world. Think you can bear your budding in the Rockies? Now you can see without actually being at the same resort. The course is open Fridays, weekend and holidays.

CC Flickr photo credit: nonanet