Stunning views of the Absaroka Mountains, bison and bighorn sheep, 46 ski runs, a 14-feature terrain park — Sleeping Giant Ski Area keeps you in a constant state of awe. Opened in 1936 just east of Yellowstone, Sleeping Giant was one of America’s first ski resorts. As visits declined, the Wyoming park closed in 2004. But the community pulled together to revamp and reopen it as a nonprofit venture.

With recent awards and buzz, the reborn park has emerged as a 2011 ski/snowboard hot spot. Skiable terrain has increased from 45 to 183 acres, the magic carpet covers 900 vertical feet, snowmaking equipment and lifts have been added, and its terrain park beckons with jumps, quarter-pipes, rails and other features constructed of materials found on the hill. “Features and benches were built from reclaimed lumber from old barns, ranch stockpens, shacks, and wood from naturally fallen trees,” says service manager Gen Armstrong. “Picnic tables were made from hazard trees cleared for safety.”