A typical ski slope at Vail, Colo. The strength of the Canadian dollar makes the luxe ski resort more affordable this year. (Lori Knowles/QMI Agency)

With the Canadian and U.S. dollars still duking it out, this winter may be just the time to stretch your wings and fly south of the border for a ski vacation. For ease, value and variety, my pick would be Vail, Colo. Here are five good reasons, plus a bonus:

1. Location

While Colorado's many attraction-packed ski resorts provide loads of competition, Vail's advantage may be its location: An easy 201 km west of Denver. With Air Canada's daily direct flight from Toronto to Denver, and a quick connection to Vail's Eagle airport, a skier can depart Toronto in the morning and be inside a Vail restaurant for lunch (mountain time).

2. Dining

From authentic Mexican to Swiss, Japanese, Italian, etc., you'll find all types of food in Vail at varying prices. Sure, you can spend a fortune clinking your wine glass next to President Ford's family but my all-time favourite is Vail's down-home Alabama-style southern barbecue joint called Moe's, where kids eat free on Mondays and ribs are only a buck on Tuesdays. When you're out on the mountain you can take advantage of the slopeside lodges' Lunch for Less deal -- $9.95 daily for a main, side and drink. In the ski resort world, this price is unheard of. I do recommend at least one chi-chi experience during your vacation and for that, try La Bottega, where the truffle gnocchi is fantastic.

3. Terrain

With all that pulled pork in your tummy you'll need a workout and you'll get it skiing Vail's varied terrain. There are loads of corduroy-groomed, blue-square intermediate runs at Vail -- and with 193 of them it's truly difficult to ski the same run twice. Most of these have fun, family friendly names like Swingsville, Hunky Dory and Tourist Trap. But Vail's X-rated moguls are prolific, too. Better yet, its back bowls are expansive and terrific. China Bowl, Siberia Bowl, Sun Up Bowl, Sun Down Bowl (my favourite) -- beyond the views, these bowls' tree, powder and steep skiing is as interesting as Whistler's.

4. Weather

Think of Vail as that sparkly, blonde cheerleader the girls loved to hate in high school -- the one with the impossibly white teeth and shining personality. The sun beats brightly on Vail an average of 300 days per year -- that's a lot of blue sky. No wonder they call some of its best terrain Blue Sky Basin. And yes, at Vail there are a lot of white teeth and sun-shiney smiles, especially in the liftlines.

5. Accommodation

You can spend a fortune shacking up in Vail -- I will not mislead you. My favourite luxe haunt -- The Arrabelle at Vail Square -- will run you $600 per night easy. But its lodgy, fireside feel, cushy Euro-bed, steamy rooftop pool and how-can-I-help-you staff is worth a serious splurge. And the Four Seasons has opened a new hotel nearby (think heated towels by the pool, check me in).

And while this quintessentially plush ski resort does luxury well, there's value at Vail, too. Both the Lodge at Vail and the Austria Haus have third, fourth and fifth night free offers on varying weeks all season. Skican's 2011 Vail deal starts at $1,825 and includes return airfare from Toronto, a six-day lift pass and seven nights' lodging at a choice of good condo/hotels, including one I know and recommend: The Antlers.

A downside of Vail is its sprawl -- there is no real town centre. That said, wherever you lay your head, you may not need a rental car at Vail as the airport shuttles and ski resort transit systems are fast and efficient.

Bonus: Unexpected Vail

I am as guilty as the next ski writer for stereotyping resorts. When asked "Where should I go?" I've been known to answer: Whistler, B.C., for challenge; St. Anton, Austria, for the Euro-vibe; Big White, B.C., for family; and Colorado's Aspen or Vail for luxury.

But Vail can surprise you. One of my best ski lunches ever was had not at a swank red-carpet spot but at Blue Sky Basin's Belle's Camp, where there's little more than some picnic tables and barbecues at an elevation of 3,527 metres. A friend marinated steak, veggies and chicken in a zip-top plastic bag and toted it up there in a backpack -- the meal was heaven.

Another surprise -- and this one you'll have to keep to yourself -- is Vail's Minturn Mile. Meet locals at the "Top of Three at Three" (Chair No.3 at 3 p.m.) and head out of bounds for the ultimate glade-skiing adventure, which finishes about two hours later at a honkytonk in the village of Minturn. Warning: Make sure you're an expert, and do not ski this alone or minus a guide. Tag along with a local -- just don't tell them who told you.

Follow Lori's ski adventures this season on Twitter: @LoriExploring