Best Western USA
The Black Petaltail, *Tanypteryx hageni*, is a unique dragonfly native to western United States seep environments. This species represents a relatively ancient lineage within dragonflies, offering valuable insights into their evolutionary history. Primarily observed in forested mountain areas, it’s...
The Blue-eyed Darner, *Rhionaeschna multicolor*, is a striking dragonfly species native to western United States. It’s notable for its vibrant blue compound eyes and preference for foraging over aquatic habitats like ponds. This darner, belonging to the Aeshnidae family, is observed primarily by ins...
The Flame Skimmer (Libellula saturata) is a dragonfly species native to western North America, ranging from the Pacific Northwest down into Mexico. It is easily identified by its brilliant, uniform orange to deep red body coloration, which extends prominently into its wing veins. Belonging to the Li...
Steamboat offers a unique, laid-back Western vibe combined with excellent skiing. It is known for its consistent powder days and its commitment to maintaining a strong, authentic mountain culture. While it has steep areas, its overall feel is slightly more relaxed than the hyper-competitive resorts,...
Park City offers a massive resort experience with a blend of town atmosphere and vast mountain terrain. It provides excellent access to powder days and challenging runs across its expansive footprint. While it has a huge variety of terrain, riders must navigate the sheer size to find the best, least...
The Flag-tailed Spinyleg (Dromogomphus spoliatus) is a clubtail dragonfly of the Gomphidae family, native to the central and eastern United States. Its common name is derived from the distinctively flared, flag-like segments at the tip of the male's abdomen. The species prefers clear streams and riv...
Beaver Creek offers a fantastic, reliable powder experience with a slightly more approachable feel than some of the mega-resorts. It provides excellent terrain variety, allowing riders to progress their skills while still accessing deep powder. Its commitment to snow quality and excellent lift acces...
Oxyopes scalaris, commonly called the western lynx spider, is a North American species in the family Oxyopidae. It occurs across the United States and Canada and is reported as more common in western parts of that range. Nicholas Marcellus Hentz described the species in 1845. Its family-level eye pa...
The Paddle-tailed Darner, Aeshna palmata, is a large dragonfly in the darner family Aeshnidae native to western North America. Its common name refers to the broadened, paddle-like terminal appendages of the male, an identification feature used alongside the body's blue or green markings. It inhabits...
The cat-faced spider, Araneus gemmoides, is an orb-weaver native to North America and commonly encountered in the western part of the continent. Its rounded abdomen bears two prominent projections that can resemble cat ears, while variable markings sometimes suggest a face. Like other orb-weavers, i...
The Red-veined Meadowhawk (Sympetrum madidum) is a dragonfly species native to western North America, first described by Hermann August Hagen in 1861. It belongs to the family Libellulidae and is distinguished by the prominent red veins that run through its wings, particularly noticeable in mature m...
The Mountain Emerald (Somatochlora semicircularis) is a dragonfly in the family Corduliidae native to western North America. It is associated with high-elevation habitats in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, where it breeds in small, clear pools and seepage-fed wetlands. Like other Somatochlor...
The Eight-spotted Skimmer (Libellula forensis) is a dragonfly of the skimmer family Libellulidae native to western North America. It is named for the four dark wing spots on each side of the body, giving eight conspicuous spots across the two pairs of wings. Adults are commonly associated with ponds...
The Western Black Widow, Latrodectus hesperus, is a cobweb spider found across western North America. Adult females are usually dark and may have a red or orange hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen, while males are much smaller. It builds irregular webs in sheltered locations and posse...
The Western Pondhawk (*Erythemis collocata*) is a dragonfly native to western North America, first described by Hermann August Hagen in 1861 and commonly found patrolling ponds and marshes.
The Western Meadowhawk (Sympetrum occidentale), described by Bartenev in 1912, is a North American dragonfly common in western regions, noted for its golden-veined wings.
Keystone is known for its accessibility and excellent powder days, making it a great choice for groups or families wanting a big mountain feel without the intense commitment of the most extreme resorts. It offers reliable powder coverage and a good mix of terrain that allows riders to enjoy deep sno...
Described by Selys in 1874, the Striped Meadowhawk (Sympetrum pallipes) is a North American dragonfly notable for the distinct yellow stripes marking its thorax.
The Hoary Skimmer (*Libellula nodisticta*) is a dragonfly native to the western United States, notable for the mature male's heavily frosted, pale white appearance over its abdomen.
The Bleached Skimmer (*Libellula composita*) is a dragonfly native to the southwestern United States, recognized by its overall pale, chalky appearance adapted to its dry environments.
Hololena curta is a funnel-weaving spider first described by George Marx in 1891, distinguished by its shorter, more robust body structure compared to other Agelenidae spiders.
