From luxurious lodgings to out-of-the-box accommodations, we’ve rounded up five top ski getaways.
jackson hole, wyoming
The avid skier would marvel at the run options in Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, with 50 percent of the 116 trails categorized as expert trails, and only 10 percent for the beginner skier; snowboarding is allowed all over the mountain. There’s also a Kids Ranch with activities for kids ranging from six months to 17 years old. Teton Village, located at the base of the mountain, is equipped with restaurants, live music, and more. Adventure-seekers can also take on cross-country skiing in Teton Village, as well as dog sledding, sleigh rides, snow kite boarding, and snow tubing.
Where to stay: Fireside Resort, located less than a 5-minute drive to Teton Village and about a 7-minute drive to downtown Jackson, offers luxury cabin-style lodgings accommodating up to six guests per cabin. The 19 cabins feature a full kitchen, a propane grill, and each has its own fire pit (complete with a s’mores kit) and a gas fireplace. This rustic resort makes the perfect setting for a storybook ski sabbatical. “The cabins make for a cozy getaway during the winter months with an outdoor hot tub to soak in after a long day on the mountain,” says Katie-Chloe Stock, office manager. “Fireside is a small resort that is able to accommodate and manage special requests from travel agents because we are flexible and the staff all works together,” she adds. The resort is also pet-friendly and will supply a doggie bed if needed.
Book it: With rates starting at $289 per night for a 4-person cabin, and $339 per night for a 6-person cabin, you can now save your clients money with the Buy 5 nights, get the 6th free promotion.
Out-of-the-box: Clients who don’t want to leave the cozy cabin—ever—can purchase a customizable cabin and “wheel it” away with them.
lake tahoe, california
Lake Tahoe shouldn’t need an introduction, with everything from skiing—with eight, yes eight, ski resorts—to nighttime casino entertainment that is world-renowned. Among the eight ski resorts, Heavenly Mountain Resort offers higher elevation, more terrain variety, and more hidden glades than any other Lake Tahoe resort. Guests can ride up the 2.4-mile Heavenly Mountain Gondola as they take in the views of Lake Tahoe, and head to the Tamarack Express chair lift for even more scenic views and trails ranging from beginner to expert. Kirkwood Mountain Resort adds on cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, sled dog tours, and backcountry expeditions. Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort, located 12 miles south of South Lake Tahoe, is the perfect place for novices, with four beginner-only conveyor lifts. Children can learn their way around skis or snowboards at the world’s only Burton Star Wars Experience for children 3-12. Yoda’s Riglet Park and Echo Base at Wild Mountain Children’s Center is filled with visuals from the Star Wars galaxy and helps children master their first snowboard turns using Burton’s innovative Riglet Reel Technology ($165 for a full day pass in peak season).
Where to stay: A new boutique hotel, Basecamp Hotel, is located three blocks from the Heavenly Gondola and near Sierra-at-Tahoe, Kirkwood Resort, and Harvey’s Casino. “Basecamp is a stylish boutique hotel that embodies the spirit of exploration. Our staff is knowledgeable about the area and truly passionate about all of the incredible adventures the Lake Tahoe Basin has to offer,” says general manager Amanda Johnson. The hotel houses a rooftop hot tub, a lobby bar, and communal eatery, with a daily changing family-style dinner menu featuring meals from around the world like Tahoe Mountain chili and Swiss fondue, as well as daily complimentary continental breakfast. The lobby bar features a Hot Chocolate Hour during the winter, in addition to its beer brews. This 50-room hotel includes a gear rack in each room, as well as energy bars. Rooms range from the Standard and Fireplace Kings to the Loft Queen Rooms, which sleep up to six; the Penthouse Suite offers 180-degree views of the mountain and a wet bar.
Book it: Rates start at $129 per night.
Out-of-the-box: Camping enthusiasts can experience indoor camping in the winter in The Great Indoors room, which features grass carpet, birch forest wallpaper, a canvas tent, two butterfly chairs overlooking a crackling, electric log fire, and glow-in-the-dark stars.
aspen, colorado
Four ski mountains—Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass—offer ski options in the area. Offering skiers a variety of glades, bumps, and steeps, as well as an Aspen Mountain Powder Tour, the area indulges picky skiers with fresh tracks on the backside, as well as 76 trails—the longest running for three miles.
Where to stay: Located at the foot of the Aspen Mountain in the downtown area, Sky Hotel, a boutique Kimpton Hotel property, features complimentary WiFi; a heated pool and a hot tub facing the Aspen Mountain; an outdoor bar (open seasonally); and a spa—Aspen Club & Spa. Sky offers ski-in access, a ski rental shop, as well as complimentary ski storage and boot dryers. The 90-guestroom property houses the 39 Degrees Lounge, where celebrities have been spotted, as well as a wine hour—Attitude Adjustment.
Book it: Rates start at $300 per night; the Eat and Explore at Sky package includes breakfast and lift tickets at $475 per night.
Out-of-the-box: For yogis, the hotel provides a complimentary yoga mat in each room, and on-demand fitness TV programs. Pet-lovers can bring their furry friends (or birds) along to this pet-friendly hotel at no additional cost. They’ll receive a pooper scooper and walking map; in-room bowl for food and water; doggie bed; and a welcome board with pet’s name; as well as pet-sitting and dog-walking services upon request.
vail, colorado
Known as one of the largest ski resorts in the world with more than 5,200 acres of skiable terrain, Vail houses seven Black Bowls taking up seven miles, and can be accessed by three base areas—Lionshead, Vail Village (home of the new Gondola One), and Golden Peak. Kid’s Adventure Zones can be found all over the mountain with turns, tunnels, and small glades making these safe, fun areas perfect for the young skier. If skiing isn’t your client’s preference, there’s an array of activities to choose from such as tubing, snowshoeing and ziplining.
Where to stay: The Sebastian-Vail, a Timbers Resort, located in Vail Village, will be revamping its 84 guestrooms by the end of the year, as well as adding a new category of 1- and 2-bedroom executive suites, and a series of smart in-room amenities. Room categories range from the Classic, a quaint-sized room that sleeps up to two, to the 4-bedroom suite, ideal for up to 10 guests and complete with a large living room, a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, a balcony, and bathrooms in each bedroom.
The hotel also features a mountain-view pool, fire pits and hot tubs, two restaurants, a spa, a library, a bar, and ski-in/ski-out access from base camp—located at the foot of Vail Mountain and Gondola One. Guests can get fitted for ski gear at the hotel, and relax as the ski valet prepares everything for an easy transition to the slopes. Ski valets are also on hand to tune up ski gear, or assist in arranging a mini spa treatment at Base Camp’s pop-up spa. The Sebasitan-Vail offers a kids’ club, Battle Mountain Kids Camp, and around the area guests can participate in snow biking or moon-lit snowshoe tours.
Book it: Rates start at $295; suites range from $795 to $6,250. The Suite Life package ($325 pp per night) includes a 2- or 3-bedroom suite, daily lift tickets, daily ski rentals, and nightly turndown service.
Out-of-the-box: True adventurers can plan an ice climbing adventure, a Rocky Mountain night hike, or go ski biking.
whistler, british columbia, canada
The Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort offers about 9,000 acres of skiable terrain. Skiers looking for a bit more of a challenge than just a Black Diamond trail can opt for heli-skiing, too, where a helicopter lands at the top of a mountain—ranging from 1,400 to 5,000 vertical ft.—and skiers are off to explore (starting at $854 pp); recommended for strong-intermediate to seasoned experts.
Where to stay: The Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler is located in Upper Whistler Village. The 273-room property features a signature restaurant, Sidecut; a lively bar, Fifty Two 80 Bar; a spa—offering Glacier Kids spa treatments to pamper even the youngest guest; and an outdoor pool with three hot spring-style heated whirlpools. Guestrooms feature wood interiors, gas fireplaces and balconies. At the base of Blackcomb’s Wizard Chairlift, a dedicated slope-side base camp ski concierge helps guests with ski rentals, equipment, and direct ski access.
Book it: Rates start at $439 per night for a Resort King Room. The Feel the Rush with Superfly package includes a superfly zipline experience for two, daily wine reception, daily fitness classes and luxurious accommodations.
Out-of-the-box: Glacier skiing. Yes, you read correctly. Whistler Blackcomb is the only ski resort in North America that offers glacier skiing, meaning visitors can either ski or ride on a glacier in the British Columbia mountains. ●
contact information
Aspen Chamber: (800) 670.0792; aspenchamber.org
Basecamp Hotel: (530) 208-0180; basecamphotels.com
Fireside Resort: (877) 660-1177; firesidejacksonhole.com
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler: (604) 935-3400; fourseasons.com/whistler
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort: (888) DEEP-SNO; jacksonhole.com
Lake Tahoe Visitor Bureaus: visitinglaketahoe.com
The Sebastian-Vail: (800) 354-6908; thesebastianvail.com
Sky Hotel: (800) 882-2582; theskyhotel.com
Tourism Whistler: (800) 944-7853; whistler.com or trade.whistler.com
Visit Vail Valley: visitvailvalley.com
