Because
ski slopes and luxury hotels make cozy bedfellows, we
always have fun compiling this list. There is no better
way to beat the winter blues than by fleeing to a sparkling
mountain resort and schussing the slopes. In this snow-kissed
collection of properties, spas and fine dining set up
camp just a snowball's throw from bunny slopes and black
diamond runs. Some are even known for the moguls who
check in to hit the moguls on nearby pistes. If you're
looking for a stylish place to test out that new pair
of Rossignols, this diverse collection is for you.
___________________________
UNITED
STATES
Aspen,
Colorado
The Little Nell
www.thelittlenell.com
The
Little Nell likes to tout its country inn atmosphere,
but we actually appreciate this property for its sophisticated
urbanity. It's the kind of stylish oasis you'd like
to discover in a big city, and the fact that it's at
the base of Aspen Mountain makes it even better. The
Aspen/Snowmass resort area is appealing for a variety
of reasons, from the fact that you can ski down to Montagna
for a leisurely lunch, to Elevator Shaft on Silver Queen
run. You can ski in and ski out of The
Little Nell, and if you need your boots warmed,
snowboard tuned or lift tickets ordered, there is a
full concierge team dedicated to ski needs. Although
there's no full spa onsite, you can request deep tissue
and sports massages.
 Bretton
Woods, New Hampshire
Mount
Washington Hotel
www.mtwashington.com
Most
mountain resorts embrace a casual, laid-back, slope-friendly
lifestyle. But it’s an old-fashioned formality
that gives this property its charm—colonial-style
décor in the bedrooms, and jackets required in
the Dining Room, where an orchestra serenades diners.
After two years of construction by 250 master craftsmen,
this hotel opened in 1902, and today it’s a National
Historic Landmark. It’s a part of The Mount Washington
Resort at Bretton Woods, and right outside the door
are hundreds of acres of ski terrain. You’ll find
101 trails and glades (including plenty of black diamond
glades), White Mountain National Park for cross-country
skiing, high-speed quad lifts and a gorgeous landscape
for night skiing.
Park
City, Utah
Stein Eriksen Lodge
www.steinlodge.com
When
seeking the ideal ski retreat, a lodge founded by an
Olympic gold medallist seems a good choice. Stein Eriksen
created this place in 1982 to bring full-service luxury
slopeside. With its blond wood and mountain décor,
the property has a Scandinavian feel. But while the
look is rustic, the ambience is anything but. Ski-in/ski-out
access is offered to Deer Valley Resort, and if you
need skis, boots or other snow-friendly accoutrements,
you can pick them up or rent them at the onsite Stein
Eriksen Sport. Glitretind Restaurant pays tribute to
alpine style, and the full-service spa includes treatments
suited to a day on the slopes. For sun-damaged skin,
try the Nordic Princess. And to relieve sore muscles,
go for a Deep Tissue Massage.
Teton
Village, Wyoming
Teton Mountain Lodge
www.tetonlodge.com
With
120 runs and one of the country's longest, steepest
continuous vertical drops, Jackson Hole is a favorite
for skiing and snowboarding. Situated slopeside at the
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the Teton Mountain Lodge
makes sure you're as close to the action as possible.
It's just a few steps to the resort tram and Bridge
Gondola, and when the slopes shut down, you can ski
in. You can also satisfy the appetite you worked up
with Black Angus beef or native game dishes at Cascade
Grill House & Spirits. If you're seeking an experience
beyond the standard, give heli-skiing a shot, or book
the Skiers Deluxe package at the spa. The homey lodge
rooms with stone fireplaces and custom kitchens ensure
you get your rustic-luxe fix.
___________________________
CANADA
Whistler
Four Seasons Resort Whistler
www.fourseasons.com/whistler
There
are a few things that can always be counted on to warm
up a cold winter day: hot chocolate, warm gloves and
a cozy Four Seasons resort. This luxurious outpost resides
in the Whistler/Blackcomb ski area, forthcoming site
of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Guestrooms and suites
go for a lodge look, but don't expect anything rustic
here. At the full spa, you can try a treatment with
clay harvested from British Columbia's glacial lakes,
and at Fifty Two 80 Bistro, seafood is served fireside,
against a backdrop of dramatic mountain views. Complimentary
transportation is offered between the resort, its dedicated
ski concierge and the lifts at the base of Whistler
Mountain.
___________________________
CHILE
Portillo
Hotel Portillo
Hot
summer months north of the border mean it’s time
to head for the slopes down south. In the Andes on the
shores of Lake Inca, Portillo Resort attracts quite
the range, from Fidel Castro to the U.S. and Austrian
ski teams. It got its official start in the late 1940s,
pulled in Stein Eriksen to run its ski school in the
1950s, and hosted the Alpine World Championships in
1966—needless to say, it has an impressive pedigree.
As for the hotel, it’s hard to separate it from
the resort, even though there are a few other lodgings
in the area. It’s quite a sight, a bright yellow
arc beaming in the snow. The rooms are fairly simple,
but there’s a nice Old School feel, and a great
fostering of camaraderie, since most people skiing in
the area stay here.
___________________________
ITALY
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Cristallo
www.cristallo.it
Technically,
the Cristallo isn’t a dedicated ski resort. But
it is a fabulous historic hotel in one of Italy’s
most popular ski destinations. Tucked into the Dolomites,
Cortina was home to the 1956 Winter Olympics. It has
eight ski areas with miles of slopes and dozens of cables
cars—we recommend taking the Freccia nel Cielo
(Arrow to the Sky) for the spectacular views. The Cristallo
has a palatial feel, and its bedrooms are particularly
beautiful, with hand-painted boiserie and frescoes and
ceilings that feel like works of art. This is also a
great après ski sanctuary, featuring the Monkey
Club (a jet-setting hotspot in the 1960s and ‘70s),
the glassed-in La Veranda with mountain views and a
wellness center with sauna, Turkish bath and hydro-massage.
___________________________
NEW
ZEALAND
Queenstown
Remarkables Lodge
www.remarkables.co.nz
A
former farm homestead that dates back to the 1860s,
this Southern Hemisphere getaway features a contemporary,
streamlined style that would make Frank Lloyd Wright
proud. Hospitality is warm, casual and distinctly Kiwi
(this is the sort of place where you while away the
time playing billiards and sipping local wines), and
the setting is great. The lodge sits in the foothills
of the Remarkables mountain range and is within easy
driving distance of Cardrona, Treble Cone and Coronet
Peak. The latter features night skiing on weekends—hit
floodlit slopes under the stars with beautiful views
of Queenstown. If you need equipment, you can be fitted
right at the lodge. And you can enjoy heli-skiing from
the lodge’s own helipad.
___________________________
SWEDEN
Åre
Hotel Diplomat Åregården
www.diplomathotel.com
Bottom
line: This hotel is downright pretty, with its clean,
countrified Scandinavian style. It opened in 1895 and
is a mainstay in Åre, one of Northern Europe’s
most popular ski resorts. On the slopes you’re
bound to find lots of fun-loving, partying Swedes, but
the hotel itself is classy and subdued, with a wonderfully
quiet ambience. Its Restaurant Bakfickan serves modern
Swedish dishes in Åre’s first bank. And
it is close to the ski lifts. Among Åre’s
many snowy attractions is a World Cup downhill run.
Åre will also host the Alpine World Championships
in 2007.
___________________________
SWITZERLAND
St. Moritz
Badrutt's Palace Hotel
www.badruttspalace.com
While
St. Moritz arguably competes for world's most popular
ski destination, Badrutt's Palace Hotel is the hands
down winner for grande dame in this star-studded village.
Nobility from royal realms and Hollywood are in love
with this Swiss Alps darling, and when they're here,
they stay at Badrutt's. Built in the late 1800s, the
landmark retains its classic style both in décor
and attitude. To complement the five surrounding ski
areas—which feature downhill slopes, cross-country
tracks and an Olympic ski-jumping hill—the hotel
has a ski school and a shop for ski rentals. There's
also a private ice rink and full beauty spa. Among seven
dining venues are the signature Le Restaurant and an
outpost of Nobu. Who says après ski has to be
all about fondue. Sushi, anyone?
(Updated:
03/06/08 HC) |
