Skiing Symphony is one of the challenging runs in Whistler Blackcomb

Skiing Symphony is one of the challenging runs in Whistler Blackcomb
Photo by Eric Berger/Tourism Whistler
Mammoth prepares for winter
Photo courtesy of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area
Resorts West Dream Home has
ski-in/ski-out access via its own ski bridge
Photo by Richard Springgate/Deer Valley Resort
Deer Valley Resort, Park City, UT
T
Mammoth Lakes, CA
I
f you haven’t been to Mammoth recently, check out
Snowcreek Resort’s rentals which recently added Creek
House, a new section of luxurious two- to four-bedroom
hilltop homes with spectacular views of Sherwin,
Mammoth and White mountains.
This latest addition to the resort’s six residential
developments includes access to the 30,000-square-foot
Snowcreek Athletic Club, which features indoor and
outdoor swimming pools, tennis, racquetball, steam room,
exercise classes, personal trainers and more. You can also
relax during the daily happy hour at the full-service bar in
the club’s Bistro which opened last season and offers alpine
dining. Complimentary admittance to the club is available
to all guests vacationing with Snowcreek Resort.
Also debuting last season was Double Eagle Spa at
Snowcreek, Mammoth’s only full service spa. Here you can
enjoy the tranquil mountain scenery during your treatment
from an expansive spa menu that varies with the seasons.
Newer restaurants in the village including
Smokeyard and Gomez have joined favorites such as
Rafters, Lakefront at Tamarack, Petra’s Bistro, and Publik
Square. For nightlife, try Hyde Lounge, open daily from
11:00 a.m. until close, which SBE launched last winter for
the discerning ski and snowboarder crowd.
Activity updates include the recently-opened
Top of the Sierra Interpretive Center where those taking
Challenging the slopes at Mammoth
Photo courtesy of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area
the scenic gondola ride up to Mammoth’s 11,053-foot
summit can learn about the geological history and cultural
heritage of the area and dine at Top of the Sierra Café.
For other non-skiing adventures, try an energizing guided
dog sled tour pulled by huskies and malamutes through
the backcountry or exploring glistening snowfields on a
snowmobile tour.
If you sigh at the thought of the long drive, you can
fly Horizon Air non-stop from Los Angeles to Mammoth
Yosemite Airport (MMH) and be on the slopes in less than
two hours.
For information on Snowcreek Resort Vacation
Rentals’ some 200 luxury properties and variety of special
deals and packages that include transportation, lodging and
lift tickets, go to www.snowcreekresort.com. If you want
to take your furry four-legged family member along, check
out the list of pet-friendly accommodations. And ask about
the Resort Concierge who is there to assist with everything
from stocking groceries to making spa appointments.
Additional information on the area, activities,
accommodations and transportation is available at www.
visitmammoth.com.
ucked into Utah’s Wasatch Mountains are three worldclass ski resorts including Deer Valley Resort in Park
City, a ski-only (sorry, no snowboarders) haven which
has been rated the #1 resort in North America for an
unprecedented four years in a row by the readers of Ski
Magazine.
Luxury hotels opening over the past two years
include the magnificent Montage Deer Valley and The St.
Regis Deer Valley, both of which feature ski in/ski out
access and every amenity. The Montage’s Apex restaurant
and Daly’s Pub with its bowling alley, pool tables, arcade,
darts and Wii room; The St. Regis’ J&G Grill noted for
its fine steak and seafood; and Silver, a new innovative
dining spot on Park City's historic Main Street are among
the newest “in” spots. Other trendy locales include the
Mariposa, rated #1 in the Zagat Restaurant Guide, and
Fireside Dining which features sumptuous European
favorites.
Deer Valley Resort is putting $7 million into
improvements for the 2011-2012 season that include
redesigning the beginner area on Wide West ski run,
installing new surface lifts, replacing the snowmobile fleet
at Summit Meadows, $1 million in technology upgrades
and programs, purchase of 41 energy efficient air-water
snowmaking guns, five additional snowcats, and more.
If you are looking for pure hedonism, check out
Resorts West Dream Home rental. High atop Little Baldy
Peak in the exclusive private gated community of Deer
Crest, Dream Home offers 14,000 square feet of indoor
living space with six bedrooms, 10 baths, gourmet kitchen
with separate butler's pantry, and home theater with stadium
seating. Stunning panoramic views, wrap-around decks,
heated outdoor pool and ski-in/ski-out access from a private
ski bridge complete the basic amenities. www.resortswest.
com/rw/info/re.dream.aspx provides a direct link to the
Dream Home page on the site where you will also find
other accommodations, services and packages.
Continuing with the hedonism theme, check out
their Resorts West Spa and Wine Package. Included are
four nights in a ski-in/ski-out Deer Valley villa (including
Skier challenges the slopes at Deer Valley Resort
Photo courtesy of Deer Valley Resort
Dream Home) or lodge condo, four days of lift tickets to Deer
Valley Resort, a day of in-home spa treatments including
a 60-minute massage and fireside facial, and a four-course
gourmet meal prepared in-home with professional wine
pairing which includes three custom bottles, tasting notes and
a half-hour private class. Package is based on availability.
Rates depend upon type of accommodation and number of
guests. Call 1-877-214-1012 or go to www.resortswest.com/
rejuvenation-package.
Additional accommodations and packages can be
found at www.deervalley.com/lodging/winter-packages.html.
Snowmobiling at Summit Meadows
Photo courtesy of Deer Valley Resort
The new Ritz-Carlton Residences Vail opened last year.
Photo by Ric Stovall/Vail Resorts
Several companies offer
Heliskiing in Whistler Blackcomb
Photo by Randy Lincks/Tourism Whistler
Snowboarders have
abundant options in Whistler
Photo by Steve Rogers/Tourism Whistler
Great specials are offered by the Four Seasons in Whistler.
Vail, CO
D
ecember 2012 will mark the 50th
anniversary of one of the most
visited ski resorts in the U.S.
Each year brings something
new to Vail Ski Resort founder Pete
Seibert’s vision born of his love for the
grand European-style skiing lifestyle
and all it encompasses.
Since 2004, Vail has been
undergoing an approximate $2 billion
renaissance. Last season saw the
debut of the new high-speed quad,
High Noon Express Lift (#5), and
opening of the luxurious Ritz-Carlton
Residences Vail, Four Seasons Vail,
and Solaris Vail--three dramatic
enhancements to the base areas.
Last month (August), a major
culinary addition was celebrated
when Nobu Matsuhisa opened
Matsuhisa at Solaris. While there
are more than two dozen Nobu
restaurants internationally, there
Ritz-Carlton Residences Vail blend
the best of style and technology.
Photo by Ric Stovall/Vail Resorts
are only three others with the
prestigious Matsuhisa brand which
are located in Aspen, Beverly Hills
and Mykonos. Needless to add,
reservations are a must.
Another new restaurant and
bar in Mid-Vail is scheduled to open
in December. Yet to be named, the
new 13,000 square-foot eatery will
give those who start their ski days
on the west side of the mountain and
work their way east a long-awaited,
full-service sit down dining facility in
the immediate area.
Vail is also known for its yearround events for guests of all ages.
This year’s winter festivities start Dec.
5-11 with Vail Snow Daze, a week of
live entertainment from headliners,
contests, parties and giveaways
throughout town. Vail Family
Holidaze, Dec. 17-23, offers activities
and free performances for everyone –
music, après ski holiday treats, kids’
after dark parties, giveaways and
more. February is also a big month
with the Winter Teva Mountain Games
from Feb. 9-12--the country's largest
summer celebration of adventure
sports, music and the mountain
lifestyle. A week later, February
19–21, is CarniVail where Bourbon
Street in New Orleans annually meets
Bridge Street in Vail for a mountainstyle tribute to traditional Mardi Gras
events.
Photo by John Sutton/Four Seasons Resort
Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler, BC
As for lodging packages, Ski
Free Stay Free is back and offered
by most properties. Pay last season’s
prices and get a free day of skiing
and night of lodging. A minimum
three-night stay is required, must be
booked by Oct. 31, and is valid from
Nov. 24 through April 8, 2012. For
details, contact Vail Beaver Creek
Reservations at 1-866-668-8245 or go
to www.vail.com.
You are probably aware of
American Airlines’ non-stop flights
from Los Angeles (LAX) to Eagle
Airport (EGE), a regional facility just
about 30 minutes west of Vail. Daily
service runs Dec. 15 through April 2.
Terminal amenities include car rentals
as well as games for kids, free wireless
Internet and other services. The
airport’s popular Kids Fly Free and Fly
In Ski Free deals have been offered
consistently each year. Announcement
of the 2011-12 promotions is expected
shortly. When available, you’ll find all
the details and booking instructions on
www.FlyVail.com or by calling 1-866668-8245.
S
till bustling with the energy and excitement of an
event site for the 2010 Winter Olympics, Whistler
Blackcomb is welcoming skiers, snowboarders and
all other snow lovers with lots of special promotions
and new activities.
Surrounded by towering peaks, rushing waterfalls,
glacial lakes and pristine forest, Whistler Olympic Park
is breathtaking. Located 11 miles south of Whistler in the
Callaghan Valley, the park is the first Olympic venue to
include all three traditional Nordic sport stadiums in one
site: cross-country, ski jumping and biathlon. Here you will
find 25 miles of perfectly groomed, cross-country ski trails
offering a variety of skill levels. Some trails are also lit for
night skiing. There are towering ski jumps, snowshoe trails,
a toboggan hill for non-skiers and day lodge to warm up
and chill out. Snowshoe rentals are available and you can
even try the Biathlon and learn rifle marksmanship at the
range.
Whistler Sliding Center on the southeast slope of
Blackcomb, just minutes from the village, was the site of
the Olympic bobsleigh, luge and skeleton competitions.
From late November through mid-April 2012, programs are
being introduced that allow you to try out the skeleton and
bobsleigh. No experience is necessary but you must be at
least 16 years of age.
A $52 million engineering masterpiece links the
mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb, for a record-setting
length of 2.73 miles and height of 1,427 feet. In just 11
minutes, a gondola whisks you from Whistler's Roundhouse
Lodge to the Rendezvous Lodge on Blackcomb Mountain,
revealing spectacular vistas of more than 8,100 acres of
skiing/snowboarding terrain.
As for activities, sleigh rides are awesome. The
jingling sleigh bells and hypnotic rhythm of the giant
Percherons gently pulling your sleigh along Green Lake or
Blackcomb as you sip hot chocolate and keep cozy under
warm blankets takes you back to a simple time. You can
either join a group or book a private ride. Ziplining high
above the valley is also available year round, as is Tree
Trekking which utilizes aerial ropes, suspension bridges,
boardwalks and platforms. Not for the faint of heart.
Village life in Whistler is a wonderful mélange of
shops, galleries, bars and eateries. Popular dining haunts
include upscale Araxi and Bearfoot Bistro, both on Village
Square, and Trattoria de Umberto, another five-star favorite
on Sundial Pl.
Whistler has some great specials offering up to 36
percent off for early bookings. Rates for the 2011-12 Stay
& Ski Packages that include lodging and lift tickets and
the Kids Stay, Ski, Rent & Shuttle for Free are available
at www.whistler.com/winter_packages. A few days in
Vancouver en route or on the return is also time well spent.
Ziplining is one of the adventures
offered in Whistler Blackcomb.
Photo by Chad Chomiack/Tourism Whistler
Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz has
been welcoming guests for 115 years.
Indoor pool offers relaxation at
the elegant Badrutt’s Palace Hotel.
Photo courtesy of Badrutt’s Palace Hotel
Photo courtesy of Badrutt’s Palace Hotel
St. Moritz, Switzerland
T
hink of the best skiing in Europe
and you tend to visualize the
soaring peaks, steep slopes, and
quaint alpine villages dotting
the countryside of the French Alps,
Austria, and, of course, the Swiss
Alps.
While Switzerland offers
a wide variety of splendid resorts,
we’re selecting St. Moritz which
has long been a magnet for royalty,
celebrities, dignitaries and other
prominent personages. Sitting 6,000
feet high in the Upper Engadine,
one of the country’s most scenic,
sunbathed valleys, this elite, historic
town of 5,000 is surrounded by a
breathtaking array of pristine forests,
majestic mountains and shining crystal
lakes. Abundant in well-groomed
winter snow, about half the terrain
is suitable for intermediate skiers; a
third is marked with black runs for
the advanced; while beginners tend to
stick to the easy runs on the Corviglia
slopes.
The town of St. Moritz,
located between Zurich and Milan
not far from Lake Como, blends the
ambience of a quaint alpine village
with the cosmopolitan sophistication
of a European metropolis. Long a
favorite of the fashion moguls and
elite, clustered in the center of town
are dozens of top designer boutiques
and shops including Etienne Aigner,
Cartier, Prada, Gucci, Donna Karan,
Calvin Klein, Versace, DKNY,
Georgio Armani, Louis Vuitton,
Bulgari and more.
International dining options
are also excellent as is the choice
of accommodations. One of the
legendary favorites is the classic
157-room/38-suite Badrutt’s Palace
Hotel, renowned for its elegance,
pampering service, and stunning
views. Since opening in 1896, the
115-year-old property has continually
evolved with the latest refinements
while maintaining the standards and
lifestyle expected by royalty, stars and
sports aficionados. In keeping with
today’s expectations, you’ll find all the
amenities including complimentary
movie channels and wireless Internet
access, on-demand video, flat screen
and satellite TV, Denon HiFi system,
music CD selection via the concierge,
butler service and more. The Palace Wellness program
offers luxurious therapeutic treatments
in the Treatment Centre, Fitness
Centre, and Palace Spa/Wet Zone with
its wet room, indoor pool and heated
outdoor pool. A multi-functional
outdoor sports area is converted into
a natural ice rink during the winter
season. And if you don’t bring your
au pair, the Kids' Club Palazzino cares
for the little ones while you enjoy
the spa or a light lunch from a menu
of Mediterranean specialties in the
Wellness Centre’s newly-designed La
Diala restaurant.
In all, the hotel houses more
than seven excellent restaurants
(including a Nobu), which range
from classical Swiss and modern
haute cuisine to pan-Asian delicacies,
covering the entire spectrum of fine
international fare.
And if you are in need of
honing your skiing skills, Badrutt’s
has more than 60 ski instructors on
staff. www.badruttspalace.com.
With hopes high for another
snow-filled season, check out your
favorite resort and see what earlybooking and other specials are being
offered for you, the kids and even your
canine family member.