Type: Ultra-modern chalet with 4 bedrooms and a living room equipped with a Bose home theatre system. The large terrace comes with a hot tub and the basement houses a hamam, a sauna and a massage room. It is at walking distance to the slopes and the village.
Location: Haute Savois, Rhones Alpes/ Megeve, France
Price: Advertised for rent at EUR 10,000 – 40,000 per week.
What to expect: Before I actually went there I thought Aspen was a compact, single, ultra posh ski resort. I was mistaken. Although a tiny Aspen is there with a handful of challenging short ski slopes and a really nice village, there is so much more to explore. Consider the name Aspen as the roof to a massive family of mountains consisting of Aspen, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands and Snowmass. When it comes to shopping and dining, Aspen is a wonder, but for skiing you have to try Snowmass and Aspen Highlands. Aspen has the most luxurious hotels and Aspen Highlands has none. Instead Highlands has the largest private mansions. In addition to more affordable ski in/out hotels, Snowmass, as its name suggests, encompasses a huge mass of winter wonderland with the best variety of slopes. It is highly recommended that you visit all of these mountains while you are there. The transportation between the three is free. You can take the free shuttle from multiple stops spread around each mountain. They run all day until midnight. The interval is usually 45 min and it takes approx. 20 min. to get from one mountain to the other.
Getting there: Fly to Denver and then either drive or fly to Aspen. Flight from New York to Denver takes 6 hours. Driving will take 4 hours from Denver to Aspen and flying will take 45 min. Bear in mind that although the flight from Denver to Aspen is short, it is highly likely that the flight will be delayed or even canceled because of strong winds.
Where to Stay: We chose to stay in Snowmass at the Stonebridge Inn. It was a great decision for us because we were there to ski. Aspen would have been a more expensive, relaxing and wining & dining spot. Stonebridge Inn is almost a ski in/out resort. The rooms are nice and the breakfast is great. You will have to wear your ski boots and shoulder the skis to walk 5 minutes to the slopes. The Silvertree Hotel, which is right on the Fanny Hill slope, is also recommended. If you are looking to splurge, go for the St. Regis or the Little Nell in Aspen.
Recommended Slopes:
Snowmass: Slot, Dallas Freeway, Sheer Bliss
Aspen Highlands: Mushroom
Aspen: Buckhorn, Midway Road, Ruthie’s Run, Summer Road, Gentelman’s Ridge & Jackpot (if you like the big challenge)
Buttermilk: Jacob’s Ladder
Where to Eat:
Save most of the dinners for Aspen.
Snowmass:
Lunch: Sam’s Smokehouse, Gwyn’s High Alpine
Dinner: Village Steakhouse at the Wildwood Lodge
Aspen Highlands:
Lunch: Loge Peak
Aspen:
Lunch: Sundeck
Dinner: Rustique, Matsushisa, Campo De Fiori, Pacifica Seafood, Kenichi. Please refer to the “Eat in Aspen” article for more details.
What to expect: Stowe is one of the highest and the best ski resorts in Vermont. Encompassing four visible peaks, the mountain is famous for its long blue and multiple challenging black double diamond slopes. Unlike many other mountains, Stowe does not really have a convenient ski on/off lodging. The closest you can get to the slopes is through the Stowe Mountain Lodge or the Inn at the Mountain. Even the lodge puts you at the base of the Easy Street Double lift, which is full of beginners and kids. You will have to take the Over Easy Transfer Gondola to actually make it to the “better” side of the mountain. Once there you should use the Gondola or the Four Runner Quad lift to make it to the top and navigate your way down. Keep in mind that the Gondola is the best, but usually the most crowded. The line still moves pretty fast, if you are OK with taking off the skis everytime you load. Staying at the Inn will put you right in the front of the Toll House lift.
Getting there: Driving takes approximately 6 hours from Manhattan.
Fun Fact: Stowe is one of the first mountains where Jake Burton Carpenter, the inventor of snowboards, tested his invention.
Recommended slopes: Main Street, Gondolier, Chin Clip, Switchback
Where to stay: Stowe Mountain Lodge, The Inn at the Mountain or renting from an owner at www.homeaway.com
What to expect: More of a family winter vacation spot, Sugarbush is one of the better ski resorts in Vermont. It encompasses five peaks: Castlerock, Gadd, Lincoln, North Lynx and Mt. Ellen. Getting to Mount Ellen will be a difficult task if the Slide Brook Express Quad is closed (you will have to take a bus from the base), but I am pretty sure the other four will keep you busy for a long time.
The first day, start with the Super Bravo Express Quad, which will take you to the top of Gadd. From there you can either choose to ski down or take Heaven’s Gate to Lincoln, the highest peak. Ripcord and the Paradise are recommended for the skiers who are looking for some challenge. I’d say save North Lynx Peak for the afternoons. It houses the Morning Star and the Water Fall, which are the widest slopes on the mountain. Bear in mind that the Morning Star can get a little steep towards the end.
Getting there: Driving will take approximately 6 hours from Manhattan.
Where to stay: Clay Brook at the base is the best place to stay. It is right in the front of the Super Bravo quad and houses a great heated outdoor pool. Sugarbush Inn is a member of the Relais & Chateaux with top of the line service, but it is farther away from the slopes and require transportation services. Castlerock Condos or Glades Condominiums (the one we stayed at) are the closest residences to the ski base. You can rent a unit in one of the two at www.homeaway.com. If you choose to stay in those, you will have to walk approx. 10 minutes to the ski area. You can rent a locker for the skis and the shoes at the Clay Brook.
Recommended slopes: Ripcord, Paradise, Morning Star, Water Fall
Where to eat: Timbers at the Clay Brook is great for lunch time. Take your seat on the large leather sofas in the middle of the bar area. Order some red wine and pick your food from the menu. The Waffle shack at the end of the Gate House Express Quad is definitely recommended for tea time. The Pitcher Inn at the Sugarbush Inn is a great, high class restaurant. I recommend it for dinner. Do not come back without going at least once.
What to expect: Hunter is one of the closest ski areas to Manhattan. Keeping that in mind, you should not expect an amazing skiing experience. The elevation is not that high so the mountain’s management relies on snow machines throughout the season. Hunter is small and not all the slopes are always open. Although the weather will be warmer than your typical ski resort, make sure you are prepared for the snow machines. The man-made snow hurts the face pretty bad while it makes its way onto the slopes. www.huntermtn.com is a really good site to visit for weather and slope information.
Getting there: Drive takes approx. 2.5 hours from Manhattan
Where to stay: Kaatskill Mountain Club is the best hotel to stay. It is ski in/out and has a great spa and pool. Complimentary hot chocolate and muffins after ski. If you are a larger group I recommend you find a cozy chalet or condo at www.homeaway.com. Here is a photo of our deer friend from the chalet we rented at the mountain:
Recommended slopes: Hellgate and The Cliff (both black, but not as difficult) are the best and the longest.
Where to eat: Cooking home is the best, but if you are staying at a hotel, VanWinkle at the Kaatskill is good for burgers and beer after skiing.
Since the 2010 ski season is getting closer, I thought it would be a good idea to compile a list of resorts I have visited so far in America. Although one of the most expensive sports in the world, skiing, for me, has always been a great hobby. Since childhood, I have been obsessed with snow. It might have been mostly tied to the fact that too much of it would close down schools. Before I begin the resorts’ guide, I would like to reveal some important observations from my ski vacations in the U.S.:
