By Stefanie Michaels
A luxury ski weekend is always a good idea…
For those of us living in the land of warm winter days, a ski weekend is always a good idea to get that bunny fix. But, heading to luxe destinations minus the crowds often proves more difficult than a black diamond run in the middle of Snowpocalypse.
Think “neighbor to the north”, Canada. Some of the best skiing can be found at Red Mountain in Rossland, BC. This destination is a true throwback to what the sport used to be like when all you needed was a chairlift, a hotel and a bar to have a good time. It’s great old-school vibe and amazing terrain is why this destination makes my list.
The Josie Hotel, which opened last year is the first boutique hotel on the mountain– a major step up from typical condos at the base of the mountain.
For serious down-hillers only. Prepare to be an advanced enthusiast! Utah’s Whisper Ridge is a premier luxury adventure backcountry resort that offers guided heli and cat-skiing, as well as the only heli-MTB provider in the Continental US. it’s one of the largest backcountry resorts in the world and only an hour from Salt Lake City.
Boasting over 70,000 acres of powder nestled deep in Wasatch Mountains, guests often stay in one of 10 mountaintop yurts and have this powder mecca to themselves. Choose from packages that include heli and/or cat skiing.
More mainstream and also in the Beehive State, Deer Valley, Utah is a ski destination with an abundance of incredible, luxury lodging, amazing food, and some of the best powder so light, you won’t find “sticky” snow at all. Located just a few miles away from Park City’s historic main street dotted with adorable shops, acclaimed restaurants such as the Twisted Fern, Yuki Yama Sushi and the beautiful Riverhorse on Main.
What I really love about spending slope-time here is the fact that they limit the number of people who hit the slopes every day, and if you catch the earliest flight from LAX (Los Angeles International Airport), show your airline ticket and ski free the rest of the day.
A few eyerolls might be in order when noting Aspen Snowmass in Colorado because it seems like such a no brainer.
Known for its ultra-luxury, some days skiers practically have the slopes to themselves, while others are busy taking in the social scene. The destination has four resorts to choose from, all on one magical lift ticket and connected by a free bus system: Aspen, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk (home of the X Games).
It’s located four hours from Denver, which makes day trips from the Mile High City unlikely. But, making time for a couple of nights in skiers-heaven is just fine! Flights direct from Los Angeles are seasonal.
Did you know?
Skiing was not originally a recreational activity. The earliest examples of the sport were used for transportation and hunting in snowy regions, dating back to around 6000 BCE in Norway.
It was in the mid-19th century that it began to take off as a leisure activity, with the development of specialized equipment and the creation of sports resorts.
A little history:
Skiing has been around for thousands of years. The origins of skiing can be traced back to ancient times when people used skis as a mode of transportation in snowy regions. However, the recreational use of skiing began in the mid-19th century.
The first recorded skiing competition was held in Tromsø, Norway, in 1843. The local military organized the competition to improve the fitness of soldiers. The first club was formed in Christiania (now Oslo), Norway, in 1861. This club organized the first national downhill competition in Norway in 1868.
In the early 20th century, it began to spread to other countries, including the United States, Canada, and the Alps region of Europe. The first ski resort in the United States was established in 1936 in Sun Valley, Idaho.
The sport also became an Olympic sport in 1924 when the first Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix, France. Since then, it has become a popular winter sport worldwide, with many different disciplines, including alpine, cross-country, ski jumping, and freestyle.
Skiing has become a multi-million dollar industry, with winter snow resorts, equipment manufacturers, and professional athletes competing in international events. While the sport has come a long way since its early days, the thrill of gliding down a snow-covered slope remains the same.
