Peaceful afternoons in front of a roaring fire as fluffy snow flurries whirl outside are a superlative pastime of winter. While one can enjoy this divergently beautiful scene anywhere that the seasons change, there are few reigning cold-weather destinations as prevailing as Aspen, Park City and Alaska.
Although these three destinations are headlined by winter sports, return visitors will verify that it’s not all about carving up the mountains; there’s plenty to do off the slopes, too. From sleigh rides drawn by horses or huskies to integrative wellness spas and ice fishing, read on to discover how to spend your days from AM to après.
Aspen
This Colorado ski town is notorious for its four mountains—Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass—that provide 5,700-plus acres of skiable terrain, all within a few miles radius. In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding, Aspen appeals for its lift-accessed backcountry skiing, European-style hut tours (skiing from hut to hut), ski mountaineering and snowcat-assisted day excursions. The variety of mountain activities doesn’t end at skiing and snowboarding, however, as Aspen hosts season-long Champagne-soaked après ski parties across the four mountains—from base restaurants to peak pop-ups. Another leisurely way to enjoy the mountain is dog sledding with Krabloonik, a local operator that hosts morning, afternoon and twilight dog sled tours that wind through Snowmass backcountry. The sleds are pulled by eight to 10 Alaskan husky sleigh dogs, guided by an experienced musher, that can carry two adults and a small child.
Hotel Jemore, Auberge Resorts Collection
A staple of any luxury ski town is a lavish spa to match, and that’s exactly what RAKxa Wellness Spa offers inside The St. Regis Aspen Resort. This outpost of the integrated wellness company is outfitted with its signature cold plunge, steam room, hot tub and confluence waterfalls with exclusive treatments that range from destressing and detoxing to physical recovery and immunity support.
The Little Nell
The Little Nell is heralded as the Grand Dame of Aspen for its ski-in, ski-out access to Aspen Mountain, award-winning food and beverage program and sprawling rooms with balconies overlooking the slopes. Perks of checking into The Little Nell during winter include access to a ski concierge, a “first tracks” opportunity to carve on freshly groomed corduroy top-to-bottom runs on Aspen Mountain before it opens to the public, luxury ski rentals in collaboration with ASPENX, and unparalleled access to their Veuve Clicquot in the Snow après-ski parties. Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection, is another beloved Aspen accommodation. Aside from their spacious suites with alpine views, the resort offers unique winter tours like an off-road journey through the Rocky Mountains in their Lexus Alpine Adventure Vehicle. Closer to town, guests can forge their own high carbon steel blade knife with a master artisan, try their hand at curling or a snowmobile to Maroon Bells.
Alaska
Sheldon Chalet
In the frozen tundra of The Last Frontier, it’s impossible to nail down just one must-visit locale. Therefore, the best way to immerse yourself in all Alaska has to offer is through a guided journey, like a day trip with Alaska Luxury Tours which offers yacht and helicopter charters for glacial viewing. For a more complete itinerary, go with Abercrombie & Kent, the luxury tour operator that runs small group journeys and tailor-made multi-day trips through the state. Adventure skiers will want to take advantage of Alaska’s unparalleled terrain (with 1,000-plus inches of snow per year) by booking a heliskiing experience with Black Ops or Majestic. Both operators can arrange lodging for a complete trip or one-offs for beginners to learn how to drop in.
Sheldon Chalet
For a more leisurely way to appreciate the scenery, seek out a journey on the Aurora Winter Train, which whisks passengers along glaciated landscapes from Anchorage to Fairbanks with stops in Wasilla, Talkeetna, Hurricane and Healy along the way.
Aurora Winter Train – Kerry Tasker 1
Settle in and stay awhile in one destination and still experience the variety of Alaskan pursuits. Fairbanks’ Aurora Villa and Yukon’s Northern Lights Resort offer a natural habitat for viewing the dancing pastels of the Aurora Borealis. In Girdwood, Alyeska Resort is poised on 1,610 skiable acres, with terrain ranging from alpine bowls to tree skiing. For something unique, Alyeska offers ice-fishing for Alaskan Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden on their frozen lake. In the secluded Denali National Park, Sheldon Chalet presents a powdery playground for serious skiers. And for those who solely want to soak it all in, Chena Hot Springs is your locale for a rest and retreat in the geothermal, mineral spring waters.
Deer Valley & Park City
Montage Deer Valley
As if hitting the slopes in Utah’s mountain towns isn’t epic enough, visitors can actually upgrade that experience by skiing with an Olympic champion. As part of its Ski with a Champion programming, Deer Valley offers half- and full-day adventures for individuals, families or small groups that are accompanied by one of six Olympic snowsport athletes. Aside from a once-in-a-lifetime session on the mountain, the program includes access to the ski school lane at all chairlifts to reap the most time on the slopes as possible. Another extreme offering: Powderbird’s heliski excursions through the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains. They are the only outfitter in Utah permitted to ski on United States Forest Service land, which grants access to a skiable area larger than all of the state’s ski resorts combined. On the note of exclusivity, The Spa at Stein Eriksen Lodge is Utah’s only Forbes five-star spa. The European-inspired spa uses the likes of heated quartz, whisky scrub and hot river stones to customize their specialty treatments.
The Spa at Stein Eriksen Lodge
Culinary and wine connoisseurs will appreciate the variety of elevated dining experiences throughout Park City. Two standouts include The Mariposa for six- to eight-course tasting menus and an impressive wine cellar as well as The Snowed Inn Sleigh Company sleigh ride dinner, which starts with a horse-drawn sleigh ride to the Park City Mountain Resort lodge where a fine dining experience awaits, accompanied by live music.
In the heart of Deer Valley and only a 10-minute drive to Park City, Montage Deer Valley boasts a most convenient location. The luxury lodging is equipped with the Montage’s signature spa, as well as a variety of social nooks for après, from slopeside outdoor fire pits to a ski-in, ski-out tented lounge. The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection, is another opulent accommodation within the Park City radius. Standout amenities include 3,500 acres of private skiing and an exclusive mountaintop yurt in partnership with The Macallan for the 2024-2025 season. The fire-warmed Speyside Yurt will feature a hifi listening experience alongside The Macallan single malt whisky flights and bespoke cocktails using ingredients straight from the resort’s on-property sustainable farm.
For more destinations like these, check out our travel section here.
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