TRAVEL
HAMPTONS HABITUÉS HIT THE STYLISH SLOPES BY BEVERLY STEPHEN
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n summer, the Hamptons is THE place to be. But off-season, Hamptons habitués who don’t decamp for warmer climes want serious winter with snow and challenging slopes. They’re also looking for chic destinations like these with see and be-seen cachet, luxury spas, designer boutiques, first-rate restaurants, and lively bars for après ski. COURCHEVEL, FRANCE There’s nothing like skiing in France where highend cuisine is an expected perk. Apparently, the French don’t loosen their boots for just a lunch time sandwich. Eight Michelin star chefs ride the range here. Six villages offer a wide variety of terrain from beginner to extreme in over 100 ski runs, many dotted with moguls. Snowboarding and snowmobiling are also popular. There are 17 five-star hotels and three in the palace category. You’re in the lap of luxury here always with magnificent Alpine views. Courchevel, France
VAIL, COLORADO They say Vail is like being in the French Alps without the international plane ticket. Powder, powder, powder covers its vast 5,200-acre groomed terrain plus seven legendary back bowls. Vail is one of the largest ski resorts in the world and is set in the White River National Forest Aspen, Colorado
in Colorado. The Hythe and Four Seasons offer luxury accommodations. Chic ski wear and fur coats are de rigueur for strolling the Bavarian style village.
bust. But now it’s booming again. Renowned for powder, Park City Mountain is the largest ski area in the United States and neighboring skionly Deer Valley Resort offers five-star service and amenities. The two areas combined have 62 lifts, over 400 runs and 9,526 skiable areas. There’s also snowmobiling, dog sledding, snowshoeing, cross country and ice skating. The international Sundance Film Festival, founded by actor Robert Redford, draws Hollywood power players each January. The charming mountain town has numerous bars and restaurants. The Courchevel Bistro is a nod to their French sister city. Gateway is the Salt Lake City International Airport. ST. MORITZ, SWITZERLAND This sunshine-blessed region in the Swiss Alps became the birthplace of winter Alpine tourism in 1864 and has been attracting royalty and celebrities ever since. It hosted the Winter Olympics twice. Park City, Utah
ASPEN, COLORADO A silver rush put Aspen on the map in 1879 but the Silver Panic of 1893 practically turned it into a ghost town. As American skiing grew in popularity post World War II, it didn’t take Aspen long to become one of the most expensive zip codes in the United States. Aspen’s world class slopes on four mountains — Aspen, Snowmass, Buttermilk, and Aspen Highlands — and après ski restaurants and bars are a magnet for the rich and famous. Plus, private jets can land at the Aspen airport. Celebrities bed down at the Hotel Jerome, Little Nell, and the St Regis. PARK CITY, UTAH Like Aspen, Park City rode the silver boom and
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