country Discovery Center; StarterHaus, a new coworking space by Jim Deters; farm-to-cup Unravel Coffee; nourishing dining at Cabin Juice; and a Japanese onsen, a bathhouse featuring four hot tubs, one cold tub and a dry sauna.
Over the Hill Snowy escapes with ski, snowboard adventures for all BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ Now through April marks ski season in the United States. And while Arizona does boast some excellent mountains—especially Snowbowl in Flagstaff and Sunrise in Greer— just a short flight away are some of the world’s top ski mountains in Breckenridge, Park City and Vail.
Breckenridge Located about 90 minutes from Denver, Breckenridge is a small town with major bragging rights. It is known for promising over 100 winter activities for people of all ages. And, the tourism department is not just giving lip service. Once a small mining town—one inadvertently left off the U.S. map until the mid1950s—Breckenridge sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains and averages 300 days of sunshine and 300 inches of snow yearly. Beyond even skiing and snow-
boarding, visitors can snowmobile, dog sled, snowshoe, tour the world’s highest distillery in Breckenridge Distillery and ride horses in the snow. The region made global headlines in recent months with the debut of Gravity Haus Breckenridge. Replacing the former Village Hotel at the base of Breckenridge Ski Resort’s Peak Nine, the renovated and tech-forward ski-in/ski-out boutique property debuted in December with 60 distinctly curated rooms. Featuring a modern alpine design, accommodations include private queen and king suites and combination suites featuring bunks and private sleeping areas for families and groups. Designed to activate like-minded outdoor enthusiasts yearround, Gravity Haus offers ongoing insider experiences ranging from outdoor excursions to social programming. Onsite amenities include the Dryland Fitness and Sports Recovery Center; Back-
In Park City, resorts like the Waldorf Astoria sparkle as bright as the snow. (Photo courtesy Waldorf Astoria Park City)
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lauded for its house-smoked meats and homemade sauces that it built a permanent home last year. There is no shortage of “wow” resorts and hotels in the area, but of particular note is the Waldorf Astoria Park City and Montage Deer Valley. At the pet-friendly Waldorf, luxury is taken to new heights as it has its own ski valet and slope-side access to Park City Mountain. There are fire pits, a heated pool and hot tubs, including an adults-only hot tub. Beyond this, it boasts a spectacular 16,000-squarefoot Waldorf Astoria Spa and signature restaurant, Powder, with to-die-for sustainable, local and seasonal dishes. Montage Deer Valley is meant to evoke a great mountain lodge from days gone by, but with all the updates one wants and needs today. It’s located atop Empire Pass, so it has ski-in/ski-out access, and it features the largest spa in Utah.
Park City, which is located about 30 miles from Salt Lake City in Utah, was also once a mining town and at one time ran the risk of becoming a ghost town until savvy marketers realized the potential for tourism. Once it was marketed as “The Greatest Snow on Earth” (a play on Vail the tagline of Ringling Bros. and Barnum Like Breckenridge, Vail is just a few & Bailey Circus), people from all over the hours outside of Denver in Colorado. world flocked to the winter paradise. Yet, with its small villages and lovely reWith 330 trails, 43 lifts and eight ter- sort and restaurant offerings—not to rain parks across its 7,300 skiable acres, Park City Mountain is the largest ski resort in the United States. It is among the best places in the country to take ski or snowboard school or to test out one’s skills. Beyond the slopes, Park City boasts a zipline adventure, a snow toboggan The entire family is guaranteed snow much fun in Breckenridge, Vail and Park City. (Photo courtesy Park City Mountain) called the Alpine Coaster, snowmobile tours and sleigh mention the iconic Vail Mountain and rides. For history buffs, there is the Sil- its 5,300 acres of skiable terrain—it feels ver to Slopes Historic Mining Tour, a free, like you are in another world. guided ski tour that takes guests of all Those with kids can take advantage ages on an exploration of the region’s of Adventure Ridge, a playland with ski rich and colorful past. Park City also ex- bikes, a kids’ snowmobile track, snow cels at all things après ski—the term for tubing lanes and more. It’s also heavthe entertainment following a day on en on earth for experienced skiers and the slopes—destinations in the world. snowboarders thanks to its back bowl There are 16 restaurants on the moun- (aka the ski roads less traveled) and pritain. Of particular note: fine dining at the vate experiences. And for couples, after award-winning Farm Restaurant, which a day on the slopes, there are curated offers seasonal menus celebrating local- experiences, notably Game Creek, which ly sourced, sustainable cuisine, and the is a private chalet restaurant only accesnewly opened Tombstone BBQ, which sible via snowcat or gondola. was formerly a food truck but was so As for accommodations, less than a www.LovinLife.com
