The Best Luxury Ski Resorts

Spend Christmas Vacation in one of North America's Top Ski Resorts

Nov 9, 2006

Whistler Blackcomb, best ski resort, Randy Lincks

The winter holiday season is the best time of year for an upscale ski trip. The best North American ski resort towns supplement skiing with great apres-ski activities.

The best upscale ski resorts fill up quickly around Christmas. For the family that loves to ski, a winter vacation isn't complete without time on the slopes. And, of course, the luxury of warming up by a Christmas fire apres-ski is something anyone can appreciate, regardless of their skiing skill level.

The top ski resort towns in North America are in parts of North America that get a lot of powder, as compared to the icy type of snow surfaces you see in the northeastern US. My other favorite attributes of great ski spots are (needless to say) the variety of slopes, park runs, and pipes, the climate, and open drop areas for highly skilled skiers and risk-takers.

Top luxury ski resort towns

One ski resort town famous for having the best of everything, is Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia. It's the biggest ski resort on the continent and, with well over 200 trails, Whistler can accommodate skiers of any skill level. There is also snowmobiling, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and lots, lots more. Ski buffs across the world are familiar with Whistler; it has the best ski parks and pipes in North America, along with glacier skiing (you read that right) and an extended ski season. For a luxurious getaway, I recommend the Upper Village hotels, condos and chalets. Near the bottom of Blackcomb Mountain, Upper Village offers more a more remote ski vacation, with luxury and quality treatment for guests during their time off the slopes.
Another top North American ski town is Vail, in Colorado. Vail is a luxury resort town, perfect for skiers who also want high quality dining and upscale hotel amenities. Along with skiing and snowboarding, Vail Valley winter vacations can involve dog sled tours, guided llama trekking, sledding, tubing...you name it. With over 15 full service day spas offering the whole range of spa menus, it might be hard to get back on the trails! But, really, families come here to ski, more than pamper themselves. Vail has several activities and programs for children and older kids, such as kids' snowmobiling, tubing, bunny slopes, and a huge trampoline with bungee cords attached. The Kids Ski & Snowboard School in Vail has a great reputation for getting young kids comfortable on their skis.
Wyoming's Jackson Hole is another of the best ski resort towns around. Famous for its natural deep powder, Jackson Hole is the skiers' top spot of the US Rocky Mountains. Some people complain that the influx of day spas, luxury shopping, and (shudder) celebrities threaten to turn Jackson Hole into the next Aspen. No worries; Aspen is still popular for star-sighting, but Jackson Hole's mountain terrain is much more varied, remote, and expansive. For a true luxury ski vacation, Aspen just can't hold a candle to Jackson Hole. Snowboarding and skiing fans will find whatever they're looking for here: The list of activities includes snow kite boarding, heli-skiing, snowcat skiing and more. And get this: Advanced skiers and snowshoers can go south of Jackson Hole, to year-round hot springs in the Granite Creek area. Imagine skiing to this area, which is remote even for Wyoming, and then soaking in the natural hot springs and pools before heading back. I haven't done this - yet- but it sure sounds like an amazing holiday experience.
A Christmas ski vacation in Big Sky is always first class. The Big Sky Resort in Montana, right near Yellowstone National Park, gets around 400 inches of powdery snow each season, and has snowshoe and nordic ski trails as well as half pipes and jumps. Since Big Sky is so close to Yellowstone, a winter vacation here can easily include a trip to the geysers. Snowmobile rentals are limited (due to ecological concerns, plus they are so noisy), so reservation fill up fast. After a day of skiing some of the best slopes in the Rockies, skiers can pamper themselves at the Solace Spa. This luxury day spa has location-specific treatments, such as the Sports massage and the "Adjusting to Altitude" massage.
Lake Tahoe and Squaw Valley border Nevada in northeastern California. The area is massive and has all levels of lodging, from upscale resort homes and hotel suites, to guest rooms in simple ski lodges. Open bowls to ski in, instead of trails, help make Squaw Valley a notable ski resort town. The mild northern California winter weather makes for an easier Christmas ski vacation too. Lake Tahoe does not feel remote by any stretch; it has the most ski resorts of any in the USA and Canada, and the trails to support all those skiers and snowboarders. Both have childrens' lessons and clinics for adults of all levels. Winter sports in Lake Tahoe and Squaw Valley are always fun and full of powder. Remember, the first Winter Olympics in the Western US were held here for a reason!
One of the more renowned luxury ski resort towns in the US is Aspen, Colorado. Granted, the slopes here are awesome, and able to accommodate a variety of ski skill levels. There are plenty of parks, pipes, and vertical drops to go around, but the overpriced boutiques, trendy restaurants and paparazzi lurking by the lifts all indicate that Aspen is overexposed. My feeling is that an authentic luxury ski trip involves more skiing, and less celebrity sighting.

Wherever you choose to spend your Christmas vacation, have a happy and healthy one!

Related, on Suite 101:

Luxury Resort Travel

Aspen Ski Rant

Yellowstone Without Tourists

The copyright of the article The Best Luxury Ski Resorts in Luxury Travel is owned by Jennifer W. Miner. Permission to republish The Best Luxury Ski Resorts in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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Comments

Nov 9, 2006 10:48 PM

Alan Sorum :

I vote for BC! Sometimes we have good conditions here, but being on the coast can make for heavy snow.

Nov 10, 2006 7:39 AM

Jennifer W. Miner :

Thanks for the comment, Alan. You're not the only one to "vote" for BC! Whistler/Blackcomb rank in the top ten in the WORLD for great skiing, and is often number one for all-around greatnes Powder and luxury accomodations can't hurt, plus Whistler has the biggest vertical drop in North America.
Jen

Feb 12, 2007 1:42 PM

Kara Williams :

Hi Jennifer -

As someone who lives near Aspen, I wanted you to know there are plenty of us in the area who could care less if Jack Nicholson was seen on the lift, or where Mariah Carey spent New Year's Eve...

I'm all about Aspen's scenic beauty, its awesome climate, can't-be-beat FOUR area ski mountains (for all levels), and its engaging history -- unlike most ski resort towns, Aspen was a thriving community WELL before the ski lifts were put on the mountain.

Anyhoo, just wanted to give a thumbs' up to Aspen as a fabbo ski resort. Yes, the celebs do seem to come out in force between Xmas and New Year's, but there is so much more to the town than the paparazzi stalkers. Plus, there are plenty of non-luxury ways to enjoy Aspen. Places to eat and stay, things to do, that won't break the bank. Hmmm. That sounds like an article! :-)

Kara

Feb 13, 2007 11:33 AM

Jennifer W. Miner :

You know what, Kara - I'm sure you're right. Aspen is big enough to handle all types of skiers and snow sport enthusiasts.
I, unfortunately, can only travel around my kids' school schedule right now, so I am at the disadvantage of seeing places during their peak tourist season. Thank you for reminding me about the rest of the year and the rest of Aspen!

Feb 4, 2008 12:05 PM

Maria Valeria :

I also vote for Whistler/Blackcomb BC! http://www.premiumwhistler.com/

Have fun!

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