March 3rd, 2010
With the long Martin Luther King weekend right around the corner, book at trip to one of these five resorts. Each one is renowned for its slopes, but also offers plenty for folks who prefer the wintry lodge lifestyle over the actual skiing.
Admittedly, I’m not a skier. I don’t snowboard either. But I do like a walk in the snow. And I love everything about a wintry lodge—hot chocolate (or a scotch, neat), roaring fireplaces, friends sitting close to each other, and the honest tired that you only get after spending the day outside in the cold. The Europhile in me would love to be jetting off to Sils Maria in Switzerland or the Bregenzerwald region of Austria (the hikes are so charming and the food is so good), but the truth is that there are some fantastic resorts Stateside too. These properties really are so perfect—as much for you skiers and snowboarders as for the reader/lounger/foodies like me)—that you can skip the transatlantic flight and buy extra lift tickets (or massages at the spa) instead. With the long Martin Luther King weekend right around the corner, book at trip to one of these five resorts instead.
Whiteface Lodge Lake Placid, NY
Located in the charming town of Lake Placid in the Adirondacks (about a five hour drive from New York City), the Whiteface Lodge sits on the edge of Lake Placid and is minutes from the village and skiing area of Whiteface mounted. The resort was completed as recently as 2005, though it was designed in the traditional style of the grand old lodges of the Adirondacks, where tall beamed ceilings and rustic, hand-milled furniture feel authentic, but luxurious. Each of the rooms is a suite, with at least one bedroom, a kitchen and laundry. Breakfast, which is included, is a stellar buffet, with eggs, pancakes, organic yogurts and breads and fresh juices. There’s even a bowling alley. Phone: 800-903-4045.
Take With You: Fur Hat with Ear Flaps (buy it now price, $59)
Ritz Carlton Highlands Lake Tahoe Lake Tahoe, CA
Just four hours from San Francisco, Lake Tahoe is the ideal retreat any time of year. The drive is beautiful; the views of the lake are unbelievable, and the area is just so pristine, it feels caught in time. Somehow, the region never had a renowned luxury hotel brand until this December, when the Ritz Carlton Highlands had its grand opening. With its ski-in and ski-out option and a location mid-mountain in the Northstar-at-Tahoe resort, the hotel provides an epic opportunity for skiers. For the rest of us, there’s a 17,000 square foot spa and a restaurant from renowned chef Traci des Jardins. Phone: 530-562-3000.
Take With You: Kandahar Winter Boots (buy it now price, $22.99, above right)
Woodstock Inn & Resort Woodstock, VT
A comfortable and upscale resort in a charming New England town, The Woodstock Inn is minutes from both Suicide Six, a renowned downhill ski area with over 20 trails, and great cross country skiing areas. (It’s also just 15 minutes from The Farmer’s Diner, a delicious restaurant that sources most of its ingredients from local farms.) The Inn went through a very smart renovation in the last couple of years and feels equal parts Shaker, modern, and New England. We love the 10 foot tall roaring fireplace. And we always make sure we’re back at the hotel by 4pm for tea time, where we can fuel up with endless trays of homemade cookies before dinner (hey, it’s vacation), when we’ll enjoy the hotel’s hearty restaurant, The Red Rooster, which uses organic and local product as much as possible. Phone: 800-448-7900.
Take With You: SmartWool PHD Light Ski Socks (buy it now price, $21.95)
Hotel Terra Jackson Hole, WY
Located in the Teton Mountain Range in Wyoming, Terra is a boutique hotel that you can feel great about supporting: It’s incredibly affordable (ski packages start at $109 per person, include your room, breakfast, and lift ticket), and it’s very environmentally aware. The hotel boasts LEED certification and constantly pushes to be as green as possible, with energy efficient windows, state-of-the-art water conservation systems, in-room recycling programs, organic bedding and way more. While Jackson Hold is known for its stellar skiing, for those for those who would rather stay off the slopes, there is plenty to take advantage of, like like sleigh rides in the National Elk Refuge, the charming town of Jackson Hole, and the spa back at the hotel. Phone: 307-739-4000.
Take With You: Moncler Long Down Coat (buy it now price, $449)
Viceroy Snowmass Snowmass, CO
Designer Kelly Wearstler has impeccable taste (learn more about it in our interview with her), so the idea of seeing her approach a mountain resort in the Rockies is super exciting. The Viceroy just opened in late November, so it’s brand spanking new, and from the look of it, it’s worth booking flights now. The spa is insane, the restaurant smartly done, and the rooms are modern-meets-alpine chic. There’s even a year-round outdoor pool. And yes, it’s at the base of the mountain, so it’s a ski-in, ski-out resort.
Take With You: Fur Headband/Scarf (buy it now price, $69.95)
**Photos provided by the featured hotels and resorts. The photos of the Viceroy are by David Matheson.**
Yolanda Edwards is a travel and lifestyle writer and author of the blog Travels with Clara. She was the founding travel and lifestyle editor at Cookie magazine.
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