Skiing Fit for a King—or Queen

BY MICHAEL ANDRÉ ADAMS

If the thrill of plowing down picturesque alpine slopes through fresh, powdery snow right here in the good old USA verses somewhere in Europe — where the value of the once almighty U.S. dollar is plummeting — is your idea of a good time, we’ve compiled the short list of close-to-home locales just for you!

As Frontiers goes to print, snow storms are still expected to hit the state of Colorado, and to the skier-at-heart, the thrill of fresh powder is like yelling “free Louis V” on Santa Monica and Robertson—they all come a-runnin’!

In the quaint and very Swiss-inspired villages of Vail (vail.com) and nearby Beaver Creek (beavercreek.com, where the tagline is “Not Exactly Roughing It”) more than four feet of snow fell last month, with forecasts for major snowstorms still to come. And with nonstop flights from Los Angeles via low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines (frontierairlines.com) for as little as $79 each way into Denver—where $87 door-to-door shuttles via Colorado Mountain Express (ridecme.com) make for easy travel—it’s about a party on the slopes!

Since you only live once, go diva in Vail Village by opting for the latest and most luxurious lodging at The Arrabelle (arrabelle.rockresorts.com). Done in cozy Mediterranean-style décor with plush, heart-wrenching jewel-tone fabrics that add whimsical appeal, the resort delivers the perfect combination of sensuality and bling that lets you know you are “special”—in a tone as only Saturday Night Live’s Church Lady can say!

At The Arrabelle, four nights will run you $1,617 through Feb. 11, and afterwards the same stay soars to a range of $2,697 and $3,604 (five nights at this price), all of course with a free lift ticket for Vail or Beaver Creek.

Ski-out from The Arrabelle to access Vail Mountain’s 5,289 acres of terrain via the Eagle Bahn Gondola (vailtravelplanner.com). Relax with a warm beverage around the fire pits on the Aprés-ski deck overlooking the majestic snow-covered mountains prior to a soothing treatment in the 10,000-square-foot RockResorts (rockresorts.com) luxury spa and fitness center before dinner at the fabulous French brasserie Centre V (centre-v.com).

For a bonus, licensed drivers over the age of 21 can call ahead to schedule complimentary use of the new Volvo XC90 AWD (SUV), or the XC70 AWD (station wagon).

Eight miles away in the town of Avon (avon.org) rests Colorado’s first and only “green” resort; The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa (riverfrontresortandspa.com) opened last September. Featuring those notoriously comfortable Heavenly Beds in every room, all interiors are chic, minimal and outfitted in earthy tones that allow you to shine.

Winter ski packages in the all-studio suites—with units ranging from kitchenettes to full kitchens—are a great deal for couples and groups starting at $449 per night (for two) in a studio suite, complete with two lift tickets and valet parking. A three-night package for two runs $1,633, which includes two-day lift tickets and Performance Ski Packages from Beaver Creek Sports (beavercreeksports.com), 80-minute spa treatments, daily breakfasts and valet parking. Both rates are good through April 15, though blackout dates apply.

Situated along Eagle River at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain, the Westin offers skiers a new gondola that’s just steps away from the hotel doors for direct access to Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch (bachelorgulchvillage.com) and Arrowhead ski terrain, as well as McCoy Park Snowshoe and Cross Country Ski Track (beavercreek.snow.com).

For three years in a row, the National Ski Areas Association (nsaa.org) has awarded Beaver Creek with the coveted Best Customer Service Award. Boasting more than 150 mountain host employees to greet you and carry your equipment, grooming reports, local tips, free mountain welcome tours each day and fresh chocolate chip cookies served by Cookie Time chefs, it’s no wonder!

Got kids? The Ranch (beavercreek.snow.com), a 4,000-square-foot, on-the-mountain, state-of-the-art children’s ski and snowboard school, is poised to revolutionize the way kids learn to turn. Windows inside the center allow parents to discretely observe junior’s progress every step of the way, before they head inside for a healthy lunch, part of Vail Resorts’ Appetite for Life initiative.

When I say “road trip” you say “Mammoth.” “Road trip!” “____” “Road trip!” “____“

Rates at the Westin Monache Resort (mammothmonache.com), Mammoth’s premier full service resort and spa which opened just over a year ago, are a steal in comparison to most other ski destinations.

Although a bit more rustic is terms of décor, the suite property—ranging from kitchenettes to full kitchens and, of course, Heavenly Beds—offers a mid-week stay (two nights minimum) with daily breakfast and lift tickets at just $266 (through Jan. 29). Situated at the base of the spectacular Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountain range, the property offers amazing panoramic views, with a neighboring gondola and village.

Reports on conditions at Mammoth Mountain as of this issue’s early January press time show fresh, packed powder, for a base of 56-100. For up to date information, visit mammothmountain.com.

Happy skiing!