DESTINATIONS

You have been dreaming about donning your skis and heading to an exclusive ski destination to make tracks in some fresh powder.

But, how to choose where? There are many favorite ski locations among elite travelers, so we decided to give you a little taste of what some of them can offer.

Choose from Aspen, Colorado; Courchevel, France; Megeve, France; Whistler, British Columbia, Canada; or Lake Tahoe, California. Each of these areas has something special. Here is some information on each to make choosing your skiing getaway much easier!

Aspen, Colorado

The mountains are spectacular in Aspen and give this quaint ski town its magical feeling any time of year, but especially in winter. The sky is big, the air is fresh and there are loads to do when you’re not on the slopes. Here are the takeaways:

• Four mountains that are a paradise for all levels of skiers and snowboarders alike.
• Can also experience snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, skating, dog sledding, tubing, hiking and many more outdoor activities.
• Vibrant arts and culture scene.
• Upscale shopping in quaint boutiques on Galena Street. Think Gucci, Prada, Christian Dior, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren and many others.
• Many fine dining restaurants. We recommend Clark’s Aspen for clam chowder; Matsuhisa for sushi; Steakhouse No. 316 for a steak sandwich with caramelized onions and fontina; and French Alpine Bistro for French onion soup, mussels and frites or the Wagyu burger.
• Hot après ski scene. Head to Venga Venga or Base Camp Bar & Grill at Snowmass; Hops Culture; The Red Onion; Limelight Lounge; or Home Team BBQ, Buttermilk.

Courchevel, France

For unparalleled natural beauty, sophistication and elegance, Courchevel will capture your heart. And skiing is among the best in the world. Courchevel is known for having one of the longest ski seasons and the best snow cover in the entire Alps. The world’s largest ski area sits within the Three Valleys, which has 600 kilometers of pistes and an interlinked lift system with more than 170 lifts! Takeaways for Courchevel:

• Gastronomy here is among the most marvelous in the world. There are more than 70 restaurants, seven of which are Michelin-starred. We think you should try Gaia Restaurant for homemade sushi, delicious fish tataki or Yakitori finger food; Two-time Michelin-starred Kintessence Restaurant not only for the ambiance and view, but for the royale foie gras, winter salad with crisp cracklings; or Gourmet Michelin-starred Le Chabichou Restaurant where we recommend trying the roasted fillet of venison in a sautoir flavored with juniper.
• Boutique shopping is exquisite. Choose from top designers such as Chanel, Moncler, Hermes, Hublot, Valentino and Padischa, among others.
• The best après ski parties can be found at Funky Fox, La Folie Douce, Fire & Ice, or La Petite Bergerie.
• Absolutely stunning Chalet Arianna is the ideal choice to set down roots while you’re in Courchevel. This incredible alpine residence is just 98 feet from the world-renowned slopes of Bellecote and just a short jaunt from Courcheval’s village center. You can definitely have a wonderful party here with a jaw-dropping indoor pool, hot tub and sauna. You also have a hammam, gym, massage room, private elevator and a ski room.

Megeve, France

Located in the southeast of France near the borders of Italy and Switzerland, Megeve is one of Europe’s most stylish resorts. It is up there with other ski resorts as being a high class destination with world-class shopping and dining and photo-worthy views of the Alps. In addition to its charm, Megeve has some of the finest skiing in the world and if you’re one to avoid large crowds both on and off the slopes, this small town is still relatively quiet, offering peaceful pistes. Here is a bit more about Megeve:

• It is the third largest ski area in France with more than 445 kilometers, 220 ski slopes, 107 ski lifts, five snow parks and five “nursery” areas for beginners.
• Shop for the latest designer offerings at boutiques carrying Céline, Valentino, Daniela Vezza, Isabel Marant and Loro Piana, among others.
• Developed as a ski resort by Baroness Noémie de Rothschild, who wanted to create a French version of St. Moritz, Switzerland.
• Featured in the film, Charade, with Audrey Hepburn and Robert Redford.
• Incomparable fine dining. Try Restaurant etoile Flocons de Sel with three Michelin stars. Here we recommend the dessert – woodsmoked ice cream and chocolate tart. Also give Michelin two-starred La Table de l’Alpaga a try. They offer meals in six steps, eight steps or all vegetables. N.B. Steps are courses.

Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

Whistler. Where the powder is amazing and the people are as nice as sunshine in the summer. Many people don’t realize that Whistler is the largest resort ski town in North America and is wonderful for skiers of all levels. The town is picture perfect and so are the venues. Here is some information on this beautiful Canadian ski destination:

• There are 8,171 acres to explore across Whistler and Blackcomb mountains with about 40 feet of snow each year.
• Beginners stick to the green slopes, while more confident skiers can try out 170 blue, black and double black runs.
• Get to the Whistler Village gondola before 7 a.m. and you can be up on the mountain before everyone else.
• Tucked away in the forest just outside Whistler Village is the Scandinave Spa. Spend some time between the outdoor hot pools, cold baths, saunas and steam rooms. If you need a break, you can doze around the open fire pits, indulge in a massage or enjoy a light lunch in the bistro. And the best part? This is a no-talking spa, so you can savor some real peace and quiet.
• There are more than 90 bars and restaurants, many of which include fine dining. We recommend The Grill Room for juicy steaks or a vodka flight in the Ice Room of Listel Hotel’s Bearfoot Bistro – the world’s coldest ice bar, so bundle up.
• Luxe shopping and après ski are world-class, too. Many shops carry top designer clothing. For après ski, try Garibaldi Lift Company. Get the traditional poutine. We are not kidding. The Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub is regarded as one of the best bars in Whistler. The pub was designed, crafted and transported piece by piece from Ireland, also bringing with it great live music.

Lake Tahoe, California

One of the best places to ski in the United States is in Lake Tahoe in California. It receives nearly 300 days of sunshine and about 500 inches of snow annually on its peaks. Tahoe’s relaxed ambiance, terrific slopes and skiing conditions make it a favorite among skiers and snowboarders. The best time to head to Tahoe for the powder is in February. Here are some things you should know about Lake Tahoe:

• Home to nine major ski resorts with slopes for every level of skier: Squaw Valley, Heavenly Mountain, Northstar, Alpine Meadows, Kirkwood, Sugar Bowl, Diamond Peak, Sierra-at-Tahoe and Royal Gorge.
• You can find elite shopping in the Village at Palisades Tahoe. There are many boutiques and galleries, specialty shops and elite sporting goods stores.
• For fine dining, Restaurant Trokay fits the bill. They serve dinners which include unique items like Fresno chili, Maryland soft shell crab tempura, salt cured torchon of humanely-raised foie gras, house brioche and California peach ice or the Louisiana crawfish salad with nasturtium. If you’re hankering for sushi, we give Frederick’s Fusion Bistro and Sushi Bar two thumbs up. The maki and sashimi are delicious.
• The après ski scene in Lake Tahoe is alive and healthy. Head to the Blue Angel Café for its ski lodge ambiance; Ritz-Carlton for its luxury and romantic 55-foot granite fireplace; or The Sage Room to cuddle in a secluded booth.

We invite you to reach out to an LVH client relations team member now to book your elite skiing holiday. Say the word and we will have you on a flight in no time to the skiing destination that appeals to you most. We will take care of everything. Just give us the green light. Plan on making some unforgettable memories in some of the most magnificent natural destinations on the planet.