By Eric Hrubant, Founder & CEO of CIRE Travel
A family ski trip can feel daunting with all the gear, travel, cranky kids, and being at the mercy of Mother Nature. While we can’t influence the weather (or cranky teens), my expert team can assist with planning a seamless group getaway with world-class skiing (and après ski activities!) that everyone in the family will love.
Picture this: mornings spent carving fresh powder on world-class slopes, afternoons indulging in luxurious spa treatments, and evenings filled with great cocktails and yummy food. Later, there are cozy fireside chats and s’mores around a fire pit. Whether your family is a mix of seasoned skiers and snowboarding daredevils, Nordic enthusiasts, or hoping to infuse a ski trip with some heart-pumping snowmobiling or even dog sledding, there’s a winter vacation destination that fits like a glove.
From the breathtaking peaks of Banff to the high-altitude charm of Mammoth Lakes, the approachable luxury of Deer Valley, and the vibrant energy of Snowmass, these Western North American ski resorts redefine what it means to vacation in the mountains
Banff, Alberta: The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Ski Banff
Known in Alberta ski circles as the “friendly giant,” Lake Louise Ski Resort is just 10 minutes from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and boasts three mountain faces with diverse terrain. If you’re all about the wide green and blue runs, stick to the front side, or send the adventurous teens off to the backside for more challenging black runs. The Elbow-Terrain Park is ideal for the thrill-seeking tricksters in your group. Want more variety? Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay’s pristine powder are within an hour’s drive of Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Stay in Banff
Let’s face it, Lake Louise, even when covered in a blanket of pure, white snow, is the star of the show around here (all the more reason to secure one of the hotel’s lakeview suites). And yet … Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise’s appeal goes far beyond its enviable perch in Alberta’s Banff National Park. The hotel was originally built as a base for outdoor enthusiasts and alpinists and has morphed over the century into a luxury mountain resort for today’s discerning adventurers. Come for the posh accommodations (including the hotel-within-a-hotel Fairmont Gold experience); stay for the gorgeous spa (check out the après options below) and exceptional dining. Don’t be surprised if you start humming “Let It Go” as you gaze, a la Elsa, over the winter wonderland outside.
Après in Banff
We mentioned that glorious spa, but what we’re really excited about is the newly debuted Basin Glacial Waters spa. After a long day of carving up the slopes, soak in one of three hot tubs or two pools, try out three different saunas (bio, Finnish, and Aufguss), or take the barefoot route between hot and cold plunges—all while drinking in sweeping views of the Canadian Rockies and Victoria Glacier (which just happens to be the source of the spa’s water).
Feeling sufficiently relaxed and restored, gather with the fam at Alpine Social for hearty comfort food, or enjoy tapas and seasonal favorites at Lakeview Lounge. For refined dining, head to Fairview, or for some cozy Swiss fondue and Alpine specialties, there’s the convivial Walliser Stube.
Mammoth Lakes, California: Limelight Hotel
Ski Mammoth
If yours is a family of alpine skiers, Nordic enthusiasts, snowshoers, ice skaters, and snowman builders, Mammoth Mountain is your high-altitude winter playground. With more than 3,500 acres of ski terrain, California’s highest lifts, and trails for all levels, skiers and snowboarders are in heaven. Beyond the slopes, your favorite outdoor adventurers can cross-country ski at Taramack, go tubing at Woolly’s Adventure Summit, feel the rush on a guided snowmobile tour, or even try Sno-Go biking.
Stay in Mammoth
If your family prefers convenient access to the slopes but craves the conveniences of an upscale stay, the Limelight Mammoth checks the boxes. Here, you’re just steps from the Village Gondola, so even your late-sleeping teens can pack in the laps. The 1,115-square-foot, two-bedroom Gondola Suites are a family favorite for their king beds, two separate living areas with sleeper sofas, and yes, two bathrooms. If you’re up early to get first tracks, the kitchenette and banquette are perfect for quick breakfast mornings: there’s a Smeg fridge, microwave, Lavazza coffee maker, and dining essentials. Plush robes, FiliDoro linens, and a streaming-enabled, 55-inch TV scream “cozy movie night.”
Après in Mammoth
Invite your ski friends back to The Lounge at Limelight, for craft cocktails, wood-fired pizzas, and sharing plates. Then, head out to the Village at Mammoth, the resort town’s social hub, to check out “must-have” outdoor gear at Alpine Approach, linger over Mexican fusion cuisine at Gomez Restaurant and Tequileria, or sip hop-forward ales at Mammoth Brewing Company. Giggle and glide with the kids at the LA Kings ICE at Mammoth Lakes, an outdoor rink in the heart of town operated by the NHL team.
Lake Tahoe, California: The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
Ski Tahoe
Wake up to crisp mountain air, open the blinds to a view of towering pines and snow-draped peaks, and let a dreamy, upscale ski vacation begin. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada, North Tahoe’s premier ski-in/ski-out resort, fresh off a major renovation, offers effortless access to Northstar’s world-class slopes via the Highlands Gondola. As if that’s not compelling enough, a dedicated mountain concierge is on hand to handle your gear so you can focus on carving powder. The snowboarders among you can’t miss the opportunity for expert instruction at the Burton Snowboard Academy (after all, it’s the inventor of the only snowboarding school in the world).
For off-piste days, go snowmobiling through Tahoe National Forest (did you know it’s the world’s fastest-growing winter sport?), or explore the miles upon miles of scenic cross-country trails, including Royal Gorge and Tahoe Donner.
Stay in Tahoe
Mountainside luxury hits home at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, where big, freshly renovated rooms and suites feature fireplaces, deep soaking tubs, and breathtaking mountain views of the surrounding Truckee nature. Impeccable service and exclusive ski-in/ski-out access to Northstar’s slopes don’t hurt, either. The suites and residences are ideal for families and larger groups on ski vacations, with up to four bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas. Gather with other sophisticated skiers in the huge Living Room, in front of three-story windows and around the 55-foot fireplace tower, and swap stories of your days on the mountain. Outside, the mountain-view heated pool and three hot tubs (saline, no chlorine) remain open year-round.
Après in Tahoe
Take your après-ski how you want it, whether that’s unwinding at the 17-room Ritz-Carlton Spa, featuring eucalyptus steam rooms, whirlpools, and an outdoor heated lap pool, or sitting down to brisket nachos or tuna ceviche at The Backyard BBQ & Bar. Cozy up around a private fire pit (available for rental) on the lively Manzanita Terrace. Make a reservation for at least one evening at the Manzanita signature restaurant for contemporary mountain cuisine and an expansive wine list. Or hop on the gondola and zip over to Northstar Village for boutique shopping, more dining options, a family-friendly skating rink, and two-screen movie theater.
Utah: Montage Deer Valley
Ski Deer Valley
Stay slopeside in style at Montage Deer Valley, with true ski-in/ski-out access. You’re just 4 miles south of Park City and right next to the trails of Deer Valley Resort. The dedicated Compass Sports team is on hand to receive, store, and prep your equipment—your warm boots will be waiting! No snowboarders are allowed at Deer Valley, so get out there and enjoy an exclusive skier’s experience. Beyond skiing, try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing through the quiet forest, or ice skating under the stars.
Stay in Deer Valley
If you already love the Montage brand, say, in Laguna Beach or Beverly Hills, you’ll fall hard for the mountain version. The approach alone is jaw-dropping, as you first glimpse the Craftsman-style manor at the head of Empire Canyon on the site of a former silver mine. Spacious rooms boast cozy gas fireplaces, private balconies or patios, and resort or mountain views. There’s a huge heated outdoor pool, complimentary local transportation (so you don’t have to worry about snow driving in the Wasatch Mountains’ famous powder), and you’re just minutes from Park City’s lively Main Street.
Après in Deer Valley
Whatever you do, schedule at least one evening on Park City’s celebrated Main Street, but if you’re feeling like you want to stay put after a powder-filled day, you’ll find your après fix just downstairs. First, unwind at the 35,000-square-foot Spa Montage, then pick your culinary indulgence for the night. Will it be farm-to-table creations at Apex or playful bites at Daly’s Pub & Rec? Sushi overlooking the slopes? Head to Yama. Finish out the evening under a cozy blanket around the fire pits on the outdoor terrace.
Colorado: Viceroy Snowmass
Ski Snowmass
Approachable, varied, and undeniably fun, Snowmass Village offers easy access to 91 trails and over 3,000 acres of terrain for Nordic, cross-country, and alpine skiing. Seek out glades and steeps, swoop along the snowboarding half-pipes, and explore all 21 chair lifts spread across Snowmass, Buttermilk, Aspen, and Aspen Highlands.
If your quads are screaming, try Krabloonik dog-sledding for a day, where husky-driven sleds whisk you through snowy landscapes, settle in for a romantic sleigh ride, or hop on a powerful snowmobile for an adrenaline-pumping adventure through White River National Forest.
Stay in Snowmass
Seeking the refinement of Aspen and the rustic charm of Telluride? Check into Viceroy Snowmass, at 4,406 above sea level near Snowmass Village. The ski-in/ski-out haven is just minutes from all the Aspen ambiance you want, while giving you a private mountainside experience where the 400-thread-count linens are just as cozy as your favorite puffer jacket. Most of the custom-designed, mountain-chic accommodations have kitchens, private sundecks, and fireplaces. Feel good about your stay, knowing that the eco-friendly Viceroy Snowmass has LEED Gold Certification, doing its part to ensure those surrounding mountains stay beautiful.
Après in Snowmass
Post-piste, seek out a Ute-inspired treatment at the spa, or slip into the waterfall-fed soaking pool. If you prefer to marinate in the mountain air, head outside to the Nest, with a slope-side heated bar and two spa pools.
Dining at Viceroy Snowmass is equally impressive. TORO serves globally inspired cuisine for every meal, while Café V offers specialty coffees and house-made pastries for a pick-me-up before your black diamond day. Spend a few evenings out in the villages, perhaps at Venga Venga Cantina & Tequila Bar for alfresco aged-tequila tastings (next to the fire pit, of course), a buzzy Italian spot, Il Poggio, for gnocchi with veal tenderloin, or the highbrow, but never hoity-toity Artisan Restaurant & Bar for foie gras and ahi tuna in a cabin-style interior.
Whatever your family ski vibe is, our expert team at CIRE can help you hit the slopes!
CIRE Travel is a full-service travel agency headquartered in New York, NY with offices in Kennebunkport, ME, Washington DC, Boston, MA, Miami, FL, Los Angeles, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Toronto, ON, Bogota, Colombia, Madrid, Spain, London, UK, Mexico City, Mexico, and Vancouver, BC. Our expert corporate travel planners, honeymoon travel agents, and luxury travel planners support clients across the country and around the world.
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