In case you missed last week’s post about Deer Valley/Park City, I’m living vicariously through my family as of late as I’m now 6 1/2 months pregnant and have to sit out on a few things like their recent ski trips. I was lucky enough to get all the highlights though…enjoy!
SNOWMASS
Start your trip off on the right foot in Snowmass and have B-LineXpress car service pick your party up at the airport. The six members of my family were chauffeured from airport to condo in a SUV so comfortable and beautiful that they had to question if it was really a GMC Yukon. Loaded with DirecTV, HBO, ESPN, CNN, NFL Ticket, LCD Video Screen and headphones perfect for the kids, leather seats, coolers with complimentary drinks and snacks, and a friendly driver, everyone was happy. Sounds like they really do know the meaning of “The Art of Luxury Travel”, as their site says.
Viceroy at Snowmass
Viceroy – Named as one of Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Ski Hotels in North America, the Viceroy is clearly the place to lay your head in Snowmass. Even from a distance, the property looks stunning and is only 20 minutes from Aspen. It is the first luxury Colorado property to be awarded LEED Gold certification and was named one of Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers Pick of World’s Best Hotels in 2012. If you are lucky enough to stay here, don’t miss the mouth-watering menu at their sleek Eight K restaurant and the award winning 7,000-square-foot Spa at Viceroy Snowmass.
Venga Venga – Cantina & Tequila Bar – Enjoy Authentic Mexican by Chef Richard Sandoval along with their amazing tequila bar including 75 Tequilas and mezcals. All things were reported to be quite tasty though my chocoholic family raved most about the CHURROS Y CHOCOLATE: light donut batter with a hint of cinnamon / sugar / cajete / mexican chocolate sauce. Yum, I’m ready.
Base Camp Bar & Grill, Snowmass
Base Camp Bar & Grill – slope-side in Base Village at Snowmass, you’ll find Base Camp Bar & Grill which may be the most fun aprés ski with live music daily from 3-6pm, indoor/outdoor dining, amazing sweet potato fries, great beers on tap, and even skiers dancing in their boots. Evenings also will entertain with DJs spinning until 2am at their own Camp 2 Nightclub.
Ski & Snowboard Schools – Aspen Snowmass – Group lessons here almost become private lessons by the end of your week as you are divided up as the week continues into smaller groups…those who are not quite “naturals”, those who are on track, and those who are advancing quickly, which only benefits all skiers. Lift lines are never long at the resort (maybe a 2 minute wait) as it’s mostly vacationers as it’s too far for many “locals”. Another bonus, most lifts are gondolas so they’re enclosed and warm and cozy. Snowmass, overall, you’ll find quite family-friendly and easy with different restaurant options on many levels of the mountain in case hunger strikes mid-run.
As I’m now 6 1/2 months pregnant (and getting bigger by the minute), I’ve been living vicariously through others lately. Late night cocktail-filled birthday parties, sky-high heels, sushi rolls, Venti coffees, and long-distance trips have been swapped out for mid-afternoon naps, flats, and elastic-waist everything. Granted, hearing the heartbeat of our second baby and seeing his/her moves (it’s a surprise) at the ultrasound make all that seem like an easy trade-off. But, I do have my moments when I really want to do what’s not so acceptable in my condition: go out for a day on the boat, take those long flights abroad, go bowling, and, most recently, ski!
Over the last month, my family has been skiing in Deer Valley and Snowmass. Being from Miami, a ski trip to us sounds like a beach vacation to most…paradise…the rush heading down the slopes, the sense of accomplishment after a day that has been equally as much fun as brutal exercise, fur-trimmed aprés ski boots, hot chocolate in the lodge and rewarding yourself with a decadent dinner each night…calories don’t count at a certain elevation, don’t you know? Besides, the last family ski trip we went on in Beaver Creek was unbelievable.
Luckily, I’ve gotten all the juicy details from each trip. Here are a few places they mentioned shouldn’t be missed in Deer Valley/Park City. Snowmass details to come next week!
Talisker on Main in Park City, Utah
Talisker on Main – this restaurant first opened during the 2009-2010 ski season and is evidently THE best place in Park City for dinner. The main room, small and elegant with blue, black and white decor overlooking an open kitchen, is where most dine though there is a private room in back and a library upstairs for small private group dining. Everything on their menu is delicious though the cheese fondue with mushrooms, duck, scallops, and risotto with sliced truffles were the clear standouts to my family during their visit.
Hotel Park City, Park City, Utah
Hotel Park City– Only 35 minutes from the Salt Lake City International Airport you’ll find this Conde Nast Traveler “Top Ski Hotel” which has also earned the AAA Four Diamond Service award. Upon arrival, my family had been upgraded into their 1200 square foot Grand Luxury Suite which included two baths and a full kitchen. Each morning, they enjoyed the complimentary Daily Skiers Buffet Breakfast (available 12/12/11 through 3/31/12), which included crepes, ready-made omelets, eggs benedict, waffles, and fresh fruit which was served in the Ruth’s Chris restaurant on the property. The ski valet stores your equipment each night and returns it on your way out to the slopes in the morning. A free shuttle takes you around town as you wish and aprés ski can be spent with hot cider, coffee, or hot chocolate aside the roaring fireplace and baby grand piano each afternoon.
Deer Valley Ski School – The private ski lessons here are evidently worth every penny, especially if you request Wally (or his wife) as your ski instructor. If you are a full-day private lesson skier, you’ll also enjoy complimentary Dartfish Video Enhancement Technology. This includes “SimulCam” video which compares you to other skiers and “StroMotion” imagery which provides you with a freeze-frame photo montage.
The Stein Eriksen Lodge, Deer Valley
The Stein Eriksen Lodge – if you’re familiar with Deer Valley, you’re probably familiar with this hotel which has been around for over 29 years and is Utah’s only Forbes Five Star, AAA Five Diamond hotel. If you’re lucky enough to stay here, named a Condé Nast Traveler Top Ski Hotel in North America, fantastic! If not, it’s still accessible to the public as it’s located mid-mountain at Deer Valley Resort, with ski-in/out access. Half way through your day on the slopes, stop off for a fabulous lunch at the Four Star rated Glitretind Restaurant overlooking the slopes which serves Regional American cuisine. Lunch is served week days and includes a $35 buffet in the traditional, elegant lodge which offers fresh shrimp & crab claws, a carving station and spare ribs, along with about 20 desserts including hot cobbler everyday. You don’t need a reservation most of the week (and there’s usually no wait), but reservations are suggested for their Sunday Brunch buffet. Service is amazing and there’s no rushing you out, thankfully, as you’d have to roll yourself down the rest of the mountain after that spread.
When you really want something, go to the source. Can’t get a table through the concierge? Stop by the restaurant and ask in person. You may not get the perfect reservation time, but if you’re looking sharp and are polite something may suddenly become available. Looking for a room at that hot new hotel? Call the local number, not the 800 number. Those who actually work on the property will know first about any rooms that just became available. Last minute flight cancellation and your airline can’t seem to find you another one, even on another airline? Call the other airline directly and definitely mention if you are a frequent flier or have elite status. You’ll be amazed what opens up.
Each year on your birthday, check your driver’s license and passport to see when they expire. There’s nothing more frustrating than getting yourself together and to the airport or cruise ship on time only to be stopped by security because of the expiration! Also, if you’re traveling domestically, make sure your passport is in an easily accessible spot at home. This way if you do have to call a friend or family member to grab it for you, they won’t have to turn your place upside down in order to find it. If you check it every year on your birthday, you’ll be ready at any time to jet off in a moment’s notice…and who doesn’t love doing that?
When traveling with children, checking bags is inevitable. On your own B.C. (before children), sure, you’ve learned how to pack everything you need in one, busting at the seams, carry-on…and thank goodness as once a little cutie enters your life, you’re lucky if you get to bring a carry-on tote. The stroller, diapers, formula, pack n’ play, and car seat are only the start of your list for your new traveling companion who seems SO high maintenance. You’ve never been so excited to check baggage before…dump as much as you can. Turns out, on many airlines, if it’s a “baby item” (play yard, car seat, etc.), they waive the baggage fee. When we were new parents, we didn’t know this and on one jaunt were pleasantly surprised when we happened to mention the extra bag was the car seat and they said “no charge for baby items.” I’m not sure it would have mattered anyway as we were happy to just have one less thing to carry. But point being, save yourself a few extra dollars and mention all “baby items” when checking in.
Meet Ashley
Former NYC fashion industry girl, forever traveler, foodie at heart, and now Mom in Miami. My blog, Arrive Chic, covers the style I find in everyday life both on the road and at home, often with my two energetic little boys in tow.
