If you’re like us and you live in Southern Florida, you’re probably a big fan of the climate. We never get tired of the sun, the beaches, the warm water, and the fact that we don’t have to take vitamin D supplements just to get through another winter.
Still, every once in a while, we get the urge for some different scenery. Luckily, it’s a big country. All you have to do is book a flight—or hop in your bespoke luxury car if you like road trips—and you could be surrounded by gorgeous snow-capped mountains, cruising down the slopes during the day, and enjoying the finest amenities by night.
For those of us who like to change it up every once in a while, here are some of the best high-end ski resorts around the country.
Aspen Snowmass, Colorado
For starters, we have one of the largest and most renowned locations in all of North America. The Aspen collective offers access to four different peaks for an in-bounds total of nearly 6,000 acres. This insanely broad scope means that, realistically, you could spend an entire season here and still not see everything.
The town of Aspen proper is the very definition of a winter wonderland, and we absolutely recommend checking it out, but for our money, Snowmass and the surrounding ski village is the place to be. It’s by far the biggest mountain in the resort, and the wide range of terrain provides an excellent experience for skiers of all skill levels. Without question, it’s one of the best family ski resorts on this list.
Lodging in Snowmass is somewhat unique in that the vast majority is ski-in/ski-out, which means you get to the slopes and then back home faster. Perhaps the crowned jewel of the valley is the Limelight Hotel, which is situated a stone’s throw away from dining and shopping options, and also boasts one of the largest indoor rock-climbing walls in the state.
Breckenridge, Colorado
Conveniently located in the Front Range, just a short drive from Denver, it’s no surprise that this is one of the most popular spots for locals and travelers alike. While not the largest in Colorado by sheer square footage, it manages to offer a wide range of experiences thanks to the fact that the resort is spread across five peaks and three separate base areas. Because of its sheer size and abundant expert runs, Breck can be somewhat intimidating for beginner skiers, so if you’re a novice, we absolutely recommend skiing with a buddy.
The actual town of Breckenridge is smaller than other ski towns with similarly sized resorts, which makes it imminently easy to get around, and even the inexpensive lodging options are mere minutes away from the slopes. The town also has plentiful options for drinks and dinner, including a renowned bourbon distillery.
Steamboat, Colorado
If you’re planning a Rocky Mountain ski trip and you want to find something a little farther off the beaten path, this gem of the Continental Divide is the perfect choice.
Much of the terrain differs from other Colorado resorts, with less high-altitude bowls and more wooded tree runs thanks to the lion’s share of its footprint being below the tree line. Because of the less extreme elevation, Steamboat has long been a go-to destination for families with younger kids and beginner-to-intermediate skiers who only go once or twice a year.
The surrounding area has some unique après opportunities, including live music, hot springs, and wintertime horseback riding. It’s also one of the few honest-to-goodness ski towns left—Steamboat Springs is renowned for eschewing the manufactured vibe of larger resorts in favor of a lively nightlife and authentic western feel. The resort base and town also offer some impressive lodging amenities at reasonable prices, with many including hot tubs and slopeside access.
Vail, Colorado
Even if you know almost nothing about skiing, chances are that you’ve at least heard of Vail in passing. Vail Resorts can be found in nearly every corner of the country, plus a few in Canada, and even a couple of locations in Australia.
As the largest resort in Colorado, this is a fantastic place to book if you’re looking for endless acres to explore, with top-of-the-line lifts and crowd management. Even on the busiest days, the park’s impressive streamlining efforts mean that long lines are unlikely. The resort also has some absolutely mind-blowing gondola rides.
The base camp is as expansive as the mountain, with four distinct areas, each with their own top-rate lodging and extracurricular activities. You’d be hard pressed to find a nicer luxury ski resort anywhere in the world. Signature lodging includes the European-inspired Arrabelle and the freshly-renovated Hythe.
Sun Valley, Idaho
When you think “best luxury resorts,” the state of Idaho may not be the first place you picture. However, it’s actually been rated the #1 ski resort in the country in recent years.
The resort consists of two main mountains. Bald Mountain, which is the main event, has over 2,000 skiable acres, and appeals to more skilled skiers. Dollar Mountain, which is outside of the smaller Sun Valley village, caters to beginners. Both are close together, so it’s quite easy to hop between the two at your leisure. However, runs tend to favor more advanced skill levels, which means overall, this may not be the best place for younger children and novices.
Because of its relatively remote location, Sun Valley benefits from modest crowds and fast lift lines. The resort is situated around the small town of Ketchum, which has grown famous as a seasonal home to dozens of celebrities over the years. The valley is known for its friendly boutique feel, and because of its monied history, it has an impressive amount of luxury dining and lodging options compared to other towns of its size. Both the Sun Valley Lodge and Sun Valley Inn offer world-class spa amenities, while the outlying cottages and townhomes guarantee a first-rate private appeal.
Heavenly, Lake Tahoe
Nestled right on the California-Nevada border, this is widely known as the cream of the crop in terms of Tahoe resorts. One of the biggest draws here is the scenery, with sweeping views of the lake and its surrounding ranges.
Across its nearly 5,000 in-bounds acres, about 80% are considered blue or intermediate runs, while the remainder is nearly all expert-level, making Heavenly best suited for skiers with at least a full season or two of experience. However, like many on this list, they also offer some spectacular lesson packages for both individuals and groups.
Being just outside the town of South Lake Tahoe, Heavenly presents endless things to do when you’re ready to hang up the skis for the day. And it’s a hop, skip, and jump away from the local airport, which makes traveling a breeze.
Palisades, Lake Tahoe
Across the lake, we have our other pick for the best Tahoe ski resorts. Because of its unique climate, Palisades is a fantastic destination for late-season sessions, often still running lifts well into May, or even June.
Much like the South Tahoe resorts, this terrain caters largely to expert skiers, but those who can hack it will be rewarded with second-to-none views of the lake below. This is also the largest of the Tahoe resorts, with about 6,000 acres across two mountains.
Much like the mountain itself, the local lodging affords some truly life-altering views of the lake and valley. The northern resorts tend to feel a bit more isolated than those in the south, which will be hugely appealing to many. Despite its remote feel, there are still plenty of things to do within a few minutes of the mountain’s base.
Big Sky, Montana
Returning back to the Northern Rockies, just outside of Yellowstone National Park, we find a luxury alpine resort that truly lives up to its name. Because of its single giant peak it has become one of the most iconic mountain vistas in the US.
Terrain for all ages and skill levels abound at Big Sky, even as you move up into the mountain’s higher altitudes, which makes this spot a frontrunner for best high-end ski resorts for families. It also has multiple terrain parks for freestyle skiers. There are plenty of expert runs as well, even requiring them to designate some of their trails as triple-black diamond, which is unique among American resorts.
If you’re looking for one of the nicest lodges ever made, you simply can’t do much better than Montage Big Sky, which was newly revamped a few years ago. The resort also offers a myriad of ski-in/ski-out luxury rentals around the Mountain Base area, along with tons of places to eat, drink, and shop.
Deer Valley, Utah
This Wasatch Range spot is routinely featured on lists of luxury ski areas, and for good reason. Their hospitality services are regarded as legendary, and it also stands out on this list as being a ski-only resort. Sorry snowboarders.
Everywhere you look at Deer Valley you’ll be impressed by the sheer opulence. Unlike some places where mid-mountain cafes and lodges only offer basic amenities, the ones found here are geared for genuine luxury, with excellent food and drink service. Deer Valley also hosts a number of world-class places to stay during your visit, like the St. Regis. It’s also adjacent to Park City, which offers countless options for those with a taste for the finer things.
Overall, the terrain is quite forgiving, with an abundant supply of beginner-to-intermediate runs. Because of its close proximity to Park City Mountain, which is he largest resort in the country, this area is splendid for families looking to take a long ski trip. It can also serve as an excellent base of operations to explore one of the many other resorts near Salt Lake City.
Stowe, Vermont
As our only East Coast entry on this list, this one is truly special, and it presents a perfect chance to tackle a wide range of runs without worrying about the intense elevation of western resorts.
Stowe is one of the longest-running ski areas in the US, and in that time, they’ve worked tirelessly to perfect their unique mountain experience. Plus, it’s backed by that Vail money, so they have the infrastructure to hold up to their reputation. Its footprint is split between Spruce Peak, and Mt. Mansfield, which is Vermont’s highest point.
On-site lodging accommodations are among the most high-end in the area, so booking a luxury ski-in/ski-out trip is quite doable. The actual town of Stowe is incredibly charming as well, having been named one of the top 10 towns in America.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
This fabled luxury resort is consistently rated as one of the best no matter who you ask. Like Sun Valley and Big Sky, it’s located quite far off the usual track. However, those who choose to venture out of their comfort zone will be handsomely rewarded.
It should be noted that this resort likely won’t be the best choice for beginners, so if you’re planning a group trip, it’s best to bring a crew who knows what they’re doing. Despite its rugged verticality, the resort still has plenty of things to do for families, as it has unbeatable mountain town aesthetics, as well as a high concentration of luxury lodging options, including Amangani and a Four Seasons. The quaint nearby town of Jackson also has tons of après things to do.
Travel in Style with Bentley
Whether you need a set of bespoke luggage for your next ski trip, or you’re looking for genuine parts to help transport your gear safely, we have you covered. Contact our parts department for a quote, or give us a call at (786) 577-5218 to learn more.
