Choosing a ski resort for this year’s obligatory winterbrvacation can be a daunting task. With so many to sortbrthrough, it’s hard to decide where to book. You can narrowbryour list by myriad of attributes and amenities, or you canbradd another box to check off: festivities. The following three resorts inbrNorth America have more to offer than just fresh snow and hot cocoabrmoments.br
Ski Like a Champion
Home to the only men’s World Cup stop in the United States, BeaverbrCreek Ski Resort hosts the
Birds of Prey competition each year. Forbrserious ski enthusiasts looking for an adventure to observe from afar,brthis event, which takes place December 4-6 this year, is sure to meet yourbrvicarious needs. Want to dig your own skis into the powder at BeaverbrCreek? With 1,832 acres, the resort offers a few surprises. In additionbrto the 150 different trails, skiers can find fresh-powdered ski “stashes”brthroughout the terrain. But if you’d like to take the path most traveled,bryou won’t have to worry about sloppy snow. Groomers work all night tobrensure groomed trails stay fresh. BeaverCreek.combr
Looking for luxury lodging at Beaver Creek? The Westin RiverfrontbrResort & Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain has a long amenity list offeredbron site, and ski activity assistance to boot. Let the onsite ski shop provide overnight tune-ups and waxing for your equipment. Left thebrhouse in a hurried rush for the airport? You have the ability to rentbrskis, snowboards and other necessary accessories such as helmetsbrat the ski shop as well. Pair these resources with classes for agesbrthree and up, and your family is ready to hit the slopes.
br br brTwo things can motivate guests when it comes to takingbradvantage of the onsite spa, Anjali. Number one: Skiers canbrattest to worn-out arms and legs—the sport can be rough on thebrbody. Number two: Maybe you’ve discovered skiing isn’t yourbrforte. Retreating to Spa Anjali for the Rocky Mountain, Alpen orbrHimalayan experience, those wishing to relax and rejuvenatebrhave a world of pampering possibilities at their fingertips. WestinRiverfrontBeaverCreek.com
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Santa Meet and Greet
Imagine hitting the slopes with none other than the big man in the redbrsuit himself. That’s right. Santa is leaving his sled and reindeer behindbrto visit the Park City Ski Resort in Utah mid December through earlybrJanuary. The new, 16-day festival DecemberFest will include morningbrand après musical acts, village entertainers, a resort tree-lightingbrceremony and more. Not impressed with theatrics? These numbersbrmight appeal to your conventional side. With more than 7,300 acres,brmore than 300 trails, 38 lifts, seven terrain parks, 14 bowls, six naturalbrhalf pipes, one super pipe and one mini pipe, Park City is consideredbrthe largest ski area in the United States. ParkCityMountain.com
Why rent a cabin when you can reserve a suite at the Waldorf AstoriabrPark City? With accommodations ranging in size from a small citybrapartment (350 square feet) to a quaint suburban home (2,100 squarebrfeet), leave roughing it to the less traveled and enjoy amenities suchbras your own personal fireplace and kitchenettes. The resort suites arebrmade to accommodate skiers, snowboarders and snow-shoers alike.brBecause the one thing all three guests have in common? After a longbrday on the slopes or the backcountry trails of the Wasatch Mountains,brtheir bodies are in need of rest. WaldorfAstoria3.Hilton.com
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Celebrity Sightings
One of Canada’s leading film festivals, the 15th Annual Whistler FilmbrFestival at Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort in Canada takes place inbrearly December. The event will feature more than 80 innovative andbroriginal films from around the world. You’ll also have opportunities tobrmeet the people behind the scenes of each film. Think of it as Cannes,bronly much colder, and your free time will be filled with action-packedbrskiing rather than toasting cocktails.br
But you didn’t just come for the dinner and a movie experience,brright? There has to be a ski-worthy redeeming quality about WhistlerbrBlackcomb. How about this? Whistler Blackcomb features two side-by-side mountains, each one a mile high. Connected by the GuinnessbrWorld Record-holding PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, the two mountainsbroffer enough terrain—8,171 acres to be exact—for all types of winterbractivities. There are chutes, steeps, cliffs and bowls for skiers andbrsnowboarders of all ages. WhistlerBlackcomb.com
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“Specialty rubs—made for steaks not the spa—can make all yourbrcarnivorous dreams come true at the Four Seasons Whistler SidecutbrModern Steak + Bar. While choosing the best lodging for your winterbrresort vacation, it’s just as important to consider cuisine as it is to weighbryour fitness center and spa options. Executive Chef Eren Guryel servesbrup a variety of regional meats, including Canadian prime beef frombrAlberta. Prefer surf to turf? Chef Eren uses using locally sourced QueenbrCharlotte Sound halibut or wild Chinook salmon. FourSeasons.com