Best of the High Country
Best of the High Country Winter 2004
Every year we ask our readers to tell us about their favorite mountain places and events—weekend getaways, ski resorts, golf courses, family vacations, scenic drives, art galleries and much more.

Photo Courtesy Whistler Resort

Most unusual amenity
Chocolate is the new coffee. For connoisseurs of the next new thing, chocolate is quickly replacing extra virgin olive oil and the boutique cabernets. The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, Colorado, has a Hot Chocolate Sommelier on staff to customize a perfect cup of hot chocolate for you. Choose from several different chocolate shavings from Hershey’s to Valrhona to Scharffen Berger. How about a liquid s’more served in a graham cracker-rimmed mug?

Best Ski Resort

Whistler Resort - British Columbia, Canada - Beautifully set in the Coast Mountains just 75 miles north of Vancouver lies Whistler, home to 7,071 acres of skiable terrain, a charming alpine village and a winter season that runs November through June. World-class hotels, restaurants and boutiques offer off-the-slopes appeal. (800) 944-7853 or www.mywhistler.com.

Aspen/Snowmass - Aspen, Colorado - The historic resort boasts four mountains for snow enthusiasts to choose from: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass. And the Aspen Rail Revolution, which attracts spectators and journalists from around the world, is back. (800) 308-6935 or visit www.aspensnowmass.com.

Vail Resort - Vail, Colorado - Forty-five years ago, Vail was little more than an idea. Today, the renowned resort features 193 trails and over 5,000 skiable acres. From January 27 through February 1, the best skiers on the planet convene here for the U.S. Freeskiing Open. A wealth of off-slope activities also awaits visitors, including shopping, dining and local nightlife. (888) 222-9324 or www.vail.snow.com.

Northstar at Tahoe Ski Resort - Truckee, California - This family-style resort reported an early snowfall, ensuring promising winter conditions this season. The mountain offers 70 trails, 50 percent of which are groomed for intermediate terrain. Rejuvenate with a cup of hot cocoa, then hit Polaris Park for some night skiing. (800) 466-6784 or www.skinorthstar.com.

Alta Ski Area - Alta, Utah - Known for its deep powder and rugged terrain, Alta caters to every class of skier. Ample beginner and intermediate terrains balance out the more advanced runs. Thrill seekers should look into Alta’s helicopter skiing. (801) 359-1078 or www.altaskiarea.com.

Kid's at ski school
Photo Courtesy vail Resort
Best Kid’s Ski School

Vail, Colorado - The Adventure Zone’s  specially designed kids terrain, an animal kingdom and magical tree trails  make skiing fun. (800) 354-5630 or www.vail.snow.com.

Aspen/Snowmass - Aspen, Colorado - With a wealth of classes tailored to age and ability, your child will find a perfect fit. (800) 308-6936 or www.aspensnowmass.com.

Deer Valley - Park City, Utah - The resort has programs for ages 3-18, with scavenger hunts and obstacle courses for younger students and downhill dynamics for teens. (888) 754-8477 or www.deervalley.com.

Taos Ski Valley - Taos, New Mexico - Complete with its own lifts, the nationally recognized Kinderkäfig program remains a state-of-the-art school. (800) 347-7414 or www.skitaos.org.
The Canyons  Park City, Utah  The Canyons offers fun ski clinics for kids, ages 2-12, as well as indoor and outdoor daycare to keep the tykes entertained. (435) 615-3449 or www.thecanyons.com.

Best Ice Skating

Evergreen Lake, Evergreen, Colorado Considered the jewel of the community, Evergreen Lake is just 7 miles south of I-70. Open through mid-March. (303) 512-9300 or www.evergreenlakehouse.com. Sun Valley Ice Rink, Sun Valley, Idaho Ice skating’s biggest headliners have made their fair share of figure eights inside this rink headed up by Olympic silver medalist Linda Fratianne. Skate rentals and private lessons are available for a nominal fee. (208) 622-2194 or www.sunvalley.com. Beaver Creek Ice Rink, beaver creek, colorado No need to rely on the weather forecast if you feel like skating in Beaver Creek. Located in the heart of the village plaza, the ice rink is open year round. (970) 845-0438 or www.beavercreek.snow.com. Snow King Center Skating Rink, Jackson, Wyoming This indoor addition to the Snow King Resort has convenient ski-in, ski-out access. The skating hotline is updated daily with current hours and prices. (307) 734-3000. Lake Louise, Alberta Every winter, the lake fronting the Chateau Lake Louise is transformed into an incredible alpine ice rink. www.skilouise.com/activities.

Photo Courtesy Banff/Lake Louise tourism bureau
Best Sleigh Ride

Banff,  Alberta, Canada - Our readers love the sleigh rides through Banff’s pristine alpine wilderness. Rides are available seven days a week. (403) 762-8421 or www.banfflakelouise.com.

Telluride, Colorado - The towering peaks of Telluride’s San Juan Mountains make a picture-perfect backdrop for a sleigh ride. With several companies and options to choose from, you’re sure to find the right ride for you. (888) 376-9770 or www.telluride.com.

Up to Beanos Cabin - Beaver Creek, Colorado - Enjoy a moonlit sleigh ride through the forest up to this elegant cabin (877) 354-0061 or www.beavercreek.snow.com.

Sun Valley Resort - Sun Valley, Idaho - For a memorable dinner, a sleigh ride to Trail Creek Cabin is just the ticket. (208) 622-2135 or visit www.sunvalley.com.

National Elk Refuge - Jackson, Wyoming - Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride and encounter a herd of 100 grazing elk on this one-hour tour. (800) 313-9553.

Editor's Pick

Best Travel Deal

Frontier Airlines and Vail Resorts 
“The Ultimate Season Pass” for ski lovers— unlimited round-trip flights into Denver, Colorado, and Reno, Nevada, on Frontier Airlines and unlimited skiing and snowboarding at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly for $2,999 per person.

“The Triple Play”—$999 per person—for three ski escapes. www.frontierairlines.com/vail.

Best Private Skiing

YELLOWSTONE CLUB, Big Sky, Montana, is a pristine, private ski and golf community with 2,000 skiable acres. It is bordered by Yellowstone National Park and the Big Sky Ski Area. Extreme-skiing guru Warren Miller is the director of skiing. Membership is by invitation. (888) 700-7748.