Leaf-Peeping & Beyond: Making the Most of a Fall Destination

These days, leaf-peeping packages are a-dime-a-dozen; while beautiful, there’s more to a perfect fall vacation than just foliage. A true autumn getaway embraces all the intricacies of the season, from the bountiful harvest of local gardens to alternative activities like hunting and fishing. The following hotels, destinations and resorts are in envious locations for experiencing the yearly color change, yet have also created uniquely local offerings that take advantage of everything fall has to offer in their distinct locations.

We’ve divided the offerings into categories: Adventurous Leaf-Peeping, Fall Spa Experiences, Cultural Fall Escapes, Fall Harvest Culinary Experiences and Hunting & Cooking.

Adventurous Leaf-Peeping

 Viceroy Snowmass

Aspen-to-Crested Butte Fall Hiking Experience: Viceroy Snowmass is offering guests a luxurious new way to experience the iconic Aspen to Crested Butte hike. Connected by a series of high-alpine trails and passes, the journey between the two towns offers breathtaking views of Colorado’s dramatic landscape, including the famous Maroon Bells. Guests leave the hotel and are taken by private transport to the trailhead where they begin their trip guided by local experts. The hotel’s culinary team provides a gourmet trail lunch as well as treats, snacks and beverages for travelers to enjoy on the journey. Once in Crested Butte, guests can enjoy the idyllic town and then have three options to complete experience: spend the night in Crested Butte; have a helicopter bring them back to Viceroy Snowmass following the hike; or drive back to the hotel via private transport.

The Ultimate Biking Experience (Ride with a Pro + Farm-to-Table Dinner): This cycling program is in conjunction with former pro rider, Will Frischkorn (Tour de France competitor for Garmin). The experience is entirely customizable, but the best way to book it is via the three-day (long weekend) option. The adventure begins on Friday with a 25-mile ride down valley to Sustainable Settings Farm. There, Viceroy’s Executive Chef, Will Nolan, prepares a real farm-to-table dinner. Guests are transported back to the property via vehicle (as daylight is gone at this point). On Saturday, riders depart from Viceroy and hit Maroon Bells (one of the most scenic rides on earth), followed by Castle Creek/Ashcroft (an old ghost town). In Ashcroft, the property has a tent stocked with a full lunch (featuring charcuterie and cheeses hand selected from Frischkorn’s acclaimed Boulder store, Cured). Guests ride back to the property for a massage, and ride again Sunday if desired.

Four Seasons Resort & Residences Vail

Take a Llama to Lunch + Fall Hike (as part of the resort’s Backcountry Adventure offerings): Guests enjoy an interactive introduction to these unique pack animals before taking off on a leisurely hike. Families with young children typically take a short hike and may return to the cabin for lunch. Seasoned hikers and families with older children, typically enjoy a longer hike that winds through mature aspen groves and evergreen forest, which at the height of the season, is awash with color. A gourmet Four Seasons lunch is provided as well as an après-adventure relaxation in the Fireside Lounge.

Alberta, CA

Luxurious Railway Leaf Peeping Tour: Canada Train Vacations whisks guests through the Rockies on a whirlwind leaf peeping tour via a mountain-weaving rail network. On Canadian Pacific’s fancy Royal Banff Dinner Train, travelers will indulge in a full meal complete with hors d’oeuvres and a sommelier.

Sunriver Resort

Hiking, Biking & Horseback Riding Through the Colors: Surrounded by more than 40 miles of biking and hiking trails, Sunriver Resort is the premier location for leaf peeping in Central Oregon. The aspen groves lining the Deschutes River and dotting the Cascade foothills turn a bright yellow, making a beautiful backdrop for horseback riding along the river. The colors from theses trees are amplified by the thick green ponderosa forests that surround them making for a dramatic autumn scene.

Smith Fork Ranch

Fall Colors Horseback Cocktail Ride: This experience on Colorado's western slope provides a great opportunity for leaf peeing while riding to a scenic hilltop overlooking the ranch and valley. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are waiting at the top for guests to enjoy with the views.

Utah

Take a Fall Safari on an ATV through Powder Mountain’s 10,000 wooded acres, with viewpoints of Ogden Valley, the Great Salt Lake, Uintah Mountains, Wyoming, Idaho and Nevada. For a different perspective, grab your fishing rod and set up along the Green River by Flaming Gorge for amazing views and jumping trout, or see the changing colors as you zoom through the air at 65mph on the Sundance ZipTour — 2,100 feet above the ground!

Fall Spa Experiences

Viceroy Snowmass

Viceroy’s brand new “Hike in/Hike Out” Spa program (one geared towards women & one tailored to men) offers fantastic fall experiences.

Chicks, Charcuterie and Champagne (45 Minutes): After an active day, a 15-minute customized bath is the perfect relief in response to various conditions. Lavender or Wildflower Oil are just what the body needs to relax while having a glass of Champagne. A soothing, focused 30-minute lower body massage treatment quickly relieves stress, tension, and improves circulation after a day of hiking.  Finish your experience by enjoying our signature Charcuterie Plate.

Bros, Brews & Brats (45 Minutes): The guys' version also features a 15-minute customized bath with Eucalyptus or Arnica Oil, while having a Colorado microbrew. Guys will also enjoy a focused 30-minute lower body massage treatment that feels just right after a day on the trails. Finish your experience by heading up to our Nest Public House and enjoy a house-made bratwurst.

Four Seasons Resort & Residences Vail

“Boots to Booze” Foot Treatment For Men: Perfect for post-hike or long bike ride, this foot treatment designed for men starts with a Bourbon Bubbler scrub combined with brown sugar and real Kentucky whiskey to scrub and relax sore feet and muscles. Next, a soothing avocado hydration mask is applied to the face while the guest sips on locally distilled Bourbon or Rye Whiskey. Hot stones are used to massage feet and melt away tension, and a full pedicure cleans up the wear and tear of summer fun. To enhance this experience, guests have the option of adding on chips and guacamole to snack on, and have a visit from The Remedy’s Drink Doctor to create your own craft bourbon cocktail.

“Bourbon Cowboy” Body Treatment for Men: This body treatment begins with a warm coconut cream milk bath to soften the skin, with a spiked Kentucky whiskey brown sugar exfoliation scrub down following. Next, an agave nectar oil leg and foot massage relaxes sore muscles and prepares you for more summer adventures.

Cultural Fall Escapes

 Waldorf Astoria Park City

The Adventure Enthusiast: Try WAPC’s Bike, Brews and Bites, a custom mountain bike experience using the world-class trails that are the Waldorf Astoria Park City's backdrop. The experience includes top-of-the-line equipment from White Pine Touring guides, who take guests on an epic three hour ride. Post-ride, guests return to the hotel’s restaurant, Powder, for exclusive “après-bike” experience.

The History Buff: Join WAPC’s Historic Bike Tour! From Billy the kid roaming the streets to the rise of mining towns, Park City has a lot of history to explore. The historic tour (an easy downhill jaunt) includes stops and information about the history of the mining town and can include scenic rides to Main Street, cycling to High West Distillery, bike to Utah Olympic Park, or Red Rock Brewery in Kimball Junction, etc.

The Beer Snob: Become the Brew Master  with WAPC. A dream come true for brew aficionados, the experience will allow guests to have exclusive access to the beer creation process with the local Brewery’s Brew Master. Guests will dive into the hops and carbonation process and then learn about canning and distribution at Park City Brewery’s tap room.

Fall Harvest Culinary Experiences

Four Seasons Resort & Residences Vail

Lessons From the Garden – Progressive Fall F&B Experience: Create craft cocktails using fresh herbs from the resort’s on-site herb garden, accompanied by a small tasting of bites to nibble on. Then move on to Flame Restaurant Kitchen for a custom spice rub class with chef, which is also accompanied by a sommelier-led wine pairing session. The experience progresses down to the resort’s exclusive spa terrace with fireplace for an intimate dinner of fall mountain views with a personal server and live music. Using a protein selected by the guest and by combining it with gourmet, artisanal Colorado products, the restaurant customizes a four-course dinner complete with wine parings.

Waldorf Astoria Park City

The Foodie: Join the Exec Chef on The Ultimate Back-of-House Experience featuring a trip to his beehives. Guests will have the opportunity of a lifetime to join Executive Chef Ryker Brown at the hotel’s private bee sanctuary exploring the bee harvesting process and tasting the homemade Utah honey right from the hive. At the end, guests will enjoy a Whipped Honey Scrub pedicure in the four-star on property Spa.

Smith Fork Ranch

Local Vineyard Harvest Experience: The North Fork Valley is home to several amazing wineries – Stone Cottage Cellars, Jack Rabbit Hill Farm and Alfred Eames Cellars. The Ranch can arrange for visitors to tour these wineries during the harvest season, while staying in luxury at the cozy cabins. Marley Hodgson, Sommelier and owner of Smith Fork Ranch, even shares his private collection with guests and will make pairing recommendations for multi-course meals and the annual Harvest Dinner.

Hunting and Cooking

Viceroy Snowmass

Hunting and Cooking With Executive Chef: Viceroy Snowmass partnered with Aspen Outfitting Company to offer guests a chance to go out and hunt their next meal in the You Catch, We Cook experience – taking “farm to table” to another level. Following a successful hunt in the countryside, Viceroy Snowmass’ Executive Chef, Will Nolan, teaches guests everything there is to know about breaking down the animal and preparing it for a meal. Hunting seasons dictate what guests can bring back to the property for preparation.

Alberta, CA

Forage Feast: Join Full Circle Adventures’ expert naturalists, who take travelers on private foraging excursions, so they can collect delectable wild edibles. Guests will get a sense of the many habitats in Alberta and the various species that grow in the area. After a delicious lunch cooked by the experts, the tour company will show guests how easy it is to grow these wild treats right in their own gardens.

Urban Food Tours: Join Alberta Food Tours Inc., which offers tours through some of the province’s most interesting culinary hubs: Calgary, Edmonton and Canmore. The private tours give you access to food secrets and hot spots most tourists would never find. In addition, many of the tours can be customized to meet with top local purveyors, restaurateurs and chefs.

Smith Fork Ranch

Horseback Mushroom Foraging: Delve deep into the Colorado wilderness by horseback while foraging for mushrooms and other local delicacies with a ranch chef. The foraged ingredients will then be used to create a meal along with veggies and herbs harvested from the on-site farmstead.