While the rest of us are out in the sun all summer long, the winter travel industry is hard at work prepping for the approaching snow season. As the August sun wanes and the crisp winds of fall approach, it’s time for a sneak peak into the latest news and trends in winter & ski travel.
“Home Away from Home” Custom Fridge Amenity: It’s as if the guest never left home – he or she arrives to a beautifully appointed suite to discover a kitchen and fridge stocked with favorite foods and libations. Even better, Viceroy makes a point of offering a wide selection of locally sourced fresh ingredients (Woody Creek Private Label Bottles, Palisade Peaches, veggies from the nearby farm, local chocolate, etc.) to ensure guests are always experiencing the best of Aspen/Snowmass. 360 Omakase Winter Experience: Taking the concept of experiential vacation customization to a new level, “Omakase” is the Japanese phrase that translates to “I’ll leave it up to you.” Guests agree to let Viceroy take the reigns of their entire visit, from meals to experiences to relaxation – until they say the word. Each day guests receive a curated itinerary with personalized surprises & amenities along the way. Elements can be F&B experiences; spa/wellness related; activity based, etc. – the idea is guests never know what’s coming throughout their stay. Learn more
Dawn Patrol: Four Seasons Vail has partnered with Paragon Guides to take guests up the mountain before the lifts start turning via alpine touring gear for a one-of-a-kind Four Seasons backcountry ski experience. Professional guides will take guests on a pre-sunrise ascent of the mountain (likely Bald Mountain or Vail Pass), followed by a gorgeous sunrise ski down, and culminating in a big (well-earned) breakfast back at Four Seasons. A professional videographer will accompany each group to provide incredible video and photos to each guest. In addition, Pocket Meals will also be available for the guest prior to departing the hotel.
Winter Altitude Adjustment Spa Experience: This new spa experience is designed to help guests adjust to the altitude in the mountains as quickly as possible, allowing them to sleep better and enjoy the abundance of outdoor activities as soon as they arrive to Vail. The experience includes a brief session with a therapist to discuss altitude adjustment and how best to acclimate as quickly as possible and a 50-minute High Altitude Massage. Guests also receive a Four Seasons Altitude Adjustment Kit, which includes a coconut elixir oxygen canister, oil and bath salts designed for high altitude adjustment, supplements, water, and Chamomile tea. In addition, the Spa will also provide an in-room amenity to the guest at turndown that is designed to promote better sleeping at high altitude.
Groomer Day Experience: This male specific spa offering is guaranteed to get the men looking and feeling fresh and ready for a night out in Vail. This experience includes a day of grooming with treatments to include a Bourbon-themed treatment and a Cut & Cold One haircut and shave in the Barbershop, among others. Following the spa, the guys hop into a Four Seasons Mercedes and are whisked away to a designer styling session at a store in Vail for new clothing for that evening, or a customized styling experience where men design their own clothing that is then sent off to Italy to be hand-made. This experience also includes a tasting at either 10th Mountain Whiskey’s local distillery or Vail Brewery.
Four Seasons Vail On-Mountain BBQ: Once a month, Four Seasons Vail will have a pop-up BBQ somewhere on mountain where select guests will be invited to dine al fresco and then ski with the GM of the resort and other Four Seasons representatives. All levels of skiers are invited. Menu items may include The Remedy’s Ribs, TJW (That’s Just Wrong Hot Dog) or Remedy Burger.
The Anywhere Breakfast: When skiers wake up and see fresh snow on the ground, it’s a rush to get out the door as soon as possible, often at the expense of a hearty meal to start the day. This season, Four Seasons Vail will be offering an on-the-go menu to guests to make sure they have the proper fuel for a day on the mountain. Menu items include pocket bacon, mini bagel, ham and cheese croissant, kolaches and even a local pressed juice from Green Elephant Juicery. With every Pocket Meal, guests also receive a wooden coin for a free draft beer at The Remedy upon return.
Powder-day Giveaway: Every time it snows 6+ inches, the hotel will pass out free powdered donuts and white hot chocolate to guests as they leave the hotel and head to the mountain! Learn more
Pocket Meals: Whether it’s a powder day or there is no time for breakfast, guests don’t have to sacrifice quality for convenience with WAPC’s new Pocket Meals program. Executive Chef Ryker Brown of Powder Restaurant is unveiling two gourmet on-the-go options, the pocket quesadilla and the early morning burrito, both of which are hand-crafted in the Powder kitchen each morning and perfect for the traveler on the move.
Choose Your Own Adventure: Personal Concierge: Taking the concierge experience to the next level, the Personal Park City Concierge at WAPC is dedicated to helping guests make the most of the destination. Each guest will be paired up with their very own Park City assistant, who will be available through the stay to help plan and execute the perfect itinerary. The Personal Park City Concierge has expert knowledge of the area and will be able to assist guests with all the local secrets and hotspots most tourists will walk right past. In addition, guests will have an on-demand personal local driver to take around town to share insider tips, historical facts and more.
Aprés All Day: Contrary to popular belief, you CAN get a drink in Utah, and some pretty good ones, too. Waldorf Astoria Park City’s new Apres All Day offering takes guests on a tour of Park City’s best whiskey, beer and wine offerings through the eyes of the experts who know each best. Start the day with a house-crafted Waldorf Astoria Pocket Meal and morning tour at Park City Brewery, led by the brewmaster himself, and taste some of Park City’s best craft beer, including Waldorf’s very own Pow Day Beer. Next, head to High West Distillery for a whiskey-pairing lunch and a behind-the-scenes tour of the distillery, and learn why High West has quickly become an acclaimed distillery around the country. The final stop on the Park City tour is Old Town Cellars for a wine flight and tasting experience, to learn how locals turned water into wine on Main Street. End the day with a wine pairing dinner back at Powder where Chef Ryker has curated a customized menu to compliment your favorite Old Town Cellar wines.
Pocket Meals: Whether it’s a powder day or there is no time for breakfast, guests don’t have to sacrifice quality for convenience with WAPC’s new Pocket Meals program. Executive Chef Ryker Brown of Powder Restaurant is unveiling two gourmet on-the-go options, the pocket quesadilla and the early morning burrito, both of which are hand-crafted in the Powder kitchen each morning and perfect for the traveler on the move. Learn more
Après-Spa Blow-Out and Make-Up Treatments: Nothing is worse than getting off the slopes and going direct to the bar (hello, helmet hair!) to meet the rest of your group. This year, Allegria Spa’s professional stylists will provide quick and convenient 15-minute hair blow-outs and make-up applications to go from mountain to mingling in moments.
Skilates Classes: Guests can get their muscles ready through complementary stretching and strengthening pilates-based classes created specifically for skiers by the experienced fitness coaches at the Allegria Spa inside the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek.
Tune In! Apres Cocktails on Facebook Live!: Weekly throughout the ski season, tune in to Facebook.com/ParkHyattBeaverCreek for a quick cocktail mixing lesson from the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek’s mixologists. Drinks will range from classic cocktails to twists on modern libations.
Private Firepit: A new private space will be unveiled this winter on the wedding deck located in an intimate outdoor deck space steps from the Allegria Spa. A romantic experience for couples, or a fun space for groups up to 10, guests can rent out this outdoor patio space, which will be decked out with it’s own wood-burning fire pit, make-your-own gourmet s’mores, an exclusive selection of wine or bubbles and luxurious, faux-fur throws for chilly, moonlit nights.
GM Happy Hour (for Diamond Members Only): During an exclusive weekly Happy Hour, VIP guests are invited to join General Manager, Robert Purdy, for a tasting from his private collection of bourbons and other spirits, each paired with small bites created by Chef Christian Apetz. This experience is exclusive to Diamond Members only. Learn more
What’s New at the Big Three Ski Resorts (Mt. Norquay, Lake Louise, Sunshine Village)
Free Admission to Historic Banff Hot Springs: A Tri-Area Lift Ticket now provides free admission to the historic Banff Hot Springs. In 1883, three railway workers discovered a natural hot spring that ultimately brought rise to the founding of Banff National Park. In the early years, travelers lured by the healing minerals of the hot springs journeyed to the area via the Canadian Pacific Railway, now visitors can soak up these benefits after a day on the slopes. With the purchase of a 3+ day lift ticket, skiers and riders receive complimentary access to these famed Banff Hot Springs.
The Lake Louise Alpine Ski World Cup: Watch the world’s fastest racers begin the World Cup speed circuit at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, amongst the Canadian Rockies in Banff National Park. This is the only World Cup stop outside of Europe to join the ranks of the famous Club 5 Ski Classics. The Lake Louise Alpine Ski World Cup is one of the select few that hold both the men’s and women’s speed events on the World Cup circuit and will play host to the first Audi FIS Ski World Cup downhill and super-G races of the 2016-2017 season. This is the only event of its kind in Canada and is broadcast to a global audience in excess of 184 million. Men: November 26-27, 2016 Women: December 2-4, 2016.
3 Mountain Guided Experiences: Guests can choose a 3-day group program or a private guided experience and discover the very best of three unique mountain resorts: Sunshine Village, The Lake Louise Ski Resort and Mt. Norquay. SkiBig3 Guided Experiences match you with a local Snow-Pro, guaranteeing insider access to favorite terrain, secret snow stashes, and topline views. Enjoy lift line priority, boost skills, and gain the inside scoop for finding those hidden gems of this remarkable ski destination.
Canada’s 150th Birthday - Free National Park Passes: Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site is the perfect destination to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. Consisting of 6,641 square kilometres of unparalleled mountain scenery in the heart of the magnificent Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park beckons an unmatched winter ski experience. All Canadian and international visitors in 2017 receive free entry to Banff National Park. Just one more reason to choose Banff & Lake Louise for your 2017 winter vacation – it’s Canada’s birthday gift to the world.
New Hotel: Discover Banff’s newest independent 4-star hotel, The Moose Hotel & Suites, located just minutes from the heart of downtown Banff. The Moose offers modern mountain elegance with a moose in each room – a perfect ski vacation home-base with a twist. Following your day on the slopes, head to the Rooftop Health Club to bask in spectacular views of the surrounding mountain peaks. Featuring a bright indoor swimming pool, exercise room, two spectacular outdoor hot pools and a cozy sauna, this unique rooftop experience is the perfect way to unwind and après. Learn more