What’s New on the Slopes: This Winter’s Best Luxury Hotels in Hollywood-Loved Ski Spots
With early snowfall in parts of the country and the forecast of a possible El Niño pattern, all signs are pointing to a vibrant winter on the slopes. “Ski season is revving up, and like most of the past busy seasons, we are seeing high bookings and low availability already,” Tiffany Layne, CEO of LaVon Private Luxury tells The Hollywood Reporter.
Thanks to the Ikon and Epic season passes, members will discover even more perks this year. “These large passes continue to find ways to add value and make skiing more approachable for their members,” says Melissa Biggs Bradley, founder and CEO of Indagare, the members-only luxury travel company. “That means updated lifts in many ski areas, new terrain, Michelin-awarded restaurants and enhanced mobile apps.”
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Here’s the latest on what’s new in Colorado, Utah, Idaho and elsewhere in the mountain west, as well as international destinations in Europe and Japan.
Aspen
A haven for titans such as Jeff Bezos, David Geffen and Rihanna, Aspen is unveiling Hero’s, a high-speed quad lift and 150 acres of expert terrain on the upper, eastern side of Ajax Mountain, along with Mollie, a new 68-room boutique hotel perched at Paepcke Park in the center of downtown.
In conjunction with St. Regis Resort, the Snow Polo Championship — where Kate Hudson and Shaun White were among the celebrity guests last year — will return Dec. 15-18 and ASPENX is offering a custom dining experience at Snowmass’s quaint Lynn Britt Cabin. With the “Secret Stash” savings promotion, deals are aplenty, such as discounted lift tickets at $88 a pop and luxe lodging starting as low as $150 per night (through Dec. 22, while supplies last).
“Aspen is always a hot spot,” says Layne, whose travel clients include producers and studio executives. “My favorite property there remains The Little Nell for its luxury level of accommodations, style and service.”
Layne often books the newly renovated two-, three- and four-bedroom Residences at The Little Nell, (from $10,985 per night), affiliated with The Little Nell, the only five-star, five-diamond ski-in/ski-out hotel in town. “Families love it, and the property has one of the most prime locations in town.” The redesign includes a flock of sumptuous new touches including woven wallpaper, plush sectional sofas, leather dining chairs, white oak wood flooring and new appliances in the open-air kitchens. There’s also a rooftop pool and ski concierge perched right at the base of Ajax Mountain to help guests pop in and out of their boots. Topping off the newness are a fitness center and spa redesign at the hotel that opened this December, featuring three treatment suites (two of which have fireplaces and infrared saunas) and a partnership with Seed to Skin Tuscany, the cult-favorite, natural skincare line handmade at celebrity hideaway Borgo Santo Pietro in Italy — the line is available both in the spa and as amenities in the guest rooms.
Industry executives also flock to The Gant (from $1,330), the condominium resort now celebrating its 50th anniversary, and where Aspen Distillers is sponsoring the resident Rooftop Golden Globe alpine-studded igloo for one of the most desirable après ski scenes in town. Aspen Meadows Resort (from $713), which plays host to Aspen Institute seminars, had a refresh as did Limelight Aspen (from $685) where guests in need of post-shredding rejuvenation have complimentary access to their portfolio of Therabody recovery devices.
Elsewhere in Colorado, Crested Butte is another emerging hot spot that Layne recommends to clients. “It’s lesser-known and great for a change of pace.” Biggs Bradley sees a lot of interest in Beaver Creek. “As other slopes have become busier, it’s very appealing.”
Sun Valley
While Aspen offers a glitzier ski scene, the vibe in Sun Valley, Idaho, is one of low-key quiet luxury that draws Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson and Demi Moore. This is also where moguls including Bob Iger, Warren Buffett and Bill Gates descend for the annual Allen & Company summit.
“Sun Valley is such a gem,” says Embark Beyond luxury travel advisor Josh Geller. “East Coasters typically gloss over it in favor of Colorado and Utah ski resorts, however, the West Coasters are in on the secret. It has a wonderful old-world European charm and is surprisingly down to earth. The best part: fewer crowds!” Revered for being North America’s first destination ski resort since 1936, Sun Valley boasts a flurry of enhancements at Warm Springs base on Bald Mountain (Baldy), including technologically advanced Flying Squirrel and Challenger chairlifts (expected to open mid-December), with Challenger reigning as the largest vertical rise in North America.
Sun Valley Lodge (from $519) is the preferred luxury hotel in town and is situated in walking distance to culinary and shopping delights at Sun Valley Village. Eat at The Ram, where the goulash and schnitzel from the Heritage Menu are always a hit; shop at Brass Ranch, the epicenter for European ski and sportswear; and hit the outdoor Holiday Market, which unveils a flurry of merrymaking and festive artisanal goods Dec. 16 and 17. Serva Peruvian Cuisine, Sun Valley Wine Co. and the classic taxidermy-flanked Pioneer Saloon are other locally adored spots in nearby Ketchum for dining and imbibing.
Park City, Deer Valley and Powder Mountain
Home to January’s Sundance Film Festival, Utah is abuzz with ski-resort happenings. Netflix executive chairman and fervent snowboarder Reed Hastings recently invested in Powder Mountain where he owns a home. About an hour north of Salt Lake City, the ski spot is slated for numerous improvements such as steep terrain expansions, the forthcoming Launch Pad Yurt (an activity hub nestled at the top of the Village Chair) and strikingly low $19 a night skiing lift tickets.
Over in Park City — where the 60th season is being celebrated and a host of lift-accessible ski and snowboard terrain awaits — Red Pine Gondola at Canyons Village base has shiny new cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows for some of the best views of the surrounding Wasatch mountains. The Pendry resort (from $845) is the newest five-star hotel and boasts the only rooftop pool in Park City.
Further up the hill in Deer Valley, an additional 3,700 acres of skiable terrain is on the way along with a new village as part of the previously announced Mayflower Mountain Resort project. And après-ski aficionados will appreciate The Royal, the 21-and-over reincarnation of Royal Street Café’s second floor.
A mecca for posh accommodations, Stein Eriksen Lodge (from $684) is dripping with European chalet charm and remains a forever industry go-to. “I love their residences, the service is outstanding, and they have one of the best brunches on the mountain,” adds Layne.
Another Hollywood favorite, the regal Montage Deer Valley (from $1,350), just underwent an extensive renovation on their guestrooms and restaurants, including a new 16-course omakase experience at the property’s Yama Sushi, and is also home to the most decadent spa around.
Two of the newer, swankiest stays in the region are Auberge Resorts Collection’s Goldener Hirsch residences (from $1,129) and The Lodge at Blue Sky (from $1,599 ); the latter is tucked away in Wanship, about 20 minutes from downtown Park City. In early December, Goldener Hirsch is launching a new après experience on the terrace outfitted with sheepskin rugs, outdoor fireplaces, a Bavarian pretzel cart and cocktails galore. Spa enthusiasts will rejoice over the debut of The Lodge at Blue Sky’s Edge Sanctuary where cold plunges, energy treatments and a Scandinavian sauna await. For those seeking refuge in a decked-out private mountain home, vacation rental platform Vacasa offers centrally located homes from $627 per night.
Whistler, Jackson Hole and Big Sky
The ski destinations of Whistler, Canada, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Big Sky, Montana all have passionate fans.
In Whistler, “the fairytale castle-like charm of The Fairmont Chateau (from $1,078) remains popular among many clients and recently had a nice renovation,” says Layne. Thrill-seekers are keen on the terrain in Canada. “The growth in popularity of skiers pushing the boundaries of the ski area limits is also on the rise, so we have a lot of members asking us to arrange for heli-skiing in remote mountains in Canada to reach the best snow,” says Laurent Baud, co-founder of AMPM travel and lifestyle service company.
In Wyoming, Mandy Moore and Lindsey Vonn have been spotted at Caldera House (from $2,000), the posh eight-suite hotel and alpine club in Jackson Hole, where the winter season will be expanded through mid-April 2024.
The newest hotel in Big Sky, which is now celebrating its 50th anniversary, is Montage Big Sky (from $1,067). With the debut of Lone Peak Tram this December, visitors can now access the top of Lone Mountain at a summit of 11,166 feet and an array of black diamond runs.
Adjacent to Big Sky Resort is the private Yellowstone Club, an elite haven for moguls and celebrities. Further opulence is forthcoming with the arrival of the One&Only Moonlight Basin resort, slated for winter 2024-25. For one of the most exclusive ski experiences, the elegant, all-inclusive Brush Creek Ranch (from $2,147) in south-central Wyoming arranges for llama snowshoeing and day trips to Green Mountain where only 18 guests at a time may swoosh in the sprawling 109 acres of pristine terrain.
Japan, Switzerland, Italy and Norway
If you’re yearning for a more far-flung ski adventure, Japan, Switzerland, Norway and Italy are a big draw.
“Many of our clients are traveling much further distances for ski season this year,” says Tom Marchant of Black Tomato, a bespoke travel company. “Japan is very popular,” he adds. Biggs Bradley agrees. “We’re seeing lots of interest in Niseko, located on the northernmost island of Hokkaido, Japan. They’re known for epic powder, they’re on the Ikon Pass, and Aman announced it’s opening there in a few years.” Geller is also seeing an uptick in Niseko bookings. “You get tremendous value compared to skiing at premiere resorts in the states when you factor in the cost of lodging, lift tickets, rental equipment and instructors over a peak weekend, it can cost around the same or even less to fly to Japan and ski Niseko versus an American resort,” he adds. “Plus, you get to stop for ramen heading down the mountain.” Layne’s go-to hotel is Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (from $1,113).
Discover one of the most decadent, remote, off-piste experiences at Aurora Lodge (from $20,000 per night, inclusive of all meals and activities) in Norway’s Lyngen Alps. Booked exclusively through Black Tomato, and accessible by helicopter, the fully staffed architectural marvel sleeps up to 12 and is only available on a buyout basis.
In Zermatt, Switzerland, the glossy new Matterhorn Alpine Crossing Gondola traverses the Swiss-Italian border and treats visitors to panoramic views of the Alps, including the soaring Matterhorn. Over in swanky St. Moritz, the 39th Snow Polo World Cup arrives Jan. 26-28. Designed with contemporary glamour, the Grace St. Moritz (from $520) is the area’s newest boutique hotel.
All eyes are on Cortina d’Ampezzo, which will host the Winter 2026 Olympics in the heart of the Dolomites in the Italian Alps. “This is where you’ll find some of the best skiing in the world,” says Marchant. In addition to the storied Rosa Alpina, an Aman partner hotel that is currently undergoing renovations and will reopen for the 2024-25 season. Hotel de Len (from $580) opened in the last year and is adored for its location in the center of town. Adds Layne, “The Dolomites offer outstanding options and the ability to ski multiple mountains all on one pass.”
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