Also known as mulled wine, Gluhwein is a popular Alpine warmer and the perfect drink to warm you up after a fabulous day on the slopes.

Soothing and festive, this cozy concoction is perfect for après-ski fireside sipping, particularly during the holiday season. Gluhwein is most popular in German-speaking countries but since it goes so well with snow boots it’s perfect for drinking just about anywhere.

How to make your own Gluhwein:

-One bottle of red wine
-4 oz. water
-2 oz. sugar
-One stick of cinnamon
-Anis
-3 cloves
-1 tbsp. lemon peel
-1 tbsp. orange peel

In a pot, boil the sugar and spices in water, leaving them to soak for about a half hour. Then, strain the water and mix with wine. Heat the wine concoction being careful not to let it boil along with the lemon and orange peels letting them float on top. Serve in an Irish coffee cup and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Ready to hit the hill? Kiwi Collection has some of the best places to ski in the world along with a delicious Gluhwein:

The Omnia:
Only electromobiles and horse-drrawn sleighs are allowed in Zermatt, Switzerland, making a stay at The Omnia is perfect for people who really want to enjoy nature on their ski vacation this year. This traditional-style mountain lodge offers stunning views of famous mountains: Rothorn, Stockhorn, Gornergrat, Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn.

Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa:
If you’re looking for a rustic hideaway to stage your ski vacation this winter, look no further than Jackson Hole in Wyoming. This peaceful town is home to Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa – a gorgeous 31-room lodge. Rooms feature oversized tubs or Jacuzzis, so be sure to make use of these after a fun day enjoying Grand Teton.

Capella Telluride:
Found in Telluride, Colorado, you’ll get some of the best skiing in the U.S. when you stay at Capella Telluride. This resort has 90 luxurious suites and 10 luxury rooms all made of natural materials to give guests a truly alpine experience. Make sure you enjoy the view of the San Juan mountains from your room, while sipping on a mug of mulled wine.

Kristiania Lech:
When we think skiing – we think Austria. A trip to Lech-Arlberg for a stay at Kristiania Lech is definitely in order this winter. Kristiania Lech is a perfect winter retreat as it is right in the middle of the Alps. The ski lifts, the pistes and the beginning of the cross-country ski trails are a five minute walk from the hotel.

The St. Regis Deer Crest Resort:
Located in scenic Park City, Utah, the St. Regis Deer Crest Resort is in the Wasatch Mountains. This gorgeous mountain retreat features 181 custom-designed guest rooms and suites. You’ll find everything you need to enjoy a ski vacation here: the resort has a ski lounge, ski valet service, ski “beach” and infinity pool with hot tubs and a heated deck.

The Little Nell:
Currently unveiling an $18 million guest room renovation by renowned residential designer, Holly Hunt, the Little Nell is a perfect winter retreat at the base of Aspen Mountain. It’s the area’s only five-star, five diamond ski-in/ski-out property, so this resort in Colorado is definitely worth checking out this winter.

The Chalets at Country Resort:
Surrounded by endless fluffy powder, The Chalets at Country Resort is only minutes from the Grand Hirafu snowfields of Hokkaido Island, Japan, known as one of the snowiest ski resorts in the world.

The Lodge:
Most popular for being Sir Richard Branson’s Mountain Retreat, The Lodge is a luxurious haven in the Swiss Alps. Nestled high up in the forest this retreat is only a quick five minute walk from the town of Berbier and just steps away from the lift station for some fabulous skiing.

Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras:
Found right on an alpine lake in the High Tatra Mountains of Slovakia, the Grand Hotel Kempinsi High Tatras is an exclusive 98-room resort catering to ski-fiends who want the very best. Rooms all feature flat screen televisions, wireless internet, plush bathrobes and slippers and heated marble flooring.

Grand Hotel Park, Gstaad:
Renowned as a ski holiday center, the Grand Hotel Park, Gstaad is encircled by the Bernese Alps in Switzerland. This luxurious hotel combines the latest in comfort with tradition and elegance.

Les Suites de la Potiniere:
Les Suites de la Potiniere sits in the heart of Courchevel ski resort in France and only steps away from the ski lift. Recently redesigned this mountain getaway is the perfect place to experience pure elegance and ultimate luxury.

Hotel Portillo:
If you want exclusivity, Hotel Portillo near Santiago, Chile is unlike any ski resort experience you may have had. Portillo is totally self contained and has been South America’s premier destination ski resort for more than 50 years.

Thurnhers Alpenhof:
Located in the heart of Zurs, Austria, and considered one of the most attractive and sophisticated ski resorts in the world is Thurnhers Alpenhof. Recently winning the top spot for Austria’s leading ski resort a visit here is like stepping into a winter fairytale.

La Pleta:
La Pleta by Rafael Hotels is set in an exclusive ski resort in the Occitanian Mountains’ area of Baqueira-Lleida in the Pyrenees in Northern Spain. Although this area is not so widely known, once discovered it is every ski lover’s dream.

Holly Hunt to Redesign the Little Nell in Aspen

Love great interior design and skiing? Hold on to your poles: The Little Nell (Aspen’s only ski-in – ski-out resort) has just commissioned Holly Hunt to redesign their guest rooms, junior suites and corridors!

The good news, of course, is that the newly redesigned luxury ski resort will be open for business on December 1 – perfect timing to take advantage of ski season. Fans of Holly Hunt’s world famous designs will definitely want to check out The Little Nell when the renovations are complete.

“Now is the perfect time to renovate,” said The Little Nell’s General Manager John Speers. “With Holly Hunt at the helm, this complete renovation is a departure from normal hotel designer practice, which is what our customers want and expect from The Little Nell.”

The redesign is going to cost around 18 million dollars, and is a perfect way to celebrate the hotel’s 20th anniversary, Speers said.

All of the furniture will be designed specifically to fit each unique room. The design will exhibit touches of classic Aspen with warm tones and a residential feel.

Guests who book their stay at Little Nell through Kiwi Collection receive a complimentary upgrade upon their arrival (based on availability) and two foot passes for the Silver Queen Gondola to be used once during their stay.

A Remodeled Room at The Little Nell in Aspen

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Unlike many other renowned Alpine resorts that are jam-packed with luxury hotels, Lech am Arlberg is a town for skiers, albeit those with lots of money, and its ski credentials are superb.

Not only does it host one of the oldest and most renowned ski clubs in the world, but it’s an integral part of a vast, interlinked ski area including St. Anton, Zurs and St. Christoph, and is simply stunning. It is also home to a number of world and Olympic-class ski champions including the famous Othmar Schneider whose medals add a touch of authenticity to my favourite hotel in Lech, the Kristiania.

Kristiania Lech sits at the head of the village, a 10-minute walk in ski boots from the lifts, and is owned and managed by Othmar’s daughter Gertrud, a wonderful ambassador for Alpine tradition who has created an intimate, quirky hotel that offers unbeatable personal service. I had the pleasure of four days at the Kristiania last Easter and was blessed with a week’s worth of fresh snowfall and startling blue skies.

My room lorded over the traditional village and its snow-covered rooftops, but had an African theme with warm, earthy tones and animal prints. No two of the cosy 29 rooms at the hotel are alike so there is a style to suit everyone from traditional Alpine chalet to Marie-Antoinette-inspired elegance.

Corridors are peppered with cushions and Moroccan lanterns, the candlelit bar is rich in colours and textures and the lounge chairs on the outside terrace are draped with blankets at night and thick duvets during the day for mountain gazing.

The Kristiania is part of Small Luxury Hotels and was awarded ‘Best Hotel of the World’ this year by the affiliation which didn’t surprise me given its personality – defined both by the team and the huge collection of contemporary art that Gertrud loves to display and change with the seasons – and its attention to detail.

I won’t give the game away because it’s a voyage of discovery but don’t miss the amber candles burning in the downstairs cloakrooms, the truffle honey drizzled over cheese at dinner, the local Gruner Veltliner wine and the treasure chests in each room.

The hotel works on a half-board basis which I usually find restrictive but, in this case, was a blessing as the food is excellent and the multi-course menu changes every night.

Lech am Arlberg is within 200km of four airports including Innsbruck and Zurich, and we loved the comfort and service provided by VIP chauffeurs ‘Arlberg Exclusive’ who cater to both commercial and private jet passengers.

Spring skiing and enjoying the wilderness are the perfect ways to enjoy your time in Colorado. Kiwi Insider John Nielsen recently took a trip to Colorado to go on a ski vacation. He details his experience in Colorado below! Remember to stay in Colorado’s best hotels on your next trip to explore this state’s national parks and mountains. All of the photos are courtesy of Nick Nielsen.

There can be few greater feelings then standing at the top of a snow capped mountain, with the sun blazing from a clear blue sky, and view’s of skiers setting off. The fresh cool air, powder snow, colorful outfits, snow capped trees and energy from holiday markers, makes skiing such a wonderful sport – especially when you on top of the world in some of Colorado best mountains!

I have been fortunate enough to ski in major parts of Switzerland, New Zealand, South Korea and Australia, and have always dreamt of visiting the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. My wish came true recently.

Denver is the capital city of the magnificent state that is a paradise for nature lovers, be it the skier or the hiker. The national parks of Colorado are quite sensational. If you are an experienced or a less experienced skier then head east to Vail located in Summit County, which offers a great blend of ski fields for the whole family. Vail Mountain has a maximum elevation of 12,250 feet and low of 8,120 feet with 193 marked trails, so plenty to choose from!

The lovely town is ideal to retreat to once you have finished a day on the slopes and offers shoppers paradise along with excellent hotels. Another major advantage is its location. Vail is only 25 minutes drive from two other brilliant ski resorts of Breckenridge and Keystone. The resort is owned and operated by Vail Resorts, which means that your lift pass can be used in these resorts and that they offer regular bus services to Keystone and Breckenridge. Keystone is the smaller of the two, and again serves up superb family skiing facilities, where as Breckenridge is a much bigger town with a more traditional large resort feel. The mountains of Breckenridge are known as the “3 peaks”.

The restaurant scene in and around the three resorts is first class. Keystone is home to two of the best, the Ski Tip Lodge, a Swiss Chalet, that serves up a treat, have dinner in the main dining room and then retreat to the open fireplace lounge and feast on dessert. A second and most impressive option is the Keystone Ranch, located on the Keystone PGA Golf course. The main dining room has a traditional wooden feel and the adjacent lounge is magnificent.
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While some make a b-line for the beach to escape Jack Frost, others embrace the snow—and all the fun you can have in it—by heading to Mt. Timpanogos in Utah. This spot is perfect for those who love winter sports. If that sounds like your cup of tea, be sure to keep yourself, and your skis, warm at Sundance Resort.

This beautiful Utah Resort is ideal for ski vacations of all kinds. Whether it’s just you and your spouse, your family or a larger group, there are rustic suites, lofts and homes of all sizes for you to choose from. All suites have warm wood burning fire places for guests to enjoy — they’re especially nice after a long day on the slopes.
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