Kiwi Curated
Where to Ski in 2020
by Joy PecknoldThere are those who dread winter and there are those who ski. For the latter, ‘tis the season to relentlessly refresh snow reports and plot one’s mountain escapes. For a top to bottom experience that includes all the après luxuries, plan to visit these best ski resorts.
Where to Ski in 2020
Recently named Best of the West Resort of the Year for 2020 by SKI Magazine, Aspen Snowmass encompasses four mountains totalling 5,527 acres. The magazine chalks it up to its long list of strengths, including “… the diverse terrain options, the quality on-hill dining, the professional ski instructors, the extensive hotel options, and the No. 1 après scene that artfully rolls right into the No. 1 nightlife scene.” Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Viceroy Snowmass is ski-in/ski-out and all-out luxury complete with in-room fireplaces and an onsite spa.
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If you’re an old school skier that loathes snowboarders, then Deer Valley Ski Resort is your heaven on earth. The skiers-only hill is known for its next-level service, including complimentary mountain tours, eager ski valets and gourmet dining. If you exhaust their 2,000 acres, there’s also Park City Mountain, the largest ski resort in the US, right across the road. The slope-side St. Regis Deer Valley Resort is one of the area’s most well-appointed accommodations and their daily champagne sabering ritual on their picturesque Mountain Terrace is a real treat.
BOOK NOWWhere to Ski in 2020
There are six ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe area to choose from. Staying at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort puts you minutes (in a complimentary shuttle, no less) from Heavenly, a mountain with big lake views and loads of intermediate to advanced terrain. The bonus of staying here is you also get to enjoy the lakeside life. Wake up and enjoy watching the sunrise illuminate the water right from your room before heading out for another ski day.
BOOK NOWWhere to Ski in 2020
If you only have time for one family ski trip this season, make it Vail. The resort town has all the hallmarks. There’s the 5,289 skiable acres with all kinds of variety, including glades, back bowls and terrain parks. That’s bolstered by great dining and extra curriculars (check out our Colorado travel diary for tips). Along Gore Creek at the base of the mountain, the well-appointed Grand Hyatt Vail will set you up with rentals right on site and is mere steps from a Vail Resorts ticket office and Chairlift 20 to get you on the mountain tout suite.
BOOK NOWWhere to Ski in 2020
To enjoy the quieter, laidback side of Whistler—home to Whistler Blackcomb, the largest ski resort in North America with 8,171 acres—stay in Creekside at Nita Lake Lodge. The trés cozy boutique lodge is away from it all, but just a short walk to the Creekside Gondola, which was the original Whistler Mountain base. Test your mettle at the end of the day, by skiing Peak to Creek out, the iconic run is roughly 7 miles and 5,000 vertical feet.
BOOK NOWWhere to Ski in 2020
If Lake Louise had a middle name, it’d likely be “Breathtaking.” For a view as epic as the ones you’ll get skiing 4,200 acres of the Canadian Rockies at Lake Louise Ski Resort, check in to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Situated lakeside and surrounded by peaks, the hotel and its setting look plucked from a movie scene.
BOOK NOWWhere to Ski in 2020
The most famous ski resort in Japan, Niseko is the ultimate bucket list destination for powder hounds (it’s not uncommon for the region to receive 8+ inches of the fluffy stuff in a day). Gather your best ski buddies and book a Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse together. Each of their two-floor townhomes can accommodate up to six adults in three spacious bedrooms, and have fully-equipped kitchens and laundry facilities.
BOOK NOWWhere to Ski in 2020
In the French Alps, Courchevel is part of the Trois Vallées, the largest lift-linked ski area in the world giving skiers access to 370 miles of runs across 10 summits. Located in the highest village where most of the main lifts are, Aman Le Mélézin is a plush oasis to retreat to come quitting time, complete with a spacious spa and superb restaurant—both Japanese inspired.
BOOK NOWWhere to Ski in 2020
Those who like to get high, get thee to Zermatt—it’s home to the world’s highest 3S gondola lift which takes skiers to the Klein Matterhorn. Perched in the mountains at 1,600 meters, with a view of that iconic peak, The Omnia overlooks the village with a balcony off every one of its unnumbered rooms so guests can really take in the view and that fresh Swiss Alps air.
BOOK NOWWhere to Ski in 2020
Kitzbühel is home to the famous Streif downhill race course held every January on Hahnenkamm mountain. But if that’s too steep, there’s also plenty of mellower terrain. Off the slopes, the city is utterly charming, with its colorful buildings and traditional chalets. Fulfilling the latter is Hotel Tennerhof. While it dates back to 1416, it’s fitted with five-star amenities, including a Finnish sauna, heated indoor pool and renowned fine dining.
BOOK NOWWhere to Ski in 2020
Set amongst the Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of the oldest ski resorts in Europe, dishes out ski holidays Italian-style. Home to the 1956 Winter Olympics, it will again host in 2026 with Milan. Get a Dolomiti Superski Pass and access a dozen resorts in the area to open up more than 250 miles of pistes. With its Art Nouveau architecture, Cristallo, A Luxury Collection Resort and Spa has been a favored retreat since it first opened in 1901. If you take your ski training seriously, enroll in the hotel’s Health Coach program.
BOOK NOWRecently named Best of the West Resort of the Year for 2020 by SKI Magazine, Aspen Snowmass encompasses four mountains totalling 5,527 acres. The magazine chalks it up to its long list of strengths, including “… the diverse terrain options, the quality on-hill dining, the professional ski instructors, the extensive hotel options, and the No. 1 après scene that artfully rolls right into the No. 1 nightlife scene.” Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Viceroy Snowmass is ski-in/ski-out and all-out luxury complete with in-room fireplaces and an onsite spa.
BOOK NOWIf you’re an old school skier that loathes snowboarders, then Deer Valley Ski Resort is your heaven on earth. The skiers-only hill is known for its next-level service, including complimentary mountain tours, eager ski valets and gourmet dining. If you exhaust their 2,000 acres, there’s also Park City Mountain, the largest ski resort in the US, right across the road. The slope-side St. Regis Deer Valley Resort is one of the area’s most well-appointed accommodations and their daily champagne sabering ritual on their picturesque Mountain Terrace is a real treat.
BOOK NOWThere are six ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe area to choose from. Staying at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort puts you minutes (in a complimentary shuttle, no less) from Heavenly, a mountain with big lake views and loads of intermediate to advanced terrain. The bonus of staying here is you also get to enjoy the lakeside life. Wake up and enjoy watching the sunrise illuminate the water right from your room before heading out for another ski day.
BOOK NOWIf you only have time for one family ski trip this season, make it Vail. The resort town has all the hallmarks. There’s the 5,289 skiable acres with all kinds of variety, including glades, back bowls and terrain parks. That’s bolstered by great dining and extra curriculars (check out our Colorado travel diary for tips). Along Gore Creek at the base of the mountain, the well-appointed Grand Hyatt Vail will set you up with rentals right on site and is mere steps from a Vail Resorts ticket office and Chairlift 20 to get you on the mountain tout suite.
BOOK NOWTo enjoy the quieter, laidback side of Whistler—home to Whistler Blackcomb, the largest ski resort in North America with 8,171 acres—stay in Creekside at Nita Lake Lodge. The trés cozy boutique lodge is away from it all, but just a short walk to the Creekside Gondola, which was the original Whistler Mountain base. Test your mettle at the end of the day, by skiing Peak to Creek out, the iconic run is roughly 7 miles and 5,000 vertical feet.
BOOK NOWIf Lake Louise had a middle name, it’d likely be “Breathtaking.” For a view as epic as the ones you’ll get skiing 4,200 acres of the Canadian Rockies at Lake Louise Ski Resort, check in to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Situated lakeside and surrounded by peaks, the hotel and its setting look plucked from a movie scene.
BOOK NOWThe most famous ski resort in Japan, Niseko is the ultimate bucket list destination for powder hounds (it’s not uncommon for the region to receive 8+ inches of the fluffy stuff in a day). Gather your best ski buddies and book a Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse together. Each of their two-floor townhomes can accommodate up to six adults in three spacious bedrooms, and have fully-equipped kitchens and laundry facilities.
BOOK NOWIn the French Alps, Courchevel is part of the Trois Vallées, the largest lift-linked ski area in the world giving skiers access to 370 miles of runs across 10 summits. Located in the highest village where most of the main lifts are, Aman Le Mélézin is a plush oasis to retreat to come quitting time, complete with a spacious spa and superb restaurant—both Japanese inspired.
BOOK NOWThose who like to get high, get thee to Zermatt—it’s home to the world’s highest 3S gondola lift which takes skiers to the Klein Matterhorn. Perched in the mountains at 1,600 meters, with a view of that iconic peak, The Omnia overlooks the village with a balcony off every one of its unnumbered rooms so guests can really take in the view and that fresh Swiss Alps air.
BOOK NOWKitzbühel is home to the famous Streif downhill race course held every January on Hahnenkamm mountain. But if that’s too steep, there’s also plenty of mellower terrain. Off the slopes, the city is utterly charming, with its colorful buildings and traditional chalets. Fulfilling the latter is Hotel Tennerhof. While it dates back to 1416, it’s fitted with five-star amenities, including a Finnish sauna, heated indoor pool and renowned fine dining.
BOOK NOWSet amongst the Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of the oldest ski resorts in Europe, dishes out ski holidays Italian-style. Home to the 1956 Winter Olympics, it will again host in 2026 with Milan. Get a Dolomiti Superski Pass and access a dozen resorts in the area to open up more than 250 miles of pistes. With its Art Nouveau architecture, Cristallo, A Luxury Collection Resort and Spa has been a favored retreat since it first opened in 1901. If you take your ski training seriously, enroll in the hotel’s Health Coach program.
BOOK NOW