Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.
Today: Top 10 best ski hotels & resorts in North America
It’s that time of the year again, when ski areas across the northern hemisphere are gearing up for their winter season as temperatures cool down. I have previously published a post about the best ski resorts in Europe, and today, we’re heading to North America. While North American ski areas may not be as extensive as their European counterparts in the Alps, they often boast more spectacular and deserted mountain scenery, better powder quality with more frequent snow dumps, less risks for avalanches, and fewer queues at ski lifts. The best ski resorts are found in the USA states of Utah (Park City), Wyoming (Jackson Hole) and Colorado (Aspen, Vail, Beaver Creek), and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia (Whistler) and Alberta (Lake Louise). All of these areas feature a wide range of five star resorts to suit the more discerning travelers, not just good skiers and snowboarders. So, before you head out to hit the slopes, have a look at my top 10 list of the most exclusive ski hotels & lodges in North America.
There is more information below the slide show. Think I missed a ski hotel in the USA or Canada? Leave a comment.
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10. FAIRMONT CHATEAU LAKE LOUISE, ALBERTA
Surrounded by soaring mountain peaks, the majestic Victoria Glacier and a glistening emerald lake, the world-famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel is located in Alberta’s Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is recognized globally for progressive environmental stewardship and responsible tourism. Originally built as a base for outdoor enthusiasts and alpinists over 100 years ago, the massive Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is a year-round luxury mountain resort offering scenic hiking and canoe activities in summer and heli-skiing, dogsledding, ice-skating and sleigh-riding in the dramatic winter months. After a long day on the slopes in the fresh air, you can retreat to the hotel’s excellent spa facilities or enjoy fine dining in one of the many restaurants.
- Hotel website: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
- Other accolades: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise also features in my top 10 list of the best hotels in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, and a $100 USD resort credit).
9. SUNDANCE MOUNTAIN RESORT, UTAH
Nestled at the base of and owned by actor Robert Redford, Sundance is a haven for discovery and inspiration that offers diverse mountain recreation experiences year round. Only an hour’s drive from Salt Lake City and 45 minutes from Park City, Sundance features 95 rustically elegant mountain cottages and 10 mountain homes that echo the simplicity of the natural setting. Each of lodging units is uniquely appointed in a style that integrates with mountain environment, including rough-hewn wood, warm tones and Native American accents. Many of suites include a stone fireplace and a deck or patio. All cottages offer easy access to downhill and cross-country skiing and snowboarding. The award-winning restaurants and spa contribute to the diverse amenities of this quiet mountain village and resort.
- Hotel website: Sundance Resort
- Other accolades: Sundance Resort also features in my top 10 list of luxury hotels owned by celebrities.
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, and a $100 USD resort credit).
8. FOUR SEASONS RESORT WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
Home to what is by far the largest ski resort in all of North America, the pedestrian village of Whistler is on Canada’s breathtaking west coast – just north of Vancouver. Guests at the Four Seasons Whistler can choose from endless activities on or off the mountain before retreating to one of the resort’s 273 inviting guestrooms, suites or townhouses, or 20 luxurious private residences. All accommodations are richly appointed in wood – each with their own gas fireplace – and offer superb views of the mountains, forest, valley, pool or courtyard from private balconies. After the rigors of skiing, golf, or shopping, you inhale alpine air while you’re massaged with the clay from a nearby lake or survey the snow-capped peaks while soaking in the outdoor whirlpools. The hotel’s celebrated restaurant, Sidecut Steakhouse, serves Canadian Prime Beef.
- Hotel website: Four Seasons Resort Whistler
- Other accolades: Four Seasons Resort Whistler also features in my top list of the best luxury resorts of Canada.
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast for two, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).
7. THE LITTLE NELL, COLORADO
With the city of Aspen at their front door and Aspen Mountain in their backyard, The Little Nell offers ski-in, ski-out access to historic Aspen Mountain. Aspen’s only recipient of both the Forbes/Mobil and AAA Five-Diamond Awards, the Little Nell has 92 spacious guest rooms including 11 suites and three signature suites. From the finest in haute cuisine to the 20,000 bottles of wine in their cellar, from the concierges in the lobby to the concierges on the mountains, and from family adventure to après ski, this hotel is – guests have said – ‘the Aspen of Aspen’. Regular celebrity guests include Jack Nicholson, Kevin Costner, Kate Hudson, Elle Macpherson, Heidi Klum, Jennifer Aniston and Mariah Carey, who has reportedly bought out the penthouse in prior years for a view of Aspen Mountain.
- Hotel website: The Little Nell
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, and a $100 USD resort credit).
6. STEIN ERIKSEN LODGE DEER VALLEY, UTAH
Named after Norwegian Olympic Gold Medal skier Stein Eriksen and nestled mid-mountain at Deer Valley Resort, the lodge is a European-style getaway in the heart of Park City. The hotel more than lives up to the hype, with a beautiful spa, world-class dining, legendary service, and ski-in/ski-out access to 2,000 acres of powdery terrain in one of America’s best winter areas. Each one of the 180 rooms or suites is designed with rich colors, natural textures, and sumptuous fabrics, and each echoing elements of Norway’s traditional style mixed with contemporary American aesthetics. More than 145 stone fireplaces throughout the property, many en-suite, add coziness and warmth to the cathedral ceilings in the well-appointed common areas. Seasonal, locally sourced cuisine at its restaurant Glitretind has made it one of the area’s top dining venues.
- Hotel website: Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, and a $100 USD resort credit).
5. VICEROY SNOWMASS, COLORADO
At the Viceroy Snowmass Hotel, one of North America’s greatest mountains for ski fun is at your fingertips. Just minutes from downtown Aspen, this spectacular ski-in/ski-out resort resembles a huge fortress that could just as easily fit in the Himalayas as it does here. The resort’s 173 residentially appointed accommodations feature custom-designed interiors, pillow top mattresses with 100% Egyptian cotton bed linens, granite-counter kitchens, and private sundecks. The expansive spa facility with its waterfall-fed soaking pool offers a selection of wellness experiences, from Ute Native American-inspired therapies to contemporary beauty rituals. Dining choices are inspired, as is après-ski action. And the resort has been praised for its sustainability efforts, helping to preserve the pristine Rocky Mountain playground outside.
- Hotel website: Viceroy Snowmass
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast for two, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).
4. THE ST REGIS ASPEN, COLORADO
The famous St Regis Aspen hotel is a contemporary version of a Gilded Age mountainside manor, providing an uncompromising base for arbiters of fine food and wine, connoisseurs of culture and adventure seekers. Located just steps from Aspen’s signature slopes and featuring premier amenities and St. Regis service, the resort is surrounded by icy mountain streams, shimmering alpine lakes and majestic snow-capped peaks. Each of the resort’s 179 guest rooms offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains, inspiring guests to wake at the crack of dawn and hit the storied Colorado steeps. The RAKxa Wellness Spa is open year-round, complete with a 24-hour fitness center. Located in an ideal spot at the base of Aspen Mountain, the hotel is within walking distance to Aspen’s exclusive shops, restaurants and entertainment.
- Hotel website: The St Regis Aspen
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast for 2, $100 USD food & beverage credit, early check-in, late check-out, and a welcome note accompanied by fresh fruit bowl and mineral water).
3. PARK HYATT BEAVER CREEK RESORT AND SPA, COLORADO
Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa is a magnificent chateau-style Vail resort that incorporates the grandeur of its idyllic Colorado Rocky Mountain setting. From the hotel’s winter ski in-ski out access in the village, to the thrill of white-water rafting, hiking and outdoor adventures for all seasons, the best of Beaver Creek is waiting for you, just outside the hotel’s doors. The wood and sandstone interior complements the magnificent Rocky Mountain views, which can be enjoyed through the French doors of each room. The warm accommodations feature wood and sandstone interiors with a signature Hyatt bed fitted with soft linens and down duvet piled atop a plush pillow-top mattress. The hotel offers ski-in/ski-out access, a year-round heated outdoor pool, and an outdoor fire pit for roasting s’mores as the sun sets.
- Hotel website: Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa
- Other accolades: Park Hyatt Beaver Creek also features in my top 10 list of the best ski hotels in the world.
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast for 2, $100 USD food & beverage credit, early check-in, and late check-out).
2. THE ST REGIS DEER VALLEY, UTAH
Luxury and adventure meet on the slopes of the majestic Wastach Mountains at The St Regis Deer Valley, one of the best luxury ski hotels in Northern America. Combining understated elegance with mountain ambiance in the private Deer Crest community, The St Regis pampers guests in an impressive setting with effortless access to a world of year-round outdoor sports and the vibrant town of Park City. Surround yourself in absolute luxury with ski-in, ski-out access to Deer Valley’s impeccably groomed slopes, a private ski beach, split-level infinity swimming pool with adjacent hot tubs, a fabulous spa, world-class restaurants, and family traditions and recreational activities at every turn. Enjoy elevated cuisine at newly opened RIME Seafood & Steak, offering a fresh take on land and sea classics sourcing fresh, sustainably caught seafood and the best local meats prepared by world-class chefs.
- Hotel website: The St Regis Deer Valley
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast for 2, $100 USD food & beverage credit, early check-in, late check-out, and a welcome note accompanied by fresh fruit bowl and mineral water).
1. AMANGANI, WYOMING
Situated close to some of the USA’s finest ski slopes as well as Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, Amangani is an all-season ultra-luxe resort. A 20-minute scenic drive away, Amangani’s hotel ski lounge sits in the heart of Teton Village in Jackson Hole, which offers some of the best ski and snowboard terrain in North America. Amangani – meaning ‘peaceful home’ – clings to the crest of East Gros Ventre Butte and affords magnificent views of the Grand Tetons and Snake River Valley below. It was the first Aman resort in North America and evokes the atmosphere of the American West. Sensitively designed with materials native to Wyoming, Amangani features redwood walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, and woven cowhide chairs. Spacious suites include king-sized beds, a fireplace, and a daybed, with sliding glass doors leading to a deck with mountain views.
- Hotel website: Amangani
- Other accolades: Amangani also features in my top 10 list of the best luxury hotels in the USA.
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast for 2, early check-in, late check-out, and one lunch for 2).
Disclosure: I may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
The AMANGANI is considered your #1 Ski Hotel and Resort? Really? It’s 20 minutes away from Jackson Hole. Maybe a great Mountain resort but a Ski hotel / resort? I think you can do better than that.