Break the Ice: Escape to the Best Ski Slopes

In nature, winter is a time for hibernation and quiet solitude. But for us humans, winter presents a perfect opportunity for active adventures to get out and enjoy fun and games on the snowy slopes of some of the best mountain ranges in the world—most within just an hour’s flight of Southern California.

To the north is the Sierra Mountain Range and Lake Tahoe, with its emerald blue water and silky smooth ski slopes that played host to the 1960 Winter Olympics and continue to draw ski enthusiasts from around the world. To the Northeast, the great Rocky Mountains, where the eclectic village of Aspen, Colorado beckons snow lovers with its smooth, powdery slopes, pampering spas and gourmet restaurants.

Take to the slopes this winter for a heart–healthy dose of the outdoors. A single day of skiing can burn up to 3,000 calories as you tone your core, strengthen your cardiovascular system, and even combat Seasonal Affective Disorder—also known as the winter blues. Your annual pilgrimage to the North won’t just make you happy, it will help you stick to those pesky New Year’s Resolutions of getting fit, too!

Here’s a look at two of the most exquisite winter resorts at our doorstep; both promise a luxurious getaway that is sure to satisfy your inner snow bunny.

Ritz–Carlton Lake Tahoe

With meteorologists talking about a powerful "El Niño" weather effect that is expected to dump plenty of snow on the Sierra, the Ritz–Carlton Lake Tahoe serves as the perfect host destination to make the most of this season’s winter wonderland. Avid skiers and snowboarders can enjoy easy access from the luxurious resort’s doorstep to nearby Northstar California Resort via the hotel’s intermountain gondola. 

With a slope–side location on Northstar’s "Big Easy" run, the ski–in/ski–out access is enjoyed by skiers and riders of any level. Northstar includes more than 3,100 acres of beginner to advanced ski and snowboard terrain, a world–class ski and snowboard school for children and adults, and access to the only Burton Snowboard Academy in the United States.

The resort’s "Mountain Concierge" welcomes guests at the entrance to the porte cochere, anticipating arriving guests’ needs by retrieving and storing their snow–sliding equipment upon arrival in the easy–access, on–mountain location. 

Additional local winter activities include snowshoe star tours, cross–country skiing, ice skating, snowmobile tours, tubing, sledding, and dog sled tours. Guests can also relax by a cozy fire at the resort’s outdoor fire pit, which hosts "Marshmology," where an expert leads guests in the craft of combining marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers to make perfect s’mores.

The Ritz also features a 17,000-square-foot spa with seven luxurious treatment rooms, a fitness center with state–of–the–art cardiovascular and weight–training equipment, a fully integrated wellness program including a variety of fitness classes and a heated co–ed spa lap pool overlooking the slopes. The spa is a forest sanctuary and an oasis for pampering the senses. Spa-goers will be awakened by the traditional treatments designed for high–altitude restoration and relaxation—especially after a long day on the nearby slopes. This winter, guests visiting North Lake Tahoe with family or friends are invited to enjoy a premium, personalized experience while staying in one of the Ritz’s multi–bedroom residential suites. The Family Winter Getaway and Ultimate Winter Vacation Packages are created to make resort guests feel right at home when they escape to the mountains. Packages include lift tickets, private ski or snowboard lessons, a chef’s table dinner, a private snowshoe stargazing tour, and more.

Nearby is the Village at Northstar, which centers around a 9,000-square-foot ice rink with numerous restaurants, bars, and shops.

Viceroy Snowmass

The Aspen Snowmass base elevation of 8,104 feet gives skiers and boarders a high–altitude jump on some of the best snow in the nation, rising an additional 4,000 feet in elevation via 21 ski lifts to a total of 94 trails crisscrossing the mountains. With new nonstop flights from LAX, Aspen is an easy weekend getaway for those who want to enjoy open slopes with perfect powder and pampered living.

The Viceroy Snowmass features 173 residentially appointed, ski–in/ski–out accommodations that range from studios to four–bedroom suites. Each room comes with a multitude of amenities, including fireplaces and washer/dryers in 1–4 bedroom residences and a full or convenience kitchen appointed with Italian cabinetry, polished black granite counters, premium appliances, cookware and tableware and coffee/espresso machines. 

The 7,000 square foot Spa offers a wide range of holistic spa treatments and services, inspired by the ancient Ute, Nordic and Asian ceremonies and cultures, as well as traditional massage and facials. New this season, the Spa is offering ski–in/ski–out spa treatments, designed specifically to invigorate guests and get you back out on the slopes to finish the day.

The viceroy’s executive chef has even created a Mediterranean lunch menu solely available within the spa for the ski–in/ski–out treatments. Viceroy Snowmass’ Spa is located steps from the slopes, so guests can ski right to the spa, and then right back to the Assay Hill lift following their treatments.

Winter activities abound at Viceroy Snowmass; every weekend is jam–packed with fun and games, including a winter–long free concert series featuring some of the best bands of all musical tastes and genres. The X Games returns to Aspen January 28th through 31st with more than 200 of the world’s best athletes and 100 Olympians competing for medals and prize money. Athletes also showcase their creativity and skills every Friday in an urban-inspired rail garden located on Fanny Hill in Snowmass. 

The Viceroy resort is also Fido-friendly, with dogs under 100 pounds welcome in guest suites for an additional fee. Available amenities include a comfy dog bed, water bowl, treats and dog–walking services. 

So no matter what your favorite snow activities are, or even if you are just interested in cozying up to a warm fire and doing your own hibernating with a good book, there are plenty of options available to keep your family happy during these cold winter months.

Bring on El Nino!