From Aspen to Sun Vallley, these storied ski resorts may offer the best groomed trails in America, but there’s plenty adventure to be had off-piste.
LessIn Deer Valley, Goldener Hirsch, a Bavarian-inspired inn, is fresh off a slick renovation and expansion by acclaimed architect Tom Kundig. Antiques imported from Austria and original paintings from the owners private collection imbue the place with a bit of Habsburgian history. A classic feel extends to the menu of the main restaurant, which features wiener schnitzel and traditional fondue.
The Sun Valley Lodge debuted in 1936 —the same year the first chair lift was installed on the mountain America’s first glitzy, European-style ski spot. Flash forward to today, the lodge’s hallways pay homage to its heyday with photos of famous bygone guests, including Judy Garland and Ernest Hemingway, who completed "For Whom the Bell Tolls" in Suite 206. All of the Golden-Age charm remains, just now with a new 20,000-square-foot spa — for that much needed post-slopes soak.
With its cowhides, leather club chairs and handsome woods, the historic Hotel Jerome looks like it was ripped from the pages of the Ralph Lauren playbook. This season, the property partnered with Bomber, the Italian ski brand, so guests can test drive skis covered in iconic designs by Keith Haring and Jean Michel Basiquiat or, if feeling inspired, design their own custom planks.
Skiers have long made the pilgrimage to Big Sky Resort in Montana for its steep, untrammeled terrain and low-key atmosphere. The recent opening of Montage Big Sky caters to the region’s recent popularity with tech moguls and Hollywood tastemakers. At the property, there’s the designated beginner’s ski area right outside, a buzzy après ski scene with raclette service, a sprawling spa and a bowling alley for non-powder days.
The 80-room, LEED-certified Blake Hotel at Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico leans into the region’s rich history with lithographs by Georgia O’Keefe, Edward Curtis photographs, and an extensive pottery and textile collection. Art tours are available upon request.
In Jackson Hole, the stylish eight-room Caldera House maintains one rule: no A’s, which is shorthand for antlers and a-holes. Located steps from Jackson’s iconic tram, the hotel subscribes to a Scandi-Shake aesthetic. Suites, either four-bedroom or two-bedroom, feel like alpine penthouses outfitted with Boffe-designed kitchens, John Pawson furnishings, fire pits and inviting copper tubs. This season, guests can book a custom-tailored day with five-time Olympian Shaun White.