Bruce Wallin, Robb Report’s Editorial Director and seasoned traveler, lists his favorite family ski resorts and hotels.
There are several great options this season, as a number of new properties have opened in the past year. I would recommend any of the hotels below, each of which offers a family-friendly environment and a convenient slope-side location.
PARK CITY, UTAH
Dakota Mountain Lodge & Golden Door Spa: I visited Dakota right after it opened in July, and while it was nice in the summer, it’s definitely built to be a winter resort. The hotel connects via gondola and cat track to the Canyons, which is the fifth-largest ski resort (measured by skiable acres) in the United States. In addition to ski-in/ski-out access, Dakota offers a Golden Door Spa, a first-rate restaurant, a nice pool area, and a kids’ club. 435.647.5500, www.dakotamountainlodge.com
St. Regis Deer Crest Resort: Just opened in December, this 181-room resort promises to be a winner, with the St. Regis brand behind it and a slope-side location at Deer Valley—one of the country’s best ski areas for families. The property includes a Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant, a pool area that overlooks the Deer Hollow ski run, and a 14,000-square-foot Remède spa. 877.511.7171, www.stregisdeercrest.com
ASPEN, COLORADO
The Little Nell: This Aspen classic just completed a property-wide renovation and reopened in time for the winter season. The Little Nell is the only ski-in/ski-out hotel on Aspen Mountain and is a perennial favorite of Robb Report readers. 970.920.4600, www.thelittlenell.com
TELLURIDE, COLORADO
Capella Telluride: The 95-room Capella opened last February in Mountain Village, a resort community that connects to downtown Telluride via gondola. Though not directly on the slopes, the hotel offers a ski-valet service for guests and a convenient setting on Mountain Village’s central plaza, which includes a new ice-skating rink. I haven’t visited Capella Telluride, but I’ve heard good things from people who have, and I’ve been impressed with the three Capella properties I’ve seen in Mexico. 970.369.0880, www.capellatelluride.com
Lumiere Telluride: I’ve received similarly positive feedback on Lumiere, which also opened last season in Mountain Village. The hotel is smaller than Capella (just 30 units including a four-bedroom residence) and offers ski-in/ski-out access. Its Little Bar restaurant serves après-ski s’mores for children and “s’moretinis” for adults. 866.530.9466, www.lumierehotels.com
LAKE TAHOE, CALIFORNIA
The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe: I haven’t seen this resort since it opened in December, but I had a pre-opening tour of the site—mid-mountain at the Northstar-at-Tahoe ski resort—and it looked very promising. Northstar-at-Tahoe is a great mountain for families, with a range of accessible terrain, and the Ritz has unquestionably the best location in the area. It also has a restaurant by San Francisco chef Traci Des Jardins and a 17,000-square-foot spa. 530.562.3000, www.ritzcarlton.com
