Lumière Telluride. Credit: Lumière Telluride
The 2018 Winter Olympics kick off February 9, but you don’t need to fly to South Korea to shred snow and ice. In the spirit of the games, we’ve rounded up six hotels in the United States and Canada where you can tackle the slopes before spending après-ski watching athletes compete for the gold in Pyeongchang.
Lumière Telluride
Telluride is a major ski destination, but this Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star treasure sets itself apart with its size: there are just 29 rooms here, and the ambiance is boutique with warm, personalized service.
Start your day on the slopes with an in-room fitting courtesy of the property’s ski valet before sliding over to Mountain Village lift four, right outside the hotel.
When you glide back in for après-ski at Bijou wine bar or a soak in the outdoor hot tub, snag a fresh-baked cookie or brownie, laid out each day in the lobby for a little afternoon indulgence.
Westgate Park City Resort & Spa. Credit: Westgate Resorts
Westgate Park City Resort & Spa
It’s no surprise that this Park City property is one of the best places for Olympic hopefuls to enjoy fresh powder. This luxe lodging is situated at the base of Canyons Village at Park City Mountain, the largest ski-snowboard resort in the country with a cool 7,300 skiable acres that come complete with more than 300 runs and 41 lifts.
Although Westgate shares the slopes with a handful of other hotels, it sits near the base gondola, so it’s easy for wannabe Lindsey Vonns to hop right on the chairlift and have your equipment carried over by a dedicated ski valet.
After a little après-ski, indulge in a muscle-melting massage at Four-Star Serenity Spa by Westgate — you’ve earned it.
The Chateaux Deer Valley. Credit: The Chateaux Deer Valley
The Chateaux Deer Valley
A stay at this Four-Star chalet puts you within reach of the legendary Deer Valley Resort. A winter sports paradise (the powder is reserved for skiers only, so leave your snowboard at home), the mountain provides 2,000 acres of snowy hillside, 101 runs and 28 lifts.
In case you’re not in the mood to strap on your skis, try a few unofficial Olympic events, such as dog sledding, fat bike riding, snow tubing or one of the other excursions the concierge will be happy to book for you nearby.
If you can tear yourself away from your cozy room and roaring gas fireplace after the adventures, a heated outdoor pool and an array of hot tubs beckons to soothe your aching muscles.
Twin Farms. Credit: Twin Farms
Twin Farms
Over on the East Coast is where you’ll find this Five-Star winner, a sweet 20-room boutique retreat on a 300-acre property in Southern Vermont. The hotel is eminently charming, each of its rooms unique in decoration and name. The Washington Room, for example, has paintings and drawings of its presidential namesake, hand-stenciled walls and a mosaic fireplace.
This secluded spot is for those who want low-key, crowd-free skiing, and with six private trails and a nine-seat snowmobile to get you to the top, there’s never a wait for a chairlift.
There’s also cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice skating available, with everything — including the drink of champions, hot toddies — supplied by Twin Farms.
Hotel Alyeska. Credit: Alyeska Resort
Hotel Alyeska
If there’s one place that’s up to the challenge this winter, it’s Alaska’s Hotel Alyeska. This Forbes Travel Guide Recommended hotel is well-situated 30 minutes outside of Anchorage in the state’s largest ski destination, Alyeska Resort. It’s on these slopes that former Olympians Tommy Moe, Rosey Fletcher and Callan Chythlook-Sifsof trained.
In addition to zooming around more than 1,600 skiable acres, try out other cool activities, such as heli-skiing, snowshoeing and dog sledding.
There are two other unique amenities at Hotel Alyeska. Night skiing gives you the chance to traverse less-crowded (but very well-lit) slopes, while the aerial tram offers a smoother ride — 2,300 feet up to the top of Mount Alyeska.
Once you reach the peak, indulge in a romantic, candle-lit dinner at scenic Seven Glaciers, where fresh Alaskan seafood is always in season.
Willow Stream Spa. Credit: Fairmont Hotels and Resorts
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
If you’ve ever dreamed of sleeping in a castle and skiing a UNESCO World Heritage Site without making the trip across the pond, this Four-Star Alberta resort is the place for you.
From the hotel, hop on a shuttle to ski resorts Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise, where you can spend the day conquering some of the best trails in North America.
Unwind after a long day on the hills in the hotel’s Four-Star Willow Stream Spa, which features a mineral pool, an outdoor whirlpool, a sauna and a fireplace lounge so inviting you might just fall asleep.
Though the sensational sanctuary is for adults only, the rest of the property earns a medal for a kid-friendly roster of treats that includes a bowling alley, a pool, film screenings and board games.
For more options, check out our collection of ski resort hotels here.
