Local Tips: Deer Valley

If a ski resort ever epitomised white-glove service, it's Deer Valley.

Deer Valley founder, Edgar Stern, opened the resort in 1981 to provide a ski experience rich in all aspects: beautifully maintained slopes, gourmet food and exceptional amenities. Deer Valley has been rated #1 ski resort in North America by readers of Ski Magazine for the past 3 years.

Here our Deer Valley representative gives her take on how to make the most out of a holiday to Deer Valley!

LIFTS & RUNS:
Cruising Runs: Over 100 groomed Deer Valley is known for it grooming
Jumps & Bumps: Vary throughout the season as not all runs are groomed
Glade Skiing: Off Lady Morgan Express over 200 acres of perfectly spaced glad skiing
Powder Days: Bald Mountain, Empire Mountain
Early Morning: Flagstaff Mountain
Late Afternoon: Little Baldy Peak
Hardest Black Run: The Shoots

RESTAURANTS:
Great Value: Royal Street Cafe
On Mountain: Snow Park, Silver Lake or Empire Lodge
Fine Dining: Mariposa located at Silver Lake Lodge
For Families: Royal Street Cafe

BARS:
Apres: EBS Lounge in Snow Park Lodge
Cocktails: EBS Lounge
Night Life: Main St in Park City hundreds of bars and clubs
Deck View: Snow Park Lodge

ACTIVITIES:
Off Mountain: Park City only a mile away
Non Ski Activities: Snow Mobiling, Snow Shoeing, Dog Sledding, Sleigh Rides, Hot Air Ballooning

Breckenridge

Just a short hop from Denver to the top of the Rockies lies the amazing town and resort of Breckenridge, Colorado.

Breckenridge is one of Colorado's oldest and largest ski resort towns, with a rich history that dates back as far as the mid-19th century gold mining days. Over the past few years, Breckenridge has been extensively developed to a true world class resort, whilst still maintaining much of the old mining charm.

If you are looking for a big resort experience, Breckenridge boasts over 155 runs, 30 lifts spread over 4 interconnected mountains, and the highest lifted point in North America at 12,800 ft or 3900m.

Breckenridge also offers extensive snowboarding facilities, with four terrain parks, three half-pipes and a super-pipe. Breckenridge's Freeway Terrain Park is a boarder's dream come true, and has been repeatedly voted one of the best in the United States by numerous snow-riding magazines.

The resort provides as much off the mountain as it does on the slopes. The town has over 400 restaurants, shops, galleries, and entertainment venues, from laid-back bars to raging nightclubs. Accommodation in Breckenridge is located both on and off the mountain with a huge range of options to suit anyones preferences or budget.

Located just off the main freeway that links the world renown resorts of Vail and Aspen, Breckenridge also makes for a great stopover. In fact, you can ski Breckenridge on the same lift pass as in Vail.

Edwina's Favourite Aspen Après Ski: Part 2

by Katie

In Part 1, Edwina shared some favorite places in Aspen after a day's skiing. Here in Part 2 are some more favourites to add to the list!

Lobby Bar at the St Regis
An enormous roaring fire, complimentary hor dóeuvres on Sunday evenings and live music make this comfortable, sophisticated start, or end for that matter, to the evening. You may even spot one of St Regis' many celebrity guests - or at least smell their cigars as we did...

Ellina at 430 E. Hyman Ave
A cosy, basement level restaurant with rustic stone walls and delicious Italian fare. Excellent service and seriously good food.

Remede Spa at the St Regis
This must be what it feels like to have all your Christmas' come at once...indulgent just doesn't begin to describe how special this spa is. From Eucalypt-infused steam rooms, to cool pools with waterfalls, amazing treatments and an oxygen lounge with cloud-like beds (to aid with the altitude, or just bliss you out) - this is a VERY special place.

Victoria's Espresso & Wine Bar at 312 S. Mill St.
Nothing like the coffee making skills of an Aussie!! This place is run by an Australian and is the place to grab a morning coffee or breakfast on the way to the slopes, or indeed a beverage at the other end of the day. Terrific also for nice sandwiches, salads and snacks without all the fries loaded on the side.

What are your favourite après spots in Aspen?

Edwina's Favourite Aspen Après Ski: Part 1

by Katie

Edwina, who works with us in the product department here at Travelplan Ski, has given us her tips on her favorite bars and restaurants in Aspen so that you can make the most of your Aspen off mountain experiences!

Edwina and friend at Cloud Nine

39 Degrees at the Sky Hotel
Locally known as the Sky Bar, this bar starts hopping early and is a popular meeting spot every night of the week. A great place to start the evening prior to heading on into the Aspen night. Great bar food and a lovely big fireplace for warming up.

Nell's Bar at the Little Nell Hotel
A cosy, busy bar catering to slightly older (but young at heart) crowd - rates 5 stars in the people watching stakes. Take a seat and observe the fascinating face (often "lifted") of the slightly older party crowd of Aspen. Age is no barrier to fun here!

Matsuhisa at 303 E Main St
Outstanding Japanese food with each plate presented like and art work. The sushi does not get any fresher - a unique and delicious menu.

Cloud Nine on Aspen Highlands
Ski into Cloud Nine for a special treat. There are not many places in the world where the view can almost take your appetite away, but this is one of them. Relaxing on the sundeck, glass of wine in hand, with the Maroon Bells in the distance, it doesn't get must better than this. A must for every Aspen visitor!

What are your favourite après spots in Aspen?