Michelle's Steamboat adventure

I travelled to Steamboat earlier in the year and LOVED it! Although a keen skier, this year I decided it was time to learn to snowboard, however when it started to snow I was annoyed. I thought ‘why am I learning to snowboard when I could be going crazy on skis’. As it turned out I had an awesome powder day snowboarding. It was my third day in Ski school and I was doing black runs and going through trees, it was so much fun. The ski school is incredible - the best you will come across and if you love tree skiing there is plenty of it here.

I love shopping more than anything so when I heard that there were no chain stores I was a little worried, because I love my labels. There are over 200 shops in Steamboat and they are all locally owned and operated. It’s great for one-of-a-kind items and Cowboy boots. I was pleasantly surprised. In addition to the Mountain Village, the town of Steamboat, an old cowboy and western town, is only a few kilometres down the road which is easily accessible by constant running free shuttles.

If you have a day or afternoon off from skiing the Strawberry Park hot springs are definitely worth a visit. They are super relaxing and there are several natural spas ranging from hot (over 40 degrees) to almost freezing. The ice cold one was my favourite. It was refreshing to say the very least and yes I was the only person in there.

Steamboat has it all. The dining options are impressive. Café Diva is the best restaurant ever. The beetroot gnoochi is amazing, just make sure you make a reservation.

For lodging there is something for everyone ranging from affordable studios, fully self contained apartments and vacation homes with several ski in/ ski out options. I stayed at Torian Plum, a deluxe property in the centre of the ski village.

I would definitely recommend this destination to my clients. With so much on offer you are sure to have a great time!

Michelle Gray – Assistant to Toby Withers and Sales Consultant

Vail's Blue Sky Basin

The Blue Sky Basin is like a ski area in a ski area. There's a different look to the terrain than the rest of Vail, and a real sense of being in the backcountry instead of part of one of world's biggest resorts.

As you would expect in Vail, Blue Sky Basin has a very modern lift system with three high-speed quad chairlifts but provides a more retro ski experience. Instead of boulevard-wide runs Blue Sky Basin features mostly glades and natural tree-free meadows. Most of the runs are general routes rather than specific, defined trails. Signage is directional, pointing to a destination rather than funneling people onto specific trails.

Skiers and snowboarders can stick to groomed sections, dance through the powder in the trees or mix and match. In fact, even the snowcat operators have been instructed to groom where it "feels" right. In that manner, every trip down Blue Sky's slopes can feel and look different.

If it is at all possible to get sick of Vail's huge back bowls, Blue Sky Basin offers skiers a snowboarders a wilder side of Vail.