The fall colors are slowly fading and winter is just around the corner, which means that the ski season is on its way. If you are as stoked as we are about carving up powdery trails again then we’ve found some of the best new resort facilities and hotels to get excited about. There’s even something for those that simply like to hang out amid the cool wintry ambience of resorts without even strapping on a pair of skis.
Copper Mountain
Frisco, Colorado
A $100 million investment is bringing some wonderful additions to Copper Mountain for the 2019/20 season. Among the most awaited new facility is a lift service to the expert-level high alpine terrain on Tucker Mountain. Previously only reachable by snowcat and when weather permitted, skiers will now have unlimited access to 273 acres of terrain at an elevation of 12,337 feet. Also new for the season is the Woodward Peace Park, a snow sports center designed by the POWDR group in conjunction with pro snowboarder Danny Davies. The park will feature year-round ski and snowboard, indoor and outdoor learning zones, Olympic trampolines, foam pit jumps and mountain terrain parks.
Gravity Haus
Breckenridge Ski Resort, Colorado
Delight in the ski-in/ski-out luxury of this boutique hotel positioned at the base of Breckenridge’s Peak 9. Each of the 60 lodge-style rooms at Gravity Haus feature eco-friendly amenities that range from hybrid mattresses to zero-waste bath products and microfibre robes. With king and queen-size, bunk and twin bed options, rooms also cater to the sleeping arrangements of almost every type of traveler. After a day on the slopes you can relax at the Japanese-inspired onsen, refuel on seasonal dishes and sip on bespoke cocktails. Townie bikes are available if you want to pedal into town. Keep an eye on the hotel’s website for updates on the scheduled December opening.
Keystone Resort
Keystone, Colorado
With the installation of 53 snow-making jet engines, Keystone Resort plans to be the first resort to open this season in Colorado. When in action, the jets will create powdery snow from water and compressed air and send it flying over the entire 3.5 miles of the resort’s Schoolmarm run. During the 1980s and 1990s, Keystone fought it out with Loveland over opening-day bragging rights but A-Basin has since taken the lead. This new installation will make winter arrive earlier in Colorado and aid in extending the season for powder hounds.
RED Mountain Resort
Rossland, British Columbia
If you are heading up to Canada for the ski season then be sure to check out what’s going on at RED Mountain Resort. The inauguration of the Topping Creek Chairlift will provide access to 300 acres of new intermediate terrain and increase the resort’s acreage to 3,850. This places it in the top 10 biggest resorts for acreage in North America and also gives it one of the lowest skier-to-acre ratios. On the new terrain skiers and snowboarders can explore unprecedented tree-skiing and a 1,000 feet vertical.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort
Revelstoke, British Columbia
Beginners on ski vacations in British Columbia should consider booking in at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. The Stellar Chair will open new opportunities for first-timers and intermediates looking to gain confidence before skiing more challenging terrain. There’s access to three blue and three green runs at an easygoing vertical of 426 feet. The chair has the ability to transport 1,800 per hour with individual journey times of under four minutes. Also new for the season is the addition of more gondolas to the existing Revelation Gondola, Ripper Chair and Stoke Chair.
W Aspen
Aspen, Colorado
The Marriott brand is bring its style and luxury to the slopes of Aspen Mountain. Blending alpine opulence with Aspen high-society and mining heritage, W Aspen is the first new build hotel here in 25 years. Choose from 88 rooms, each elegantly furnished, packed with boutique amenities and most with show-stopping city or mountain views. Spend your apres ski time switching between the underground cocktail lounge and rooftop bar, complete with heated pool, hot tub and Aspen panoramas. A Gaia mural portraying Colorado’s Maroon Bells peaks and ski entrepreneur Walter Paepcke bring artistic elegance to the hotel lobby.
Woodward Park City
Park City, Utah
Coming to Utah in December 2019 is the year-round action sports and ski resort Woodward Park City. It will have a 66,000-square-feet indoor Actions Sports Hub home to Olympic-grade trampolines, a parkour zone, mini ramp and many more sporting facilities. For skiers, the Mountain Park blends learning zones, freestyle parks and on-mountain terrain suitable for all ages and skiing levels. Have fun on Utah’s longest tubing track and pull tricks on terrain inspired by Olympic champion Red Gerard’s personal rail garden. BMX riders, skateboarders and mountain bikers needs will be taken care of at the Action Sports Parks.
