SQUAW VALLEY
Squaw Valley USA, on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, doesn’t just bask in the glory of its Olympic past. In a decidedly 21st-century move, the Riviera terrain park and superpipe have introduced expanded night hours and better lighting, letting snow bunnies stay on the slopes well past sunset. If you’re a seasonpass holder (from $999), you’ll get 15 percent off your stay at PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, an intimate 58-room boutique property with stellar views. The Olympic House base lodge is fresh off a revamp, including a complete remodeling of Bar One designed to even better showcase the awe-inspiring peaks. The overhaul extends to the Olympic House Pavilion menu, which has all-new offerings ranging from Asian stir-fry to gourmet pizzas.
BONUS: Kids enjoy free reign over the new mountaintop kids’ zone, complete with a snow fort and a map-driven adventure designed to teach them more about the mountain.
PARK CITY
With three major resorts—Deer Valley Resort, The Canyons Resort and Park City Mountain Resort—Park City more than lives up to its “Greatest Snow on Earth” reputation. Lately the area has been experiencing a luxury-hotel renaissance: Montage Deer Valley, The St. Regis Deer Valley Resort and Waldorf Astoria Park City have all recently opened their grand doors, bringing with them world-class service and rarefied ambience. On the culinary front, chef John Murcko’s Talisker on Main is the toast of Park City—and with its daily changing menu, delicious possibilities include elk-tenderloin carpaccio and short-rib shepherd’s pie with potato brûlée. New this season, Park City Mountain Resort added three new Adventure Alley runs, letting intermediates ski in the trees.
BONUS: Night owls, rejoice: Park City Mountain Resort has extended its hours to 9 PM daily.
Slideshow: Ski Destinations
