Where Luxury Meets Winter Adventure
It’s one thing to book a true ski-in, ski-out stay at an elite resort—but quite another to check into a mountainside mansion with a private chef, butler and spa therapist on call. As all-inclusive escapes move beyond cruises and beach resorts, winter travelers are in for something special. And the best part? You don’t have to be a die-hard skier to enjoy these next-level experiences in far-flung, snow-covered locales.
Image provided by Brandon Cole of Tordrillo Mountain Lodge
From double black diamond heli-skiing to Northern Lights sightings and fireside tasting menus, these curated winter packages are made for discerning travelers—whether you’re chasing adrenaline or just the view.
A Private Arctic Playground in Swedish Lapland
Impage Provided by Blue Parallel
When it comes to high-end, tailored experiences that pack a luxurious punch, Blue Parallel, a boutique travel outfitter known for private, experiential itineraries, has you covered. In this particular winter wonderland, not only do you get to enjoy a luxe, perfectly appointed lodge in the great, wide wilderness, but you’ll also get to enjoy the pampering that comes with it, thanks to a full staff to cater to your every need. Of course, as cozy as it may be to stay in the lodge’s warm embrace, you’ve come here to soak up the outdoors. From a Northern Lights guided tour to a privately guided Nordic ski tour and a guided snowmobile ride through lush powder, it’s hard to beat this sumptuous tour in Sweden. (Blue Parallel Swedish Lapland tour, from $2,500.00 per person per day.)
Keystone Reimagined with Chef-Led Après in the Sky
Keystone has long been a favorite for families and casual skiers—but not exactly a destination for those seeking five-star flair. Until now. The slopeside Kindred Resort debuts this ski season, bringing the mountain’s first legit five-star accommodation to the scene. Be treated to gourmet meals courtesy of a chef-in-residence offering where rotating James Beard-nominated chefs prepare five-course menus in the privacy of your chalet. The skiing is spectacular here, but even more so when verticals are accessed from a heli-drop. Meanwhile, the après action takes place at sunset in the “Après-in-the-Sky” lounge, a charming balcony stocked with Champagne and booked with live music per the guest’s wish. If the altitude and wine pairings have you feeling a little sluggish, opt in to the IV recovery treatment and sports massage. Heli-arrival from Denver is in the works. (Kindred Resort Penthouse starting at $3,400/night.)
Heli-Skiing Royalty in the Alaskan Backcountry
Image provided by Brandon Cole of Tordrillo Mountain Lodge
Famous for heli-skiing, this lodge about 75 miles west of Anchorage is the epitome of the high-end ski vacation. With the Tordrillo Mountains as the backdrop, this destination was seemingly designed for the hard-core skiers and snowboarders who will no doubt delight in heli-skiing and heli-boarding on 1.2 million acres of fresh powder. The deep snow and intense verticals are made slightly more manageable with the help of expert guides, although by day seven, you may just feel like you can accomplish anything on your own after mastering this exclusive terrain. Gourmet meals are prepared by your own private chef and the trip, although focused on heli adventures, is fully bespoke and tailored to travelers’ every desire. (Tordrillo Mountain Lodge, $18,500 per person for seven nights.)
Lapland Immersion: Saunas, Sleds and the Northern Lights
Image provided by Abercrombie & Kent
There may be no truer winter wonderland than the seven-day journey through Lapland. On this adventure, from luxury travel leader Abercrombie & Kent, guests will be whisked away on a tailor-made escapade involving husky sleds, ice-floating under the aurora and foraging workshops. For an extra invigorating experience, go from the hot sauna to the icy lake. There’s also an opportunity for a second kind of plunge: jump into the bracing Arctic waters for an ice-floating experience beneath the night sky. But don’t worry, for this extra special dip, you’ll be outfitted in a specially designed rescue suit. The tour includes stays at both the Arctic Bath, a boutique offering set on the Lule River in Swedish Lapland, and Levin Iglut, a magical retreat on a serene hillside in Finnish Lapland. (Abercrombie & Kent Lapland: A Winter Wonderland, $43,995 for seven days.)
A Bespoke Colorado Retreat With Jet-Set Style
Image provided by Josh Johnson for Exceptional Stays Telluride
The impossibly charming Colorado ski town of Telluride manages to be both refined and rugged, but when you opt to visit the picturesque ski town via Exceptional Stays, a bespoke vacation rental service known for its ultra-premium portfolio, you’re embracing the most refined side of a Telluride ski vacation. Skip the long drive from Denver or the regional airport in Montrose and take a private jet on Telluride Flights to reach the remote destination—and your brand new custom Wagner skis. The stay includes an ultra-exclusive chalet with ski-in/ski-out access, on-call staff and sweeping views of the San Juans. But this white-glove experience doesn’t end with exclusive on-mountain access and those shiny new skis; embark on a private shopping session at Jagged Edge, a local shop selling top-end outdoor equipment and ski apparel. (Telluride: Ultimate Ski Experience with Exceptional Stays, $250,000 for a three-night stay for two people.)
Verbier’s Most Glamorous Chalet Escape
Image Provided by The Lodge
There are many ways to do it up in Verbier, one of—if not the—poshest ski area in the Alps. Part of Switzerland’s famed Four Valleys ski area, with over 400 kilometers of terrain, Verbier was glamorous long before Sir Richard Branson’s nine-bedroom alpine chalet, The Lodge, became available for buyout. The capacious home features a dedicated ski equipment room with boot warmers and ski kits. Of course, the rest of your needs will also be fully attended to, considering the team of 15 running the show: spa therapist (much needed after a day out shredding), 24-hour chauffeur, Michelin-trained chefs and a crew of housekeepers to keep everything as sparkling as the best five-star hotel. (The Lodge, $11,515.72 per night.)
Porsche on Ice: A Thrill-Seeker’s Dream in the Alps
Image Provided by Ultimate Driving Tours
Ever dreamed of spinning around an alpine ice track in a brand-new Porsche 911 or Boxster? This adrenaline-fueled two-day tour through Austria and Germany lets you get behind the wheel yourself—no imagination required. Off the track, there’s just as much thrill to be found on the slopes, with guided access to premier runs across the Arlberg and Bavarian Alps. After a day of high-speed adventure, wind down with pampering spa treatments and overnights in luxe five-star hotels, including a centuries-old castle reborn as a chic alpine retreat.
(HunterMoss Luxury Winter Tour & Ice Driving Experience in the Austrian and Bavarian Alps, $16,999 for double occupancy.)
The Ultimate Icelandic Odyssey, Fjords to Firelight
Image Provided by Wayfairer Travel
Bespoke itineraries, a focus on sustainable travel, and a keen eye for world-class experiences are the hallmarks of a Wayfairer trip. On this one—14 days around Iceland’s Golden Circle—adventure is the name of the game with ice caving tours, heli-skiing and exploration of the longest fjord in Iceland at the forefront. At the end of an afternoon of icy snorkeling, cozy up at a chic boutique hotel like Deplar Farm, where the geothermal spa and otherworldly fjord views are rivaled only by the locally sourced food and drink. (14-day Iceland Golden Circle Tour with Wayfairer Travel, $28,647 per person)