Sliding Down a Slope Of Savings
It’s that time of year again. Get out your skis and winter hats and head north. Or if you want snow on the slopes, try heading west. Global warming and Vermont real estate prices go together like Isiah Thomas and the New York Knicks. Whether you’re Bode Miller and can ski the world’s toughest slopes half in the bag or strapping on skis for the first time, Kayak.com has found a ski vacation just for you.
It’s hard to believe this winter wonderland for the rich and famous started as a mining town but Aspen is the ski resort for the serious skier, shopaholic and celebrity stalker. One lift ticket gives access to all four Aspen area resorts — Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass. We recommend Aspen Mountain with no fewer than 23 double diamonds for the expert skier and the aptly named Buttermilk for the novice. Whether skiing, shopping, drinking or eating, flashbulbs mean celebs in this town and be on the lookout for the usual snow bunnies: Jerry Seinfeld, Usher, Heidi Klum and Jack Nicholson. Let’s pause for a mental picture of Jack in a snow suit.
The debate between Colorado and Utah for best ski destination can ruin a friendship but we’ll spread the love to both states. Utah’s Wasatch Mountain Range is covered all winter in deep, feathery powder, and you can re-trace the tracks of Olympians at Park City. But don’t limit yourself to high-profile resorts like Sundance and Park City. Snowbird and Alta have cheaper lift tickets, get better snow, and have more diverse runs. Hit Snowbird’s Mineral Basin in the morning but be careful on the jumps. The ski patrol is friendly, but it’s a long way back to base from there. For novices, Alta’s Sunnyside lift is free everyday after 3pm. Utah’s après ski would make Joseph Smith roll over in his grave. For sore muscles, the natural hot springs are clothing optional. Wonder if Heidi Klum skies here?
- Salt Lake City flights
- Alta hotels
- Talk to other Kayakers about Alta
Every skier dreams of a ski vacation to the Alps and you’d be hard pressed to find a more pristine and quaint resort town than Verbier, Switzerland. With some of the most challenging ski terrain and scenic vistas in the Alps, a southwesterly orientation that maximizes sun exposure and the 850-year history of the surrounding ‘Val de Bagnes’ region, Verbier epitomizes the kind of adventure unique to the European ’superski’ networks. Spend all day skiing or take one of their guided sealskin tours. Before you send us hate mail about dead seals, “skins” are now made from mohair or nylon. Still not interested, try ice climbing or tobogganing.
Impress your friends by trying an out-of-the-box ski vacation such as Bulgaria’s largest and oldest ski resort, Borovets, which attracts skiers from all over the world. Made up of three regions, Sitnqkovo – Martinovi Baraki, Markudjik, and Qstrebec, the skiing varies in difficulty. Multilingual signs ensure that you stay away from the cliffs. Plus, over 200 multilingual instructors teach at their highly reputed ski school. The air here is fresh and pollution is minimal, so enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. Don’t forget to try their night skiing under the stars before heading to the discos, shops, restaurants, and bars.
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Waxing our … skis,
Steve and Paul, Kayak.com co-founders
Kayak Tip: We joined a bunch of entrepreneurs on CNBC’s The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch this week. Donny is a cool guy and we were honored to be included. Here’s a link in case you’re interested in advice for starting your own business or just curious to see what we look like. Think Brad Pitt and George Clooney …
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