Though most of the lifts in North America have stopped spinning, there are plenty of skiers and riders who aren’t quite ready to put away their skis and boards. Fortunately, the ski resorts in Chile and Argentina are currently gearing up for their winter season in the Andes. If you need to get your fix between now and November, here is a sample of the fun and exciting events happening in South America this “summer.”

Valle Nevado, Chile

• New for the 2013 season, Valle Nevado welcomes the first six-person gondola in Chile, which will conveniently transport passengers more than 1,000 vertical feet to the top of a 10,500-foot summit.
• Ski.com is offering several great promotions in Valle Nevado this summer, including 50% off every second guest from September 13 to 28. Enjoy a seven-night stay, lift tickets, and meals from $1,029 per person based on double occupancy.

Portillo, Chile

• Wine Week XII – August 3 to 10 – Wine Week brings together renowned Chilean Vineyards and winemakers who share their knowledge and history with guests.
• Family Weeks – July 6 to 13 and July 20 to 27- Dedicated to creating a real family vacation, these weeks are filled with non-stop fun, including tubing, karaoke, theme parties, dance classes, wine tastings, fashion shows and more.

Portillo trips start at $890 per person and include seven nights of lodging, four meals per day, and lift tickets.

Las Leñas, Argentina

• Fashion Week – dates TBD (ask your Mountain Vacation Specialist) – Combining the glamour of fashion with the beauty of the majestic mountain setting, this event attracts models, designers and celebrities from around the world.

If you’d like to learn more about how you can ski in South America and experience an endless winter at these resorts or in Bariloche, Argentina and Termas de Chillán, Chile, visit the South America section of the Ski.com website.

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Father and son duo of Amir and Alec shown here enjoying their fantastic CMH heli-trip last week at The Gothics in British Columbia, Canada.

One of our Mountain Vacation Specialists recently received the above photo from two satisfied clients after sending them on a heli-skiing trip with Canadian Mountain Holidays. Here is what Cindy, our Specialist, has to say about this type of experience:

“The Gothics offer a rich selection of both tree and alpine skiing. This is an excellent destination for first timers who want a faster pace. As part of this great experience CMH is famed for its hospitality and the graciousness of its staff.”

Amir and Alec agree!

If you looking for a father-son experience of your own give Cindy Bruce a call at 800-525-2052 ext. 3629 or email her at Cindy@ski.com. CMH is ready now to book for 2014!

The post Father/Son bonding with Canadian Mountain Holidays & Ski.com appeared first on Ski Vacation Trip Blog.

Winter Park Ski Resort’s “Mary Jane” from a distance.

Last Friday I had the pleasure of visiting Winter Park Ski Resort for the first time. After reading and hearing about it for the last few years, I knew my one task at hand for the day was to make it over to their famed terrain for bumps and trees: Mary Jane Mountain. After a morning of warming up our legs on fresh powder and a lunch refueling on chili, we headed over to the terrain we had been eyeing all day. With six inches of fresh snow and more falling on us, it was everything I had expected and more. At one point in the afternoon a coworker pointed out that I had been giggling like a school girl over every bump and around every tree.

Every ski resort seems to have at least one iconic run, chute, bowl or section of the mountain that adds to its notoriety in the ski world. Mary Jane has officially been added to my list of favorites. Here are a few more you should add to yours:

Revelation Bowl – Telluride, CO: Relatively new to Telluride (it opened during the 2008/2009 season), north-facing Revelation Bowl is conveniently located off the back side of Gold Hill and Chair 14 and is accessible by a quad lift.

Blue Sky Basin – Vail, CO: As one of Vail’s legendary seven Back Bowls, Blue Sky Basin is seven miles from Vail Village and is the most remote destination at the nation’s largest ski resort. The trek to get there via four different lifts is worth it, however, as skiers and riders enjoy a 645-acre backcountry playground consisting of moguls, groomers, trees, glades and cliffs.

Highland Bowl – Aspen, CO: Located on the peak of Aspen Highlands, this locals’ favorite is left to those willing to earn their turns with a gradual 45-minute hike to its summit. The reward is spectacular views and 2,500-vertical-foot descents down varied terrain including incredible tree skiing and pitches as steep as 45 degrees.

Rendezvous Bowl – Jackson Hole, WY: Located 4,139 feet above the valley floor andaccessed by Jackson Hole’s famous aerial tram, Rendezvous Bowl gives skiers and riders the chance to experience a fairly steep grade and abundant powder stashes after one of Jackson’s many humongous snowfalls.

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Last Friday, a crew of Ski.comers headed up to enjoy the on-mountain goods at our neighbors to the north: Vail. The Annual Vail Ski Day was a huge success with a full day on the mountain, complete with lunch at Two Elks on the edge of their famous Back Bowls and an après-ski session at the Arrabelle at Vail Square.

As a former Vail resident, I always love getting back there and enjoying some of my favorite places and am often contacted by twice-removed family members, friends of friends, and other acquaintances, requesting recommendations on places to eat, drink and be merry in this Colorado playground. During my quick visit last week I was sure to hit up some of my usual haunts and thought I’d share a few of my top experiences should you visit this High Country paradise:

• Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek – keep an eye on their calendar and you could catch an incredible comedy show or world-renowned musician.
• The Osprey Lounge – located in the Osprey at Beaver Creek, a RockResort, this tapas-inspired restaurant may look understated but serves up some of the best concoctions in the valley. Get the tempura asparagus, prosciutto and Gouda…and…well you basically can’t go wrong with any of it.
•  French Deli – located in the heart of Lionshead, Les Delices de France (known to locals simply as the French Deli) is the perfect pit stop to grab a breakfast sandwich before jumping on the gondola.
• Garfinkel’s – also located in Lionshead, Garfinkel’s is, in my humble opinion, the go-to place to après in Vail. An expansive sundeck is the perfect place to enjoy a cold one on a sunny afternoon and if you head there on a Friday, you can have any drink of your choice during “$3 You-Call-Its”.

If you’re looking for more recommendations and insider tips on Vail, Beaver Creek or any other one of your favorite ski destinations, our Mountain Vacation Specialists can share their extensive and intimate knowledge with you. Additionally, you should be sure to follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on the latest happenings in Ski Country.

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Though Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, you don’t need to use that as an excuse to head to the mountains this winter for a romantic getaway. Combine your passion for the slopes with your passion for each other and break up the winter days (and nights) by traveling to a romantic mountain destination. Escape the normalcy of everyday life by skiing or riding your favorite mountain, taking in some majestic scenery, enjoying hot toddy by a roaring fire and soaking in a hot tub under a blanket of stars.

At Ski.com we always love to give our own personal recommendations for places to eat, stay, visit, explore and experience. Here are a few of our favorite picks in a few of our favorite categories.

Romantic Dinner Spots:

• Beano’s Cabin - Beaver Creek, CO
• Pine Creek Cookhouse - Aspen, CO
• Waldhaus Restaurant - Banff, Alberta

Romantic Hot Tubs:

• BlueSky Breckenridge - Breckenridge, CO
• Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Banff, Alberta
• Independence Square - Aspen, CO
• Snake River Lodge and Spa - Jackson Hole, WY

Romantic Fireplaces:

• Northstar Village - Northstar, Lake Tahoe, CA
• Park Hyatt Beaver Creek - Beaver Creek, CO
• Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe lobby - Northstar, Lake Tahoe, CA

There is something inherently romantic about being in the mountains. Whether you decide to book your mountain getaway for a special occasion, like Valentine’s Day, or you just want to spice things up in an otherwise dull winter, Ski.com is here to make sure you have the best experience possible – and at a great price. To start the process, take a look at our deals online and below or speak with a love doctor Mountain Vacation Specialist by calling 800-299-0656.

We’ll keep the hot tubs warm until you get here.

D.S.

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Have you ever had a “perfect day”? The kind where you wouldn’t change a single thing from the people you were with and the places you went to, to the things you did there? That sentiment seemed to be a theme this past weekend within myself and nearly everyone I came across. One of those days where between the time you put your boots on in the morning and when you finally take them off 10 or so hours later, you experience the full effect of this culture we love. From bluebird skiing and riding on your favorite mountain with a handful of your friends or family members to an outdoor après session in the sun where you reminisce over the turns you just took. My sun-kissed skin, wobby legs and perma-grin were similar to those of the people I encountered along the way over the weekend and I was reminded of that feeling of camaraderie I love about this culture – that feeling of, “Yeah, this is pretty great.” I hope you get a “perfect day” in soon!

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Last week I spoke about the time-honored tradition of setting goals and resolutions at the beginning of each year. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t already broken one or two for 2013, but I did, however, spend my first weekend of the year visiting a place high on this year’s bucket list – Telluride. Tucked away in the southwestern corner of Colorado, far away from mainstream America, this quaint and eclectic town still maintains the charm of an old-mining village. Complete with genuine hospitality from friendly locals, unmatched scenery and world-class skiing at its doorstep, Telluride is my own version of heaven.

As you look forward to the year ahead and all you want to accomplish, give up, get rid of and do less of, don’t forget to make a list of what you want to do more of, what you want to see, experience, and take pleasure in.

As the old adage goes, “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”

See you on the slopes!

B.W.

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That being said, I’ll take you into the weekend with one of my all-time favorite clips from a ski film. Giving urban skiing a whole new meaning, this clip from 2011′s “All. I. Can.” is famously known as J.P. Auclair’s Street Segment and went viral when it hit social media channels early last season. Warning: it’s nearly impossible to watch this only once.  And…..don’t try this at home:

When you’ve picked your jaws up off the ground, take a look at this behind-the-scenes video, released earlier this week, documenting the creation of this now famous segment.

Enjoy and have a safe and fun weekend, everyone! See you on the slopes!

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January 1, 2013 Inside Track

In the last seven days, Aspen/Snowmass has received nearly two feet of snow just in time for the season to kick into high gear. Proud to call this world-class ski destination our home, we’re excited to share some new tidbits you can expect to see on your next Aspen/Snowmass visit.

What’s New:

• Snowmass debuts a new mid-mountain restaurant, Elk Camp, located adjacent to the top of the Elk Camp Gondola featuring Friday night Ullr nights.
• Snowmass’s Burnt Mountain opens 230 new acres this season.
• Element 47, The Little Nell’s newest gastronomical experience
• Chefs Club by FOOD & WINE at St. Regis Aspen Resort featuring the country’s Best New Chefs as named by FOOD & WINE Magazine
• Hotel Jerome unveiled a multi-million renovation.

Additionally, there are exciting events coming to town in 2013:

• ESPN X Games Aspen – Jan. 24 – 27, 2013: More than 200 of the world’s best athletes in skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling throw down over four action-packed days of competition for the most coveted medals in action sports. X Games Aspen is completely FREE so don’t miss your chance to witness legends and Olympians including Shaun White, Gretchen Bleiler, Lindsey Jacobellis and others live at Buttermilk. To top it off, Aspen/Snowmass will host a FREE Bud Light Hi-Fi concert at the base of Aspen Mountain on Saturday, Jan. 26.
• 13th ANNUAL BUD LIGHT SPRING JAM AT ASPEN/SNOWMASS – March 21 – 31, 2013: The 13th annual Bud Light Spring Jam, the premier spring festival in the Rocky Mountains, will bring two weekends of competitions, downtown concerts and parties to Aspen/Snowmass.
• Bud Light Hi-Fi CORE Party: March 29 – 30, 2013: As the most anticipated outdoor concert of the season, CORE Party will double up this year and feature two days of free concerts in downtown Aspen. Friday, March 29 will feature “Marchfourth Marching Band,” and March 30 will feature “Grouplove.”

To help get you to Aspen/Snowmass this winter we’re offering a great promotion called the Powder Play Package. Travel between the dates of March 1 – 18, buy one lift ticket package and receive the second one at 50% off. Additionally, you will enjoy a one-hour Quick Tips private lesson with an Aspen/Snowmass professional. Call one of our Aspen-based Mountain Vacation Specialists at 800-299-0656 to learn more! Also, be sure to check out some of our lodging and lift ticket deals below and online.

Happy New Year!

B.W.

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December 26, 2012 Inside Track

Book your trip to Snowmass, Colorado with Ski.com, and every third person flies free!

Now through February 1, book five nights’ accommodations in Snowmass and four days of Aspen/Snowmass lift tickets and every third airline ticket on your reservation is on us!

Visit our Snowmass Fly Free page to learn more about this exclusive promotion and start planning your trip today!

Happy holidays!

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