I was not fortunate enough to grow up an avid skier. But over my life, I’ve been lucky enough to become one. Growing up as a New York transplant in the “show me” plains of St. Louis, Missouri, aka “the gateway to the west,” I was equidistant from the bounty of the American experience. It was from this vantage point, at the age of eight, that I first ventured to Colorado, and from that moment I was hooked. Over the next 10 years, I only skied the Northeast. Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York all have a very specific brand of skiing and churn out some of the best competitive skiers on the planet. But my affection, and now my expertise, lies in skiing Europe and the Western U.S. The Rockies, specifically, are defined by hundreds of micro factors at the local level, from personality to topography. This season, I’m covering seven: Aspen/Snowmass, Vail, Telluride, Deer Valley, Sun Valley, Jackson Hole, and Montana.
ASPEN/SNOWMASS
Projected Opening Dates: Aspen Mountain and Snowmass, November 26, 2026; Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk, December 12, 2026.
What’s Luxe this Season
Aspen Snowmass turns 80 this winter, and it is celebrating with steel and cable. Aspen Mountain’s new Nell Bell, a high-speed quad, replaces the Bell Mountain and Little Nell lifts with a single ride from Gondola Plaza to the top of Bell Mountain. Over at Snowmass, Ullrhof reopens completely rebuilt: 26,000 square feet, four dining concepts under one roof, and the resort’s first all-electric, on-mountain restaurant. Snowmass also joins the Ikon Base Pass for the first time.
Where to Stay
Hotel Jerome: Aspen’s grande dame since 1889, now part of Auberge Collection, never stops evolving. It remains the epitome of historic charm and high west luxury, and it is almost impossible not to feel at home. The J-Bar is still the town’s living room. Downstairs, Bad Harriet keeps the night going.
The Little Nell: Consider this your last call (for now). Aspen’s only five-star, five-diamond ski-in/ski-out hotel closes in April 2027 for a top-to-bottom renovation and reopens for the 2027-28 season. Don’t miss Element 47 for fine dining; Ajax Tavern for those truffle fries. For nearly four decades, “The Nell” has set the standard for luxury in the heart of Aspen. Also returning this winter: celebrity facialist Georgia Louise, back at The Spa at The Little Nell.
MOLLIE: MOLLIE pairs modern sophistication with the charm of a boutique mountain retreat at a more accessible price point, which, this being Aspen, isn’t saying much. It earned a Michelin Key in 2025. Then Ludo Lefebvre opened Petit Trois in December of that year, his first restaurant outside Los Angeles. Escargots and steak frites after a powder day are pure perfection. With a friendly lobby full of locals and easy access to both the town’s vibrant social scene and the slopes, MOLLIE is a welcome addition to town. The all-Rivian EV fleet is a nice added touch.
Aspen Meadows Resort: Aspen has plenty of places to be seen. The Meadows is where I go (year-round) to think. Herbert Bayer designed this 40-acre Bauhaus campus in the West End, and it still belongs to the Aspen Institute, so art and ideas come with the room key. All 98 accommodations are suites. Bayer’s legacy lives on at the Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies on the grounds. After skiing, the outdoor barrel saunas face the mountains, and West End Social serves après with one of the best quiet views in town. The free shuttle gets you downtown in minutes.
New This Season: White Elephant Aspen. The Nantucket-born brand opened its first mountain hotel this past summer on Main Street in Aspen’s West End, with 54 rooms and suites, an art collection threaded through the property, and an outpost of its LoLa 41° restaurant. This winter marks its first ski season.
VAIL
Projected Opening Date: November 13, 2026.
What’s Luxe this Season
Vail has always been a first mover. This winter it rebuilt the private lesson. Epic Ascent, new at Vail and Beaver Creek, turns every private lesson into a concierge experience for groups of up to six: dining reservations, white-glove gear fittings with delivery to your lodging, and skip-the-line lift access. Vail is also making a bold claim that private lesson prices won’t rise beyond normal inflation. Après gets an upgrade too. A new outdoor Ice Bar sits beside the Back Bowls gate, Bistro 14 gets a retro redesign, and the Two Martini Lunch returns to the high-alpine luxury vibes at The 10th.
Where to Stay
The Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail: The Four Seasons has long redefined mountain luxury, pairing contemporary elegance with the timeless beauty of the Rockies. Expect personalized service, opulent accommodations, and one of the most picturesque outdoor pools in the region. The property is not ski-in/ski-out, but Four Seasons runs a three-story ski valet mere steps from Gondola One, with shuttle transfers, of course. Inside, Bobby Stuckey’s Tavernetta brings the polish of the team behind Boulder’s Michelin-starred Frasca to the heart of the hotel.
Sonnenalp Vail: Nestled in the heart of Vail Village, the family-owned-and-operated Sonnenalp offers an alpine escape full of old-world European charm. Indulge in the serene full-service spa and dining that celebrates the finest local and international flavors. My recommendation is the Swiss Chalet, one of the hardest reservations in town to snag in peak season. Whether you’re skiing Vail’s legendary Back Bowls or unwinding by the spa-side fireplace, Sonnenalp promises an unforgettable retreat.
TELLURIDE
Projected Opening Date: November 26, 2026.
What’s Luxe this Season
Telluride is a town on the cusp, and that makes now the moment to go. Four Seasons has broken ground on Four Seasons Resort and Residences Telluride in Mountain Village, the region’s first new five-star development in more than 15 years. It’s slated for completion in 2028. Until it arrives, Telluride belongs to the people who already know it: the box canyon, the free gondola linking the Victorian town to Mountain Village, and some of the most dramatic terrain in Colorado.
Where to Stay
Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Collection: I checked into the Madeline the week Auberge unveiled its property-wide redesign in January 2021, and it remains the most polished ski-in/ski-out address in Mountain Village. The Timber Room, its fireside indoor-outdoor après lounge, became my nightly stop.
Dunton Town House: In historic downtown Telluride, the team behind Dunton Hot Springs turned a Victorian home into a five-room inn on South Oak Street, between the gondola and Main Street. The result feels more like borrowing a friend’s ski town home. Each room carries an Austrian name, a nod to the house’s Tyrolean spirit. There’s a library for the evenings and Susanne Kaufmann products in the bath. Ski all day in Mountain Village, ride the gondola down, and walk home to the honor bar upstairs. With only five rooms, plan ahead, or better yet, book them all for friends and family.
DEER VALLEY, UTAH
Projected Opening Date: December 5, 2026.
What’s Luxe this Season
Deer Valley has more than doubled in size since December 2024, and the expansion keeps rolling. This winter, the new Hail Peak Express opens 200 acres and seven new runs on the resort’s easternmost edge, bringing Deer Valley to 4,500 skiable acres and 32 lifts. Looking ahead, two new lodges, at East Village and atop Park Peak, are slated for the 2027-28 season.
Where to Stay
Stein Eriksen Lodge: Exuding alpine elegance since 1982, Stein Eriksen Lodge offers a five-star mountain retreat where classic American alpine luxury meets legendary Champagne powder. Expect lavish accommodations, an award-winning spa, gourmet dining, ski-in/ski-out access, and bespoke service.
The Goldener Hirsch: An iconic mainstay in Deer Valley’s Silver Lake Village for more than 30 years, The Goldener Hirsch is now part of Auberge Collection. Don’t miss the 2026 holiday pop-up from Moody Tongue Omakase (13 courses) in one of its Alpenglobes (December 18, 2026, to January 1, 2027). Between the ski-in/ski-out access and the photo-worthy rooftop pool, The GH is a winner.
Montage Deer Valley: Perched at Empire Pass, roughly 9,000 feet up, Montage puts you on the snow the moment you step outside. Ski-in/ski-out here means exactly that, on a mountain that has always been skiers only. Make Spa Montage a daily ritual, and be sure to check out the workout classes. Its 35,000 square feet offer recovery for legs and spirit after a day on Deer Valley’s corduroy. It also doesn’t hurt that every room comes with a fireplace and a view. When you want Park City’s Main Street vibes, the house car gets you there in minutes.
SUN VALLEY, IDAHO
Projected Opening Date: November 26, 2026.
What’s Luxe this Season
America’s first destination ski resort is having one of the biggest winters in its history. The FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Finals return to Bald Mountain March 20 to 25, 2027, only the second time Sun Valley has hosted the season-ending races. Two new high-speed lifts, a six-pack at Lookout Express, and a new quad on Christmas, are scheduled to open in December. After dark, look up: Sun Valley is the first U.S. resort certified through DarkSky International’s lodging and resorts program. Pro tip: The Hemingway Memorial makes a fine place to stargaze.
Where to Stay
Sun Valley Lodge: The Lodge has anchored Sun Valley since 1936, and I keep coming back. Start the morning with pastries at the Konditorei. End the night with a nightcap at the Duchin Lounge. In between, ride the gondola to the Roundhouse on Bald Mountain.
New This Season: The Observatory Sun Valley, A Viceroy Resort. Set to open this fall at the gateway to downtown Ketchum, the resort brings 73 guest rooms, 12 penthouse residences, a full-service spa with an indoor thermal pool, and a rooftop observatory with a professional-grade telescope aimed into the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve.
JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING
Projected Opening Date: November 27, 2026.
What’s Luxe this Season
Jackson Hole doesn’t chase trends. It doesn’t need to. Do plan ahead, though: the resort continues to manage daily capacity this season, and Ikon and Mountain Collective passholders need reservations. The news is at the base. The former Snake River Lodge reopened this summer as Faraway Jackson Hole, and this will be its first ski season. Moreover, a new promotion encourages flyers to land in the morning and ski that afternoon on the house. All you have to do is show your same-day boarding pass at the ticket office.
Where to Stay
Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole: After more than a decade of visits, this is still my Teton Village base. Ski-in/ski-out at the foot of the mountain, with everything you need within arm’s reach. Ride the Bridger Gondola to Piste Mountain Bistro for lunch, then close the day at Il Villaggio Osteria.
The Cloudveil: If you’d rather wake up in town than at the base, this is your address. The Cloudveil sits on Jackson’s historic Town Square, with 100 rooms and suites, a rooftop terrace looking out to Snow King, and an outdoor pool for après soaks. The real reason I keep walking through its doors is The Bistro. Gavin Fine, Jackson’s Danny Meyer, closed his beloved Rendezvous Bistro after 20 years and reopened it here, keeping the French bistro soul and the raw bar. Grab a seat at the zinc bar, order oysters, and watch the Town Square antler arches glow. Don’t miss the daily special.
Caldera House: Eight suites. That’s the hotel, and that’s the point. Caldera House sits at the base of Rendezvous Mountain, steps from the Tram. Commune and local studio Carney Logan Burke designed the suites, which come as two- and four-bedroom residences with chef’s kitchens and mountain views. They feel like the Wyoming home you lust after. A ski valet and in-house gear shop handle the logistics. A good portion of the building is a members-only club, so the lounge feels like a private chalet. For families or a group of friends who want Teton Village without the crowds, it’s the move.
New This Season: Faraway Jackson Hole. The boutique brand behind Faraway Nantucket and Faraway Martha’s Vineyard made its first move west with this reimagining of the former Snake River Lodge. Expect 90 rooms and suites, residences, a “Wild Western Homestead” design concept, an indoor/outdoor pool, and Sure Hand, an all-day restaurant and bar, with direct access to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
MONTANA
What’s Luxe this Season
There is so much happening in the “Treasure State” right now that it’s almost impossible to settle on one resort. This is also its first full winter with the Explorer Gondola and the Kircliff summit observatory running from opening day. These classics, old and new, continue to reimagine themselves. You can’t go wrong in Montana.
Where to Stay
The Ranch at Rock Creek, Philipsburg: From the moment you set foot on this Relais & Châteaux guest ranch, your surroundings transform you. There’s no shortage of things to do, and your “Ranch Ambassador” becomes your guide and friend, coordinating one of a thousand permutations of customized experiences. My favorite was a private, five-star “tailgate” in the parking lot of Discovery Ski Area, complete with chef, grill, bartender, and table service. Unreal.
Montage Big Sky: Set in the shadow of the Spanish Peaks, Montage raises the bar for what a modern alpine hotel in the U.S. can be. Monumental in stature, with almost every amenity you can imagine plus ski-in/ski-out access, it leaves guests wanting for nothing. Dinner at Cortina is not to be missed.
One&Only Moonlight Basin, Big Sky: One&Only opened its first U.S. resort here in November 2025. Designed by Olson Kundig, it features 73 rooms and suites in the main lodge, freestanding cabins, private homes, a heated gondola to Big Sky’s Madison Base, and multiple dining options.
Paws Up Montana, Greenough: Paws Up spreads across 37,000 acres of wilderness that double as a working cattle ranch, with accommodations ranging from private homes to safari-style glamping camps. Its adults-only enclave, The Green O, offers design-forward stays for guests 21 and up, more than 50 activities, and access to the nearest local ski area, Snowbowl.
Featured image, courtesy of Paws Up Montana. Travel Curator may earn a commission from product or booking links on this page.
