Monday, February 24, 2014

Breck claims title of “Snowiest Resort in America” for January..Breckenridge Blog

Who said 2014 was the Year of the Horse? At Breckenridge Ski Resort, it’s been the Year of the Snowflake.
According to snow reports submitted by 345 U.S. resorts to OnTheSnow.com, a global web and mobile platform used by more than 16.4 million visitors each year (source: Google Analytics), Breckenridge’s 123 inches of snow in January was 22 inches more than its closest competitor. Since Jan. 1, 2014, Breckenridge has been blessed with nearly 11 FEET of new snow. Jan 31 snow at Breck
“What better way to celebrate the December opening of Peak 6, the largest resort terrain expansion in the last decade, than to cover it with over 10 feet of snow in January?” asked Pat Campbell, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Breckenridge Ski Resort. “The skiing has been phenomenal for our guests.”
After what is being hailed as “The Storm of the Century” in many Colorado mountain communities dropped record amounts of snow on Vail and Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in late-January and early-February, all four resorts are 100 percent open and offering the finest skiing and snowboarding conditions in North America. According to weather site Opensnow.com, Breck could be in for another foot of snow before Monday.
Resort snow totals since Jan. 1, 2014:
Breckenridge: More than 11 feet
Vail: More than eight feet Beaver Creek: More than seven feet


Breckenridge Photo taken from Starbucks by Anne Courcier

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Where to ski next? France~Lake Annecy Ski Resorts


 
Recently, in our continued efforts to bring the best “new” resorts to our clients, we traveled to France to explore the ski resorts of the Haute-Savoie region, La Clusaz, Le Grand Bornand, Manigod and St-Jean de Sixt located just an hour drive from the Genève airport.

I have read that the French Alps seduces travelers with its breathtaking views, idyllic village’s, gastronomic feasts and world class mountain activities.  The Lake Annecy resorts did not disappoint.   Surrounded by the majestic Aravis mountain range these resorts combine authentic traditional villages with chic chalets and refined hotels.  The multi-lingual resort staff and mountain guides offer unsurpassed service with a welcoming smile.   The abundance of unique outdoor activities in the valley includes the world’s first bungee jump off a ski ramp, sledge riding  (sledding) and the Biathlon, a winter Olympic sport.    Le Grand Bornand is home to famed Olympian Sylvie Becaert . 

So if you are looking for a ski holiday that may be off the beaten track then we have the resort for you.  Let us help you make your travel experiences extraordinary. 

 

Monday, September 16, 2013

First Snowfall of the 2013-2014 Ski and Snowboard Season!


The first snowfall of the 2013-2014 season has arrived!  

Monday, March 11, 2013

Crested Butte Festevol Weekend






We had a great weekend at the Crested Butte Spring Music Festevol 2013 - Music, Snow, Sun and Fun!  Book your trip now for a wonderful spring getaway if you want to enjoy incredible skiing without any lift lines, jaw-dropping views and delicious food all with out breaking the bank.  A great place to stay is the Elevation Hotel and Spa..location, location, location.  And if you are looking for a massage after a long day of skiing, head to the spa and ask for Sarah Landry...simply the best. To cap off a wonderful day don't miss the Ginger Cafe or the Secret Stash for dinner in town, or stay at the Village and head to Django's. You have to experience a Crested Butte vacation!

Plan your Crested Butte mountain vacation now!

Monday, June 25, 2012

30th Anniversary of the Aspen Food and Wine Festival




Welcome to the 2012 Food and Wine classic celebrating 30 years of fabulous wine and incredible food.  This year's event sold out in advance for the first time since the economic downturn!  The picture perfect blue skies and white tents set against the green backdrop of Aspen (Ajax) Mountain couldn't be more inviting.    The wine was flowing and thankfully so was the FIJI water (thanks FIJI).  It's important to stay hydrated at 7908 feet.  Every year the classic out does itself  but I have to say this year they pulled out all the stops with a musical highlight benefit concert featuring Elvis Costello and dinner served by Mario Batali, Jose Andres and Michael Nichan.  

You don't have to be a foodie or oenophile to enjoy Aspen/Snowmass in the summer, there are plenty of things to enjoy.  Hiking the Maroon Bells, fishing the Roaring Fork or hang gliding from one of the most spectacular peaks around.  There is something to do for everyone.  One of the best places to stay while you are in town is the Crestwood in Snowmass, their location simply cannot be beat!.  Call Anne for questions about a Colorado summer vacation at 800-845-7157 xt 302.

Monday, March 5, 2012

The Perfect Ski Weekend Getaway to Telluride!







Telluride is one of the most picturesque ski resorts there is and I was lucky enough to visit this weekend. I've been to Telluride a few times and each time it is the same - I want to stay longer. When you arrive at Telluride it is hard to stop taking pictures as it is so beautiful. We arrived Friday evening at The Peaks which is one of the best hotels ever. I have kids and I think it is so great that the hotel rooms offer two king beds. The Peaks also offers $5.00 kids meals and have good options. They also have a great menu for adults. You have to have the truffle fries with avocado ranch dressing. The Peaks has a common area pool that is indoor/outdoor. The one thing that I would say my kids loved best was the indoor water slide and the game room. The Peaks is also pet friendly so yes we brought our dog Polly along and I think she loved it as well.
Please don't get me wrong, The Peaks is not just for families as it is a romantic place for a couples ski trip. My husband and I had a wonderful time. The views alone is enough to make you feel romantic but if that is not enough, the spa is spectacular. They have a women's and men's spa area that is separate and no kids allowed. It has a hot sauna, steam room, whirlpool, showers, lockers and pretty much anything you need such as shampoos, conditioners, body wash, etc. The spa has the usual setup such as massages, hair salon, nails but they also have things like botox and specialty spa services. I loved the spa and could write a book about it but time to move on.
Hate carrying your skis around? Well so do I and The Peaks has a great service. When we got up on Saturday to ski we went down and they had our boots on heaters and our skis were on the snow with our poles ready for take off. We went out and got to ski on such a pretty blue bird day. They have something for everyone from easy long green and blue groomed runs to advance blue and black runs at Telluride. They have some really steep runs as well and they even have some great runs that you can hike to for those daredevils, and we did have some with us from Snowventures. After skiing we came back to The Peaks and they took our ski gear and again the boots went on heaters.
We love the food at The Peaks but we did manage to make it out to dinner-just me and my husband in Mountain Village at a restaurant called LaPiazza, which was very romantic and the food was delicious. I had the Tagliolini Aragosta Frà Diavolo which was Homemade long pasta sautéed with Maine lobster, spicy chopped tomatoes, white wine, garlic and their brand extra virgin Olissimo XO. It was one of the best pasta dishes I have ever had. They also had an excellent wine menu.
What more can I say except Thank you to The Peaks and Telluride Mountain Resort for a wonderful weekend. If you are interested in experiencing Telluride and The Peaks in the winter or summer please contact me for some special offers. Looking forward to Telluride again.
Lilly Howard
Mountain Vacation Specialist

Monday, February 28, 2011

Aspen and The Limelight Lodge




I had a great time in Aspen this weekend. I got to stay at The Limelight Lodge which is a great location in Aspen. You can walk to everything very easily. They have a complimentary continental breakfast with the stay that is much more than a typical continental breakfast. The Limelight has live music 5 nights a week in the lobby area and you can order drinks and food. The rooms are very nice and the beds are very comfortable. They have ski lockers and a private skier shuttle to take you to all 4 mountains. They have a nice pool and two big hot tubs. I really liked that they had a laundry room that guest can use during their stay.
The Limelight Lodge Inside Tracks is a complimentary ski/ride guide service offered in partnership with Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen/Snowmass for Limelight Lodge guests. Offered 2 days per week, this service will provide a unique opportunity for Limelight Lodge guests to experience the sensational terrain and services of the four mountains of Aspen/Snowmass combined with the expertise of the Schools top professionals.
Aspen is a great destination with first class dining, shopping and skiing. Thank you Aspen and The Limelight Lodge.

Limelight Lodge Aspen

I had the chance to stay at the Limelight Lodge this past weekend and it was beyond my expectations. The staff was very welcoming, knowledgeable, and accommodating. One of my favorite things about the Limelight was the live band (they have live music almost every night of the week during ski season) , they had a great blue grass playing called Stray Grass from Grand Junction, Colorado. Ski valet, skier shuttle, huge outdoor hot tubs, outdoor pool, and free continental breakfast make the Limelight Lodge an ideal place to stay in Aspen. I can't wait to get back!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Thursday, February 3, 2011





I just got back from a ski vacation to Northstar in Tahoe. It was a great trip. I flew into Reno and caught a shuttle on North Tahoe Express for about a 40 minute easy ride to the mountain of Northstar. I got settled in my condo and then went to dinner at The Village at Baxter's. The dinner was very good and I loved the atmosphere of the restaurant. The village has some very nice shops and restaurants.
Tuesday I got up and went skiing. It was a bluebird day and the skiing conditions were great. I like Northstar as it had many long groomed trails. The views were gorgeous and it was not crowded. Northstar reminded me of a smaller version of Beaver Creek. Northstar is a family friendly resort as it is quiet and easy to get to with easy access to dining and shops. I would not recommend Northstar for those looking to stay out late and party as the shuttle stops at 10 p.m. and the restaurants close at that time as well. I enjoyed my time in Northstar and hope to go back soon. If you are interested or have any questions contact me at Lilly@snowventures.com or 1-800-845-7157 ext. 305.

Resort at Squaw Creek~ Sqauw Valley Resort


The Resort at Squaw Creek is the place to stay when visiting the Olympic Valley.   Ranked as one of the top ski resort hotels, the Resort at Squaw Creek offers luxurious accomodations and a full-service hotel.  

This past weekend I stayed at the hotel, located away from the hustle and bustle of the village.  I enjoyed the peace and quiet and yet still was able to ski in.and out with the private lift access right outside the hotel.   No lugging equipment!  At the end of the day the hot tub was the place to watch the beautiful Tahoe sunset while soaking my tired, first day of the season legs. 

Squaw Valley is a world class resort with over 4,000 acres offering enough terrain to satisfy every level of skier.   So, if Squaw is on your list of resorts to ski or ride contact me for more details.  Mention this post and receive $50 off of your stay.

Anne Courcier
Anne@snowventures.com
800-845-7157 xt 302







Wednesday, January 19, 2011

26" POW DAY

Breckenridge was insane yesterday, they reported 26" in 24 hours! One of the deepest powder days of the year! The clouds cleared and the sun came out for a spectacular "bluebird day". With another 3" this morning and snowing all day, conditions have never been so good!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Skiing South America


















Just back from a ski trip of a lifetime to Chile thanks to LAN Airlines, Valle Nevado, Portillo , Termas de Chillan and the Ritz Carlton Santiago! I am not sure what to do first, blog about the trip or book my flights for next year. Fantastic skiing , incredible views, extraordinary food, world class wines, and mesmorizing Latin culture all make for more more than just a ski vacation. Each resort offers a unique experience with too much to talk about in this post. Call or email me for the mouth watering details.
Anne Courcier





Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Fun Fiji Water Photos from the Aspen Food and Wine

Fiji Water is one of the wonderful sponsors at the Aspen Food and Wine 2010

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Early Snow in Valle Nevado, Chile!

Today Valle Nevado, Chile reported the first snowfall of the upcoming ski season! 10 cm fell at the resort, providing beautiful views and what we hope is an auspicious start to the South American ski season.







Monday, April 5, 2010

Think you've skied it all? How about hitting some fresh powder in July or August? Head down to South America for some amazing summer skiing at great rates!! Expert skiers from all over the world head down to Chile's Valle Nevado to kill those cravings for snow and experience the mountain life from a different perspective from June through October.

Valle Nevado is gorgeous resort located in the Andes Mountains. At 9,925 feet, guests will feel miles away from everyday life, even though you you are less then 40 miles from Chile's Santiago Airport. Guests can choose from 3 hotel amidst a variety of entertainment, outdoor adventure, and nightlife. With ski packages including ground transportation, lodging, and 2 meals a day, Valle Nevado is an ideal summer ski destination!!

Experience skiers will love the variety offered at Valle Nevado. From sweeping groomers to extreme heli-skiing, the mountain offers a little something for everyone. Lesson packages are also available for novice skiers or those looking to polish their skills a bit.

What are you waiting from?? Check out Valle Nevado Ski Vacation page, and start planning the summer getaway of your dreams!!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Epic Summer in Colorado



If you have been to Colorado in the Winter then wait until you see how wonderful it is in the Summer.
Epic Summer in Colorado. It's the ultimate guided vacation.
An all inclusive way for your family to enjoy all that Colorado has to offer with a local guide. Scenic gondola rides at Keystone and Vail. White water rafting in the rockies, Horse back riding in Beaver Creek. Panning for gold in Breckenridge. Cowboy dinner and gazing at stars in Keystone and hiking and picnic in Rocky Mountain National Park. You can do it all.
This is a trip unlike any other because we have taken care of the planning and details. Your family and friends will be paired up with a local guide well acquainted with the area. You can choose a 4 day or 7 day adventure. We have the itineraries for both. Your guide will drive you and be on each of your adventures. If you are looking to have a family vacation to remember then email me today

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Mar. 24, 2010 snow report


For all you snow fans there's still time to book a ski vacation especially in Colorado. Here's the new snow totals this morning for the last 24 hrs. Spring Massive is going to be a blast. Email me at Lilly@snowventures.com
Breckenridge-8 inches
Snowmass-7 inches
Aspen-6 inches
Copper-6 inches
Vail-5 inches
Beaver Creek-5 inches
Keystone-5 inches
A-Basin-5 inches
Winter Park-5 inches
Telluride-3 inches
Steamboat-2 inches
Crested Butte-1 inch

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Crested Butte Weekend





It started out with a 3 hour drive to Crested Butte with kids asking are we there yet on Mar. 5, 2010. I was happy when I was able to say yes we are. The snow gods must have known we were coming because it was snowing when we arrived which made for some great skiing. I love skiing Crested Butte not only for the great mountain it is but because theirs no lift lines not even on Saturday and Sunday. They have a kids terrain park which my two kids loved being able to do some jumps and tricks on their skis. The runs that were groomed were my favorite of course and Crested Butte does a beautiful job of grooming. Most people think Crested Butte is for experts only but they have many runs that are beginner and intermediate and yes they have plenty of expert runs.
We stayed at The Lodge At Mountaineer Square which is slopeside and has condos with a nice pool and hot tub. It's a great place for families because youc an cook complete meals with it's full kiitchen. It's nice and new and sits right at the Village. We enjoyed our stay very much. We looked at The Grand Lodge which is a good value and is a short 100 yard walk to slopes. We also looked at the Elevation Hotel which I highly recommend especially for couples or for families who are not interested in cooking in. (It is a vacation-take mom out to eat). Downstairs at the Elevation at the restaurant 9380 I would recommend the crab macaroni and cheese. It's to die for.
Saturday evening we put the kids in kids night out and they got to enjoy time without mom and dad while tubing and having some great fun. We took this time to do a sleigh ride dinner to Uley's Cabin for a fantastic gourmet dinner. I highly suggest letting me arrange this for you. It's a wonderful experience.
Crested Butte is a fun, family friendly and very affordable ski resort. Contact me and I can help with your Crested Butte Ski Vacation.