SnowVentures

The Perfect Ski Weekend Getaway to Telluride!

2012-03-05T10:44:00.004-07:00

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

Aspen and The Limelight Lodge

2011-02-28T17:42:00.001-07:00

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

2011-02-28T16:59:00.003-07:00

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!

Northstar-at-Tahoe

2011-02-09T09:57:00.002-07:00

2011-02-03T22:16:00.001-07:00

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

2011-02-03T20:33:00.003-07:00

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

26" POW DAY

2011-01-19T15:08:00.002-07:00

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!

Skiing South America

2010-09-05T16:22:00.020-06:00

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

Anne@Snowventures.com

Fun Fiji Water Photos from the Aspen Food and Wine

2010-06-22T08:30:00.003-06:00

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

Early Snow in Valle Nevado, Chile!

2010-05-06T16:15:00.005-06:00

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.

2010-04-05T12:06:00.003-06:00

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!!

Epic Summer in Colorado

2010-03-29T13:29:00.006-06:00

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

Mar. 24, 2010 snow report

2010-03-24T09:21:00.002-06:00

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

Crested Butte Weekend

2010-03-18T11:50:00.004-06:00

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.

Beaver Creek Weekend

2010-03-18T11:46:00.003-06:00

We went to Beaver Creek the weekend of Feb. 26, 2010 for some family skiing and tubing fun. We stayed at Bear Paw which is ski in/out. Bear Paw was very convenient and would recommend for families looking for easy access and wanting to get away from it all.
The skiing was great! They have something for everyone and it was not crowded. I personally loved the blue groomed runs. My 9 year old daughter loved the black double diamond runs. My 5 year old son was happy skiing in the trees and my husband along side him. Like I said-something for everyone.
We went to Beaver Creek Village and went tubing. The kids loved it and yes Mom even tried it out. I must say I really enjoyed tubing. It was like being a kid all over again especially with my daughter yelling spin her fast to the gentleman sending us down the run.
Beaver Creek Village has some great shopping, ice rink, tubing, restaurants and I really like the firepits they had by the ice rink. You can sit by the fire and have something to drink while watching the kids ice skate.
Beaver Creek is a great destination for families. I would love to help you with your next Beaver Creek

Valle Nevado Update after the earthquake

2010-03-08T12:46:00.004-07:00

Valle Nevado is on schedule for the 2010 ski season!
(dates are June 11 to September 24, 2010)

In our close-knit ski industry community, there has been obvious concern about the impacts of the massive Chile earthquake on the resort community. Fortunately, there is good news - most resorts have been minimally affected.
In Valle Nevado, damage is reported to be only cosmetic or incidental ~ things like broken windows and lamps.
Tourism is a key component of Chile's recovery and we know our partners and friends at all the Chile ski resorts are working hard to make the necessary repairs before the start of the South American ski season. We're hard at work, too, to bring you a great Chile ski experience.

Heavenly skiing

2010-02-19T15:16:00.007-07:00

I went on a trip to Tahoe and had a great time skiing Heavenly. The conditions were great and the views were amazing. I have some great deals for a hotel room at Montbleu with lift tickets and ski rentals. Email me today at Lilly@snowventures.com While you're there you have to eat at the Gunbarrel Grill. It has the best views and great lobster baguette with champagne, of course.

2010-02-18T11:48:00.003-07:00

Chris Klug is back in pursuit of Olympic Gold after receiving a life saving liver transplant that kept him out of the 2006 games. Congratulations and good luck Chris!
Chris and I share a common bond. I dontaed a portion of my liver to my brother, Jim the same month and at the same hospital where Chris recieved his transplant. Here we are sharing a moment after the 2nd annual Aspen Summit for life race on Aspen Mountain.

We love to hear from our clients!

2010-01-06T09:52:00.004-07:00

Here's a great client response we received:

"Well it was another Great ski trip in the Beautiful state of Colorado thanks to Mrs. Lilly Howard and Snow Ventures. With 2 trips under our belt using Lilly we have been to Copper Mountain and Winter Park and the experiences have both been nothing short of spectacular. The room, rentals, and travel accommodations were excellent along with the professionalism that went along with it. Lilly worked with me in every aspect of my family trip from price to departure and arrival times. The ease of using her services made my job planning a family vacation a breeze. I would highly recommend Snow Ventures and Lilly for any vacation fun and I will be using her for my next winter vacation which I hope will be soon.
Thanks Lilly and Snow Ventures,
The Biggs Family"

Viceroy Snowmass

2009-12-08T05:41:00.010-07:00

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the new Viceroy Hotel in Snowmass. The hotel offers exquisite accommodations, the finest amenities, 5 star dining and exceptional service. Its environmentally responsible design and construction supports the Leed Silver certification. But the most amazing feature of the Viceroy Snowmass is the Ute inspired spa! After a day on the slopes relax and enjoy one of the incredible spa treatments and relaxation rooms. And if heading to the bar after skiing is more your style, you have to try a Mojito, simply divine. Look for your bartender wearing a kilt. This is my new favorite spot in the mountains. getaway to the new Viceroy Snowmass is a must. Please contact Anne@SnowVentures.com
to build your perfect vacation.

Late October Snow in Colorado!

2009-10-29T10:17:00.005-06:00

A few pictures of this week's massive snow in Colorado:

Telluride Daily Photo, 10.29.09

thanks to: http://telluridedailyphoto.blogspot.com/2009/10/whistle-while-you-work.html

1st Day, 1st Chair....LIfe is GOOD!

2009-10-28T16:18:00.004-06:00

Could life be any better?!?!? Catching 1st chair at A-Basin this morning, this being my 1st ski day of the year, and 6" of fresh Colorado POWDER. Oh yeah, and its only October!! Snow totals are starting to add up in Colorado with our 1st real big storm. We have had a few small storms dropping a couple inches, but this storm is going to be measued in FEET!! You better get in while the gettin is good!! Call SnowVentures NOW to help plan the perfect mountain get-a-way!!

Anticipated Opening Dates for Utah Ski Resorts

2009-10-12T14:16:00.002-06:00

Weather permitting, Utah resorts will be opening on the following dates. Utah has been getting some early snowfall and more appears to be heading in this week.
Some Utah resorts have already begun snowmaking operations.
Alta: Nov. 20, 2009
The Canyons: Nov. 27, 2009
Deer Valley: Dec. 5, 2009
Park City Mountain: Nov. 21, 2009
Snowbird: Nov. 21, 2009
Solitude: Nov. 13, 2009

THINK SNOW!

Colorado is Open for Skiing & Riding ~ the 2009/2010 ski season has begun!

2009-10-07T11:44:00.008-06:00

Here's a few pix from opening day at Loveland--the first resort to open in Colorado this season, and the earliest ever opening day for the state! Bring on the snow!!

All photos courtesy: @lovelandskiarea

Warren Miller - 60 years of ski films....

2009-10-07T07:01:00.004-06:00

You always know when ski season is approaching.....the release of the new Warren Miller film. This year he is celebrating his 60th year!! If you've never attended a Warren Miller film, this is the year to start.....some of the most amazing footage of skiing and boarding....extreme locations......it will completely pump you up for ski season. My favorite was seeing the film in 2006 at The Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek...it was in November and the entire place was just electric with the excitement for the upcoming season. This year I will be going with some family and friends to see the new film, Dynasty, in NYC. Check out the link and look for a showing near you.... while there, check out the trailer for the film!! Not to be missed!! http://www.skinet.com/warrenmiller/

If you are in the market for a memorable ski vacation, send me an email at laura@snowventures.com or give me a call at 800-845-7157 ext. 311