Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel

High-Altitude Hotels: Best Resorts for Ski Junkies and Snow Bunnies Alike

By

Location, location, location! Most of us are slowly make the seasonal transition by stashing our summertime gear and dusting off the ski and snowboard equipment for the rapidly approaching season. From base to peak, resorts take snow sport enthusiasts to great heights. With a lot of high-altitude hotels opening in the coming weeks, it’s time to make your reservations (if you haven’t already).

Here are spots that will get you high and slopeside.

Recommended Videos

The Lodge at Breckenridge (Colorado)

The Lodge at Breckenridge colorado
The Lodge at Breckenridge/Facebook The Lodge at Breckenridge/Facebook

Elevation: 10,200 feet
Skiable area: 2,908 acres
Vertical drop: 3,398 feet
Annual snowfall: 175 inches

Related

Nestled approximately 600 feet on a forested cliff above the base at Breckenridge, Colorado, this newly renovated, 45-room lodge boasts spectacular views of Boreas Pass and the Tenmile Range. In addition to the luxurious amenities — including two private luxury homes for rent — guests have access to 24-hour oxygen to soften the side effects of your high altitude experience.

Glacier Hotel Grawand (Italy)

Glacier Hotel Grawand Italy
Image courtesy of Glacier Hotel Grawand Schnalstal Image courtesy of Glacier Hotel Grawand Schnalstal

Elevation: 10,538 feet
Vertical drop: 4,091 feet

Accessible only by a cable car, this hotel — the highest in Europe — is surrounded by other 9,000-plus-feet peaks in the Ötztal Alps. Guests can ski directly out the front door and for nearly five miles into the valley before taking the first lift. The solitude of this extraordinary place settles in once the final cable car departs to the valley floor in late afternoon. In addition to the stunning vistas, those staying at the hotel are treated to breakfast and a four-course dinner in the facility’s Panorama Restaurant.

The Peaks Resort & Spa (Colorado)

the peaks resort and spa colorado
The Peaks Resort & Spa/Facebook The Peaks Resort & Spa/Facebook

Elevation: 9,500 feet
Skiable srea: 2,000-plus acres
Vertical drop: 4,425 feet
Annual snowfall: 310 inches

Located in the mountain village of Telluride, this 161-room resort looks out at the surrounding San Juan Mountains. Guests can ski in/out and easily access the 187 trails; a short gondola ride can transports visitors to the historic mining town below. The Peaks also boast Colorado’s largest spa, a 42,000-square-foot facility with 30 treatment rooms and indoor/outdoor pools.

Feature image courtesy of Glacier Hotel Grawand Schnalstal.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Clay Abney
Clay Abney
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Clay Abney is a PR guru and freelance writer living in the wild and wonderful state of West Virginia, where he spends his…
The 10 best ski resorts and mountains in the U.S.
Where to get out and play in the winter snow
Jackson Hole Wyoming skiing

When figuring out vacations, many people think of warm tropical locations with sandy beaches and surfing. There are those, however, who love the cold and snow. These individuals wait every winter to hit the top ski resorts in the U.S. They travel from location to location testing out the powder on every slope.

If skiing is a hobby or your favorite activity, then these quaint ski towns and shops will be of interest—  some for their epic mountain terrain, and some for their deep, fluffy powder. These are the best of the best places to ski in the United States. Check out our list of the best U.S. ski mountains and resorts that are perfect for every kind of skiing and snowboarding.

Read more
These are the best ski resorts for beginners in the U.S.
Make this the winter the time that you finally learn to ski or snowboard
Sun Valley Idaho

 

If you've never experienced the thrill of strapping yourself to a plank of wood — or two sticks — and cruising down a mountain, then you don't know what you're missing out on. We could go on for hours with all the reasons we love hitting the slopes, but the best way to understand it is to get out there for yourself. If you've never tried skiing or snowboarding, or if you just have limited experience, then this could be the winter you change all that.

Read more
These are the very best ski towns for foodies in America
Chasing fresh powder and a good meal? Here are the best ski towns for foodies in the U.S.
Matsuhisa Aspen restaurant

As one year turns into the next, the snow tends to pile up in the higher elevations. Yes, we've entered ski season, which means it's time to dust off goggles, ready snowsuits, and hit the slopes. Chances are good that you'll work up quite the appetite while playing around in the powder, so you might as well eat well.

This ski season, do it right. Embrace the après-ski culture, try out some of the best ski resorts in America and their nearby ski towns, and treat yourself to some of the amazing restaurants and eateries along the way. You'll refuel with the best dishes available, whether it's a seasonal cocktail, hearty dish, or some combination thereof.

Read more