RIGHT: Penthouse at the Lumière hotel
Telluride, Colorado (whose name is an evolution of “to hell you ride”) has become a haven for those seeking to dodge the pomp of tony ski resorts. It leaves all grandiosity to the stupendous peaks that separate it from Mountain Village, home of the new, high-end, and sustainable Lumière hotel and properties.
In Telluride, rentals, ski schools and chairlifts are accessible from the quaint town, or from Mountain Village, a quick gondola ride away. The trails have something for everyone. The most off-piste-prone will relish a vertical drop of 4,425 feet (one of the steepest in North America) and a brand-new back bowl called Revelation that boasts European-style terrain and spectacular scenery.
One might get an occasional slopeside celebrity sighting—of low-key longtime resident Tom Cruise, or newest homeowners Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos and Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld. “We used to go to Aspen, but when we discovered Telluride we were hooked,” says Jessica.
A luxury boutique property, the Lumière is more like staying at a friend’s châlet than a hotel. Ski-in ski-out couldn’t be easier, and the hotel provides a ski-valet service, après-ski at the small bar and a personal concierge service that caters to guests’ every need. From studios to a fi ve-bedroom luxury home in The Tower, the Lumière has it covered: pre-arrival pantry stocking, a fi tness center, wireless access, spa services, an outdoor hot tub and pool, gas fi replaces, flat-screens and luxe Egyptian-cotton bed linens. Food options run the gamut from elegant to restorative, with a sushi bar and après-ski s’mores. And what’s more, the Lumière is green, both in construction and daily operations, from the heating system to the cleaning products. Lumière hotel and ownership opportunities, 866-530-9466; lumierehotels.com or telluride.com
PEAK PERFORMANCE
Our editor's picks of US ski resort high-end hotels and lodging
Alta, Utah: Famous for backcountry, heli-skiing and snowcatting. Alta’s Rustler Lodge, rustlerlodge.com; Alta Lodge, altalodge.com; alta.com
Aspen, Colorado: World-class aprèsski and the trendiest of all the resorts. The Little Nell; thelittlenell.com; St. Regis Resort Aspen, stregisaspen.com; aspenchamber.org
Jackson Hole, Wyoming: Runs exceed four miles in length and average snowfall exceeds 450 inches a year, making it one of the country’s best deep-powder resorts. Amangani, amanresorts.com; Four Seasons Resort, Jackson Hole, fourseasons.com
Park City, Utah: Home to the Sundance Film Festival; no snowboarding allowed in neighboring Deer Valley. Dakota Mountain Lodge & Golden Door Spa, dakotamountainlodge.com; Hotel Park City, hotelparkcity.com
Stratton, Vermont: The birthplace of snowboarding, Stratton is a dedicated family resort. Rent a condo for the season. The Landmark at Stratton, 802-297-3078; Snowbridge Townhomes, strattoncondos.com
Sun Valley, Idaho: Its Bald Mountain is touted as the best ski mountain in the world. Sun Valley Lodge, sunvalley.com; Knob Hill Inn, knobhillinn.com
Vail, Colorado: Three distinct mountain areas with three terrain parks, seven bowls and nearly 5,300 acres of offpiste terrain. The Arrabelle at Vail Square, arrabelle.rockresorts.com; The Lodge at Vail, arrabelle.rockresorts.com; vail.snow.com
