Here are some unique destinations for an unforgettable winter adventure:
Winter in the Dolomites
FORESTIS invites guests to experience the purifying peace of winter in the Dolomites. Situated on Plose mountain, FORESTIS is a five-star luxurious retreat celebrating simplicity, featuring 62 luxury rooms and suites with panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains throughout the winter months. FORESTIS offers countless experiences for a greener stay in the mountains, inviting guests to reconnect with their body and soul by embracing nature through signature sustainable activities.
As a blanket of snow covers the region, the crisp air purifies nature and brings a pristine setting to hikers walking through the dense forests, whether at sunrise or sunset. Led by hiking guide Herbert, a snowshoe hike through the untouched fields allows guests to explore the most incredible winter landscapes while leaving a minimal footprint. The neighboring slopes provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy the lesser-known ski-in ski-out along the Plose ski region, featuring 28 miles of ski slopes from easy to intermediate levels. Cozy mountain huts offering local cuisine, hot drinks, and unmatched views of the mountains are dotted across the region for a well-rounded ski-in ski-out experience. Further, guided ski tours take guests down off-the-beaten-track trails and past the Schatzerhütte down to the ski hut for a cultural experience in the Dolomites.
Just over an hour away, the 32nd Dolomites Snow Festival celebrates cold art sculptures from January 16 - 18, crafted using Dolomites snow. This festival attracts participants from all over the world to the San Candido region, where participants are placed on 10 teams from all over the world to utilize the fresh snow to create unique art sculptures. The teams use only water, snow, and minor tools, such as barbed wire and shovels over a three-day span to build sculptures while locals and guests decide who the winner will be. The winning pieces will be showcased throughout the region.
Winter in the French Alps
Meribel, a ski resort in the French Alps is a popular skiing and cold weather destination. The high mountain areas have their own distinctive climates, with heavier precipitation and generally colder temperatures than the rest of the country throughout the year. At elevations of 4,920 m and above, almost all precipitation in the winter falls as snow that will usually remain on the ground from November until as late as May or June, particularly in areas above 6,560 m. During winter, the valleys become much chilly as the cold, dense air sinks down the mountainside to form a pool in the valley itself. This is why many alpine villages are built part way up the mountain rather than on the valley floors, so they benefit from pleasant summer breezes and make the most of winter sunshine.
Perched on the heights of Belvédère, close to Le Rond-Point des Pistes, Hôtel Le Coucou is a the ultimate French Alps hotel located in one of the loveliest sites in Méribel, right next to the slopes. The hotel rubs shoulders with the snowcapped summits and overlooks the entire valley, providing stunning views. Renowned interior architect, Pierre Yovanovitch, designed the hotel in entirety to create a reinterpretation of the classic repertoire of the Alpine style with a contemporary look that is minimal, but also warm and subtly original. Hôtel Le Coucou offers 16 guest rooms and 39 suites, two private chalets, two restaurants including their own BeefBar butcher shop, a spa, a Kids Club and a Teens Lab by Petit VIP*, an indoor and outdoor pool, a ski room designed as a lounge boutique; and it is also ski-in/ski-out, with direct access to the slopes.
Ski Lesser Known Pistes in Switzerland
The picturesque mountain village of Arosa (population 2,267) is a charming remote place nestled in the Swiss Alps. A hidden gem, Arosa isn't as well known internationally but treasured by Swiss travelers. Its a year-round destination with great skiing in the wintertime. The Arosa-Lenzerheide region provides access to 140 miles of slopes, making it the largest interconnected skiing region of Graubünden. Arosa also has many off-piste opportunities for more advanced skiers, and those who are beginners can take advantage of the Arosa Ski School, providing group and private lessons.
The most exclusive hotel in town is the Tschuggen Grand Hotel. A member of Swiss Deluxe Hotels, an organization comprised of 39 properties across Switzerland that are considered among the leading hotels worldwide and embody the prestige of the Swiss luxury hospitality sector, the Tschuggen Grand offers guests a relaxing and traditional getaway with 130 spacious rooms and suites, the iconic Tschuggen Bergoase Spa (designed by Mario Botta) and four outstanding restaurants, including gourmet restaurant La Brezza, boasting a vegan tasting menu. The property also features the private Tschuggen Express, a cable car exclusively for hotel guest use to access to the ski slopes on the surrounding mountains.
Ski and Soak in Japan
Japan is welcoming international travelers back just in time for the winter ski season. Resting at the foot of Mount Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Village is a prime winter destination and haven for ski lovers who appreciate and long for secluded luxury and culture. Opening for the 2022-2023 season on December 3, 2022, the winter wonderland boasts its very own Snow School and extensive ski trails with access to 2,191 acres of skiable terrain, 70 runs and 29 lifts and gondolas.
During a visit to Niseko Village, travelers can visit the Niseko Cheese Kobo artisanal factory and enjoy ramen at Niseko Ramen Kazahana, which pays tribute to the birthplace of miso ramen with its own special potato ramen that features an in-house broth made from a blend of 19 miso varieties covered in a potato cream vichyssoise. They can also unwind in a traditional onsen, a quintessential Japanese hot springs experience with natural health benefits from boosting circulation to reducing stress, promoting sleep, relieving pain, and more.
For accommodations, Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Japan and the fifth across the globe, acts as a gateway to Niseko’s mountains. The property offers majestic, panoramic views of snowy Mount Yotei, 43 rooms and seven suites, two distinctive restaurants, an exclusive team of Higashiyama Reservists, and a world-class spa – perfect for relaxing after whisking through the fresh white powder snow.
Blinding Lights of Broadway – The Broadway Collection
New York is always at the top of traveler’s lists during the winter, and the Broadway Collection offers travelers the best of The Great Bright Way. This season, Times Square will welcome rollicking, brand new shows to its roster, including an adaptation of a cult classic film, a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, and a jukebox biography of the legendary Neil Diamond.
Based on the beloved film, Almost Famous comes to Broadway’s Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on November 3, 2022. This adaptation of the iconic movie follows a young man trying to find his place in the world and the indelible characters he meets along the way. The journey to 1973 will touch the hearts of movie lovers and new fans alike.
Fresh from a hit West End run, &Juliet will open at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on November 17, 2022. This hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. Bursting to life through a playlist of pop anthems including “Roar,” “Since U Been Gone,” “Baby One More Time,” and more, & Juliet asks what would happen if Juliet evaded her tragic ending and gives her a second chance at life and love, this time on her own terms.
The story of the legendary Neil Diamond comes to life on stage in the uplifting new Broadway musical, A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical. Fans of the hit musician will be in for a treat when the new show opens on December 4, 2022 at the Broadhurst Theatre. Including a score compiled of Diamond’s most beloved songs, this musical follows Neil’s rise to superstardom, encapsulating all his disappointments and highlighting his triumphs.
In addition to catching a show, travelers can get into the holiday spirit by visiting the nearby Christmas market at Bryant Park after it opens on October 28. The shops feature a variety of giftshops, as well as a wide assortment of food, hot cocoa, warm apple cider, and even free ice skating. Beginning on November 19th, The New York Botanical Garden is once again hosting the beloved Holiday Train Show, with model trains zipping through a display of 190 landmarks, delightfully re-created from all-natural materials such birch bark, lotus pods, and cinnamon sticks.
The Coveted Slopes in Aspen, CO
In addition to its world-class skiing, Aspen is home to other winter activities such snowshoeing, fly-fishing, and even hot air ballooning. The city also has plenty of festive events going on throughout the holiday season including a Polar Express-themed train ride, an old-world merry market and performances of The Nutcracker.
Those visiting Aspen can stay in this chic, cozy Aspen Jewel Box available for exchange through luxury travel club THIRDHOME. This two-bedroom, two-bath condo is the perfect winter retreat for families looking to hit the slopes. The cozy designer condo is nestled in the heart of Aspen, just three blocks from the city’s finest dining and shopping. The tastefully designed home boasts astonishing views of Aspen Mountain from its wall to wall windows and spacious patio. The fire pit is the perfect place to spend a crisp winter night gathered around the fire, but the house also features an indoor fireplace for those longing to retreat to the indoors after a long day of winter sports. Guests are also welcome to take advantage of the chef’s kitchen and flat-screen television.
The home’s prime location means that guests do not need to bring their car (though they are welcome to use the reserved parking space), and can easily head to the World Cup runs at Aspen Skiing Company, try a pint or flight at Aspen Brewing Co, snowmobile through White River National Forest, or try Matsuhisa (the famous Nobu’s sister restaurant).