Ski Safari launches four new resorts and new hotels for winter 2018/19
NEW RESORTS
Snowbasin
One of North America’s best-kept secrets, Snowbasin offers a luxury resort experience with plush ski lodges and a modern lift system.
Less than an hour north of Salt Lake City, Snowbasin, which opened in 1940, is one of the oldest continually operating ski resorts in the USA. However, despite its history, its lift system is one of the most modern in North America, plus it hosted the downhill racing for the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002. It also has very plush ski lodges complete with chandeliers and marble cladding.
Snowbasin’s 3,000 acres of terrain are suited to adventure-seekers, with long groomers, powder bowls, amazing treelines, forested gullies and some challenging chutes. Because there are no hotels in Snowbasin itself, the slopes remain uncrowded, especially during the week.
For those wanting to ski in Snowbasin, accommodation can be found in downtown Ogden. The city is just 30 minutes from the resort, with plenty of free parking available at the base area. Powder Mountain is also 30 minutes away and Snowbird and Alta just over an hour’s drive, making Ogden a great base to explore this area.
Ogden is a modern year-round city with colourful roots and art-deco architecture. In its heyday, Ogden’s Historic 25th Street, which became popular with the coming of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, was home to brothels, bootleggers and countless bars and shops. Nowadays, due to the rise in commercial air travel, the street is a lot more sedate, but its vibrant past is still palpable.
Visitors can stay at the four-star Hilton Garden Inn, close to Historic 25th Street, which is a centrally-located, award-winning hotel within walking distance of The Junction, home to many local attractions. After a day on the slopes, guests can make the most of this area, with its indoor pool, lively bars, a wide selection of restaurants and a cinema and activity centre – all within 100 m².
James Rivers, product manager of USA, says: “Snowbasin is a proper hidden gem – with amazing terrain, a great snow record and, with no accommodation at the base, really quiet on the slopes”.
How much? A week’s stay at the 4* Hilton Garden Inn in Ogden on a bed and breakfast basis starts from £1,255 per person. Prices are based on January 2019 departures and include return flights (Heathrow to Salt Lake City with one stopover), accommodation and SUV car hire.
Nakiska
Built in 1988 for the Calgary Olympic Games, Nakiska is nestled in a beautifully scenic and peaceful area in the middle of a forest in Kananaskis Country in Alberta. While offering the atmosphere of a secluded retreat with the benefit of blissfully-empty slopes, it is only just under an hour away from Calgary airport.
Wonderful for intermediate skiers and complete beginners, Ski Safari recommends Nakiska for mixed ability groups and families as there is some steep terrain for those seeking a challenge too. For those wanting a break from skiing or snowboarding, there are many other activities available, such as fat biking, sleigh rides and the Kananaskis Nordic Spa. And state-of-the-art snowmaking facilities means the resort is able to offer visitors reliable conditions throughout the season.
Ski Safari offers accommodation at the five-star Pomeroy Kananskis Mountain Lodge, which provides an authentic, serene and opulent retreat with breath-taking views. After a day exploring the resort, relax in one of the four outdoor pools, five steam rooms or sauna cabins. Dine in one of five restaurants serving everything from simple bistro fare to a-la-carte dining.
Rupert Hatfield, product manager of Canada, says: “Nakiska is the perfect resort for a family ski trip, especially if you have mixed abilities or where the emphasis is on getting the children up and running. All this whilst staying in a luxury spa resort with all the facilities you could ask for!”.
How much? A week’s stay at the 5* Kananskis Mountain Lodge on a room only basis starts from £1,399 per person. Prices are based on January 2019 departures and include return flights (Heathrow to Calgary), accommodation and transfers.
Shiga Kogen
With a collection of 18 interconnected resorts, all skiable on one lift pass, Shiga Kogen is Japan’s largest ski resort. Located in the Nagano prefecture, Shiga Kogen offers endless groomed slopes, exciting freeride options and many ski-in, ski-out hotels. After exploring the slopes, guests can visit the nearby Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and the pretty town of Shibu Onsen. Plus, the resort is also home to Shigakogen Beer, a famous brewery that hosts a popular beer festival in March called Snow Monkey Beer Live.
Stay at the four-star-plus Hotel Grand Phenix, a large and upscale ski-in, ski-out chalet-style hotel located at the end of the Shiga Kogen valley in Okushigakogen. Guests can dine Italian-style at La Stella Alpina or tuck into local food at Kagaribi, plus there is a spacious lounge with a huge open fireplace and beautifully-lit views; a relaxing spot for a well-deserved drink. Sink into the onsen or snooze in the sauna after a day’s skiing or snowboarding.
Andrea Selig, product manager for Asia, says: “Shiga Kogen is absolutely perfect for intermediates and low-end advanced riders. With 18 different areas covering 607 hectares, it seems colossal by Japanese standards and you need at least three to four days to explore it”.
How much? A week’s stay at the 4*+ Hotel Grand Phenix on a bed and breakfast basis starts from £2,325 per person. Prices are based on January 2019 departures and include return flights (Heathrow to Tokyo), accommodation and rail transfers.
Andermatt
Sitting just above the Gotthard Pass at the centre of Switzerland, Andermatt is known as the crossroad of the Alps. Over the last few years, the resort has seen unprecedented investment to create new luxury hotels and apartments, plus improvements to the ski infrastructure by linking Andermatt and Sedrun with new lifts.
Beginners and intermediates will love the blue and red runs in Nätschen, which boasts a number of new lifts, whereas advanced and freeride skiers can explore the towering Gemsstock. Reaching 3,000 metres, it is famed for its fantastic descents and incredible ski touring.
When taking a break from the slopes, the quaint village with cobbled streets has a number of restaurants and bars; ideal for a relaxed evening to talk about the day’s adventures.
Andermatt has a wide range of accommodation available, from the luxurious five-star award-winning Chedi Andermatt to the chic four-star Gotthard Residences. All are conveniently located by the Nätschen Gondola and a short bus ride, or walk, to the Gemsstock cable car.
Andrea Selig, product manager for Switzerland, says: “With the iconic Gemsstock mountain and an unspoiled cobbled village, this is a resort for every ski bucket list. New ski lifts and improved connectivity between Nätschen and Sedrun have been a game changer for this classic resort”.
How much? A week’s stay at the 5* Chedi Andermatt on a bed and breakfast basis starts from £2,095 per person. Prices are based on January 2019 departures and include return flights (Heathrow to Zurich), accommodation and rail transfers.
NEW HOTELS
5* Limelight Hotel Snowmass
The fresh, fun and relaxed atmosphere at the five-star Limelight Hotel Snowmass will appeal to all those travelling to Snowmass.
Snowmass is building a new base for the 2018/19 ski season with plans to include an ice rink, climbing wall and a farmer’s market; giving the resort a contemporary village atmosphere.
Snowmass is part of the Aspen Skiing Company, which is owned by the Crown Family. The family also own The Little Nell and the Limelight Aspen, and the five-star Limelight Hotel Snowmass is the latest addition to their ever-expanding portfolio (and the first hotel they have developed in the resort).
The new hotel takes the Limelight lifestyle which the Crown Family created in Aspen — and cultivated in Ketchum — and brings it to Snowmass Village.
Situated close to the ski school and village, the ski-in, ski-out hotel offers an excellent complimentary breakfast to all guests, plus the use of fitness facilities, the sleek spa, a warming hot tub and an inviting pool. Limelight also features a number of unique amenities, including a kids’ games room and an outdoor fire pit.
All rooms feature flat-screen televisions with video-on-demand, iPod docking stations, a refrigerator, microwave and a Keurig coffee maker. In addition to this, the Deluxe Rooms have balconies and a good number of inter-connecting rooms, which can be guaranteed when booking, making it a fantastic option for families, especially at Easter.
Make the most of the slopes and enjoy this wonderful destination until 21 April 2019, one of the latest resort closures in North America.
James Rivers, product manager for USA, says: “New for 2019 with some fantastic introductory rates, the Limelight Hotel Snowmass will be Colorado’s best value luxury ski-in, ski-out hotel this season”.
How much? A 10-night stay, from 8 April 2019, costs from £1,525 per person (two sharing, saving 25%) in a Grand Deluxe Room on a bed and breakfast basis. Return flights and transfers or car hire included.
4*The Josie
Red Mountain Resort’s first and only ski-in, ski-out full-service boutique hotel, The Josie opens in November, ready for the 2018/19 ski season. Situated next to the Silverlode Chair, with Red Chair a minute away on skis, it is easy to start exploring the slopes.
Home to 106 guest rooms and suites, a vibrant restaurant and lounge, ski valet, slope-side pool, hot tub, fitness centre and a bespoke spa overlooking the mountains, guests are spoilt for choice after their day on the mountain.
Visitors wanting to improve their skiing and snowboarding can make the most of the nearby ski school, and with the village centre a short walk away there is always something to do.
Rooms all have iPod docks, a turndown service, steam shower, flat-panel TV and comfy beds.
Rupert Hatfield, product manager for Canada, says: “An exciting new addition to Red Mountain Resort – the first luxury ski-in, ski-out hotel in the resort offering a new level of comfort”.
How much? A week’s stay costs from £1,369 per person (two sharing) on a room-only basis. Return flights and
5* Skye Niseko
Opening in December 2018 and located right on the slopes, Skye Niseko offers skiers and snowboarders an opulent and relaxing escape.
Made up of 105 studios, suites and penthouses, all units come with kitchens so there is the option to self-cater if wanted.
Kumo, the on-site restaurant, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and the deli provides quick breakfasts and grab-and-go healthy meals for those wanting a little more privacy or a change of scenery.
Ideally located on the slopes and close to the village and ski school, Skye Niseko has top-class amenities including fitness facilities, hot springs (and a private hot spring for a romantic evening) and an incredible spa. It also has a ski valet, ski rental and a private shuttle to whisk guests to the village.
Andrea Selig, product manager for Asia, says: “This new resort opens in December 2018 right on the slopes of Hirafu, a true luxury ski-in, ski-out experience”.
How much? A seven-night stay, from 11 January 2019, costs from £2,395 per person (saving 15%) for two adults sharing a Resort Studio Room on a bed and breakfast basis. Return flights and transfers included.
For more information, or to book, call 01273 224067 or visit www.skisafari.com
