9 Perfect Summer Mountain Resorts
This summer, why not ditch the sand-and-surf set and head for the hills? These nine mountain resorts give new reasons to hit the slopes long after the snow has melted.
Aspen, Colorado
Where to Stay: The Little Nell, Aspen’s top property for more than 20 years, re-opens for its summer season on June 1. Rooms start at $550; 675 E. Durant Ave.; 888-843-6355.
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When to Go: During the Aspen Music Festival (June 29–August 20). This year, the festival will explore the theme of “enchantment” through a curated mix of concerts that reference myths, fairy tales, magic spells, and more.
Top Tables: The Little Nell’s Element 47 restaurant boasts a 20,000-wine cellar (675 E. Durant Ave.; 888-843-6355).
Other Activities: Practice your aim with Olympic skeet shooting coach Bob Perigo (970-948-7943), or take an angling tour to one of the area’s three Gold Medal trout rivers with Glenn Melus (970-309-2237) and have Montagna’s chef cook up your catch that evening.
Getting There: Several carriers offer flights to Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, connecting through Denver or Salt Lake City.
Banff, Alberta
Where to Stay: Fairmont Château Lake Louise, a stunningly situated wilderness retreat. Rooms start at $510; 111 Lake Louise Dr.; 866-540-4413.
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When to Go: Late July, when wildflower season begins and the lake warms.
Top Tables: Lake Louise Railway Station & Restaurant, where you can dine in a refurbished Canadian Pacific Railway dining car (200 Sentinel Rd.; 403-522-2600). In downtown Banff, 50 minutes from Lake Louise, at Maple Leaf (137 Banff Ave.; 403-760-7680), you can indulge in a two- or three-tier tower of fresh seafood: mussels, scallops, squid, oysters, prawns, salmon. The Bison, also in the heart of Banff, offers regional dishes like Springbank bison strip and B.C. steelhead trout (211 Bear St.; 403-762-5550).
Other Activities: Explore local wildlife habitats, kayak on Lake Louise or hike to neighboring Lake Agnes; the track includes a charming teahouse cabin where hikers can relax and take in the grand vista while enjoying snacks.
Getting There: Banff is about 90 miles west from Calgary International Airport, which is serviced by many major airlines.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Where to Stay: Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, for rustic luxury with flawless service. Rooms start at $749; 7680 Granite Loop Rd., Teton Village; 307-732-5000.
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When to Go: July 3–August 20 for the Grand Teton Music Festival, which hosts the biggest names in classical music (this year includes Yo-Yo Ma) as well as rising stars.
Top Tables: Local steaks at the Four Seasons’ Westbank Grill (7680 Granite Loop Rd., Teton Village; 307-732-5000). In town, try Trio (45 S. Glenwood Dr.; 307-734-8038) for its grilled elk salad and pizza with house-made duck confit, as well as Snake River Grill—the Eskimo pie bar here is a must (On the town square; 307-733-0557).
Other Activities: Blue-ribbon fly-fishing, private wildlife “safaris” through Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, horseback riding and white-water rafting.
Getting There: United offers direct flights to Jackson Hole with connecting flights through Denver; Delta flies through Salt Lake City.
Park City, Utah
Where to Stay: Montage Deer Valley, a brand-new luxury lodge from the Southern California–based hotel group that opened in December 2010. Rooms start at $300; 9100 Marsac Ave.; 435-604-1300.
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When to Go: July 1–August 5 for the Deer Valley Music Festival; this year, performers include the Beach Boys (with the Utah Symphony) and Diana Krall.
Top Tables: Wahso is a sprawling space meant to evoke 1930s Shanghai (dinner, $70; 577 Main St.; 435-615-0300), and the High West Distillery & Saloon is a parlor-style hub for casual dining and drinks (dinner, from $40; 703 Park Ave.; 435-649-8300).
Other Activities: The Ruby Express high-speed lift, just steps from the Montage, will whisk visitors to the summit for easy access to hiking and mountain-biking trails.
Getting There: Park City is roughly an hour by car from Salt Lake City International Airport, which is served by most major airlines.
Stowe, Vermont
Where to Stay: Stowe Mountain Lodge, which was inspired by the Great Camps in the Adirondacks at the turn of the century. Rooms start at $220; 7412 Mountain Rd.; 888-478-6938.
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When to Go: Mid-August, when local farm stands overflow with corn and berries.
Top Table: Hen of the Wood, for classic fine dining in a historic mill (92 Stowe St.; Waterbury; 802-244-7300).
Other Activities: Driving the scenic back roads to Mount Mansfield, and “Water and Wine” canoe trips to Boyden Valley Winery (802-644-8336; boydenvalley.com). Guests at Stowe Mountain Lodge can golf at its award-winning golf club (greens fees, from $185).
Getting There: JetBlue, United, Delta and American Airlines all fly to Burlington International Airport, a 50-minute drive from Stowe. From Boston, it’s about a three-hour drive, and from New York, almost six hours.
Vail, Colorado
Where to Stay: Scenesters will love the boutique hotel The Sebastian (rooms, from $275; 16 Vail Rd.; 970-477-8000), while families will prefer the classic Ritz-Carlton in nearby Bachelor Gulch (rooms, from $179; 130 Daybreak Ridge, Avon; 970-748-6200).
When to Go: July 28 - August 11, 2018, when the Vail International Dance Festival returns for its 30th season.
Top Tables: In town, longtime favorite Sweet Basil (193 E. Gore Creek Dr.; 970-476-0125) serves elegant entrées like roasted Muscovy duck breast with foie gras and Scottish salmon with parsnip and cippolini onions. At the Ritz-Carlton, WYLD focuses on Colorado ingredients including wild game and Rocky Mountain produce. Executive chef Benjamin Christopher serves up racks of elk ribs, venison chops, and buffalo rib eyes for visitors inside a cozy dining room (130 Daybreak Ridge, Avon; 970-343-1555).
Other Activities: Botanical tours through the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens (522 S. Frontage Rd., Ford Park), rock-climbing trips in Vail Valley and the Colorado specialty sport of disc golfing—think ultimate Frisbee meets mini-golf.
Getting There: Direct flights are available to Vail/Eagle County Airport, a 45-minute drive from the resort.
