SKI USA: PRAY FOR SNOW

Ski trips are best planned a few months in advance, so it’s time to start thinking about the mountains and après ski. I mean, let’s face it, one can argue that where we après is just as essential to a ski vacation as snow itself. We’ve rounded up our top 5 favorite ski in ski out hotels stateside and where to get your drink on, the details below —

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ASPEN, COLORADO

STAY: The Little Nell

Mapps X Little Nell: Complimentary daily breakfast and resort credits. Priority upgrade if available.

APRES: Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro

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BIG SKY, MONTANA

STAY: The brand new Montage Big Sky opening 11/21

Mapps x Montage: Category upgrade at time of booking, daily complimentary breakfast and resort credits.

APRES: The Living Room

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DEER VALLEY, UTAH

STAY: Montage Deer Valley

Mapps x Montage: Category upgrade at time of booking, daily complimentary breakfast and resort credits.

APRES: Veuve Clicquot Yurt

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JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING

STAY: Caldera House

Mapps x Caldera House : Daily complimentary breakfast and resort credits. Priority upgrade if available.

APRES: Old Yellowstone Garage

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STOWE, VERMONT

STAY: Spruce Peak Lodge

Mapps x SPL: Daily complimentary breakfast and resort credits. Priority upgrade if available.

APRES: Doc Ponds

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BEHIND THE SCENES: EASY BREEZY FAMILY SKI TIME... WEST COAST STYLE

Whoever said “ The family that skis together, stays together” had clearly never skied with my crew. In my early years of motherhood, I rented a home for 4 months every winter in Southern Vermont to fulfill the dream, but the reality was quite the opposite and I always ended up feeling frustrated by the experience. With one child more interested in the lodge hot chocolate then the slopes, one who cared about fashion over form and one who found her parents too slow, a family ski trip just never seemed to go well for us. Within one hour on the mountain we would end up finding ourselves taking turns skiing with one child while the other parent entertained the other children in the lodge as our home was 15 minutes away by car. With the cost of ski passes, ski school and rentals, logistics and sheer amount of “ stuff “ that I was driving to and from the mountain, the idea of packing up our lives to ski out west for school break over the seamless shores of the islands seemed absolutely daunting…until I finally made it to Montage Deer Valley. The glorious full service, ski-in, ski-out resort took all the work out of a ski trip for this Mama and our family had the most amazing time together, and apart. The details below —

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MONTAGE DEER VALLEY

ROOMS: There are 154 deluxe guest rooms and more than 66 suites and private residences at Montage Deer Valley. Deluxe guest rooms at the luxury Park City hotel are a generous 600 square feet, and suites range from 1,000 to 3,200 square feet.

LOCATION: 45 minutes by car from SLC Airport.

ACTIVITIES: Ski, Snowmobiling, Snowshoe, Cross Country Ski, Ice Skating, Tubing, Indoor Pool, Spa, Game Room and mini Bowling Alley.

DINING: 4 Restaurant options on property and two bars and one Apres ski yurt. Downtown Park City is 8 minutes away by shuttle and has a wide range of excellent spots to eat and drink.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Mid December through late March for epic conditions.

MAPPS X MONTAGE: Complimentary category upgrade at booking, complimentary daily breakfast and food and beverage credits.

MAPPS TIP: Do not miss treating yourself to one of their signature spa treatments, dinner at Firewood in downtown Park City and hit up Cake Boutique for a great jean and beauty edit.

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ON OUR RADAR: THE LODGE AT BLUE SKY

Situated on 3,500 acres of lush ranch land, only 25 minutes outside the ski slopes of Park City, lies The Lodge at Blue Sky, an adventure property for the modern day Annie Oakley. The property is comprised of 46 Scandinavian styled rooms and suites, a farm to table restaurant, a High West Distillery Bar, wine cellar and an expansive spa and pool. Everyday morning begins with a new outdoor pursuit and ends with you ready to pass out in front of the roaring fire. Added bonus… they have created a special Thanksgiving program which includes their annual Thanksgiving Classic Clay Shooting Tournament as well as an exclusive promotional offer.

The details below —

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THANKSGIVING PROGRAM

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25

• 5pm: Welcome Drinks - Kick off the holiday weekend with a specialty, seasonal cocktail as we gather in the Living Room for a celebratory toast.

• 6pm - 7:30pm: Turkey Bingo - Grab your drinks and head to the Wine Room for a game of Turkey Bingo. As with all games come prizes. The winner will receive an intimate meet with Gracie, our hero horse, as well as a 30-minute ride on one of our trained horses. $25++/person. 50% proceeds will go to the Saving Gracie Equine Healing Foundation.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26 | THANKSGIVING DAY

• 7am - 10am: Breakfast by reservation in YUTA.

• 7:30am - 9:15am: Gratitude Yoga Sequence in the Movement Room - The morning yoga class is a series of intentional poses that kindle gratitude. We will conclude class with a brief meditation. Complimentary for guests. $25++/locals.

• 10am - 6pm: Fall Spa Offerings - Enjoy one of our autumn-inspired treatments in Edge Spa. We'll be offering our signature Whiskey Rubdown Treatment, Autumn-Inspired Sun Soak Journey and Plant-to-Bottle Nourishing Gaia Facial. Price varies.

• All Day: Family scavenger hunt. Complimentary.

• 11am - 1pm: 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Classic Clay Shooting Tournament - Take aim at the sporting life as you test your skills in our 5-stand pavilion and out in the field. $125++/person.

• 5pm - 8pm: Music in the Living Room with curated board games.

• 11am - 8pm: Thanksgiving Dinner by reservation in YUTA - Gather family and friends for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with Native American influences. $70++/person. $45++ for wine pairing. $40++ children 10 and under. For larger groups inquire about our private dining spaces.

• 9pm: Evening Fall S’mores - A classic campfire treat on the lower terrace of YUTA.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27

• 7am - 10am: Breakfast by reservation in YUTA.

• 9am - 10am: Autumn Forest Bathing - Take in the crisp autumn atmosphere with a guided walk through our forest, mindfully noticing the sounds, sights and smells of nature.

• 10am - 12pm: Pumpkin patch with fresh pressed apple cider (apples from our apple tree at The Outpost!) and homemade donuts down at Gracie’s Farm.

• 12pm - 3pm: Leftover Lunch - Chef’s creative reuse of Thanksgiving Dinner - to enjoy the next day for lunch! Special menu.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28

• 3pm - Join us in the alpine yurt and learn the craft of cheese boards - all of the cheese vendors are local Utah purveyors. $75++/person with cash bar.

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EXCLUSIVE OFFER

Stay for a minimum of 3 nights or more and receive a $200 per night resort credit to apply to an adventure, wellness or culinary experience. Booking & travel window, now thru December 17th, 2020. Flexible 48-hour cancellation terms.

MAPPS X LODGE AT BLUE SKY: complimentary upgrade, subject to availability, daily breakfast and a $100.00 resort credit. ( This can be coupled with the exclusive offer )

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WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

GETTING HERE: 45 minutes north of Salt Lake City, UT Airport and 25 minutes north of Park City by car or ten minute heli from the airport for those who want to make an epic arrival.

ACTIVITIES: With the slopes only 25 minutes away, winter conditions call for ski ( heli-ski offered as well ) while summer/fall days are ideal for hiking, mountain biking, ATV rides, fly fishing ( heli-fly offered as well ) clay shooting, horseback riding and an adventure/farm camp for kids.

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: December-March for winter activities and June-November for summer/fall activities.

IDEAL GUEST: We love this for everyone as well as for an exclusive buyout for an epic destination celebration.

P.S. While the lodge is a destination in and of itself, for those who want to explore Park City, we recommend dining at Firewood, Yama Sushi or Harvest.

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