You don’t have to escape somewhere warm as soon as you’ve tied the knot. Of course, we won’t stop you if you’re eager to sit on a beach with a piña colada in hand, but there is an alternative. There are countless amazing honeymoon ski resorts where instead of a white swimsuit, you can don a white ski suit.
The Little Nell, Aspen, Colorado
If you like your ski vacations with a side of luxury, Aspen should be at the top of your list of honeymoon destinations. This mountain resort town is small and exclusive, with top-notch dining and shopping to round out your days of skiing. When it comes to places to stay, you have options, but only one offers a five-star, AAA-Five-Diamond experience.
The Little Nell is the quintessential Aspen experience, with breath-taking Aspen Mountain views, an impressive culinary team and a culture that revolves around the beauty and history of the region. When you’re ready to book, know that all of the rooms were decorated with luxury and nature in mind, but design-minded guests can splurge on one of the Holly Hunt-designed luxury suites. For wine connoisseurs who would like to sip an aged red after a day of skiing, there’s a Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning subterranean cellar calling your name.
Madeline, Telluride, Colorado
A sophisticated Auberge Resort Collection property is always a honeymoon winner, and Madeline in Telluride is a location where you’ll find equal parts relaxing luxury and risk-taking excitement. You’ll find ski-in/ski-out access, decor inspired by the natural elements that surround the property, and restaurants that speak to both the aesthetic and flavour of the local environment.
The resort caters to those looking to discover the outdoors, as they can create customized itineraries depending on whether you’re up for heli-skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing or, of course, skiing.
As the sun goes down, grab a spot (and a sheepskin blanket) by the fire pits on the Reflection Plaza. Snuggle up with your sweetheart, and there will be no question why you chose a skiing honeymoon.
The Arabella at Vail Square, Vail, Colorado
If your romantic getaway looks more like walks through a glittering chalet village with the occasional ski run right into the middle of town, then The Arrabelle at Vail Square is your ideal winter honeymoon spot. This 81-room luxe hotel is in the heart of the action at Lions head Village. Spend your days browsing through the high-end shops, trying out some of the best restaurants in the area (Sweet Basil is a perennial favorite), or grabbing a cup of hot chocolate before lacing up your skates and gliding hand in hand across the rink.
Need a little pampering after a day hitting the slopes? Book alpine-inspired spa treatments at the Rock Resorts Spa.
The St. Regis Deer Valley, Deer Valley, Utah
The ambiance at Deer Valley is sophisticated, but the skiing is accessible to all skiers. This mountain is known for well-groomed trails for all levels, which is a bonus if you want the vibes of a ski-bunny honeymoon, but you’re not exactly expert-level yet. The St. Regis Deer Valley is nestled amidst the Wasatch Mountains and offers ski-in/ski-out access, along with a private ski valet. This hotel brings together the refinement of the St. Regis brand with the subtlety of a mountain ski culture.
Take a dip in the all-season outdoor pool or hot tub, then relax each evening on your private mountain-view terrace. Craving a bit of glamour in your adventure-seeking honeymoon? Grab a nightcap at the sumptuous St. Regis Bar.
Mirror Lake Inn, Lake Placid, New York
Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid gained a name for itself back in 1980 when it hosted the Winter Olympics, and it remains a popular upstate New York destination for East Coasters and New Englanders to this day.
A small, family-owned luxury hotel, Mirror Lake Inn is an elegant place for a romantic getaway, whether you’re looking for a charming mountain town or a place to test your sense of outdoorsy adventure. You can ski a piece of history while staying at Mirror Lake, or you can endeavour to try any number of winter sports, including ice-skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The resort also boasts rooms with vistas of Mirror Lake and the Adirondack High Peaks, a AAA-Four-Diamond restaurant and an award-winning spa.
The Lodge at Spruce Peak, Stowe, Vermont
Nothing says winter honeymoon romance like a roaring fire, and every single guest room at The Lodge at Spruce Peak has a fireplace, perfect for curling up after a long day on the mountain. This isn’t your typical rustic mountain lodge. You’ll find soaring floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the stunning mountain vistas and decor that feels like a modern take on mountain chic.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Banff, Canada
If you’ve scrolled through travel Instagram, you’ve definitely seen Banff National Park. Traversing the Canadian Rockies, Banff has mountains, valleys, glaciers, forests and stunningly vibrant lakes. Sitting alongside one of those lakes is the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. This luxury resort is in a fairy-tale setting, with Victoria Glacier and a glassy turquoise lake as its backdrop.
At the Fairmont, you’ll find 539 luxury rooms overlooking the unspoiled Rockies. Make sure to book a visit for one of the 20 relaxing services available at the spa—it’s the perfect antidote for the hours you’ll spend exploring the beautiful mountain by ski or snowboard. When it comes to on-site dining, you have six options specializing in seasonal, local favourites, including afternoon tea.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
Discover true luxury at one of North America’s best ski resorts. With Olympic pedigree and impressive mountain ranges, you’ll find a variety of winter sporting activities here, including sledding, snowshoeing, ski jumping and more. When you grow tired (literally) of exerting yourself on the mountain, you can stroll the romantic, chalet-style Creekside Village—named for the first gondola on Whistler Mountain—or book a romantic sleigh ride.
Of course, when staying in a resort town full of adventurous excursions, you’ll want to be in close proximity to the action. The Four Seasons Resort and Residences is at the foot of Blackcomb Peak, where you’ll find a ski concierge ready to get you fitted for the right equipment on the slopes.
The accommodations here are equal parts ski lodge and sweeping modern architecture, both comfortable and intimate, Cozy and impressive. Add in an intimate lodge (perfect for après ski), a restorative spa and warm tavern classics at the Braidwood Tavern, and you have the perfect winter getaway.
Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City, Canada
While not quite a ski resort, we’re sneaking this winter castle in due to its proximity (30 minutes) to the Mont Sainte Anne ski area. The Chateau Frontenac is the winter wonderland you’ve dreamed of. It’s a castle rising high above a twinkling holiday village that looks like it was plucked from a Disney movie—or at least Europe. You’ll find moody, dimly lit romantic restaurants to pop in throughout the city and, when you do finally decide to go skiing, you can easily take a shuttle from downtown over to Mont Sainte Anne.
You can also check out the historic Terrasse Dufferin toboggan slide while you’re in Quebec City for another quintessential winter honeymoon experience.
Riffelalp Resort, Zermatt, Switzerland
For ski lovers looking for a timeless spot, the Riffelalp Resort is a spectacular five-star hotel that overlooks the majestic Matterhorn mountain. You won’t have an easy time getting here—it’s accessible only by rail, tram or skidoo—but the views are worth it.
CONCLUSION
In the end I would like to conclude this article by saying that A ski resort is a resort developed for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports. In Europe, most ski resorts are towns or villages in or adjacent to a ski area – a mountainous area with pistes (ski trails) and a ski lift system.
The experiences you’ll have, the people you’ll meet, and the memories yet to be made are worth every penny and every turn. If you’re a parent, skiing is one of the best things to pass on to your kids and a super fun way to spend time with people you love, whether they’re family or not
