Snow me something, mister

Mardi Gras in South Louisiana is part of our cultural fabric and heritage. We could no more deny our love for the crazed multi-day celebration than we could our beloved Tigers. Yet every few years, it’s great to escape the madness of non-stop parades and partying that is Mardi Gras for a nice winter vacation. While the rest of the country turns its attention to Louisiana, why not turn your attention to the slopes and head north for a nice ski trip? Whether it’s a family vacation, a much-needed retreat with friends, or a chance for a luxurious getaway, Mardi Gras can be the perfect travel time.

Before you start mentally practicing your zig zag, here are some key essentials to bring on any ski trip—regardless of your final destination. For ski wear you’ll need base layers with wicking ability for layering warmth, mid layers such as fleece or sweaters, waterproof outerwear and gloves designed for the slopes. Other essentials are winter caps, several pairs of socks with wicking ability, goggles, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm. For aprčs-ski apparel you’ll need jeans, a pair of slacks if you plan on a formal dinner, a comfortable pair of sneakers or boots, additional socks and mid layers such as sweaters or fleece. And don’t forget your bathing suit for those after-the-slope hot-tub soaks.

ASPEN: ALTITUDE AND ATTITUDE

Aspen, Colo., provides an air of sophistication reflected both in its slopes and its style. This posh skiing destination is elegant, affordable and renowned for its downhill skiing as well as its restaurants, art galleries and shops. Aspen has four world-class mountains with terrain for all levels. Buttermilk is perfect for beginners while Snowmass provides a lot of runs and variety for the intermediate skier. Aspen Mountain is adventurous for snowboarders and skiers alike, while Aspen Highland offers more extreme terrain for the more experienced and is home to the Highland Bowl, the ultimate skiing and boarding experience.

Ski rentals range from $30 to 50 per day depending on package option. Lift tickets run about $340 for a four-day pass.

Where to stay:

Hotel Jerome, a luxurious boutique hotel, is the epicenter of Aspen’s social and commercial life. As a landmark hotel—known as one of the first buildings west of the Mississippi to be fully lit by electricity—it offers a bit of history as well as luxurious accommodations. Prices start at $770 per night. Located between two primary ski lifts and within walking distance of the hustle and bustle of Aspen is St. Regis Resort. If you’re looking for comfort and affordability with a splash of elegance Hotel Aspen provides rooms at just the right price.

Where to eat:

Syzygy (siz-i-je), with its intimate atmosphere, exquisite dining from a menu fused with cultural influences including French, Southwestern, Asian and Italian, and nightly live jazz music is the perfect end to the perfect day. Montagna in the Little Nell offers contemporary American cuisine and tends to be pricey but tasty. Cache Cache provides French provincial cuisine with half-price early bird specials. After dinner, Aspen has a variety of nightlife venues ranging from billiard rooms to jazz lounges, from dance clubs to bars, and also has an impressive live music scene.

Links:

hoteljerome.rockresorts.com

stregisaspen.com

hotelaspen.com

syzygyrestaurant.com

thelittlenell.com

cachecache.com

BEAVER CREEK: FAMILY-FRIENDLY

Beaver Creek in the Colorado Rockies is the perfect destination for families with its cruising runs on beginner slopes like Red Buffalo and Mystic Island and its more challenging terrain on Grouse Mountain. Besides having one of the best ski schools around, Beaver Creek also has a designated adventure zone for kids to use without getting tangled up with more advanced skiers. Various activities such as night-light ski downs, storytelling around a campfire, guided nature hikes and ice-skating are sure to be fun for the whole family. Day care facilities for youngsters too small for the slopes are also available.

Ski rentals are roughly $70 per day for adults and $40 for kids with snowboard rentals costing around $75 and $50, respectively. Lift tickets are around $282 for adults and $165 for kids for a three- to five-day consecutive pass. *

Where to stay:

St. James Place offers spacious multi-room condos in the heart of the Beaver Creek, each providing ski storage, fully equipped kitchens, washer/dyer, balcony and oversized bathrooms with spa tubs. Prices start at $881 per night for a one-room condo and increase with the number of rooms. Beaver Creek Lodge with its mountain-chic style and available suites or condos provides another lodging option, while Townsend Place offers complimentary transportation along with its condos equipped with fireplaces, full kitchens, charcoal grills and outdoor hot tubs.

Where to eat:

Beaver Creek has endless options for dining out, all of which provide delectable scenery and food. Beano’s Cabin, a hand-made log cabin nestled in a meadow near Grouse Mountain, offers award-winning Colorado cuisine, nightly open-air sleigh rides, early seating and reduced rates for children, making it an absolute must. Grouse Mountain Grill has an American grill culinary theme whose menu is regionally inspired and trends around seasonal availability. SaddleRidge boasts the largest collection of Western antique furnishings and artifacts outside of a museum, and serves up some history with its western American cuisine.

Links:

stjamesplace.net

beavercreeklodge.net

beavercreek.snow.com

grousemountaingrill.com

beavercreek.snow.com

WHISTLER: OLYMPIC-SIZE ADVENTURE

Whistler, British Columbia, is a top ski destination in North America, home to the 2010 Winter Olympics and the ideal spot for the twenty- to thirtysomething crowd. Its two mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, cover all levels of difficulty and diverge into a picturesque village with a slight international ambience. Besides the impressive slopes, Whistler has a host of alternative adventures including tree trekking, zip-trek ecotours, ice climbing, bungee jumping and an impressive aprčs scene—a/k/a after-skiing socializing—that rivals its skiing reputation and provides just the right mix of open-air patios, live music and tasty beverages to ease you into the impressive nightlife.

Ski and snowboard rentals start at $45 per day for high performance gear and $33 for beginner gear. Lift tickets cost about $261 for a three-day pass.

Where to stay:

Delta Whistler Village Suites provides a mountainous rustic appeal that is luxurious while remaining unpretentious. Located in the center of Whistler village, the rooms have balconies, living rooms and fully equipped kitchens in a variety of accommodations that suit anyone’s needs with prices starting at $282 per night. Crystal Lodge, a boutique hotel, offers rooms and suites as well as three restaurants, a lounge, two coffee shops and several retail stores to meet your every need. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is a full-service resort with true ski-in, ski-out convenience as well as a wellness spa and health club.

Where to eat:

Sushi Village offers a vibrant casual atmosphere that is as much a social experience as a culinary one and has sake margaritas well on their way to legendary status. For a culinary feast, try Bearfoot Bistro with its fun, approachable atmosphere and modern Canadian cuisine. Citta’ Bistro has more American fare with burgers, sandwiches, pizzas and appetizers. After dinner, hit up one of Whistler’s many bars, such as the Savage Beagle Bar with its live DJs, Buffalo Bill’s Bar and Grill featuring live music, or the Mallard Lounge for one of their perfect martinis, live jazz music and cigar room.

Links:

deltahotels.com

crystal-lodge.com

fairmont.com/whistler

sushivillage.com

bearfootbistro.com

cittabistro.com

*Equipment rentals and lift tickets vary in price and can be cheaper if purchased as part of a travel package.