What is winter without a trip to the mountains, a sojourn to soak up the beauty of the season or a chance to sip steamy cocktails by the fire after a day spent on the snow-covered peaks? For The Agency Magazine’s Winter Edition, we handpicked some of the world’s most unique, swoon-worthy ski and snow adventures, from Iceland to Italy, Utah to Colorado.
Going Extreme
Heli-Skiing at Deplar Farm, Iceland
The ultimate bucket list ski adventure takes you to the land of the midnight sun on Iceland’s mountainous Troll Peninsula, where the Arctic maritime snowpack keeps the powder cold and fresh. Heli-skiing in Iceland is unforgettable, featuring untouched runs and long descents amidst cobalt-blue North Atlantic Ocean vistas and never-ending sunsets. For both the hard charger and the smooth cruiser, the terrain is limitless and the long daylight hours mean you can grab fresh powder runs whenever the conditions are best, whether before breakfast or after dinner. Back at the Deplar Farm Lodge, time off the peaks can include massages in the spa, soaks in the geothermal indoor/outdoor pool, snowshoeing, fat biking or whale watching. (elevenexperience.com)
Tasteful Adventure
Gourmet Ski Safari Land of Flavors, Italy
A pairing for the ages, this gourmet ski safari traverses from resort to resort across the Dolomites, all while skiers dine on the region’s exceptional cuisine and fine wines. Tour operator Dolomite Mountains takes you on a curated, custom experience across the Dolomiti Superski, a carousel of 12 inter-connected resorts amidst the stunning beauty of the UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. Along the way stay at various world-class resorts and savor gourmet fare at Michelin-starred restaurants as well as traditional cuisine at the region’s charming mountain inns. The multi-day experience is aided by ski lifts, meaning no hiking or skinning, just the ability to ski lift-serviced runs across some of the world’s most celebrated peaks. (dolomitemountains.com)
The Resort Life
Montage Deer Valley & Adventure IO, Utah
Deer Valley as you’ve never experienced it before. Though the Montage Deer Valley already provides ski-in/ski-out access to one of the country’s premier ski destinations, the resort has teamed up with Adventure IO to offer exclusive, custom adventures alongside professional athletes and local experts for those seeking a truly unique experience in the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains. Guests can now choose from top-rated experiences, such as Beyond Boundaries Heli-Skiing and Backcountry Snowshoeing. If heli-skiing sounds a bit too extreme, guests can explore the backcountry on the Master Naturalist Snowshoeing excursion. Once back at the Montage, guests can enjoy après ski at the new Slopestream dining destination, a converted airstream located on the patio or unwind in the new Empire Club, the exclusive club lounge experience reemerging this holiday season. (montagehotels.com/deervalley)
Boutique & Bespoke
The Little Nell, Aspen, Colorado
As if being the “only Five-Star, Five-Diamond, ski-in/ski-out hotel” in one of the most luxurious mountain destinations in the world isn’t unique enough, The Little Nell takes the winter ski experience one step further. Few seats in Aspen are as coveted as those onboard The Little Nell Powder Cat, which travels to the backside of Aspen Mountain. Guests secure their seats through the hotel’s Ski Concierge team for tours that average 10 to 12 untracked runs on a blank canvas of intermediate to expert terrain. After carving through the powder, guests enjoy a late lunch at a wood stove-heated cabin with wines hand selected by The Little Nell’s Wine Director as well as chair massages from the hotel’s massage therapist to soothe sore muscles. (thelittlenell.com)
