With the American ski season well underway, the time is here to take your place at some of the country’s most luxurious resorts, for some guaranteed evening comfort after an exhilarating day on the slopes.

Deer Valley

Set in the Wasatch Range, 36 miles east of Salt Lake City, Deer Valley in Park City is now one of the country’s most celebrated ski resorts. Although skiing in the area began in the 1930s the current resort dates back to 1981. Now spanning over 2000 acres with altitudes that reach 10,000 feet, the last few decades have seen new lifts, further mountains and runs added and of course a proliferation of upscale places to stay, eat in and shop.

 

 
The most famous place to stay must be Stein Eriksen Lodge, named after the Norwegian Olympic gold medal-winning skier. Winner of the best ski hotel in the world by the World Ski Awards two years in a row, the lodge has a distinctly European feel to it. With 60 suites and 118 guest rooms, the largest luxury suite offers nearly 5,000 square feet of space including a gourmet kitchen, private deck with hot tub and fireplaces in the living room and master bedroom. Stein Eriksen also boasts Utah’s only Forbes five-star spa and excellent food at its Glitretind Restaurant and Troll Hallen Lounge.

Other elegant places to stay are The St. Regis and Montage Deer Valley, and make sure to also try out the fantastic dining options at Café Terigo and Mariposa in Park City. Deer Valley is one of only 3 American resorts not to allow snowboarding, and if this is something you are after there are many others happy to accommodate.

Beaver Creek

At Beaver Creek, Colorado, snowboarding is allowed, and unlike Deer Park (and many other resorts) this destination was built for the purpose it serves, rather than growing from a 19th century mining town. Everything has been considered to make a stay as comfortable as possible, with heated sidewalks and moving walkways protected from the elements redefining ski-in/ski-out.

Opened in 1980 with 425 acres of skiable terrain, the resort now has over 1800 acres, 24 lifts and 150 trails. Stay at the grand Park Hyatt or the Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch for full-on 5 star surroundings and service. If something a little more boutique is your thing check out The Osprey, the closest hotel to a chairlift in North America, with just 47 rooms and suites marrying the playful with the elegant to deliver something cosier.

Jackson Hole

In Wyoming, Jackson Hole has been a skiers’ delight for decades, positioned in the valley between the Teton and Gros Ventre mountain ranges. The “hole” in question refers to the feeling early mountain men got as they descended the steep slopes into the valley. Now the valley and surrounding area is home to some very fine establishments that would have the beaver trappers of a century ago marvelling in awe. The Four Seasons enjoyed room renovations in 2014 and this large resort offers all you’d expect from the internationally-renowned hotel group.

 

 
If you prefer something more private try the Amangani, set in the hills, which offers intimate surroundings and stunning views over the mountains and to the meadows below. The skiing does have a reputation for being better for advanced skiers who like the steep slopes, though the resort caters well for beginners, with half of the terrain comprising beginner and intermediate trails.

So, wherever takes your fancy for a ski break, these are just some of the country’s finest ski resorts, where the plush man-made settings of fine hotels and resorts easily match the stunning natural backdrop.