On the ski slopes this season, weather has been a critical part of the conversation. Little to no snow across many east coast and European mountain towns has people looking elsewhere for untouched powder. The following destinations offer this year's record snowfall accumulation and top winter skiing experiences for 2023.
Backcountry with Sheldon
Resort skiing at Alyeska and Apres Ski at the Nordic Spa
European-inspired skiing at Sonnenalp
Backcountry Skiing at Sheldon Chalet
Denali National Park, Alaska
Season: March to June 2023
No lift lines, no crowds, and endless opportunities to carve turns, make skiing in Denali at Sheldon Chalet the perfect base for the ultimate backcountry skiing experience. The remote offering provided by Sheldon Chalet includes your private gear fitting, custom backcountry skis with skins that make it easy to ascend, guides to take you out and explore the open terrain, and an epic private mountain experience available from March to June. Imagine a 35 square-mile amphitheater with untouched pristine powder all around and skiable lines as far as the eye can see, you’ve never experienced a ski vacation like this before.
According to Experience Director Ryan Sheldon, “There is a magic and gravity that guests feel when trekking up the many surrounding faces, unassisted by helicopters which improves the integrity of the skiing experience (and helps keep the glaciers cold). Earning your turns is one of life's most rewarding experiences. At Sheldon Chalet, we take care of everything for you. Our in house mountain guides will be sure to lead you to the best powder caches in the Alaska range; some of which may have never been touched before. Imagine endless mountains stretching as far as your eyes can see, hosting the softest snow you have ever felt which landed on these peaks hours before your arrival to this distant, magical place.”
After an avalanche and glacier preparation training course, set out with expert guides to create fresh tracks among the powder coating the glacier surrounded by Alaska’s rugged wilderness. Skiing in Denali National Park is a Backcountry alpine touring and skiing experience. You will depart Sheldon Chalet and ski-tour your way to the slopes. Once there you’ll trek or “skin” up the slope in a zig-zag pattern until you reach the designated stopping point selected by your guides. Once there, you’ll take off the “skins” that assisted with the trek across the glacier and up the slope, lock your binding in place and then carve epic turns. As the day ends, return to Sheldon Chalet for a sauna, gourmet dinner, the spectacular glow of the northern lights, sparkling night starscapes and a luxurious night’s sleep.
Starting at $75,000 per couple for a 3-night minimum, guests can relax, socially distance and experience Denali grandeur at this eco-conscious chalet in a way that’s never been seen before. This ultimate experience includes gear, two adventure guides, a concierge, a chef preparing gourmet meals with premium wine pairings, guided glacier adventures and the helicopter flight tour to and from the Chalet. At Sheldon Chalet, guests can enjoy guided exploration and adventure in the 35 square mile Don Sheldon Amphitheater and enjoy incredible snowshoe treks with prime views of the summit of Denali just ten miles away. For more information about Sheldon Chalet please visit www.sheldonchalet.com.
About Sheldon Chalet:
Sheldon Chalet is perched on a nunatak 6,000 ft above the Don Sheldon Amphitheater, ten miles from the summit of Denali National Park in Alaska featuring unique panoramas of the Alaska Range from every angle. Located on five private acres, Sheldon Chalet sleeps up to ten guests in five bedrooms. The vision of Alaskan pioneers, Don and Roberta Sheldon, Sheldon Chalet is a platform for the adventure of a lifetime and offers guests guides, gear, a chef and a concierge to experience this exclusive destination on the flanks of North America’s highest mountain. Robert Sheldon, his wife Marne and sister Kate have made the Sheldon family dream become a reality. Serving delicious Alaskan fare, Sheldon Chalet provides a crown-jewel Alaskan experience with activities including crevasse exploration, guided glacier trekking, heli-skiing and aurora borealis viewing. Each guest is certain to "Experience Grand" at Sheldon Chalet.
Sheldon Chalet: Press Center | Press Release| Hi-Res Images
Black Diamond Skiing at Alyeska Resort and Apres Ski at the Alyeska Nordic Spa
Girdwood, Alaska
Season: November-April
With 1,610 skiable acres, 76 named trails and over 669 inches of snow annually, Alyeska Resort is truly a playground for all levels of skiers and riders Alyeska Resort is Alaska’s premier year-round destination featuring over 300 rooms, a 60-passenger aerial scenic tram, an indoor saltwater pool and seven dining offerings including Seven Glaciers, the resort’s AAA Four Diamond Award restaurant with unparalleled views overlooking seven hanging glaciers. Alaska’s first-ever Nordic Spa is a year-round opportunity to disconnect to reconnect and enjoy a 50,000 sq. ft series of outdoor hot and cold Hydrotherapy pools, massage treatments and wellness offerings. The experience includes cold water plunges and waterfalls, aromatherapy infused steam rooms, a Halotherapy Signature sauna, Finnish sauna and an exfoliation cabin featuring Alaskan sea salt, all connected by a heated pathway.
The traditions of Nordic spas provide great health benefits which include soothing sore muscles, creating a stronger immune system, reducing inflammation and releasing endorphins. Spa General Manager, Gena Lopez shares, “The Nordic Spa experience gives guests an opportunity to experience the Nordic tradition of hydrotherapy, a health ritual Nordic people have practiced for thousands of years. Guests can cycle through stages of submersion in hot and cold water at their leisure, moving between the initial hot pools to stimulate blood flow and relax muscles, to cold, utilizing the cold plunge waterfall to flush the body of toxins.”
About Alyeska Nordic Spa: Opened in September 2022, Alyeska Nordic Spa provides visitors an opportunity to enjoy a 50,000 sq. ft. series of outdoor hot and warm Hydrotherapy pools, massage treatments and wellness experiences. Guests with reservations for Hydrotherapy Access, can relax and unwind for up to 12 hours a day. Two Trees Bistro can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, cocktails and dinner and is inspired by the wild landscapes of Alaska. Located in Girdwood, Alaska just 45 minutes from Anchorage, the Nordic Spa, owned and operated by Pomeroy Lodging, is the first in Alaska. Guests can visit for a day of wellness or as the perfect complement to a stay at the year-round Alyeska Resort. To learn more about Alyeska Nordic Spa, visit anordicspa.com.
Alyeska Resort: Press Center| Press Release | Hi-Res Images
Experience the Back Bowls of Vail at the Family-Owned Sonnenalp
Vail, Colorado
Season | November-April
Encompassing 3,017 acres (more than many entire ski areas, including Sun Valley, Jackson Hole, and Snowbird), Vail’s Back Bowls command legendary status and make Vail one of the best ski destinations in the world. Vail is the largest ski resort in Colorado with over 5,000 skiable acres, and travelers come from all over the world to ski its world-class slopes. The town is also exquisitely charming and will make any traveler feel like they are vacationing in Europe with its European alpine-inspired architecture and Bavarian flair. The Sonnenalp is a family-owned hotel that offers guests a luxury alpine resort experience. It’s located in the small town of Vail which can be found at the heart of Vail Mountain.
“Situated within minutes from Gondola One, family-owned and operated Sonnenalp Vail offers a high-end alpine resort experience, treating guests to the very best of the Colorado Rocky Mountains with the warmest European hospitality. Those loyal guests who are inducted into the Gold Club are provided with unprecedented benefits, special privileges, and exclusive programs,” shares Esmarie Faessler, Director of Marketing
The Sonnenalp hotel has a ski concierge at the base of the mountain that provides top-of-the-line Gorsuch ski rentals as well as transportation of gear to and from the hotel. Featuring over 100 rooms and suites, The Sonnenalp offers unique experiences both on and off-property including guided snowshoeing tours and kid-friendly outdoor activities. Within the hotel, there is a European-style spa for guests to enjoy, an indoor/outdoor pool, and six restaurants including Ludwig’s breakfast which serves an over-the-top European-style breakfast buffet.
About Sonnenalp:
The Sonnenalp tradition of hospitality goes back over a century to Bavaria, where the Faessler family opened a hotel that epitomized the finest in personalized service in beautiful surroundings. The spectacular mountain setting inspired the Sonnenalp name – “Sun on the Mountains'' – a moniker that translated perfectly when the Faessler family first fell in love with Vail and opened their second hotel in 1979. Five generations after their humble beginnings, the Sonnenalp is a thriving part of the family of Sonnenalp hotels, offering the same warmth and hospitality as the original Bavarian farmhouse in a setting of true luxury.
Sonnenalp: Press Center | Press Release | Hi-Res Images
For any questions, please contact Julie Leventhal (julie@reyacommunications.com).