Wintertime Vacations . . .
It’s All Downhill from Here!

You don’t have to ski black diamonds – or wear them – to hit the slopes and have a great time this winter. In fact, you don’t even have to ski at all to have the winter vacation of a lifetime. There are tubes, luges, bikes, snowmobiles, sleds and even horse-drawn sleighs to lure you to the other side of the mountain where some of the top ski resorts are enticing us non-skiers to the mountain. From the Alps to the Rockies . . . the choice is yours.

In fact, many experts have noted that you can enjoy a winter vacation in such fabulous destinations as Grindewald, St. Moritz, Zermatt, Kitzbuhel, Garmisch-Partenkirchen or Chamonix without ever donning a pair of skis. As one of our experts told us: “Aprés-ski was invented in the Alps, and I’m rather proficient at après-skiing!”

For those of us who would prefer not to venture to the Continent to enjoy a wintertime getaway, we can recommend an incredible choice of resorts – ranging from ski-in/ski-out deluxe resorts to value-added lodges. If you have family members eager to learn how to ski or snowboard or improve their skills, we can recommend resorts that offer instructions for students of all ages and proficiencies. Let’s hit the slopes this season and go! Skis today come in more shapes and sizes than ever before: Fatties for powder; wedged for carving. The new twin tip skis – complete with rooster tails of snow – are even luring terrain park-loving snowboarders back to the double planks. Indeed, there is no excuse for not having a great time! We’ll highlight some great destination options. And when you’re ready, please give us a call. We’ll make all your arrangements: Accommodations, air, “skierized” rental car and more. Before you know it, you’ll be saying that you are “the chairman of the board and the surfer of the frozen wave who’s living a lodge-chillin’, cocoa-swillin’, freestyle life!” Winter-time vacations . . . it’s all downhill from here!

Where to Go?
Canada
The High Rockies of Canada offer numerous ski resorts that combine dry snow with adrenaline-rushing peaks. Take advantage of several spectacular heli-skiing operations. Off to the west you'll find some 200 runs on 8,000 acres at Whistler-Blackcomb, home of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Quebec's Mont Tremblant combines great snow with a storybook village, while visitors to Banff, Alberta “think this is the one place in the world that can genuinely offer spectacular natural mountain scenery, abundant wildlife, a variety of recreation, world-class accommodations and all in a protected national park setting.”

Western United States
Montana is said to be the secret ski destination of the splendid western ski scene. Great snow and magnificent mountains combine with zero lift lines for great getaways. Skiing Jackson Hole is everything you've heard: Challenging and exhilarating, while Sun Valley offers a classic ski resort experience and Taos is an alpine paradise in the high desert. Heading to Jackson Hole? As the gateway to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, this outdoor paradise is known for epic skiing and snowboarding. In addition to the incredible skiing, Jackson Hole offers exciting winter activities including snowmobiling, dog sledding and dinner sleigh rides.

California
There are reasons to ski California besides wearing shorts. Tahoe offers Olympic history at Squaw Valley and an amazing backside at Alpine Meadows. South Tahoe's Heavenly Valley adds one of the largest playfields in the world. You can ski in Lake Tahoe and never visit the same area twice. Other exciting destinations include South Lake Tahoe, Big Bear Lake and Mammoth Lakes. In the town of Mammoth, for example, you can look forward to quaint shops, gourmet restaurants and an easy atmosphere.

Colorado
If you take skiing seriously, then we encourage you to visit Colorado. Aspen, Breckendridge, Vail – there's a ski area at practically every I-70 Rocky Mountain exit. First, you may want to head west to Crested Butte for a 70s flashback experience and a monster mountain. Steamboat Springs also offers a tremendous terrain that is off the beaten track. Just pick a park . . . we doubt you can go wrong! Trip destinations might also include Snowmass, Copper Mountain, Durango (Purgatory), Keystone, Steamboat Springs, Telluride, Beaver Creek and Winter Park.

If you choose Breckenridge – whether looking forward to a day off the slopes, or searching for a little alternative adventure, this destination has as much to offer off the mountain as it does on any of its 146 trails. As the largest historic district in Colorado, the Town of Breckenridge features a wide variety of shops, activities, culture and attractions to entertain. Their “101 things to do in Breckenridge” run the gamut from backcountry/cross-country skiing to hot air balloon rides and mine tours.

Utah
Every ski area boasts of powder, but Utah snow is in a class by itself. You'll glide through cotton balls up to your waist on many days, with vistas of painted sandstone spires. Hop back and forth between Deer Valley and Snowbird or head over to Park City for a little “Hollywood glamour.” Still, most locals insist Alta exists at a height all its own.

For example, the Rocky Mountains of Park City make the perfect backdrop for your next winter vacation. After a day of skiing or snowboarding on the Best Snow on Earth,™ unwind at one of their day spas or health clubs, enjoy shopping and dinner on historic Main Street, catch a play, try snowshoeing, visit Olympic venues or go for a romantic sleigh ride. The list of winter activities available in Park City goes on and on . . . if only your vacation could.

Vermont
Vermont boasts the eastern U.S.'s largest resort at Killington, along with the well-known Stowe Resort. This Green Mountain state gives the avid skier 20 different areas with plenty of steeps and snow. You'll also find some of the “best tree skiing on the continent, with natural glades that draw you into the magic.” Burlington, Killington, and Stowe are three great trip choices. The "Heart of Vermont" is embodied in the Killington Region – spectacular mountains, outdoor adventure, quaint New England towns, peaceful farmland, country stores and antique shops. Even a bustling old-fashioned downtown can be found in the city of Rutland, only a few minutes away. In fact, this region provides a wealth of shopping, entertainment and dining. So, whether your thrill is a first morning run down a pristine white slope, the challenge of a sweeping mountain course or a silent moment before a breathtaking view, you must experience the “Heart of Vermont – The Killington Region.” In fact, Killington Resort is one of the largest ski areas in the world – 95 miles of skiing and snowboarding terrain, many of which also support mountain biking and hiking when the snows have melted. The famous Appalachian and Long Trails traverse these mountains, as do miles of VAST trails (the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers statewide snowmobile and cross-country ski trail system.)

The Alps, Europe
Chamonix, Davos, Innsbruck. These are the legendary towns of alpine skiing. Superb options may include Chamonix or Courchevel, France; Davos or Interlaken, Switzerland; or Innsbruck, Austria for your European winter vacation. Rising to 12,500 feet, Chamonix dares you to sample some of the world's most challenging terrain. At Courchevel, you'll discover slopes leading down to three different villages – “the ultimate French skiing experience.” At Interlaken, Switzerland, breathtaking accommodations match mesmerizing descents. Chamonix is famous for its spectacular cable car up to the Aiguille du Midi (3,842m). Constructed in 1955, it was then the highest cable car in the world. Together with a cable car system going up to the Point Helbronner (3,462m) from Entréves in the Aosta Valley it is possible to cross the entire Mont Blanc Massif by cable car.

We are pleased to offer these services:
• Reservations for airlines, cruises, hotels, cars, trains, vacation packages,
  and more!
• Incentive Travel Program
• American Express Travelers Cheques, Gift Cheques, and card payment service
• Free E-mail Discount Travel Club
• Travel insurance, passport and visa assistance, and passport photos!

 

Take advantage of these exclusive
AMT American Express Travel opportunities from these perferred providers!

  

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