Hotel at a Glance: Hotel Talisa, a Luxury Collection Resort

Perched at 8,150 feet, Hotel Talisa sits right at the base of Vail’s Cascade Village lift 20. But this 5-star retreat offers more than ski-in/ski-out access. Its ski valet and storage free guests from hauling their gear around, and its rental shop even does in-room fittings. The hotel’s Après Everyday social hour ends days on the slopes with champagne and housemade macarons.

• Spotlight on deluxe rooms: These larger spaces have posh details like rainfall showers and leather headboards; some add private terraces.
• Alpine dining: Gessner draws inspiration from the Rockies and the Alps for dishes like its bison burger with tomato-bacon jam and gruyère.
• Fireside Lounge pours selections from an extensive wine list, plus Colorado spirits and craft beer.
• Mountain views from the outdoor pool and hot tub along Gore Creek
• Signature spa treatment: The Elevate Your Altitude massage combines botanical-infused oil and himalayan salt stones.

Vail, Colorado: Mountain Playground in the Heart of the Rockies

Set amid towering pines and snowcapped peaks, Vail stands at the center of Colorado’s mountain-recreation scene. The 2.3-million-acre White River National Forest encompasses an array of wildlife habitats and recreational ventures, allowing visitors to take in fresh mountain breezes while snowshoeing, snowmobiling, or sledding.

After a day of alpine adventures, guests can head to the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum to learn about the evolution of winter sports. On Saturdays, Vail Village historical walking tours branch out from the museum into the charming, European-style village.