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Powder Power

A guide to Utah's legendary resorts.

Without even getting into Utah's claims about "greatest snow on earth," the numbers for Salt Lake City and skiing speak for themselves. Utah has 14 ski resorts to choose from, 10 of which are within an hour's drive of downtown Salt Lake City. Transportation is easier than ever this season, with the Utah Transit Authority now sending buses from Salt Lake City to Park City (Route 902). If you haven't accepted the fact that you're in one of the ski capitals of the world, then it's time to wake up and smell the fresh powder. Here's a guide to what's new at each of the resorts for 2012.

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Alta
Little Cottonwood Canyon—30 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City
Highway 210, Little Cottonwood Canyon, 801-359-1078, Alta.com
Adult Day Pass $72
What's New: This skiers-only resort has added a smartphone app that allows guests to purchase tickets or reload their Alta Card on the phone.

Beaver Mountain
Logan Canyon—two hours north of Salt Lake City
40000 E. Highway 89, Garden City, 435-753-4822, SkiTheBeav.com
Adult Day Pass $45
What's New: Beginners will have more terrain to work with, thanks to the new Little Beaver lift, which is 400 feet longer than the previous version.

Brian Head
Near Parowan—four hours south of Salt Lake City
329 S. Highway 193, Brian Head, 866-930-1010, BrianHead.com
Adult Day Pass $49
What's New: Utah's southernmost resort with the highest base elevation (9,600 feet) now has real-time snow alerts, weather reports and driving conditions. Those driving to the resort or looking for a ride can use TheSkiLift.org, a social-networking and carpooling site. The new Chair 9 Deli & Pub offers a variety of foods along with great views of the runs.

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Brighton
Big Cottonwood Canyon—30 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City
8302 S. Brighton Loop Road, Brighton, 801-532-4731, BrightonResort.com
Adult Day Pass $62
What's New: The resort spent $500,000 on snowmaking upgrades. There will also be more demonstration equipment available as the resort celebrates its 75th season.

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Canyons
Park City—35 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City
4000 Canyons Resort Drive, Park City, 435-649-5400, CanyonsResort.com
Adult Day Pass $89
What's New: Canyons has undergone a multimillion-dollar "re-creation" under new ownership by Talisker, including North America's first heated chairlift, in which riders are enclosed in an orange bubble with a view like those out of a pair of ski goggles. The resort is also unveiling the "Ski Beach," a gathering place complete with lifeguard stations and beach chairs. Canyons also has seven new dining options, including The Farm, which features foods that have all been grown or sourced within 200 miles of Park City, as well as Bistro, the first American restaurant at a ski resort to focus on kosher cuisine.

Deer Valley
Park City—45 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City
2250 Deer Valley Drive South, Park City, 435-649-1000, DeerValley.com
Adult Day Pass $96
What's New: After being ranked the No. 1 ski resort in North America by the readers of SKI Magazine for an unprecedented fifth year in a row, the unparalleled service will now be adding services for families who ride on the slopes where skiers only are allowed. The new Wide West ski run for beginners will feature a SunKid surface lift. Animal mascots will teach different areas of skiing, along with the 500 instructors available on staff.

Eagle Point
Near Beaver—four hours south
of Salt Lake City
150 Southwest Village Circle, Fishlake National Forest, Beaver, 435-438-3700, SkiEaglePoint.com
Adult Day Pass $45-$50
What's New: After opening for the first time last season, Eagle Point's second season sees 200 new skiable acres on the mountain.

Park City Mountain Resort
Park City—40 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City
1345 Lowell Avenue, Park City, 435-649-8111, ParkCityMountain.com
Adult Day Pass $96
What's New: The resort has dedicated a one-acre area for students. The new 3 Kings lift can handle twice the number of passengers going up the mountain. Extensive dirt work was done over the summer on the Eagle Superpipe. The resort continues its emphasis on the environment with a wind turbine and solar panels.

Powder Mountain
Ogden Valley—one hour north of downtown Salt Lake City
8000 N. 5100 East, Eden, 801-745-3772, PowderMountain.com
Adult Day Pass $60
What's New: An additional snowcat is available this season to take guests to fresh powder on the outer edges of the resort, increasing the skiable area by 350 acres.

Snowbasin
Ogden Valley—one hour north of downtown Salt Lake City
3925 Snow Basin Road, Huntsville, 888-437-5488, Snowbasin.com
Adult Day Pass $72
What's New: When some of the greatest snow athletes in the world visit the resort on the Dew Tour stop in February, they will find a 22-foot half-pipe to perform tricks on, as well as a slopestyle course. Whether pro or amateur, riders will enjoy the increased grooming capabilities that come with two new snowcats, and will also be able to warm themselves at a new outdoor gas fireplace on Earl's Patio.

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Snowbird
Little Cottonwood Canyon—30 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City
Highway 210, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Snowbird, 801-933-2222, Snowbird.com
Adult Day Pass $78
What's New: Make room for another app on your iPhone, as the new Snowbird app will provide info on snow and roads as well as views from cameras on the mountain.

Solitude
Big Cottonwood Canyon—30 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City
12000 Big Cottonwood Canyon, Solitude, 801-534-1400, SkiSolitude.com
Adult Day Pass $68
What's New: Skiers and snowboarders can now tweet or post photos and reports on their Facebook pages between runs, thanks to free Wi-Fi provided throughout the Solitude Village.

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Sundance
Provo Canyon—two hours southeast of Salt Lake City
8841 N. Alpine Loop Road, Sundance,     866-259-7468, SundanceResort.com
Adult Day Pass $49
What's New: The resort has both moved and expanded its terrain park. Besides having more room and added features, skiers and snowboarders will also be able to enjoy nighttime rides. Sundance is also adding the ticketing option of punch-pass cards, and unlimited UTA service to the resort can be added for one low price.

Wolf Mountain
Ogden Valley—one hour north of downtown Salt Lake City
2400 N. 3500 East, Eden, 801-745-3511, WolfCreekUtah.com
Adult Day Pass $31
What's New: The resort has made improvements to several runs and added new snowmaking machines.

Never Too Old
Learn to board or ski, pain-free.

Live in Utah, but never given skiing or snowboarding a try? Those who want to pick up a new winter sport will find there are plenty of opportunities for locals, along with some enticing prices. Those who've already tried the slopes and find themselves addicted know being a local has its benefits when it comes to scoring ski deals.

Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month
January is National Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, with local resorts offering great deals to make it easier. Many of the deals package lessons, rentals and lift tickets together into one low price. SkiUtah.com/winter/locals/lssm

All Winter Long
Some resorts are trying to make it easy to get on the mountain regardless of the month. For example, Park City Mountain Resort has the StartNow program, which gives first-timers five days of lessons, rentals and lift tickets for $199. StartNow.ParkCityMountain.com

Start 'Em Young
The Utah resorts also offer "passports" for local fifth and sixth graders. Fifth graders can ski or ride free three times at any of Utah's 14 resorts, while sixth graders get a one-time trial at each of the resorts. SkiUtah.com/winter/locals/passports

Go Big or Go Home
Ski Utah offers a Silver Pass for all ages. which allows rides at each Utah resort for 30 days (30 days at Brighton, 30 days at Deer Valley, etc.) for $2,500, while the Gold Pass, at $3,500, allows for 50 days at each resort and is fully transferable to another person. SkiUtah.com/winter/locals

Lose the Lift

Park City Can Still Be Your Winter Wonderland, Even If You Don't Ski

Salt Lake City is justifiably proud of the majestic mountains that surround it. The quality of skiing and snowboarding sitting just minutes away from the city can't be beat ... unless that's just not your thing.

Well, you don't have to hide any longer. Come out of the ski-equipment closet and be loud and proud that you're a nonskier, because there is plenty to do in the mountain resort town of Park City during the winter that doesn't involve hurtling down a mountain with planks of fiberglass strapped to your feet.

Here are 20 activities to pursue in Park City that don't require a lift ticket. Getting there is easier than ever, as this season marks the first time that the Utah Transit Authority is offering bus service from Salt Lake City to Park City on its Route 902.

RECREATION
Just because you're not on skis or a board doesn't mean you don't love the great outdoors when it's chilly.

Riding at the Ranch
Garff Ranch sits just 10 minutes from downtown Park City and offers 7,000 acres for snowmobiling. Deer Valley operates Summit Meadows Adventures on the property. Rides of one, two or three hours are available throughout the day. Brown's Canyon Road, off Highway 248, 435-645-7669, DeerValley.com

Drive the Big Cat
Admit it, you've always wanted to drive a huge piece of machinery, be it a bulldozer, Zamboni or tank. Now you can not only drive something gigantic, but also drive it through the snow! Canyons Resort offers a two-hour snowcat ride-along program as the machines groom the slopes. Or, sign up for an eight-hour shift, and they'll actually train you on how to drive one of these behemoths and send you out with the rest of the crew, lunch included. 4000 Canyons Resort Drive, Park City, 435-615-3456, CanyonsResort.com

Frosty Zip
The new Flying Eagle Zip Line at Park City Mountain Resort seats two and comes with all of the speed and adrenaline of going down the mountain, with none of the snow in your face. PCMR's famous Alpine Coaster is also open during the winter. 1345 Lowell Ave., Park City, 435-649-8111, ParkCityMountain.com

Olympic Feats
Slide down the same bobsled track used for the 2002 Olympics with a professional pilot at the controls at Utah Olympic Park. Feel 5 g's of force as the sled reaches speeds of 80 mph. 3419 Olympic Parkway, Park City, 435-658-4200, OlyParks.com

Cross-Country Skiing
Experience the enjoyment of moving through snow without the worry of falling down the mountain on 3K, 5K and 10K loops operated by White Pine Touring at the Nordic Center. The center offers lessons and equipment rentals for beginners. Park Avenue and Thaynes Canyon Drive, 435-649-6249, WhitePineTouring.com

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Tubing at Gorgoza Park
Be a kid again as you head down the hills at Gorgoza Park. There's a conveyer lift and tow rope to get to the top of the hill, and it's also lighted if you choose to do a night run. Enjoy a post-ride cup of hot chocolate in the warming yurt. 3863 W. Kilby Road, Park City, 435-658-2648, ParkCityMountain.com

Learn-to-Curl Classes
It's two hours at the Park City Ice Arena that could change your life. Spend a half-hour learning to slide a 42-pound granite stone down the ice, another half-hour practicing and you're ready to play a real game in the next hour. 600 Gillmor Way, Park City, 435-901-2595, ParkCityCurlingClub.com

PICTURE-PERFECT
WINTER EXPERIENCES
Snapshots from a perfect winter wonderland that will warm you up from the inside out.

The Roaring Fire
The masterpiece moment at a winter resort is sitting by a roaring fire eating food that was roasted or melted on that fire as you watched. That's exactly what guests experience with Deer Valley's Fireside Dining at Empire Canyon Lodge. Diners can add to this European Alps-style evening by starting with a moonlit snowshoe tour that ends at the dining lodge, or go for a sleigh ride mid-meal and return to the fireplace for dessert. 9200 Marsac Ave., Park City, 435-645-6632, DeerValley.com

Starry, Starry Night
Park City Mountain Resort's Viking Yurt is the place to find a five-course dinner along with music played live on a baby grand. What's unique is that it all occurs 1,000 vertical feet up the mountain. Half the fun is getting there during a 25-minute snowcat ride, where guests can choose between a heated cab or riding in the fresh mountain air under the stars. 2065 Mahre Drive, Park City, 435-615-9878, TheVikingYurt.com

Fun on the Funicular
One of the best views looking down on Park City day or night comes when riding the funicular at the St. Regis Deer Valley. The Swiss cable cars, the first of their kind in America, rise 500 feet during a 90-second ride. At the top, enjoy dinner at J&G Grill while sipping a 7452 Mary. This special Park City version of the Bloody Mary refers to the resort's altitude while using local vodka made at High West Distillery. 2300 Deer Valley Drive East, Park City, 435-940-5700, StRegis.com/ParkCity

LEARNING YOUR LIBATIONS
Find out how whiskey gets made at 7,000 feet, get educated on the fine art of appreciating fine wine or simply hit the beach—the ski beach.

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That's the Spirit!
Take a tour at High West Distillery & Saloon, located in a pair of historic buildings on Park Avenue. Take a look at the 250-gallon copper pot and find out how they make Vodka 7,000. Best of all: The tour includes free samples. Stick around to try the Western-themed small plates in the accompanying restaurant. 703 Park Ave., Park City, 435-649-8300, HighWest.com

Back to School
The Fox School of Wine holds class on Fridays, when the "headmistress" encourages "student participation" as the class tastes five wines, each under $30 per bottle, while picking up info on wine labels and vocabulary. "Advanced Placement" classes are also held on Saturdays. Silver Baron Lodge, 2880 Deer Valley Drive East, Park City, 435-655-9463, FoxSchoolOfWine.com

Chilling on the Beach
A great new option for simply hanging out and enjoying a drink is Canyons Resort Ski Beach. The "beach" part is more important than the "ski" portion, since many people who don't ski will be found simply sitting in beach chairs and enjoying the social scene amid the winter lifeguard stations. 4000 Canyons Resort Drive, Park City, 435-649-5400, CanyonsResort.com

RELAX & REJUVENATE
The mountains are the perfect place to pamper yourself with a spa treatment. Here are two to consider.

Need Some Oxygen?
Everybody requires more oxygen at high altitudes, and now it comes in the form of the Oxygen Facial in Remede Spa at the St. Regis Hotel, the only place in Utah that uses Intraceuticals in its treatments. The pressurized oxygen treatment is used by celebrities to get their red-carpet glow. You can use it as a way to unwind from the day or prep for your own red-carpet night. Allow extra time to enjoy the steam and sauna rooms, as well as the relaxation room, which features chocolate truffles hand-made right at the hotel. 2300 Deer Valley Drive East, Park City, 435-940-5700, StRegis.com/ParkCity

Quick Fix
Those short on cash or time but in need of a little relaxation can simply walk down Main Street to Mountain Body Herbal Cosmetic Deli & Spa for a free hand-exfoliation treatment. While there, you'll want to check out the body- and skin-care products, produced by a local mother/daughter team looking to fight off Utah's dry winter weather. 825 Main, 435-655-9342, MountainBody.com

MEALS IN THE MOUNTAINS
Park City is known for an abundance of great eateries that by themselves are worth the drive up the canyon. Here are some fairly recent entries to the PC dining scene.

Is That Kosher?
Leave it to the state known for its Mormon roots to have America's first kosher restaurant located at a ski resort. Bistro at Canyons features "New American" kosher foods along with Sabbath-appropriate meals on Fridays and Saturdays. Mazel tov! Silverado Lodge, 2669 Canyons Resort Drive, Park City, 435-615-3400, CanyonsResort.com

Be as Cool as a Snowboarder
Cobra Dogs has a cult-like following in the boarding community, but can be enjoyed by anybody who appreciates good hot dogs, brats and veggie dogs, since this food cart will be at the base of the 3 Kings Lift at Park City Mountain Resort for its second season. 1345 Lowell Ave., Park City, 435-649-8111, ParkCityMountain.com

Adventures on Main Street
Talisker on Main is open for a second season, but is always "new" because the menu is constantly changing to accommodate what local farmers and producers have in-season. Some seasonal offerings include a salad featuring huckleberry, pear, bacon and Brussels sprouts, short ribs topped with a crust of butternut squash and Parmesan cheese and housemade popcorn ice cream. Turn your taste buds over to Talisker and let the adventure begin. 515 Main, 435-658-5479, TaliskerOnMain.com

Locals Only
The Farm, a new restaurant at Canyons, features foods sourced from farms and artisans within 200 miles of Park City that are turned into tasty New American cuisine. 4000 Canyons Resort Drive, Park City, 435-615-8080, CanyonsResort.com/dining.html

Silver Lining
Silver opened on Main Street during Sundance 2011 and is still a big draw with its three different levels of dining and entertainment, which includes a DJ and dance area near the bar on the top floor. The hip-yet-elegant environs are the perfect place to try coriander-seared ahi served with chipotle crepes, housemade ricotta gnocchi with braised pork ragu or warm pear fritters paired with blue-cheese ice cream. 508 Main, Park City, 435-940-1000, SilverRestaurant.com

Escape to the Border

Utah's neighboring states let you shake off the traces.

Salt Lake City is surrounded by amazing destinations offering outdoor recreation and entertainment, and serves as a great base for getting away to areas in bordering states that aren't too far over the state line. Here are four of our neighbors that are less than a day's drive away.

Toast the Town in Colorado's Wine Country
Grand Junction/Palisade, Colorado
Five hours by car, or 6 1/2 hours via Amtrak
Don't want to drive or fly to a quick getaway? Hop on Amtrak (1-800-872-7245, Amtrak.com) in Salt Lake City late at night and wake up in the morning in the Grand Valley, also known as Colorado's Wine Country, since it is home to more than 20 wineries within easy reach.

The area was long known for its peaches and other stone fruits, and that tradition continues as many of the wineries offer fruit wines. The cherry wine from Carlson Vineyards (888-464-5554, CarlsonVineyards.com) tastes like a bite of cherry pie and can be combined with a wine glass dipped in melted chocolate from Colorado's own Enstrom candy company. St. Kathryn Cellars (970-464-9288, St-Kathryn-Cellars.com) makes a variety of wines, including Cranberry Kiss, Golden Pear and Lavender. Part of the fun of the area is that some of the wineries are small, local operations where you can interact with the owners. At Whitewater Hill (970-434-6868, WhitewaterHill.com), they're more than happy to let you taste some of the grapes they just clipped off the vine, or you can try a more hands-on approach at the picking and stomping parties held by Maison le Belle Vie (970-464-4959, MaisonLeBelleVie.com).

While there are many fruit-based wines, traditionalists need not worry. Colorado's wine country is also a great place for growing grapes to produce all of the classic Cabernets, Rieslings and Chardonnays one could ever want. For a list of wineries in the area, go to PalisadeTourism.com or ColoradoWineFest.com. Palisade is also home to Meadery of the Rockies (877-858-6330, MeaderyOfTheRockies.com), while Peach Street Distillers (970-464-1128, PeachStreetDistillers.com) often uses local produce for its vodkas, brandies, bourbons and gins.

At night, great food is available to pair with local wines. Inari's Bistro (970-464-9411, InarisBistro.com) in Palisade combines the flavors of locally sourced foods into interesting creations such as apple & blue cheese soup or butternut risotto on a menu that changes seasonally. Of course, nothing pairs better with wine than French food, and Grand Junction's Le Rouge (970-257-1777, LeRougePianoBar.com) is the place to find seared fresh foie gras, grilled filet au poivre and even escargot.

The wine theme continues as you relax for the evening at the Wine Country Inn (888-855-8330, ColoradoWineCountryInn.com) an 80-room hotel sitting amid 21 acres of vineyards that are used to create the hotel's own brand of wines. Those preferring a classic Victorian mansion bed & breakfast experience can find it at A Divine Thyme Bed & Breakfast (970-464-9144, ADivineThymeBAndB.com).

Don't worry about drinking and driving since there are companies that offer winery tours. A Touch With Class Limousine (970-245-5466, Colorado-Limo.com) has knowledgeable guides and offers dinner packages, while Absolute Prestige Limousine Service (970-858-8500, APLimo.com) has an extensive fleet, including Hummer, Ford Truck and Lincoln Navigator limos.

While there are plenty of wines to sample, there are also plenty of family-friendly and recreational opportunities. Palisade peaches are still famous. The Obama family has picked peaches at High Country Orchards (970-464-1150, HighCountryOrchards.com) and then enjoyed them on Air Force One. Alida's Fruits (877-434-8769, AlidasFruits.com) is the place to visit with "Farmer Bob" to try his homemade recipes for jams, syrups and salsas. The Grand Valley is surrounded by Colorado National Monument, the Book Cliffs mountains, and the more than 200 lakes that sit on the Grand Mesa, a 500-square-mile mesa that sits at 11,000 feet.

Lions and Bison and Bears! Oh my!
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Five hours by car, or just over one hour on direct flights on Delta
The actual size of the town of Jackson is small compared to the huge reputation of the place. The epicenter of the action in Jackson is the famous Town Square, but what is so unique is that you can drive just a few minutes to see large animals in their natural ecosystem.

Right on the edge of town, you'll run into the National Elk Refuge (307-733-9212, NationalElkRefuge.fws.gov), and a little farther on you're in Grand Teton National Park (307-739-3399, NPS gov/grte/). One distinctively Jackson activity during the winter is sleigh rides through herds of hundreds of elk found in the refuge. The Teton Science Schools (307-733-1313, TetonScience.org) is a nonprofit program offering expeditions throughout the park where a biologist, a park expert, will help you find moose, bison and bears while explaining a number of interesting things about them.

Many hotels and restaurants are located within a couple of blocks of Town Square. The Lexington (888-771-2648, LexingtonHotelJacksonHole.com) features suites with a separate living-room area and kitchenette. Complimentary breakfast includes granola and pastries from the Bunnery (307-733-5474, Bunnery.com), the hottest bakery in town. Just off of Town Square is the Silver Dollar Grill, housed in the historic Wort Hotel (800-322-2727, WortHotel.com), where you can dine on dishes as varied as buffalo filet, elk chops and pheasant soup. Save room for the signature dessert of s'mores, complete with your own tiny pot of burning coals. Another option near Teton Village is Q Roadhouse (307-739-0700, QJacksonHole.com), which has barbecue and other Southern favorites, but also specializes in taking genres and blending them together in tasty ways, such as pork street tacos topped with pineapple chutney, or posole with wild boar. Anyone wishing to grab a quick bite to eat, or a picnic to take out into the wilderness, will enjoy stopping by Back Country Provisions (307-734-9420, BackCountryProvisions.com) to try the Pilgrim sandwich, which is like having Thanksgiving dinner—including stuffing and cranberry sauce—all between two pieces of bread.

Anyone who knows you are going to Jackson will tell you about the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar (307-733-2207, MillionDollarCowboyBar.com), famous among tourists for its saddle seats, but if you want to hang out with the locals, head back to the Wort Hotel and have a drink and enjoy the music at the Silver Dollar Bar, which gets its name from having over 2,000 silver dollars inlaid on the top of the serpentine bar.

That's Entertainment
Las Vegas, Nevada
6 1/2 hours by car or 1 1/2 hours on direct flights on Delta and Southwest
Thanks to those "What Happens in Vegas" ads, everybody knows Sin City is a place where you can place bets, get lap dances and drink wherever and whenever you want. That reputation often overshadows the fact that Las Vegas can also be a place to find a wide variety of top-notch entertainment options and is a prime base for some outdoor adventures.

When driving up and down the Strip, it's hard to go a block without seeing a sign for Cirque du Soleil (CirqueDuSoleil.com), which has eight shows playing in Vegas, including The Beatles Love at The Mirage, KA at MGM Grand and Mystere at Treasure Island. JabbaWockeeZ (877-386-8224, MonteCarlo.com/entertainment) at the Monte Carlo features the group that won the first season of America's Best Dance Crew. The performers, in expressionless, white masks fill a full-length show that combines comedy, music and dance. Vegas has also tried to raise the entertainment bar by making long-term homes for various Broadway hits—shows such as Phantom of the Opera, Jersey Boys, Lion King and Avenue Q have all enjoyed runs in the desert.

As for where to stay, in Las Vegas there's always a competitive rate to be found if you're not there during a heavy convention week or holiday weekend—so shop around. Check out the Palms (866-942-7770, Palms.com), MGM Grand (877-880-0880, MGMGrand.com) and New York-New York (866-815-4365, NewYorkNewYork.com) as three good places that regularly offer Internet deals. The dining scene is hard to beat; there are so many high-caliber choices available, like N9NE Steak House (866-942-7770, N9NEGroup.com) at Palms, as well as Il Fornaio (702-650-6500, IlFornaio.com) at New York-New York. Of course, the best thing about driving to Vegas food-wise is you can load your trunk with staples to take home from one of the two Trader Joe's in town (TraderJoes.com).

After enjoying the neon lights by night, use the daytime to see some of nature's beauty not far from Vegas. Let Pink Jeep Tours (888-900-4480, PinkJeep.com) handle the driving by picking you up at your hotel in a customized, 10-passenger vehicle. There are 14 different tours to outdoor landmarks, including the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park and Hoover Dam.

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Old Hollywood Charm
Sun Valley, Idaho
Five hours by car or 1.25 hours by air on direct flights on Delta
The prominent, peaked mountain ranges that converge in Sun Valley have always been a draw for Hollywood stars. From Clark Gable showing up for the opening of Sun Valley Resort (800-786-8259, SunValley.com) in 1936 to Ernest Hemingway and Gary Cooper going hunting together to Clint Eastwood and Bruce Willis buying local properties in more recent times, Sun Valley has always had a certain Hollywood connection, as well as a certain Old World charm. That feel continues in the 21st century, as classic celebrity photos can be seen in the Sun Valley Lodge & Inn, the classic 1941 movie Sun Valley Serenade runs on a continuous loop on the hotel's TV channel and star sightings are still regularly reported. The charm can still be found in the village of eateries, shops and a movie theater surrounding the lodge

One unique feature of the resort is an outdoor ice rink that is open year-round. There are snowshoe and cross-county ski areas located on the 58,000-square-foot "backyard" of the resort. One of the most popular winter activities is to take a horse-drawn sleigh ride up to Trail Creek Cabin to have dinner. When it comes to skiing, Bald Mountain rises to over 9,000 feet, while Dollar Mountain, home of the world's first chairlift, offers treeless skiing for novices and a new tubing hill.

For dining, it's hard to beat lunch at the Sun Valley Club with its wrap-around terraces. It's also the perfect place for snowshoers and cross-country skiers to check in for a hot drink or bite to eat since the Nordic and Snowshoe Center is also located in the same building. The highlight of the week is the Sunday brunch, where omelets, seafood and crepes are served in the famous Lodge Dining Room.