Travel Agent - October 15, 2007 - (Page SU5)

towns in the West—does carry that unmistakable air of wealth. High-class restaurants, boutiques and nightlife spots are found throughout, as are such swank accommodations as the Hotel Jerome, the Little Nell, and the St. Regis Aspen. What gets overlooked sometimes is that Aspen Mountain, which towers over the town, offers up some of the ﬁnest and most challenging resort skiing to be found. Agents should note that on Aspen Mountain (also called Ajax) itself, there isn’t any terrain that’s rated for beginners. But the ski conglomerate known as Aspen/Snowmass ﬁlls that void with bus service and interchangeable tickets to nearby Buttermilk, with lots of learner’s terrain; it’s also long been the home of the cutting-edge Winter X Games. Travelers can also head to Aspen Highlands, an uncrowded area with lots of wide-open beginner and intermediate trails, as well as some easily accessible, ultra-terrifying terrain known as Deep Temerity. FAMILY FUN Families are often happiest at Snowmass, which provides slopeside condos by the thousands and, as one of the largest ski mountains in the state, copious amounts of trails for beginners and intermediates. Club Med Crested Butte Your family clients would also do well to head to Summit County, where several resorts cater speciﬁcally to groups that are traveling with kids. The area includes two more of Vail’s sister resorts: Breckenridge and Keystone. Breckenridge, an authentic Victorian mining town, provides equal parts charm, authenticity and accessibility: Travelers can walk directly from the streets of town to the slopes, where they’ll encounter four mountain peaks of terrain for all abilities and a particular focus on facilities for snowboarders. Adding to the accessibility is a new gondola, opened in early 2007, connecting the town directly to the mountain. Keystone, meanwhile, is more self-contained as a resort, with villages containing condos, eateries and shops surrounding two main base areas, River Run and Lakeside Village. For those in search of luxury, the latter village is home to the upscale Keystone Lodge. Families particularly enjoy the ease and accessibility of Keystone, as well as the emphasis on beginner and intermediate terrain, the ski school and—somewhat rare in these parts—night skiing. Another Summit County option is Copper Mountain, owned by the conglomerate Intrawest. Product-wise, Copper Mountain’s offerings are similar to those of Keystone—purpose-built, Mountain Lodge at Telluride snowboarding rules If you’re selling ski vacations, snowboarding simply cannot be ignored. Though it dates back to the 1960s, it really took off in the 80s and 90s, and is now an Olympic sport. Many in the ski industry credit snowboarding with giving the industry a shot in the arm. As skiers began to age, snowboarding provided a much-needed push from younger travelers, although today you’ll ﬁnd adults of every age enjoying the mountain on one board instead of two sticks. Snowboarders look for terrain parks, where they can practice their jumps, ﬂips and other gravity-defying feats. These days, terrain parks are found just about everywhere, save for the few resorts that still do not allow snowboarding (Deer Valley and Alta, Utah; Taos, N.M.; and Mad River Glen, Vt.). But some resorts cater more to snowboarders than others; Breckenridge, Colo., is a prime example, with ﬁve parks and four half-pipes for snowboarders’ (and yes, a few skiers’) jumping pleasure. However, it’s not just about the terrain parks. Snowboarders also appreciate ski mountains with lots of wide-open, groomed terrain, conducive to the sweeping turns the boards take. Snowboarders also look to connect with others who share similar tastes and attitudes.

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Travel Agent - October 15, 2007 Online Now Contents From the Editor From the Publisher Contributors Europe Central & South America Special Supplement: Ski University Pacific/Asia Las Vegas Caribbean Romantic Getaway and Honeymoon Packages Jamaica’s New Minister of Tourism Talks About the Country’s Future Special Package Deals Cruises Hotels Ski Multi-Generational Travel Tours Cover Story: Luxe Life of the Stewart Clan Business Operations - Agent Profile Technology Transportation The Industry - Agenda Caribbean News PATA Travel Mart ITME Report Latest Cruise and Hotel News Travel Week In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Classified Marketplace Trendwatch

Travel Agent - October 15, 2007

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