Recommend July 2012 - (Page 20)

go big, go different, GO BIG SkY Once the dinner bell is rung, a top-shelf dinner is served in hearty courses of fine comfort cuisine including french onion soup, filet mignon, garlic mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables, finished with Toblerone chocolate fondue with fruit and pound cake. The evening concludes with a ride back to the Summit Hotel to complete an unforgettable evening around 9:45 p.m. Or, clients can head to the energetic Whiskey Jack’s, complete with live bands, or relax at the Carabiner Lounge at the elegant Euro-Western Summit Hotel. Also in the mountain village center is a wide array of shops with made-in Montana gifts and there are plenty of shops located in the various hotels in the mountain village center. accommodations Yet another reason to book Big Sky is that many of the accommodations are essentially ski-in/ski-out, or a very short walk or a short shuttle ride to the lifts. In fact, there’s an array of rooms, cabins, condo and home options available to fit any budget. On our recent visit, we stayed at the slopeside Shoshone, located just steps away from the lifts and other Mountain Village amenities. The property, which recently underwent a $700,000 renovation—including upgrades to furnishings—offers 79 one-bedroom condominiums that sleep two to six persons and 15 one-bedroom loft condominiums sleeping four to eight persons. All come with fully equipped kitchens, dining table, gas fireplaces, spacious living quarters, flat-panel TVs, high-speed wireless Internet and balcony with village and mountain views. The Shoshone, too, is connected to the Huntley Lodge, named after the late NBC News broadcaster, Chet Huntley, and includes Chet’s Bar and Grill and Fire Hole Lounge. Tell clients not to miss the newly remodeled, 3,000-sq.-ft. Solace Spa & Salon at the Shoshone, which offers a full menu of treatments, including facials, various types of massages and body treatments. Adding to the activity-filled days, guests of Shoshone and other Big Sky Resort accommodations have access to the Wellness Center, too, offering yoga classes. There are also family programs in the evening, day trip to yellowstone Big Sky is only a short drive to the West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. While staying at Big Sky, you won’t want to miss taking a day trip to Yellowstone National Park just 18 miles south of the resort. The park is a national treasure made up of a mix of ancient lava flows, geyser basins and iconic wildlife. Depending upon conditions, visitors could encounter bison, elk and wolf amongst the serene, stoic beauty of winter. And winter in Yellowstone is a unique experience. Steam rises into the cold air from the colorful hot pots, snow crusted bison and elk graze or laze about, and best of all, much like the mountain resort, there are no crowds. Snow coach, bus or snowmobile tours are available with guides who can teach your clients about the wildlife and geological wonders of the park. The park roads are closed for the winter, but local outfitters will pick up guests from the Big Sky Resort and take them on snowmobile trips. They will also provide the necessary gear, but be sure to tell clients to bundle up underneath their snow suit to keep warm. These tours often take guests to either Old Faithful or Canyon Village, with stops along the way to capture the scenery and catch their breath. Also available are cross country ski or snow shoe opportunities in Yellowstone’s winter backcountry. The concierge and representatives at Big Sky Resort can arrange for full- or half-day trips into the park, as well as guides for a personal Yellowstone experience. For more information on Yellowstone National Park and other area activities, call (406) 995-7716. . 20 july 2012 recommend.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend July 2012

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Delaware North
Tour Talk: General Tours
Big Sky Resort, Montana
Dining's Not a Gamble in Vegas
White Sails in the Sunset
Latin America: Authentically Yours
Safaris, Reinvented
A Taste of Tradition in Eastern Europe
Malacca & Penang, Malaysia
Magdalena Grand Beach Resort, Tobago
Unanticipated Adventure in Curacao
A Love Affair with La Paz
An Appetite for Mexico: Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo

Recommend July 2012