Rock Resort Spa, Remede Spa and Stein Eriksen Lodge

Rock Resorts Spa at the Arrabelle, Vail, Colorado: Style: Hand-blown Italian glass chandeliers, custom furnishings in soft colors, a sculptural water feature lined with ash wood abstract skis and hand-colored prints on the walls make this ski resort spa a standout. No expense was spared, you realize, as the Vichy shower washes over you while lying on a table of antique Travertine marble, or reclining on a leather settee by a quiet pool.

Popular treatments: Vin Chaud (Hot Wine) Indulgence, with its wine essence and Dead Sea salts scrub, followed by a full-body vino-therapy massage and a mini-facial. The Mountain Wildflower and the Oatmeal Spice Treatment. Telephone:970.754.7754

Remède Spa at the St. Regis, Aspen, in Aspen, Colorado: Style: Soak in the co-ed ‘Confluence’ then sip sparkling wine in the lounge, while waiting for your treatment. After, visit the Oxygen Room for a whiff of pure O2. Remède was named a ‘top luxury spa’ in SpaFinder’s 2008 Spa Readers’ Choice Awards. Two therapists, Millie Schmalz and Anna Vigil are among the ‘top favorite therapists’.

Popular treatments: Remède Customized Facial. Sweep Body Softening Scrub, which sloughs off skin dried from a stay at 8,200 feet above seat level. Telephone: 970.920.6783

January vacation getaways at Rocky Mountain ski resorts are traditionally well known and provide lots of fun.

A leader in wild and wacky winter frivolity is the Ullr Fest, January 4-9, at the Breckenridge ski resorts. Each January thousands of snow-worshippers don their Viking horns and other odd-looking garb to gather in this historic town for a celebration like no other.

A parade on Main Street begins the festivities featuring everything from fabulous floats to cruising hot tubs. The crowning of king and queen, family ice skating party, comedy night, live entertainment and the Ullympics, in which co-ed teams compete in a frying-pan toss and group ski racing, are other fun ski resort activities.

Steamboat Springs’ ski resorts will warm its winter days and nights with MusicFest January 5-10, Ski Jam January 12-15, Family Snow Festival January 16-18 and the 35th Cowboy Downhill race January 20. Starring in the family festival will be recording artist Mitchel Musso of the Disney show Hannah Montana.

The Winter X Games XIII January 22-25 at Aspen-Buttermilk ski resorts is the season's No. 1 international gala, with free admission. There will be nonstop day-and-night snowboarding and skiing events, live entertainment, parties and more with all competition telecast worldwide by ESPN.

January 2-4 at Copper Mountain ski resorts the Burton Super Demo is offered with free demonstrations of boots, boards, bindings and other products.

The 5K moonlight snowshoe tours are a cool event January 8-9 at Northstar-at-Tahoe ski resorts.

Park City and Deer Valley  co-host the Visa Freestyle International January 29-31.

On January 10, the 14th annual Winter Trails program will offer free snowshoeing and cross-country skiing for all comers new to snow sports at dozens of Western ski resorts.

   

If you are looking for an exotic ski resort vacation, try the Ukraine and Drahobrat.

The horse shoe shape of the mountains of Svidivet's range creates the unique natural phenomena of Dragobrat's natural complex.  It provides the stable snow cover from November to May. For the last 30 years there has always been a significant snow layer on Dragobrat even in the warmest of winters.

Kushavel is known to be the best on the Dragobrat Ski Resort. It harmonically lays on the natural landscape. 5-floor building of the hotel attracts attention of everyone who comes to visit, by it's Carpathian architecture and beauty. Local craftsmen managed to implement all ideas of the architect, without damaging the balance with the surrounding nature

Casa de Campo is the perfect golf resort to spend your time in luxury. This 7,000-acre golf resort is set on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic and features an unmatched range of accommodations, dining, entertainment, and (of course) golf.

The three courses, designed by Pete Dye, rival any golf resorts on the planet and you'll find yourself lost in the amazing views from all three courses.

The famous Teeth of the Dog: has seven holes skirting the ocean and consistently ranks as the #1 course in the Caribbean on Golf Magazine's "Top 100 Courses of the World." This is one of those layouts that you just have to play once in your life.

The Links: also designed by Pete Dye, has a moderately hilly track with tall bahia and guinea grass roughs as well as plenty of sand traps. Thought by some to be reminiscent of traditional British and Scottish courses, there are several lagoons and even lakes with wading birds. There are five holes where water comes into play.

Dye Fore: At 7,770 yards from the back tees, this par-72, Pete Dye design is an awesome test of golf. Set on a hill overlooking the Chavon River and the Altos de Chavon village, it's also one of the most picturesque courses you'll ever play. Built to rival the Teeth of the Dog course, it's a truly remarkable design. Most notably, numbers 12 and 15 are already being recognized as two of the best par threes in the world. The Dye Fore is just one more reason for you to visit Casa de Campo!

Golf Resort Dining:

• 10 different bars: a sports bar, an English pub, a safari bar, and a swim-up pool bar!

• 9 dining establishments offer everything from poolside snacks to fine dining

Amenities:

• Marina & Yacht Club

• Altos de Chavon, 16th century replica of a Mediterranean village perched high above the Chavon River

• La Terraza Tennis Center offers 13 immaculately maintained Har-Tru courts (10 lighted)

• Water sports at the resort's palm-fringed beach

• Casa de Campo's Sporting Clays Shooting Center with trap, skeet and hunting simulations

• Fitness center

• Spa treatments

• Horseback riding and polo instruction

• Kid's programs

Nearby Attractions to the Golf Resort:

• Snorkeling at nearby islands

• Deep-sea fishing excursions

Those are just some of the developments at the following major Western ski resorts.

Colorado

Beaver Creek: Opening this season is “The Ranch,” a state-of-the-art children's ski and snowboard school designed to "revolutionize" the way kids learn to turn.

The 4,000-square-foot center at the top of the Buckaroo Express Gondola is surrounded by beginner learning terrain. Its picture windows allow parents to discreetly view their children as they learn to ski and ride on customized slopes designed to facilitate the correct body movements.

The upscale ski resort will have healthy and fresh food options at lunchtime especially for children. All natural meat, organic dairy and a yogurt bar will be served as part of Vail Resorts' Appetite for Life initiative. The Ranch is a key part of Beaver Creek's commitment to offer a top family ski resort vacation.

New, automated snowmaking will be added to high-traffic areas and energy-efficient towers will be installed to reduce the amount of compressed air needed for operation. The work is part of a five-year snowmaking automation and upgrade plan that began last year.

New Mexico

Taos Ski Valley: The ski resort has finally decided to welcome snowboarders last March 19.

New this season is the North American, a new double black-diamond run that will be accessed near the top of Lift One. It drops 1,400 vertical feet and flows into the return trail. It is the first terrain expansion in many years.

The Burroughs, a new 400-foot beginners' area with a moving carpet for novice skiers and snowboarders, will open this season also.

Utah

Deer Valley: Deer Valley Resort is the place to go, if you want to be pampered on a ski resort vacation, but be prepared to pay for it.

The ski resort, less than an hour's drive from the Salt Lake City airport, offers luxurious amenities, such as ski valets, groomed-to-perfection slopes, gourmet dining in three elegant day lodges, on-site child care, an award-winning ski school and state-of-the-art snowmaking. Ski magazine readers once again have rated it the No. 1 ski resort in North America.

Since 1990, Deer Valley, now in its 28th season, has invested more than $121 million in improvements. It has 22 lifts, including a gondola, serving 99 slopes and trails. 

Wyoming

Jackson Hole Ski Resort: For 40 years, the red 55-passenger aerial tram had long been the signature lift and logo of Jackson Hole. The box-shaped lift was decommissioned in September 2006 and there were fears a new tram wouldn't be taking its place. A new tram is set to begin making test runs on Nov. 29 and will open for skiers and snowboarders on Dec. 20. The faster and more efficient tram, with its sleek new cabins, will carry 100 passengers to the top of Rendezvous Mountain in 9 minutes, a vertical rise is 4,139 feet. The new tram will provide the exact same spectacular scenery.

Banff and Lake Louise Canada offer a variety of ski and snowboard terrain spread over three world-class ski resorts in the Canadian Rockies. Take a look at everything the Banff and Lake Louise Ski Resorts have to offer!

If you are a skier or snowboarder and are thinking about canceling your ski vacation because of the economic slump, you might want to think again airlines,ski resorts and ski areas are slashing prices on airfare, lodging, lift tickets and gear to compensate for what they are afraid  might be a slow winter season.

The mantra is "shop early and aggressively".  Promotions can often expire without notice. Also be prepared to add extra time for lookinfg through promtions.

One first example of ski vacation offeings is Vail Resorts, with five luxury properties in top California and Colorado ski vacation destinations, which is offering two money-saving promotions for travelers who book early. The "baggage bailout" deal gives guests a $50 credit when they stay four nights or more and book by Dec. 1. Also avid skiers can purchase the Epic season pass for $579 until November 15. It is good for unlimited and unrestricted skiing at Vail Resorts and is an enormous  savings on a typical $644 seven-day lift ticket.

Leslie Shor, a mountain vacation specialist for Ski.com, the nation's largest ski vacation tour operator, says resorts want to persuade hesitant consumers with ski vacation bargains.

"We're seeing a ton of promotions right now," Shor says. "This year, of course, is different than any other. We're seeing free nights and discounted rates and value-added items like free dining credits. It's also happening at higher-end properties, and we've never seen that before."

Both American Airlines Vacations and Northwest Airlines World Vacations are offering discounts on ski vacations but the pricing and timing varies. An American Airlines trip to Whistler, British Columbia, includes a round trip flight from Chicago O'Hare to Vancouver and a four-day stay at the Fairmont Whistler Chateau for $1,800 when booked by Nov. 15. This is a huge savings over holiday prices when the room rate is $764 per night. The American Airlines deal is valid between mid-November and mid-December, the Northwest promotion begins on Jan. 4.

Both Orbitz and Expedia have pre-season ski vacation deals in destinations like Telluride, Colo.; Big Sky, Montana.; and Taos, New Mexico. Orbitz is offering early bookers the chance to save up to 35% at dozens of hotels, and Expedia is discounting hotel rates and packages up to 25%.

Sun Valley is a sportsman’s paradise. Hiking, golf, fishing, rock-climbing, hunting, skiing, snowshoeing, ice-skating, and more are offered here. Sun Valley is also a full-service resort. No need to rough it here.

Sun Valley and the surrounding communities offer a wide array of hotel accommodations, from small, intimate bed and breakfasts and cozy inns to luxurious lodges and even working ranches. Many privately owned and managed bed and breakfast and small inns offer charming, personalized places to stay in Sun Valley. They can offer period furnishings, gracious rustic or Victorian buildings, and lots of character. Breakfast is usually included and often homemade. Some inns also have afternoon wine or hors d’oeuvres.

Hotels in the Sun Valley range from basic budget hotels to luxury accommodations. For those who want to spend all of their time outside, a budget hotel, such as the Clarion Inn in Ketchum, offers clean, efficient accommodations in a beautiful setting. The historic, elegant Sun Valley Lodge, built in 1936 reveals the moneyed non-chalance of another age. The lodge features French country furnishings, marble baths, flat-screen TVs, high-speed Internet access, and, of course, that wonderful view.

Outside of town, many guest ranches welcome visitors for horseback riding, fly-fishing trips, and backpacking. They offer Rustic, yet comfortable rooms, home cooking, and such amenities as hot tubs and swimming pools to complete the experience.

Disney Resort Guide

The Royal Plantation Spa and Golf Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica is one of the Caribbean's true luxury resorts with beautiful beaches and lively Reggae music. Royal Plantation  resort is unique in that it offers classes in Jamaican cooking using the island’s fresh produce and exotic spices. The resort spa offers hands-on cooking classes and takes guests into Jamaica's authentic markets where they explore and explain Caribbean and Jamaican fruits, vegetable and spices. Food lovers and beach lovers will really enjoy Royal Plantation Spa and Golf Resort.

• Tropical Weather - balmy 84° all year round with the highest air quality
• Peace of Mind - great visibility so you can easily see your kids throughout the park
• Open Aire™ concept - glass structure floods park with natural light for an outdoor feel
• Value - Niagara's best waterpark value
• Daily Activities - "Americana Idol", Kiddie Karaoke and Storytime nightly
• Seasonal Themes - extra games, activities and entertainment every weekend and during holiday periods
• Mezzanine - available for private parties
• Park-like setting - access to outdoor picnic area and playground
• Convenience - indoor access to water park for resort guests
• Retractable roof
• Beach entry wave pool
• 84 degrees all year round
• Tube and body slides up to three stories high
• Kiddy pool with toddler slides
• Activity pool
• Interactive play structure
• Tipping bucket 

This is the resort spa in Dubai.  Take a look an see if this could be your next all-inclusive resort vacation?

Here’s  a different kind of spa! The ultimate luxury, a shower spa while jetting through the skies is being offered to first class passengers on the new Emerites super jumbo A380 Airbus. Arrive at your destination without feeling hot, groggy and stinky.  Now this is a spa in the skies.

All 14 first class passengers will be offered this luxury shower spa treatment.  Each shower has been designed to accommodate one person at a time. The showers are regulated through a software program that allows a five minute shower under the relaxing jets of water. A traffic light system lets the passenger know how much time is left.

Emirates president Tim Clark quips, “If you’re on amber and your hair is full of shampoo, you want to get moving.”

An Italian ski resort at Mottarone, is helping to renew the popularity of grass skiing. Two Tubby slopes for year-long tubing have been installed  One of the slopes goes straight and is 90 meters long and the other is 100 meters long and has several multiple turns. The European resort lets the ski enthusiast use regular ski equipment as opposed to the special equipment the sport once required.

A launching ramp is included on the straight run and is covered by Np30, Neveplast material certified by the Italian government as having the same slipperiness as real snow.

The 100 meter slope at the Italian resort has turns made of metal and also covered with the Np30 material. The structure has adjustable angles which enables a perfect entry trajectory and directs the resort’s snow tubes in the best way at the end of the curve.

The most recent addition to the Italian resort is an artificial downhill ski slope 100 meters long and 10 meters wide. 18% is the average incline of the resort’s slope and again uses Np30 surface material. It allows easy turning as on real snow and also allows beginners to do the snow plough on gentle slopes and still move forward.

Skis are not damaged at all because the very low friction of the surface avoids generation of high temperature between the ski base and the slope so the base does not wear down over time.