Best winter wonderland destination!
 

My wife and I would like to spend a few days visiting a winter wonderland. How do we define: most beautiful inn/resort/hotel with wonderful views, plenty of snow, great food/restaurants, outdoor activities, etc.

We will not be skiing so that is not an issue. Price is also not an issue. We live in flat, warm South Texas so are interested in a few days of beautiful winter.

Aspen has it all.

http://www.allaspencolorado.com/aspe...mp;resorts.htm

A non-skier can certainly enjoy a visit there.

Byrd

Quebec for the ice festival.

Beaver Creek might also fit your requirements.

I've heard the Homestead Resort in northern Michigan is really nice, but I haven't been there. It would also be a bit of driving to get to from a major airport.

http://www.thehomesteadresort.com/ac...est_winter.php


But Michigan is gorgeous in the winter time.

The Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC, is fabulous at Christmas and a bit closer. Plenty to do and see, both inside and out, but you can't be sure of snow until January.

http://www.groveparkinn.com

Come to Canada and stay in the largest log cabin in the world:

http://www.fairmont.com/EN_FA/Property/LCM/Index.htm

If you come in February, you would also be able to enjoy the Ottawa Winterlude.

Mark

Aspen, for sure. Stay at the Hotel Jerome, right in the heart of classy, old Aspen. Get a suite, with corner windows, a fireplace, etc. It's a small, historic hotel that is very well-managed and gorgeous, with great customer service. Also a wonderful restaurant or two, and a bar.

From the Jerome, you can walk through downtown Aspen with its high-end shops, and to the base of Aspen ski mountain.

We loved Quebec, too, but not in it's wintertime bitter cold. It would feel much colder than Aspen, I believe.

Mark,
I checked out that website - It looks amazing! I checked to see about New years eve and it was booked solid!

I am definitely going to check this out some more!!!
Anne

www.telluride.com
Your definition has an answer: Telluride, Colorado
Awesome 5 star resorts and dining--historic town with free gondola to upper village.

Lake Louise, Canada
Aspen
Telluride
Montreal

Several mentioned that are great.

We enjoy Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The beauty of the Tetons with the snow, elk herd, etc is just stunning. The mountains seem to rise up right in front of you.

Aspen is nice but I like the feel of Jackson Hole better. Haven't made it to Telluride yet but it's coming very soon!

Banff would be another choice. Stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
http://www.fairmont.com/lakelouise/Photos/

Winterlude in Ottawa (www.winterlude.ca) and the Quebec Winter Carnival (www.carnaval.qc.ca) both offer a great deal of outdoor activities and several indoor ones so you can escape the cold for a while.

The 2008 winter carnival in Montreal was canceled because of a labor dispute. I don't know if they've recovered for 2009.

There's only one place and it's called: Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello. It's in Quebec, Canada. Here's their web site. The place speaks for itself.
http://www.fairmont.com/montebello/
Unbelieveable place!!!!

If you're considering Chateau Montebello, note that there's a difference between Quebec City and the Province of Quebec.

The Chateau is more or less mid-way between Montreal and Ottawa and is right beside the Ottawa River.

It's probably about an hour drive to each city for a quick one day visit.

Another suggestion--Estes Park, CO. The Stanley Hotel is where Stephen King got his inspiration for the Shining. Mary's Lake Lodge has accomodations and wonderful restaurants. Or look for a rental cabin at www.vrbo.com.
There is lots of hiking/snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Sue

The Montebello looks fabulous!!!

Would love to visit that place

I went to the Montebello in the 80s on a big family vacation. I don't remember it that well but I do remember that it was gorgeous and heaps of fun. Thanks for reminding me about that place!