mammoth mountain

Seven Heavens: Jonathon Ramsey's Year of Empyrean Experiences

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spirits, Luxury Cars & Autos, Sports, Men's Style

"Every day above ground is a good day" is the saying, and it depends entirely on how much latitude you give the definition of "good." There are other days, however – certain days, special days – that cannot be denied their inclusion in the ranks of The Best of the Good Ones. While we have no problem admitting that even the least among our days on the job are still pretty good, there are others that clearly and simply take their places at the front of a very competitive line. In no particular order, then, here are seven places and pleasures that have meant the most to us in 2010.

Tags: chopin, gumpert apollo, jochen70, lake okareka lodge, mammoth mountain, rizk ra, rolls-royce, wales

Continue reading “Seven Heavens: Jonathon Ramsey's Year of Empyrean Experiences”

Westin Monache Resort Wants to Make Skiing Mammoth Rewarding

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The "Mammoth" in Mammoth Mountain, California actually comes from the 19th century gold rush, when a group of prospectors among the clamoring hordes founded the Mammoth Mining Company. But with winter -- and a yearly average of 400 inches of snow -- rapidly approaching, the kind of mammoth you should be concerned with right now is the resort, its luxury, its skiing, and the fun you can have with all of those.

The Westin Monache Resort in Northern California is Mammoth Mountain's only 4-star resort, and it intriguingly lists "excellent soundproofing" as one of its signature features. When you're finished testing your bedside klaxons, you'll find it is also just steps from the mountain's 15-passenger express gondola that will begin the trip to 3,500 skiable acres and 3,100 vertical feet of skiing at a maximum altitude of 11,053 feet.

At the conclusion of exploring any of the 150 named trails you can head back to your suite -- the resort has 230 of them in studio, 1- and 2-bedroom varieties, each one benefiting from a kitchen and a fireplace, and that Heavenly Bath (you'd never guess how good a second shower head can make you feel; it's almost like being tenderly scrubbed to by mermaids... or so we've imagined). Regardless of whether you brought your own skis or snowboard or used the on-site shop's pro fitments, the ski valet will be happy to relieve you of your equipment and prepare it for the next day's adventures, 24 hours a day.

Book a package before November 5 and you could save 25% on your winter getaway. Direct air service on Horizon Air begins December 17 from some West Coast and Nevada cities, and the Village Ski Back Trail should open around that time as well, so you can glide straight from the mountain into the base Village. The only thing you'll need to worry about then is getting back in time for the Korobuta pork chop in a cognac demi-glaze at Whitebark and saving room for s'mores...

Gallery: Westin Monache Mammoth Winter 09

Source

Tags: california resort, CaliforniaResort, destination, hotel deals, HotelDeals, mammoth mountain, MammothMountain, ski resort, SkiResort, spa, westin monache, WestinMonache, winter-travel-main

Westin Monache Opens

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

I've been covering the Westin Monache project since 2005 when the first condo units went on sale (selling briskly at prices of $405,000 to just under $1.3 million). The resort is the first luxury hotel at the popular ski resort of Mammoth Lakes, California. The resort is now open to reservations, offering one and two-bedroom suites with gas fireplaces, flatscreen TVs and the famous Westin Heavenly beds. The hotel also features the Whitebark restaurant and bar; ski valet and rental shop; pool and hot tubs; the Westin Workout and the Westin Kid's Club. The resort's introductory rate is $199 and they are currently making snow on the mountain.

Gallery: Westin Monache