Branson's Latest Place to Play: The Lodge at Verbier
Filed under: Journeys
For many skiing is one of the saving graces of winter, one of the few things that make the snow and cold worthwhile. This time of year a trip to the Swiss Alps for great skiing, great food, and great comfort sounds like such a treat -- and it really will be if you're headed to Sir Richard Branson's latest resort getaway: The Lodge, Verbier.
The most expensive chalet in the Alps, it just opened last month. According to this review it's quite the haven of luxury and class, as well it should be considering costs will run you about £36,250/week.
Manmade snow is far better than it was when the technology was first put into use. A frequent skiier will be able to tell the difference between the natural and the less finely-grained machine-made snow, but it allows resorts to stay open longer into both fall and spring and provide better coverage all over the mountain even in the middle of winter. The manmade snow is also used for creating low-elevation "beginners areas" as well as advanced terrain parks for thrill-seeking snowboarders and skiiers. Many resorts, including big-name ones, spend tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars making snow each year. As a result, their slopes are more reliably and more evenly covered, which is better for business and better for skiiers. Over the weekend, the 
