Ski Season 2025-2026 Guide

If “plan the ski trip” keeps dropping to the bottom of your to-do list, this is your sign to hand us the reins. The 2025-2026 ski season is shaping up to be great. Early forecasts predict colder-than-average temperatures, especially in January 2026, with an "arctic blast type pattern" music to every powder hound's ears.

But here's the thing: with over 470 ski resorts across the United States, how do you choose the right one for your family, your skill level, your budget, and your travel dates? More importantly, how do you navigate the complex web of lift tickets, accommodations, gear rentals, ski schools, and travel insurance without losing your mind?

The Ski Trip Paradox: Endless Options, Limited Time

Picture this: You're scrolling through resort websites at 11 PM, trying to figure out whether your intermediate-skiing 12-year-old will be challenged enough at Deer Valley (which just earned top honors from multiple publications including World Ski Awards) or if you should opt for something with more varied terrain. Meanwhile, you're juggling questions about ski-in/ski-out versus shuttle access, Epic Pass versus Ikon Pass, and whether that "deal" you found includes breakfast or not.

This isn't uncommon. Ski trip planning has become exponentially more complex, and even seasoned travelers find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer number of decisions required.

What’s new for 2025–2026 in the US

• Deer Valley, UT, doubles down on terrain. A multi-year expansion adds 3,700+ new acres with 16 new lifts (including a 10-passenger gondola), centered on the brand-new East Village with the majority of new terrain slated to open this winter. Translation: more variety for mixed-ability families and easier access/parking.

• Park City, UT: the Sunrise Gondola debuts, a 10-person lift out of Canyons Village. The brand-new Sunrise Gondola will take guests from the base of the Canyons Village at Park City Mountain Resort to Red Pine Lodge at mid-mountain.

• Big Sky, MT: a two-stage Explorer Gondola streamlines movement from the village toward the Lone Peak Tram. Plus making its debut, One&Only Moonlight Basin with first reveal offers - great opportunity to visit this new property. Excited to help you book it!

• Aspen Snowmass, CO: Elk Camp gets a high-speed six-pack, boosting access to family-friendly intermediate terrain.

Beyond Booking: The Hidden Complexity of Ski Travel

Here's what most people don't realize about ski trips: the resort selection is just the beginning. You also have to consider these variables:

• Timing Strategy: Should you go Presidents' Day week when snow conditions peak but crowds surge? Or target that sweet spot in late January when powder is fresh and lift lines are manageable?

• Accommodations: Do you need a sprawling vacation rental for extended family, a luxe ski-in/ski-out condo, or a traditional slope-side hotel with concierge services? Each option dramatically affects your daily experience.

• The Gear Equation: Renting on-mountain versus a ski butler, sizing for growing kids, performance versus comfort gear, these decisions can make or break your trip comfort level.

• Ski School Strategy: Group lessons versus private instruction, age-appropriate programs, multi-day packages versus day rates. Getting this wrong means frustrated family members and wasted vacation time.

The Travel Advisor Advantage: Your Ski Trip Command Center

When you work with KJT, you're not just getting a travel advisor, you're getting a ski trip strategist. Here's how we transform your ski trip planning:

• Destination Matchmaking: We consider your family's skill levels, ages, interests, and travel style to recommend the perfect resort match. Beginner skiers might thrive at family-friendly destinations, while advanced skiers could maximize their time at challenging terrain parks elsewhere.

• Logistics Off Your plate: While you're focused on work, family and planning the perfect outfits, we're coordinating lift tickets, equipment rentals, ski school reservations, airport transfers, and dinner reservations. You just show up, everything else is handled.

• Risk Management: We build in weather contingencies, secure appropriate travel insurance, and have backup plans under our sleeve for common ski travel disruptions. 

• Big Picture Support: We know which resorts offer the best après-ski for adults, which have fun mountain activities like tubing and sleigh rides for families, and how to avoid common rookie mistakes that can cost time and money.

Is Skiing Internationally Your Thing? Here Are Some Key Value Propositions To Consider

United States Advantages

Convenience: No international travel, language barriers, or currency exchange

Ski-in/ski-out: Extensive condo and slopeside lodging options

Infrastructure: Advanced lift systems, grooming, and resort amenities

Pass systems: Epic and Ikon passes provide multi-resort access

Variety: Diverse terrain from Colorado Rockies to Utah powder to Vermont trails

Reliability: Consistent snowmaking and operations

Europe Advantages

50% savings on lift tickets, equipment, and ski lessons

Multiple ski school vendors create competitive pricing

Hotel-style accommodations with breakfast included

Access to extensive ski areas (Three Valleys system)

Canada Advantages

40% less than US pricing (except Vail-owned Whistler)

Better currency conversion rates for lodging

Similar terrain quality to US at better value

Banff offers exceptional value proposition

Japan Advantages

Exceptional value: 70-80% less than US lift tickets

World-class powder: Consistent, deep snow conditions

Cultural experience: Onsen (hot springs), traditional ryokans

Less crowded: Especially outside Niseko

Included meals: Many accommodations include breakfast/dinner

Unique terrain: Tree skiing, volcanic landscapes

Final Thoughts

Whether you're dreaming of Colorado's powder or Après-ski in Courcheval, this season offers unprecedented opportunities. From the luxury amenities of Deer Valley, to family-friendly Snowmass, to the challenging terrain of Jackson Hole, your perfect ski vacation is out there and we can help you find it! 

Ready to make this your best ski season yet? Let's talk about turning your mountain dreams into reality. After all, you should be spending your energy on perfecting your turns, not perfecting your itinerary, that's what we're here for. Click here to get started

The Ultimate Guide to Luxury Thanksgiving Travel

Looking to trade kitchen chaos for curated bliss? This is your insider playbook to spend this upcoming Thanksgiving somewhere extraordinary (beachfront, snow-dusted, or wrapped in city sparkle) but that still feels like a home away from home.

First things first: timing & strategy

Expect record crowds. Last year set all-time highs for Thanksgiving travel, and patterns hold: the busiest days are the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after. Consider flying Mon/Tue early, on Thanksgiving Day itself, or returning Friday or Saturday to dodge the worst. 

Festive Europe advantage. Major cities ignite holiday lights and Christmas markets from late November, creating a magical backdrop without December’s crush. (Berlin markets open around Nov 24, for example.) 

Early-season ski bet. Many Rockies resorts target mid–late November openings; snow is variable, but town vibe + holiday programming still make it a win. 

Parade views in NYC. If a bucket-list parade morning is the dream, reserve parade-route rooms, like New York Hilton Midtown on Sixth Ave. These book far in advance.

Where to go (and our favorite places to stay)

Sun & Sea 

• St. Barts — Cheval Blanc; Eden Rock; Rosewood Le Guanahani. Why now: glam scene without peak pricing before late-Dec high season.

• Turks & Caicos — Amanyara; COMO Parrot Cay; Grace Bay Club.

• Anguilla — Cap Juluca (Belmond); Four Seasons Anguilla; Aurora Anguilla.

• Bahamas (Nassau/Paradise Island) — The Ocean Club (Four Seasons); Rosewood Baha Mar; The Cove at Atlantis.

• Los Cabos — Four Seasons Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol,  Waldorf Astoria Pedregal; One&Only Palmilla; Chileno Bay (Auberge).

• Riviera Nayarit — St. Regis Punta Mita, Four Seasons Punta Mita, Four Seasons Naviva, and Susurros del Corazón. In the Mandarina area: O&O Mandarina and Rosewood Mandarina.

• Riviera Maya/Mayakoba — Rosewood Mayakoba; Belmond Maroma, Hotel Esencia, Grand Velas

• Hawai‘i (Maui / Hawai‘i Island / O‘ahu) — Four Seasons Hualālai; FS Maui at Wailea; Halekulani; Mauna Lani (Auberge). November brings warm weather and lively but manageable visitor numbers versus December peaks.

City Spectacle & Festive Energy

• New York City — Aman New York; The Plaza; The Mark; The Carlyle. For parade-week magic and world-class dining. (Book parade-view rooms found at Mandarin Oriental and The 1 Hotel Central Park a year in advance)

• London — Claridge’s; The Connaught; Browns, Raffles OWO. Lights, shopping, theatre.

• Paris — Ritz Paris; Cheval Blanc; Le Bristol. Festive windows + museums before December’s surge.

• Munich (Markets begin late Nov) — Rosewood, The Charles, Mandarin Oriental

Mountains,  Possible Snow-Early & Cozy-Luxe

• Aspen — The Little Nell; St. Regis Aspen; Hotel Jerome (Auberge).

• Vail/Beaver Creek — Four Seasons Vail; The Arrabelle; Park Hyatt Beaver Creek.

• Deer Valley — Montage Deer Valley; St. Regis Deer Valley; Stein Eriksen Lodge.

• Big sky - Montage and Newly opened One and Only Moonlight Basin (excited to get feedback from some lucky clients headed there this Thanksgiving). Ask us about pre opening promos

How we elevate your Thanksgiving

• VIP inclusions via our preferred-partner status (upgrades, breakfast, resort credits, varies by property).

• Reservation wrangling for holiday dining, spas, and kids’ clubs.

• The right rooms (connecting, view, private pools), verified with the property, not just “requested.”

Ready to trade turkey for true R&R?

Tell us what kind of vibe you're going for this turkey season: island, alpine, or city-chic and we’ll hold the right rooms and tables before they disappear. Click here today to start making your reservations.

Chasing Cooler Days: Our Picks for Last-Minute Luxury Summer Escapes to Beat the Heat

There’s nothing quite like that first wave of real summer heat, the kind that makes you long for shade, sea breezes, or cool mountain mornings. If you're ready to swap that heat for fresh air and a slower pace, this is your list. These cool(er) weather luxury destinations are close enough for a spontaneous summer getaway, but far enough to feel like a full reset. These are the escapes our travel advisors are recommending when five-star comfort and cooler temps are calling.

COLORADO & UTAH

Four Seasons Resort Vail

If you’re craving crisp mountain air and alpine elegance, Four Seasons Vail delivers. Located in the heart of Vail Village, this sleek mountain retreat makes summer feel like a breath of fresh air. Expect spacious rooms with panoramic views of the Rockies, cozy mornings on the balcony, and a heated outdoor pool for peak relaxation. Active days here mean fly-fishing, hiking, and biking through aspen groves; slow ones include spa treatments and locally sourced dishes that celebrate Colorado’s wild beauty. This is one of our favorite cool-weather escapes when everywhere else is overheating.

The St. Regis Deer Valley, Park City

In Utah’s Deer Crest community, The St. Regis Deer Valley blends mountain serenity with five-star indulgence. Ride a private funicular to the resort and take in sweeping Wasatch Range views, plush rooms with marble details, and expansive private terraces. Unwind in the infinity pool, sip wine from the 14,000-bottle cellar, and book a custom treatment at the Remède Spa. For an ultra-refined summer escape in Park City, this is it.

MONTANA & WYOMING

Montage Big Sky

Located in Montana’s Spanish Peaks, just 45 minutes from Yellowstone, Montage Big Sky is a luxury mountain resort that offers year-round adventure and five-star comfort. During the summer months, swap ski boots for hiking boots, saddle up for horseback rides, or cast a fly rod in the river below. Inside, you’ll find rustic-luxe design, five restaurants (including Cortina and the cozy Alpenglow lounge), and an 11,000-square-foot Spa Montage. Each suite or residence is outfitted with warm wood, stone textures, and serene mountain views, making this one of Montana’s best cool-weather retreats.

Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole

For travelers craving wild landscapes without compromising on service, Four Seasons Jackson Hole offers front-row views of Grand Teton National Park and direct access to outdoor adventures. Located in Teton Village, this alpine resort features ski-in/ski-out access in winter, and in summer, it’s all about fly-fishing, wildlife spotting, and soaking in the stars. End your day with fireside cocktails, elevated dining, or a massage at the tranquil spa. This is the definition of elevated adventure and a true luxury escape in Wyoming.

California

Carmel Valley Ranch

Tucked into 500 acres of wine country in Carmel, California, this all-suite resort is where luxury meets nature. Enjoy morning hikes through oak-covered trails, a round on the Pete Dye golf course, or a treatment at Spa Aiyana. The resort caters to families with kid-friendly programming (think animal encounters and nightly s’mores) while offering couples the kind of quiet luxury that makes Carmel one of California’s top cool-weather getaways. Dining is a highlight especially at Valley Kitchen, where ingredients come straight from the onsite garden.

Montage Laguna Beach

Perched on a bluff above the Pacific, Montage Laguna Beach offers panoramic views, Craftsman-style rooms, and direct access to Treasure Island Beach. Book a couples’ massage at Spa Montage or unwind at the Mosaic Bar and Grille with fresh seafood and a view. With 258 guest rooms and bungalows, all featuring private balconies or patios, this is Southern California at its most luxurious and a perfect summer escape when the heat is rising inland.

Rosewood Miramar Beach, Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara brings the best of the American Riviera, beaches, wine country, and effortless elegance and nowhere captures that better than Rosewood Miramar Beach. Oceanfront suites open directly onto the sand, cabanas line the pool, and spa treatments come with a sea view. This is beach luxury at its most refined.

The Resort at Pelican Hill, Newport Coast

Looking for an Italian-style getaway without leaving California? Pelican Hill overlooks 500+ acres of oceanfront cliffs and brings European elegance to the California coast. Expect private villas with soaking tubs and limestone fireplaces, two Tom Fazio-designed golf courses, and one of the largest circular pools in the world. With a Roman-inspired spa and complimentary beach service to Crystal Cove, this is a five-star resort that checks every box for a relaxing, warm-but-breezy summer retreat.

The Carolinas

For a dose of Southern charm with a breeze, head to the Carolinas. In Charleston, check into The Dewberry for mid-century glamour and rooftop cocktails, or escape the city to The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection, where lowcountry calm and coastal elegance meet. Looking for mountain air? Old Edwards Inn in Highlands, NC and Hotel Domestique near the Blue Ridge Mountains offer upscale comfort and easy access to cool-weather hikes, waterfalls, and wine tastings. Read our guide to Charleston’s best hotels, including The Dunlin.

Virginia

Primland Resort, Blue Ridge Mountains

 Set on 12,000 private acres in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Primland is one of our go-to summer destinations for peace, space, and elevated wilderness. Forest trails, fly fishing in a private stream,sporting clay and golf courses, and an onsite observatory make this property feel like its own little world. Stargazing, spa treatments, and fireside bourbon all come standard at this Auberge Resorts Collection escape. Want a deeper look at what it’s really like? Read KJT advisor Chelsea full recap here.

Ready to Cool Off in Style?

Whether you want to head for the hills or unwind on the coast, we’ll help you find the right luxury resort to match your pace. These aren’t just vacations, they’re your reset button.

Click here to start planning your cool-weather summer escape.