This is my last post about chalets after my two previous posts titled “Chalets-Winter Tales (Part 1)” and “Chalets-Winter Tales (Part 2)“.

In this post, I will mention the chalets in Canada, USA, Japan and New Zealand from my chalet book and I will also mention a few things about British Columbia, Aspen, Niseko and Wanaka where the chalets below are located.

I could not help making a little research about the primary venues where the chalets below are for I have noticed that they are located in very special and beautiful places in the world which make them exclusive in their essence. You can either consider to rent some of the chalets if you have means to do, visit the places they are located or; as I had stated in Part 1 of these chalet posts, you can just get immersed in the tales of them.

You may even find, towards the end of this post, a popular hot chocolate recipe from a bar in Aspen, which is referred to as ‘America’s Best Hot Chocolate’ by ‘Travel + Leisure’.

(Photos of the chalets below and info about the chalets only are from the book ”Living In Style Mountain Chalets”, teNeues, 2016. The book (English, German and French edition) is available in Amazon here. For the English edition only, you can check here.)

CANADA

Belmont (Whistler, British Columbia, Canada)

Private property. Constructed in 2007. One of the largest and most luxurious properties in the region.The chalet has its own helipad. Skiers can join trips to the glaciers of Whistler Mountain or Blackcomb Peak by helicopter. The main house has five bedrooms, each with its own private bath. The guest house has two bedrooms and a loft with a living room and kitchen. Modern architecture. Large windows having views of the Canadian forest and natural stone veneers create a naturalistic ambiance. Features a heated outdoor pool, sauna, steam bath and fitness room. Has a nice terrace with a fire pit offering a panoramic mountains’ view.

You may check premiumwhistler.com for a holiday in The Belmont or other luxury chalets in Whistler, Canada. You may also check luxurychaletbook.com for the exclusive chalets in Europe and Canada including The Belmont.

Whistler Mountain, where Whistler-Blackcomb ski resort -the largest ski resort in North America- is located, is within British Columbia in Canada. During the 2010 Winter Olympics (Vancouver 2010) which took place in Vancouver, Whistler had hosted most of the events. The World Ski and Snowboard Festival (WSSF), the largest annual winter sports and music festival in North America which is held each April in Whistler, will be virtual this year due to the pandemic. (whistler.com).

Whistler is located about 120 km. north of Vancouver. It is close to Garibaldi Provincial Park, which is a wildlife protected area with mountains, glaciers, forests, trails, waterfalls and the Garibaldi Lake, and which is a popular destination for outdoor activities. Rainbow Park located on the shores of Alta Lake within walking distance of Whistler Village has spectacular views of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.

Interestingly, I found out that the name ‘whistler’ comes from the whistling sound of the marmots, the largest of the ground squirrels several species of which live in the mountainous areas of British Columbia. They have thick coats to keep them warm. Whistler is said to be named after calls of the hoary marmots in the area. As I looked at their pictures, I think the marmots look very cute and clever. The marmots of British Columbia are said to be interesting animals to observe and very social animals that often live in colonies, but it is stated that they can only be seen in summer since they hibernate for seven or eight months each year. (owlcation.com).

During my search, I came across ”Fairmont Chateau Whistler”, a landmark ski-in ski-out luxury hotel and golf resort in Whistler, which looks gorgeous. If you are a hotel person, you may also opt for this hotel for your stay in Whistler. Fairmont chain has a wide a range of exclusive hotels all over the world (fairmont.com).

Bighorn (Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada)

A mountain lodge located in a forested area at the foot of the Revelstoke mountains. The terrace has magnificent views of the Columbia River. For rent as a vacation residence. Eight guest rooms with their own balcony and private bath. A spacious living room with a fireplace. Vibrant red colors are used at the interior design. I loved the view from its bathroom and the bear picture hanging on the wall of its pretty wooden bedroom (photos below) symbolizing the bears of British Columbia. (bighornrevelstoke.com).

Revelstoke is a city in the southeastern British Columbia on the banks of the Columbia River. The ‘Columbia River‘ is the largest river flowing into the Pacific Ocean from North America. Revelstoke is close to ‘Glacier National Park‘, one of seven national parks in British Columbia containing high peaks, active glaciers, dense forests and great hiking and view trails.

I found out that ”Revelstoke Mountain Resort”, a ski resort on Mount Mackenzie just outside Revelstoke, won ”World Ski Awards” in 2020 as ‘Canada’s best ski resort‘. The other hotel in Canada that is among 2020 World Ski Award Winners is ”Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside” in Whistler, which won the award as ‘Canada’s best ski hotel‘.

USA

Pioneer Springs (Aspen, Colorado, USA)

Located minutes away from the lifts that carry skiers to the snow-covered mountains above Aspen in Colorado state of USA. For rent as a vacation residence. Features one master suite, one guest master suite and five other bedrooms. Outdoor areas are terraced where you can relax on comfortable lounge furniture. Modern decoration inside. An open fireplace with a modern minimalist design dominates the living room. A spacious kitchen with a cooking island. The chalet offers a butler and a private chef as well. (oxfordski.com)

The capital of Colorado is Denver, a well-known American city and a jumping point for ski resorts in the nearby Rocky Mountains. Although most people prefer Aspen for its skiing trails and that it is the most popular destination in Colorado, both cities of Denver and Aspen are known for their scenic beauties and pleasant spots. The distance between Aspen and Denver is about four hours by car and takes an hour by air.

During my research, I came across a gorgeous and a very elegant hotel named ‘The Brown Palace’ in Denver, which is said to have has hosted presidents, prime ministers, film stars and other celebrities since 1892 and has rooms named after the celebrities who have stayed there.

The Brown Palace Hotel, Denver was designed in the Italian Renaissance style, using Colorado red granite and Arizona sandstone for the building’s exterior with 26 medallions carved in stone, each depicting Colorado animals. I loved the lobby of the hotel which looks very elegant. The lobby was designed as an atrium lobby with balconies rising above and onyx from Mexico was imported for the lobby. (brownpalace.com). The hotel is also famous for its restaurants and pubs. I liked the ‘Churchill Bar‘ and ‘Ship Tavern‘ designed as a vintage pub that serves lunch and dinner . If you ever visit Denver, I think an afternoon tea at this elegant hotel or a drink at its bar would be very pleasant. Imagining all the celebrities who have stayed there, one may feel like making a time travel in history in a very special atmosphere at this baroque style hotel.
(I found two books about The Brown Palace in Amazon which drew my interest: “The Brown Palace: Denver’s Grand Dame“, which is said to be full of beautiful pictures of the hotel covering its story, and “Murder at the Brown Palace“, which is said to be the true story of high-profile 1911 murders in the hotel’s Marble Bar.).

Chalet Antonia (Aspen, Colorado, USA)

An authentic chalet located in at the American ski area of Aspen. For rent as a vacation residence. Offers five bedrooms, six baths, a living room, dining room, billiards room, and an office. Floor-to-ceiling windows have a view of picturesque scenery of Aspen. Comfortable upholstered furniture. A rustic kitchen with wooden cabinets and a wrought-iron chandelier. The fireplace in the living room is made of natural stone.

I loved the bedroom (photo below) that looks as if it popped out of a tale with its four-poster beds crafted out of massive branches. I think especially the children would admire this cute room that has a homey look.

Aspen is one of the iconic mountain towns in Colorado best known for its ski resorts. An old silver mining town in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Aspen is also known for its high-end restaurants and boutiques, and landmarks like the Wheeler Opera House, built in 1889 during the area’s silver mining boom.

Surrounded by the Elk Mountains in the heart of the White River National Forest, Aspen is home to many outdoor activities. Although known for its world-class skiing and legendary apres-ski scene, Aspen offers many more activities in summer like rafting, rock-climbing, golf, horseback riding, hot-air ballooning and paragliding within steps of downtown. There are many active cultural institutions in Aspen. The town’s summer programming include the Aspen Film Festival, forums of The Aspen Institute (an international non-profit organization dedicated to issues of global concern), the Aspen Music Festival & School and its legendary concert series. (colorado.com / uncovercolorado.com).

Urban Chalet (Park City, Utah, USA)

Located in Park City, an exclusive ski area in Utah state of USA. Private property. The chalet has eight bedrooms and twelve bathrooms. Huge windows reveal views of the ski run and the surrounding aspen trees. Furnishings reflect a classically modern style. Features a bar, billiards table, climbing wall and an artist’s studio with a pottery kiln. The gas fireplace behind the bar is recessed in the wall.

Utah has some of the best ski tracks of the country and had hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics (‘Salt Lake 2002‘). It is also known for its breathtaking canyons and national parks. Park City, that was once a gold and silver mining town, has some beautiful luxury private homes and hotels. It is home to Sundance Film Festival, the largest independent film festival in USA that takes place each year in January around downtown Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah.

Take note that 2020 winners of World Ski Awards in the United States are from Utah. “Deer Valley Resort“, Utah has been rewarded as “United States’ Best Ski Resort 2020“, and “Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley“, Utah has been rewarded as “United States’ Best Ski Hotel 2020” (worldskiawards.com).

JAPAN

Miyabi and Tsubaki (Niseko, Japan)

Mountain residence with two identical houses situated next to each other: Miyabi and Tsubaki. For rent as vacation residences. Located in Niseko region of Japan, considered to be one of the most stunning ski areas in the world. It is stated that some even refer to the village of Hirafu as ”The Aspen of the East”. The chalets combine the luxury of western comfort with traditional Japanese touches such as the exemplary timber craftsmanship and ancient wall rendering techniques. An expansive living area and large windows. Committed to sustainable building where mostly local materials are used like Japanese cedar cladding and Hokkaido oak flooring. Features a hinoki wood spa. Tubs are made of Japanese Hinoki wood, used also in temples and shrines and known for its being rot-resistant and absorbing the toxic substances. Extra-deep lounge furniture in front of the fireplace offers a cosy relaxing area. (zekkei-properties.com / zekkeicollection.com).

Zekkei (Hirafu, Japan)

Located in Hirafu, Japan. For rent as a vacation residence. Zekkei extends over three floors. A spacious living area with an open layout. Its panoramic windows have a view of the terraced rice fields and impressive Mount Yōtei. Unlike European or American chalets, this chalet does not contain any hunting trophies. Furnished with modern furniture classics from Europe. A timeless look and design. (zekkei-properties.com / zekkeicollection.com [Zekkei Properties is an international developer specialized in holiday residences. Zekkei Collection, the subsidiary of Zekkei Properties, is a travel company specialized in tropical villas and mountain chalets in Asia.]).

Niseko, the region where the above chalets (Miyabi, Tsubaki and Zekkei) in Japan are located, is among world’s top ski resorts known for its tons of light powder snow, fine dining and a large number of foreigners. Niseko’s ski resorts are all located on Mount Niseko-Annupuri the largest of which is Grand Hirafu. The town of Hirafu offers a wide range of restaurants, bars, izakaya (tapas bars of Japan) with an active nightlife. The biggest city in the area is Kutchan which has more shopping and dining options. (japan-guide.com). Mount Yōtei, an active volcano resembling to Mountain Fuji, can be seen from the slopes of Hirafu and creates wonderful panoramas in the region.

You can check my older post about Niseko titled ”Niseko, Japan” for more detailed information about Niseko and restaurant or pub suggestions in the region.

NEW ZEALAND

Whare Kea Lodge & Chalet (Wanaka, New Zealand)

The guesthouse (Whare Kea Lodge) is located in the snow-free area on the shore of Lake Wanaka, a glacial lake and the fourth largest lake in New Zealand. The owners expanded the lodge by adding the Whare Kea Chalet, at an elevation of 1750 meters (5700 feet). Rooms for rent as vacation home. ”Whare Kea” means ”house of the kea” in the Maori language. The kea, found in the alpine regions of the South Island of New Zealand, is the only species of parrot living above the snow line in the mountains and are known for their intelligence and curiosity. Visitors to the lodge rarely encounter these birds which is more likely at the chalet located higher up. Due to the snow loads and wind speeds, steel was used for the framework of the chalet. The chalet can only be reached by helicopter. There is a helipad on the front lawn of the Lodge. Scenic helicopter flights and guided heli-skiing are offered. The lodge has an outdoor pool (hot tub) and billiards & games room with a piano and guitar for guest’s use. Staffing options like housekeeping and private chef are available. (wharekealodge.com).

I have been enchanted by the photos of Whare Kea Lodge & Chalet when I saw them in my chalet book, which is the reason I chose a photo from here as the opening photo of this post. I can imagine how peaceful and pleasant it would be to sit at the porch of the Lodge facing the wonderful panorama of the lake and the mountains. (photo above). I also loved the dining room with a bar and an open fireplace. The floor to ceiling windows gives the impression that you are outside rather than inside. How unique experience it would be to have a meal or drink something at this room as immersed in the wonderful nature around or just sit on the couch facing the snow-capped mountains yet feeling the warmth of the fireplace in front of you. Looking so inviting and warm, to me, this dining room is as if a visual indicator of cosiness. (photos below).

As I saw more photos in the web site of ‘Whare Kea Lodge & Chalet’, and other photos of Wanaka on the net, I was further enchanted by the stunning views of the Wanaka town of New Zealand. Thus I could not help searching a bit about Wanaka.

Wanaka is a popular ski and summer resort town in the South Island of New Zealand known for its turquoise lakes, snow-capped mountains, and incredible scenery. It is located only an hour from the famous New Zealand city of Queenstown. Queenstown, the original home of commercial bungy jumping, is known as the adventure capital of the world. Wanaka is also a hub for outdoor adventures. ‘Mount Aspiring National Park‘, a hiker’s paradise with its mountains, glaciers, river valleys and alpine lakes, is nearby Lake Wanaka. It is stated that there are hundreds of kilometres of tracks for hiking or biking in Wanaka and world class ski areas are just a short drive from the town. (newzealand.com).

I was astonished by the variety of sports you can do in Wanaka. Besides the lake cruises, jetboating, island excursions, fishing and winter sports like skiing and heliskiing; you can do rafting, paddle boarding, kayaking, canyoning, hiking, climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking skydiving and more sports some of which names I even didn’t hear of. If you are interested in golf, Wanaka has a picturesque 18-hole golf course overlooking both the lake and the mountains. Queenstown offers another four courses with outstanding views.

Alternatively, you can tour the neighboring vineyards in Wanaka, specifically the Rippon Vineyard renowned for their Pinot Noir, or award winning breweries and an artisan distillery close by. (wharekealodge.com). Having seen the photos of the breathtaking nature in Wanaka, I was not surprised to learn that Wanaka is also famous for its weddings. No wonder that it is a preferred place for the married couples either to have their wedding photos taken against the romantic panoramas or celebrate their wedding.

I have also taken note of the 19th New Zealand Mountain Film and Book Festival (“NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival 2021“) which is scheduled to run in Wanaka (25-29 June 2021) and Queenstown (1-3 July 2021). The program offers a wide range of films, guest speakers, workshops and presentations from inspirational adventurers. The films and books tell stories of adventure sports, foreign cultures, remote travel and environmental issues. Tickets can be bought from the festival’s web-site. (mountainfilm.nz).

Much More … About British Columbia and Aspen

Since four of the chalets I have mentioned above are located in either British Columbia or Aspen, I wanted to cover these regions with more details in this post. Although they are quite far from each other, both British Columbia and Aspen are located around the Rocky Mountains (the Rockies), a long straight-line mountain range of 3,000 miles (4,800 km).

ASPEN

Aspen town of Colorado, US is one of the world’s iconic ski areas. There are four skiing mountains or resorts in Aspen: Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Highlands and Snowmass. You can ski right into downtown from Aspen Mountain, known locally as “Ajax“. Buttermilk and Snowmass zones are more suitable for beginner skiers. Buttermilk Mountain is home to the Winter X Games, an annual extreme sports event which has been hosted by Aspen since 2002. The Audi Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race series, one of the biggest annual ski-mountaineering races in the United States, utilizes the terrains of all Aspen resorts.

Although glamour, luxury and the celebrities visiting the town come to mind when Aspen is mentioned, it is more than that with its picturesque streets, big brick buildings, streets with the highest end shops, smaller streets with hidden trendy bars, restaurants serving high end fast food and fancy hotels. (katiebamber.com)

Aspen’s lodging options range from campsites with views of the majestic Maroon Bells, the most-photographed peaks in the Elk Mountains in North America, to five-star properties. Aspen offers some of North America’s most exclusive hotels and private chalets. (aspenchamber.org). “Hotel Jerome“, a hotel of Auberge Resorts Collection, has been an Aspen landmark since 1889. Opened first during Aspen’s silver-mining boom, the hotel witnessed the city’s rise to an elite mountain destination among skiers, movie stars, artists, and intellectuals after the Great Depression. Hotel Jerome is centrally located downtown offering a nice blend of modern luxury and historic charm. Mounted wooden deer heads and leather bed frames are notable in its guest rooms. Its “J-Bar” is suggested to enjoy an ‘Aspen Crud‘ – a boozy milkshake. (cntraveler.com). Hotel Jerome had welcomed writers, film stars and artists, among them Hunter S. Thompson, John Wayne, Gary Cooper, Bill Murray and more, who were drawn to the hotel and its famous J-Bar.

“The Little Nell” is stated to be another Aspen icon, offering high-end accommodations and ski-in/ski-out access to Aspen Mountain for guests in its 92 rooms. Even if you don’t stay there, its ‘Wine Bar at The Nell” is suggested for a glass of wine or a steaming mug of their popular hot chocolate. (See underneath the photos below for its recipe). For more moderate places to stay at, “Aspen Street Lodge” and “Limelight Hotel Aspen” are suggested. (cntraveler.com).

As for the suggestions of where to eat and drink in Aspen, “Bear Den Aspen” is suggested for brunch and “White House Tavern” for lunch. Take note of “Ellina” for Italian cuisine; “Nakazawa Aspen” for sushi and “French Alpine Bistro” for raclette and fondue. “Hooch” is suggested for craft cocktails. (cntraveler.com).

While its best-known as a ski resort, Aspen is said to be equally attractive outside the winter season. You can hike, bike, do mountain yoga or a range of other activities. There are also lots of festivals in summer you can attend including the “Aspen Music Festival“, the “Food & Wine Classic” and “Aspen Ideas Festival by the Aspen Institute“. (amuse.vice.com). I think “Wheeler Opera House“, a landmark in Aspen made in late 1800s, is also a must see.

Aspen is also a shopping hub, with many fashion brands lining the streets downtown. If you are an arts lover you can visit ‘Aspen Art Museum‘ and the many galleries around town, including ‘Gonzo Gallery‘ and the ‘Cha Cha Gallery‘. (cntraveler.com). You can even enjoy a show for the night at “Belly Up“, Aspen’s 500-person live music venue featuring renowned artists. (colorado.com).

Finally about Aspen, I want to mention the aspen trees the resort has named itself after. I loved the look of these trees silvery grey in winter and sweet yellow in autumn which seem to have a role in the beauty of the town.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

British Columbia (BC) is a province of Canada located on the west coast of Canada next to the Pacific Ocean. Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and is located on Vancouver Island – the largest island in BC. There are many scenic nature parks in British Columbia within beautiful landscapes among mountains, glaciers, forests, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, beaches and nice trails and endless possibilities of outdoor sports you can do in its generous nature either in winter or summer namely cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, camping, hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, canoeing, golf and more. (hellobc.com). British Columbia is also home to unique animals like black bears, squirrels, marmot, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk, rabbits and mule deers. I have read that you can come across warnings about bears and wolves in the region or a mule deer can disrupt traffic over the road.

If you are in search of peace, I bet a scenic train tour would do more than you could imagine. Especially if this train operates within the nature in a very far away land like British Columbia (BC), the land of bears and wolves. This is the ‘Skeena train‘ (the ‘Rupert Rocket‘) that departs Jasper to Prince Rupert through the hinterlands of BC . It is stated that this Jasper to Prince Rupert train mainly serves Canada’s Indigenous First Nations people, who have no other means of transport to cross one of the least-populated areas in North America. Monisha Rajesh, a British journalist and a travel writer, tells about her Skeena train trip and travel in British Columbia in an article in October 2020 issue of ‘The Sunday Times Travel’ magazine. She describes Jasper, the town the train departs as follows, which I think helps a lot to imagine this remote part of the world:

“Jasper, a Rocky Mountains resort town reminiscent of a remote ski village, with liquor stores, couples licking waffle cones from Scoops & Loops and gift shops selling bear spray at the counter, next to the chewing gum. Flower baskets brighten the streets, black bears forage in the backyard bins and taxi drivers will tell you how an angry elk once chased them up a fence … .” (Sunday Times Travel, October 2020 issue).

The journey of the Skeena train covers 1,160 km (720 miles) and takes about 20 hours. The train stops overnight in Prince George ending its journey in Prince Rupert on Kaien Island, by the Alaskan border. As the writer Monisha Rajesh tells in her above mentioned article, the train passes by the banks of the Fraser River (the longest river within British Columbia), the shore of Moose Lake, Mount Robson (highest point in the Canadian Rockies and located within Mount Robson Provincial Park) and Butze Rapids Trail (used for hiking, walking, running, and nature trips and located near Prince Rupert an hour’s walk from Cow Bay).

At the entrance of Butze Rapids Trail, the writer tells that they read the warnings about bears and wolves in the area and about carrying noise makers and bear spray. Monisha Rajesh recommends to allow two days to explore Prince Rupert or more if you want to take in a bear or whale watching tour (adventuretours.net), and then to take the ferry to Vancouver -back to noise and business as she puts it- to fly back from Vancouver. (‘BC Ferries’ runs a ferry service from Port Hardy on Northern Vancouver Island to Prince Rupert in Northern British Columbia.).

The few places to stay Rajesh recommends in her article in Sunday Times Travel are ”Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge” in Jasper with log cabins and a golf course, and “Cow Bay Pioneer Guesthouse” in Prince Rupert. The writer’s suggested places to eat are “Evil Dave’s Grill” in Jasper which is stated to be home of the best bison and wild-boar meatloaf, and “Dolly’s“(dollysfishmarket.com) in Prince Rupert which is a fishmonger selling everything from lobster to smoked black cod and candied salmon.

The Okanagan Valley, British Columbia’s wine country that is an hour-long flight away to Vancouver, ranks among the most beautiful wine regions in North America. Picturesque vineyards and wineries surround Lake Okanagan, beside low mountains in southern British Columbia. ‘Tantalus Vineyards‘ (known for aromatic Rieslings), ‘Mission Hill Family Estate(Winery)’ (known for its expressive Chardonnays and Pinot noirs), ‘Blue Mountain Winery‘ and ‘Black Hills Estate Winery‘ are among the top producers that also have tasting rooms. (travelandleisure.com). When Prince William and Kate Middleton visited Canada as part of their Commonwealth tour in 2016, they stopped by in ‘Mission Hill Winery’ in Kelowna to taste the local food and drink sourced from the Okanagan valley. Mission Hill and its partner wineries are stated to be the best places to experience some of the area’s award-winning wines.

The region’s varied climate, partly due to the length of the Okanagan Lake, is said to create hospitable conditions for a wide array of grapes. Canadian wine expert Kurtis Kolt says:

“The southern part of the Okanagan is hotter than Napa Valley. In the north, it’s much cooler. You’ve got bears. They come down in the middle of the night and gorge on grapes. Call it true Canadian-style wine growing.” (travelandleisure.com)

Could you ever imagine that there is also a bear’s effort in a glass of exclusive wine you drink? That’s a real gift of the nature which offers unlimited hidden beauties to the mankind whether in British Columbia or in Aspen or Wanaka.

Notes: You can find the book by Monisha Rajesh titled “Around The World In 80 Trains“, winner of The National Geographic Traveller award for the best travel book, in Amazon. For the books about British Columbia you can check here.
I liked the book “Aspen Style” by Assouline, my favorite publisher. The landmarks of Aspen like ‘Hotel Jerome’ and ‘Wheeler Opera House’ are covered in the book.
You can find the chalet book ”Living In Style Mountain Chalets” in Amazon here.
The two books I liked about iconic ‘The Brown Palace Hotel‘ in Denver: “The Brown Palace: Denver’s Grand Dame“, and “Murder at the Brown Palace“.