For someone who loves to ski and visit the snow, I’m not what you might call the best skier to hit the slopes. But when you hail from Southern California I should get a bit of a pass on that one. This winter I’ve been dreaming of visiting one of the top ski resorts in North America and I began to do some research on the best spots that can be booked with points. The nice resorts can be very pricy, couple that with ski equipment rentals, lift passes, and the next thing you know you’re spending the rest of the year saving up for next winter!

1. The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch

The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch is a Tier 5 property in The Ritz-Carlton Rewards. Tier 5 Ritz-Carlton hotels are not cheap at 70,000 points per night but can be redeemed with Marriott points which are transferrable from the Chase Ultimate Rewards program earned from The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Chase Ink Plus Cards (not the best use of those points). You can also sign up for the Ritz-Carlton 140k point credit card or the Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card to help you consolidate points for stays at the Ritz-Carlton. This hotel is absolutely stunning and tops my bucket list!

“A pristine snow-packed trail awaits the first run of the day. Mountain bikes cruise past bursts of wildflowers. From season to season, The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch offers an unforgettable escape in the heart of the majestic Colorado Rocky Mountains, precisely tuning your stay – like your skis – with a personalized touch. Experience an exceptional Beaver Creek resort that allows you to maintain a pace as gentle or exhilarating as you like, with unparalleled ski-in, ski-out access, top-ranked golf courses, a world-class spa and fine dining at Wolfgang Puck’s renowned Spago. Our Colorado luxury resort’s way of turning family vacations, corporate retreats and magnificent mountain weddings into unforgettable memories is all you need to return – over and over again.

This winter, experience an exceptional resort with unparalleled ski-in, ski-out access to over 1,800 acres of skiable terrain – view the latest Beaver Creek snow forecast.” – Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch homepage

       2. Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spa

The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek is a category 7 Hyatt Hotel and is bookable for 30,000 Hyatt Gold Passport Points per night or with a free award night earned by new cardholders. The hotel regularly runs anywhere from $500-$1,000+ per night in a standard king room. The Chase Hyatt Credit Card has one of my favorite sign up bonuses, offering 2 free nights at any Hyatt in the world when you spend $1,000 in 3 months! You could get 2 nights at The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, a potential value of over $2,000…wait for it….FOR FREE!

“Park Hyatt Beaver Creek is an official sponsor for the 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships. Add a touch of rarity to your Vail Valley adventure, in a mountainside setting brimming with possibility. Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa is a place where rare and unexpected pleasures are woven seamlessly into the fabric of each day. From the hotel’s winter ski in-ski out access in the village, to the thrill of white-water rafting, hiking and outdoor adventures for all seasons, the best of Beaver Creek is waiting for you, just outside our doors.” – Park Hyatt Beaver Creek homepage

       3. Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe  

“The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe is the only AAA Five Diamond ski-in, ski-out mountain resort in California.” – The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe homepage

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe is a Tier 4 property in The Ritz-Carlton Rewards costing 60,000 points per night.

      4. The St. Regis Deer Valley

“Unwind in absolute luxury with ski-in, ski-out access to Deer Valley’s® impeccably groomed slopes, a private ski beach, split-level infinity swimming pool and adjacent hot tubs. Remède Spa offers total indulgence and a superb Athletic Club.” – The St. Regis Deer Valley homepage

 

The St. Regis Deer Valley is part of the Starwood hotel group and is a category 7 hotel which normally fetches north of $1,000 per night! SPG category 7 hotels will run you 30,000 points per night or 15,000 points + $275 with cash + points. The Starwood Preferred Guest program is, in my opinion, the best loyalty reward program out there. They have fantastic hotels at very reasonable point redemptions and also give you flexibility with over two dozen major airline programs in which you can transfer your points to and receive an additional 5,000 points free with every 20,000 point transfer! Start earning SPG points by signing up for the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card if you don’t already have it!

     5. The St. Regis Aspen Resort

“A contemporary version of a Gilded Age mountainside manor which provides an uncompromising base for arbiters of fine food and wine, connoisseurs of culture and adventure seekers. Located just steps from Aspen’s signature slopes and featuring premier amenities and St. Regis service, welcome to our signature Aspen resort.” – The St. Regis Aspen Resort homepage

The St. Regis Aspen Resort is also part of the Starwood hotel group and also a category 7 hotel which has a bit better availability than the The St. Regis Deer Valley in the winter and can price in anywhere from $600-$1500 per night or 30,000 SPG points. There is also St. Regis Residence Club, Aspen which are residence suites at the same property, but can cost up to $3,000! I don’t believe there is any availability for the residence suites for reward bookings through SPG.

6. Vail Marriott Mountain Resort

“Nestled at the base of Vail Mountain, the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort in Lionshead Village is one of Colorado’s most celebrated resorts. Our Vail ski resort is just 150 yards from the Eagle-Bahn Gondola and offers relaxed lodging options for daredevils, daydreamers and those seeking a little adventure. Featuring all the hospitality and charm of a European ski and spa resort, our Vail resort is the destination of choice for vacationers seeking the exceptional. The natural beauty that surrounds our breathtaking Vail luxury resort is reflected in a chateau atmosphere of warm elegance, complete with rich wood accents, cozy rooms with plush beds, heated pools, outdoor recreation and a luxurious spa. With 5,289 acres and seven legendary bowls, Vail Resort is the largest ski resort in the nation, welcoming skiers and snowboarders from all over the world. Our resort also boasts over 21,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space for Vail events. Discover why Vail continues to top ski resort polls year after year.” – Vail Marriott Mountain Resort homepage

The Vail Marriott Mountain Resort is a Marriott category 9 hotel that costs 45,000 points per night. This hotel is more reasonably priced (and when I say reasonable, it’s only relatively speaking) than the ones listed above with nights ranging from $400-$700 per night. This hotel is still one of the most beautiful hotels in Vail, Colorado and is great value for a couple of nights stay at a ski resort.

   7. Hotel Park City, Autograph Collection

The Hotel Park City, Autograph Collection is part of a new group of hotels by Marriott labeled the Autograph Collection and is an evolving ensemble of strikingly independent hotels. Exactly like nothing else, each destination has been selected for its quality, bold originality, rich character and uncommon details. From near to far, iconic to historic, the result is an array of properties that is nothing less than unique, nothing short of collectively exceptional. This group of hotel includes the Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, the Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas, and various luxurious, stylish, and modern hotels throughout Europe and Asia.

The Hotel Park City, Autograph Collection is a Marriott category 8 hotel that costs 40,000 points per night. I must say that the hotels that are part of the Autograph Collection’s portfolio are not only impressive but stunning. This hotel is no exception, and is a great option to book with points in vibrant Park City. Park City was host to many events in the 2002 Winter Olympics and is known for its fantastic ski slopes.

8. Marriott’s MountainSide

Marriott’s MountainSide is also located in Park City, Utah and is “framed by Wasatch Mountain, our resort places superb skiing, cultural events, and seasonal activities right at your fingertips. Discover comfortable guestrooms and spacious one- and two-bedroom villas with convenient amenities to make you feel right at home here in the Utah mountains. Our villas feature separate living and dining areas, fully equipped kitchens, TVs and DVD player, complimentary wireless Internet, and can comfortably accommodate up to eight guests. Standard guestrooms with a kitchenette, king-size bed and sofa bed are also available for up to four people. Take advantage of our ski-in, ski-out access to the slopes in the cooler months, but make sure to enjoy all of the other activities that our resort offers, too – including a refreshing outdoor pool, a whirlpool, and a sauna. Visit Marriott’s MountainSide today, and start planning your Park City getaway.” – Marriott’s MountainSide homepage

 

The Hotel Park City, Autograph Collection is also Marriott category 8 hotel that costs 40,000 points per night and is another great option for a beautiful resort stay in world-famous Park City. It’s definitely to choose between options #7 and #8 but you can try one night at each resort and let me know which one you prefer!

 

What other beautiful winter resorts that are bookable by points should’ve made this list? Have you stayed at any of the resorts included in this post? Are you one of those professional black diamond skiers, more of a beginner on the bunny slopes, or more of an intermediate skier like me? Share your experiences and your thoughts on what you think are the best winter resorts!