solairus aviation blog

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s important to take some time out for yourself to relax. After all, winter only comes once a year. Grab your family, snow gear, and favorite sweaters; charter a private jet from Solairus and make your way to one of America’s best luxury winter haute-spots.

The Whiteface Lodge | Lake Placid, N.Y.

The Whiteface Lodge is a resort that encompasses the Great Camps feel of the Adirondack Mountains. Enjoy the comforts of the authentic Adirondack furnishings and the hand-milled timber accents in the place that Travel + Leisure named the “Northeast’s Best Mountain Resort.” The glow throughout the lodge gives it a German Black Forest feel that makes you feel like you’ve found the perfect union of modern luxury and rustic elegance. When you charter a private jet and stay at the Whiteface Lodge, book the Grand Lodge Presidential Suite, which offers two private bedrooms, a private master suite and splendid views of the Adirondacks from the enclosed balconies. To help you warm up on the most bitter-cold days, partake in the Cigar & Cognac Learn-Tos.  (http://www.thewhitefacelodge.com/)

The Lodge and Spa at Three Forks Ranch | Savery, Wyo.

As a world-class, 15-room resort and spa situated on 200,000 acres of private land, the Lodge and Spa at Three Forks Ranch offers wintertime activities that are tailored to your passions. While Three Forks Ranch has immaculately appointed master suites that feature L’Occitane amenities and Belasari Italian linens, the lodge prides itself on its menu of Exclusive Events that offer adventure without the need to travel far or deal with the annoyances of tourist hotspots. During the winter, enjoy skiing (downhill and cross-country), snowboarding, sledding, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, ice fishing  and snowmobiling. The Personal Guide that the lodge provides its guests helps ensure that every moment of your stay is nothing less than exquisite. (http://www.threeforksranch.com/)

Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley | Park City, Utah

As a AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star accommodation, the Stein Eriksen Lodge is one of the premier resorts in the U.S. to charter a private jet to. Enjoy world-class skiing during the winter, as well as horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowshoeing, snow tubing and snowmobiling as the Rocky Mountains serve as a majestic backdrop. After a day of play, relax at the five-star, 23,000-square- foot luxury spa where you’re treated to personalized treatments, including full salon services. Then head over to the Glitretind, the Forbes Four Star on-site restaurant, for an unforgettable meal and house-made chocolates. When you stay at the Stein Eriksen Lodge, book one of the Grand Suites in the Mountain Lodge. Each suite has its own distinct style, a full-sized European kitchen, stone fireplace, private deck and up to 3,000 square feet of space.  (http://www.steinlodge.com/)   

The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera | Edwards, Colo.

A woman paddleboarding in the mountains. Photo Credit: Cathleen Calkins.

Ride the wave of paddling’s fastest growing sport by giving stand up paddleboarding, or SUP, a try. Once you do, you won’t find it surprising that SUP has won the battle of paddlesports. People of all ages and levels are standing tall and cruising waterways. While the sport first came into its own in Hawaii, mountain towns have successfully adopted SUP because of its fun application on the calm, clear waters found in alpine environments. Here’s some advice on top private jet mountain vacation destinations to SUP.

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is to stand up paddleboarding like surfing is to Hawaii; it’s just a natural fit. And Lake Tahoe offers every level of paddleboarder, from newbie to expert paddler, an experience that is memorable. Not only for the mountain views but the scene below the board: Tahoe’s water clarity is one of the best in the world. Plus, the north end of the lake delivers one sandy beach after another. Nearby Kings Beach is a perfect launch site – shallow, warm waters and easy access to Crystal Bay Point State Beach, a half hour paddle away. A Drift Tahoe offers rentals and the convenience of a nearby launch zone. (www.standuppaddletahoe.com/contact-us.html)

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Spectacular Jackson Lake inside Grand Teton National Park is the place to paddle in Wyoming. When you not staring at the granite faces of the Park’s storied peaks, look to the calm waters. Wilds and wildlife abound, from beaver lodges and sunken remains of a forest to osprey and bald eagle nests, and whatever else is lining up at the water’s edge (think moose and bear). Rendezvous River Sports in Jackson rents SUPs. (http://www.jacksonholekayak.com/)

Steamboat Springs

At 8,100 feet above sea level, Steamboat Lake soars almost as high as region mountaintops. Take in the continental divide during an early morning paddle. Late summer water temps crest at a perfectly refreshing 70 degrees and provide a cool catch as you dive from your board. Ski Haus in downtown rents paddleboards. (http://skihaussteamboat.com/paddle-boards/)

Telluride

Under the shadow of Colorado’s fourteen thousand foot peaks Telluride probably offers the most scenic options. Trout Lake, just 15 minutes from down town, and Woods Lake, 20 minutes from town, supply calm waters, quiet shoreline, and alpine splendor. Both sit at the center of captivating valleys making stand up paddle boarding as much about the activity as it is about the views. Jagged Edge on Main Street offers paddleboard rentals and guided tours. (http://www.jagged-edge-telluride.com/contact/)

Park City

While Park City is known for arts, culture and forested slopes, the region is also becoming a haven for private jet travelers to test their SUPprowess at Jordanelle State Park. Jordanelle Reservoir is a scenic 15-minute drive east of Park City and delivers a myriad of options, from paddling shoreline marshes looking for wildlife to striking out in open water with stunning views of the Wasatch Range. Jordanelle Rentals has paddleboards for rent. (http://www.jordanellerentals.com/paddle-board-rentals)

Sun Valley

If your desire is to see less people and more wildlife, Sun Valley, Idaho might have the answer. While cold, calm waters come with altitude so do views of the Sawtooth Mountains. Sun Valley’s nearby alpine lakes, Redfish, Alturas and Pettit, deliver in spades. For a warmer paddle head south of town to Magic Reservoir; water temps here hover in the 60s. Remember, warm water in the mountains is relative. Rent paddleboards at Idaho River Sports in Ketchum. (http://www.idahoriversports.com/)

Published with permission from Inspirato.com

About Inspirato

We're revolutionizing the way luxury travelers spend quality time with their family and friends.
At Inspirato, we've taken best-of-class service and resort amenities combined with the low cost of villa rental to bring you the premiere club for a new generation of luxury travelers. 

Our membership plan is simple and affordable. 
You pay a one-time membership fee of $15,000, a small annual renewal fee of $2,500 and that's it. You can book any home in our portfolio, as often as you like, even during peak times… and pay only for what you use. Depending on the location, your savings over market rates can cover the membership fee in just a few trips.

The Wasatch Mountains provide an excellent scenery backdrop for a charter jet fly-fishing trip (Photo Credit: Meghan M. Hicks)

Fly fishing is a beloved sport around the world and Park City, Utah is no exception. Experienced anglers as well as those looking to learn a new form of recreation will enjoy the robust and high-quality fly-fishing opportunities offered in this geographic area. Some spots are located very close to downtown Park City, and superb mountain views surround every fishing hole!

Locals and private charter jet travelers all love the Provo River, which is highly accessible by car, a short drive from town, and often a hotbed of fly fishing. The Provo River meanders past Park City to town’s east and south, through two reservoirs, across flatland stretches, and among the tumbling cascades and sleek, flat-water holes of Provo Canyon. The closest access point is a 20-minute drive from the Inspirato residences. This river, with its proximity, accessibility, and fishing quality, makes a great destination for half and full-day outings.

Locals call the Weber River, which is smaller than the Provo but just as close to Park City, a hidden gem. During peak fly-fishing seasons, you’re likely to share the Provo River with other anglers. Alternately, the hot holes of the Weber River are often empty except for you. This river is another perfect spot for a half or full-day outing from Park City.

The Strawberry River’s best fly-fishing locations are about an hour’s drive, through scenery that’s worth the outing alone, from the Inspirato residences. The river is known for its big brown trout. The Strawberry River is a remote river as compared to the Provo and Weber Rivers, and you feel like you’re in the wild! Choose the Strawberry River for a full-day excursion.

If you seek a multi-day fly-fishing expedition from Park City, you’re also in luck with the Green River. The Green River is accessible from a couple areas in Wyoming, which are a 2.5-hour drive from Park City. You can also fish the Green River in Utah via a 3.5-hour drive from Park City. Multi-day float trips, based on either lodging or camping, allow access to the best of the Green River.

If you’re an experienced angler with your own gear, fly fishing near Park City can be accomplished solo. Let your Destination Concierge arrange for your fishing licenses, gather information from local fishing reports, and secure transportation. Guided fly-fishing outings are exceptionally popular in Park City, and they can be catered to your ability and interests. Allow your Destination Concierge and your fly-fishing guide plan yours! Your guided trip will include gear, instruction, your guide’s local knowledge, food, transportation, licenses, and anything else you might need for fishing success.

We have one last secret. You diehard anglers will be elated to know that Park City has a number of hike-to fly-fishing spots in remote, alpine settings. They require legwork to learn about and access, but they are worth it!

On your next spring, summer, or fall privater charter jet vacation to Park City and Deer Valley, give fly fishing and some of the local fishing holes a go!

Published with permission from Inspirato.com

About Inspirato

We're revolutionizing the way luxury travelers spend quality time with their family and friends.
At Inspirato, we've taken best-of-class service and resort amenities combined with the low cost of villa rental to bring you the premiere club for a new generation of luxury travelers. 

Our membership plan is simple and affordable. 
You pay a one-time membership fee of $15,000, a small annual renewal fee of $2,500 and that's it. You can book any home in our portfolio, as often as you like, even during peak times… and pay only for what you use. Depending on the location, your savings over market rates can cover the membership fee in just a few trips.