The Getaway

• For $89, a one-night stay for two adults and up to two kids in a Standard room Sunday–Thursday
• Or, for $99, a one-night stay for two adults and up to two kids in a Superior room Sunday–Thursday
• Or, for $119, a one-night stay for two adults and up to two kids in a Standard room on Friday or Saturday
• Or, for $129, a one-night stay for two adults and up to two kids in a Superior room on Friday or Saturday
  
  Included in all options:
• Self parking
• $15 per night resort fee</p>

Peaceful Mountain Retreat amid Towering Ponderosas

From a distance, copper- and golden-colored leaves blend together like the wispy brushstrokes of an impressionist painting, framing the picturesque mountain landscape. Trails wend under the canopy of trees—which towers with emerald ponderosas and golden aspens—before the path delivers travelers to the doorstep of Vail Cascade Resort & Spa. Even when guests retire to the hotel after a day of adventures, hints of the surrounding beauty permeate the property: Natural light pours into the cozy lounges and restaurants to illuminate exposed wooden beams, and decks with fire pits peer out to the scenery. Year-round outdoor activities and a warm, modern atmosphere draw vacationers to this recently renovated lodge, which was recognized as one of Travel + Leisure’s top 500 hotels in the world in 2011.

When vacationers settle into Standard and Superior rooms, plush pillows sprawl across each down king or queen bed. Cotton robes, high-speed Internet, and a 42-inch flat-screen television elevate the comforts of hibernation, and upholstered leather chairs welcome guests to relax and imagine their faces as ice sculptures. The main lodge hosts both Standard and Superior rooms; the former oversees the courtyard, and the latter peers out to the Vail mountainside. Stone-tile floors and a granite vanity add an earthy touch to the lodgings, augmented by the bedroom’s shimmering jewel tones.

The mountain retreat’s Aria Spa & Club keeps lodgers active with racket sports and group-fitness classes and soothes them with its heated pools and high-altitude massages. To fuel adventurers, chef Adam Votaw partners with pastry chef Felicia Jablonski to plate creative American fare at Atwater on Gore Creek. A continental smorgasbord rests alongside personalized omelets and vegetarian and gluten-free selections for diners who line up for the breakfast buffet.

Vail, Colorado: Mountain Playground in the Heart of the Rockies

Set among ponderosas and snow-capped mountain peaks, Vail Cascade palpitates at the center of Colorado’s mountain-recreation scene. About 5 miles east of the hotel, White River National Forest is awash with crystal-clear waters and flower-flecked meadows that sit below the towering Rocky Mountains. The 2.3-million-acre woodland plays host to innumerable wildlife habitats and recreational ventures, allowing travelers to take in fresh mountain breezes while biking, fishing, or stacking boulders. Travelers may also tote their tackle boxes to the nearby Vail Nature Center for fly-fishing tutorials, guided hikes, and photography classes in 7 acres of meadows.

Dwarf evergreens, crocuses, and waterfalls lend to the meditative vibe at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, which retains its status as one of the highest-altitude botanical gardens in the world. After a day of alpine adventures, sylvan sojourners can stop at the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum to learn about the evolution of icy sports. On Wednesdays and Sundays, historic Vail Village walking tours branch out from the museum and wind throughout its notable thoroughfares.