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	The Main Wine Cellar at Lake Louise's Post Hotel and Spa

Not everyone has the benefit of living in a mountain town and skiing or snowboarding 100 plus days a season, going home for lunch and sleeping in your own bed after an epic powder day. For most, great ski trips generally involve slightly shady hotels (or someone's couch), early morning greasy spoon breakfasts, lift lines and cheap beer when you get off the hill. Plasma TVs and movies-on-demand may not be your standard, but every once in awhile it's nice to indulge, dig into the history of a resort and enjoy some fine food and wine. So while you're planning this winter's ski week, why not consider one of these luxe lodges, with lots of history, fireplaces and warm beds to go around.

Stein Ericksen Lodge, Deer Valley, Utah
Nestled in the heart of the Wasatch Range, Olympic skier Stein Ericksen's eponymous lodge is a winter enthusiast's dream. Notably understated and tastefully decorated, the resort offers all of the creature comforts to its guests. If you're looking for an indulgent week, this is Utah's premier spot. Tucked mid-mountain at Deer Valley, the Lodge offers ski-in and ski-out access to the resort, as well as access to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and shuttle service to Park City Mountain Resort and into town. Not that there will be a reason to leave. The Stein Ericksen Lodge boasts a full-service spa to soothe your tired muscles after a long day on the hill, a heated indoor pool, Jacuzzi and sauna. Wind down with a meal at Glitretind, the Lodge's award-winning restaurant; choose a bottle of wine from their more than 350 selections or order room service and enjoy one of their plush suites before another day of epic skiing. If you wind up at the Lodge toward the end of January, take advantage of the shuttle service and enjoy the renowned Sundance film festival. Stein Ericksen offers a number of ski packages and ski and spa packages at different times of the year, beginning at $219 per person including lift tickets. Visit www. Steinlodge.com or cal 1-800-453-1302 for more information.

Post Hotel and Spa, Lake Louise, Canada
With a backdrop like the Canadian Rockies and the 4,000 acres of monumental terrain at Lake Louise Ski Area, there is no reason not to visit the Post Hotel and Spa. The bright red tin roof and log cabin main hotel, which first opened its doors in 1942, is a landmark in the heart of the Village of Lake Louise. Banff National Park, where Lake Louise is located, offers downhill, cross-country and heli-skiing all a stone's throw away. Relax after a hard day at the nearby Banff Upper Hot Springs or Radium Hot Springs, or settle onto a table for a deep-tissue massage. Wine connoisseurs will giggle with delight at the hotel's more than 1,500 wine selections from its 28,500-bottle cellar. Disappear into the bouquet of a 1959 bottle of Châteaux Haut-Brion while dining on the fine European-style cuisine prepared by the Hotel's international cooking team, led by Bavarian Executive Chef Wolfgang Vogt. The Post Hotel and Spa was voted the third Best Rustic Retreat in the World by Gourmet magazine, a distinction that should hardly be overlooked. With rates starting at $195 per night Canadian, those looking for a memorable vacation should visit www.posthotel.com to book a reservation.

Sun Valley Lodge, Sun Valley, Idaho
While most of the lodges listed here are independent from the ski resorts, the historic Sun Valley Lodge is part of America's first destination resort, built in 1936 by Union Pacific Railroad. Recently remodeled, Lodge visitors can still experience what Averell Harriman called “roughing it in luxury.” Those looking for a little extra dose of history should note that Room 206 is reportedly where Ernest Hemingway completed his famous novel, For Whom the Bell Tolls. The Lodge has 148 rooms, all of which feature French country interiors, flat screen plasma televisions, DVD players and high-speed Internet access. The resort has 13 different restaurants and five bars for a complete dining experience. There's a day spa and full service salon, two enclosed, heated pools and a Jacuzzi for evening relaxation. Skiers can enjoy Baldy and Dollar Mountains, more than 2,000 skiable acres combined. The Lodge offers a great spring package that includes seven nights accommodations, a five of six-day lift ticket, mountain tour and a little nighttime fun for $767 per person. That works out to just over $100 a day to ski and stay in this sublime location. Visit www.sunvalley.com for more information or to book a reservation.