The Winter Olympics come once every four years, and in case you missed any of the commercials, they’re kind of a big deal. If you don’t happen to be an Olympian or can’t make it to Russia to watch the action, that’s OK. We’ve got plenty of ways to cure your Olympics fever stateside. From former host city Salt Lake City, to the downhill mecca of Aspen, to Denver, where winter sports give just about everyone a Rocky Mountain High, we can help you get out there and be inspired.
Salt Lake City hosted the Games in 2002, so the Hotel Monaco in Salt Lake City might know a thing or two to help get your Olympics on. Borrow one of our complimentary bikes for a three-mile ride to Olympic Cauldron Park. It has the iconic cauldron and the Hoberman Arch, where you can walk on the same stage the medalists did. Go ahead and play the Star Spangled Banner in your earbuds and imagine big. If you want a more active Olympic experience, head to the nearby Olympic Oval and try some curling and skating. Also, Olympic Park (not to be confused with Olympic Cauldron Park) is the official training spot for many athletes you’ll see at the Sochi Games. If you’re over the age of 16, you can even ride a real Olympic bobsled (that’s feet first) or skeleton (that’s head first). It’s all 30 miles to the east and easily reached by shuttles that depart just a half-block away from the Monaco. See more about our Salt Lake City ski packages and The Greatest Snow on Earth.
If you’re looking for a ski-right-in kind of experience, the Sky Hotel in Aspen will have you shredding the slopes like an Olympian in no time. It’s at the foot of Aspen Mountain and in the center of everything that’s anything in Aspen. The Sky is serene, but will also give your Olympics fix a skosh of swank. The gold medal favorite for après ski experiences is Sky Hotel’s 39 Degrees. Chill with a Russian vodka tonic and curb your appetites for fun and flavor — all the cool kids know 39 Degrees as Aspen’s best place to see and be seen. Specials at the Aspen Sky can inspire an Olympics-themed getaway, even if your name isn’t Shaun White or Julia Mancuso.
The Hotel Monaco in Denver is just a snowball’s throw from the mountains and the perfect place to regroup on your way to or from the slopes. There are specials you can snag here, too, for a mile-high nod to the Olympics. If you spend more time falling down the mountain than skiing down it, the Veda Salon and Spa will soothe the achiest muscles; it’s a full-line Aveda destination right onsite. And, for your Olympic-sized appetite, Fodor’s just named Panzano one of Denver’s Top 5 Restaurants to watch in 2014. Its Northern Italian cuisine is like what the locals nosh in Turin (hello, the host to the 2006 Winter Games). See why Panzano earned all kinds of honors, including the coveted AAA Four Diamond Award.
Let the Games begin!
— Rachel Bell
