Skippress - Index

Skippress - US Vol. 7 No. 2 - Index

THE BEST SKI VACATIONS IN THE WORLD
Cutting Edge
The Spire Hotel, Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown is in the heart of the Southern Alps: Coronet Peak and the Remarkables are a short drive; Treble
Hotel
Cone and heliskiing just over the hill. The Spire is in the heart of Queenstown, and it left me gobsmacked. Though
Spire
small and intimate, it’s so futuristic, I needed an instructional CD to operate my room. Yes, the room was smarter
The of
than I was. I couldn’t operate the phone, couldn’t turn on the light, couldn’t turn on the giant built-in TV/DVD/
Monitor/Sound system/godonlyknowswhatelse. With help from the solicitous staff, I overcame, but it ruined
Courtesy
forever my fond view of New Zealand as 20 years behind the rest of the world. This boutique hotel is only
behind Star Wars. Slightly. Gotta say, I loved it. A lot. thespirehotels.com — JO Photos:
Photos: Courtesy of The Block
The Block, South Lake Tahoe,
California
When pro snowboarder Marc Frank Montoya envisioned a
hotel for snowboarders by snowboarders, he planned an edgy
form of lodging. One that’s an easy walk from the Heavenly
Gondola and an even easier walk from the casino nightlife on
the Nevada side of South Lake Tahoe. The Block at Tahoe is the
center of the party, a spring-break that lasts all winter.
“When you check in, you’re given the option of an energy drink
or a free beer,” said Josh Murphy. “And it’s all uphill — and
sometimes downhill — from there.”
Murphy would know, as part of a production team that fi lmed a
reality TV show on life at The Block for the cable channel G4.
The reality is that The Block’s 11 themed Signature Rooms cater
to the wilder side of life, from the service bar in NJB to the poker
table and kegerator (BYOB) in Delta 9 and the stripper pole,
padded walls and eclectic, um, art of the Vivid Room.
The Block’s slightly toned-down Modern Rooms round out the
lodging, but all residents are treated to amenities that pay equal
attention to powder, from boot/glove dryers and board racks
in every room to free energy bars and use of the Bluebird
Waxing Room for fi rst-chair prep.
theblockattahoe.com, 1 888 544-4055 — Graham Gephart