It's ski season! Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe

Last October I spent a beautiful couple of days at the Ritz-Carlton resort at Lake Tahoe, California.

It’s a gorgeous place, both indoors and out. The resort is halfway up the mountain with gondola access to Northstar Village below.

Above is a picture of what the the resort looks like now—covered in snow in the midst of what is shaping up to be a record-breaking season for the area. With on-site ski rentals, a snowboarding school, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and a jacuzzi that overlooks the slopes, there’s really not much more than you can ask for!

If you can’t make it there for ski season (which extends October through May some years!) then definitely go during the off season, when the mountains become a paradise for hikers and mountain bikers. Or you can do what I did, and swim leisurely laps in the spa pool under the warm sun all afternoon. Lake Tahoe itself is a short drive away—perfect for sailing or kayaking. 

Whatever you do, and whenever you go, be sure to order their version of s’mores at Manzanita restaurant… it has homemade graham crackers, toasted marshmallows, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and a molten chocolate cake! So delicious!

2011 Bucket List, Part 2

Just about anyone can plan a vacation. At FROSCH, we help you take things to the next level by offering exclusive, unique experiences that offer dimension and depth to your travels. Here are a few ideas to help you do more in 2011.

If you've flown puddle-jumpers to traverse Europe…
Travel in the highest luxury on the Orient-Express overnight sleeper train from Paris to Istanbul. In a private suite, with your own personal steward, you’ll immerse yourself in old-world charm and comfort.

Creative Commons photo by the patruck

If you've watched the Monaco Grand Prix…

Visit the Ferrari and Lamborghini Galleries outside of Modena, Italy, and get the chance to test-drive a race car yourself.

If you've cruised the Caribbean…

Broaden your mind and your cultural literacy by way of expedition cruising, where you’ll witness the untouched landscapes of the Galapagos Islands or Antarctica, or forgotten civilizations of Papua New Guinea or Borneo.

If you've visited a French vineyard…

Head up to Belgium to see how hops are grown, tour a brewery and learn the history and art of this time-honored craft.

Creative Commons photo by C. Y. Chow

If you've been on a safari…

Well, do another one, and this time, do some good by participating in an organization that allows you to  give back to the local communities or environmental program.

If you've been whale watching in Alaska...

Go shark cage diving off the coast of South Africa to see Great Whites-- perhaps a little too up close and personal. 

Creative Commons photo by Alex Grechman

If you've been skiing in the Rockies in February...

Don't put your winter gear in storage-- you can ski the Chilean Andes in August or September.  Or better, go heli-skiing!

If you've set foot on every continent...
The only reasonable next step, of course, is to venture into outer space with Virgin Galactic, who's selling sub-orbital spaceflights to the public. 

What are some ways that you've amped up your travels?  Share your stories by posting a comment below or on our Facebook page!