Issue link: https://www.balharbourdigital.com/i/1529602
C O U R T E S Y O F D O LO M I T I LO D G E A LV E R À ; H I G A S H I YA M A N I S E KO V I L L AG E , A R I T Z- C A R LTO N R E S E R V E dream itineraries range is much simpler. "A lot of people are increasingly motivated by their stomachs," says Gray, "Who doesn't love northern Italian food? Having a nice big bowl of risotto is a dreamy thing." The restaurant at the Dolomiti Lodge Alverà is a failsafe for local staples–think speck, mushrooms, polenta, and risotto–as well as the Michelin-starred Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler. The other major lure here is the sheer scale of skiable terrain. The Dolomites range has more than 745 miles of skiing and 450 lifts, which means ample runs to explore and less likelihood of running into other skiers. The best international gateway is Venice, just over two hours' drive from the main range (and a much better visiting experience in midwinter than in overtouristed midsummer). For accommodation, Cortina's Dolomiti Lodge Alverà, (Gray's personal favorite) is set in a building that's got a modern-meets–classic chalet style. Otherwise, try the Rosapetra, with its excellent spa. Keep an eye out, too, for the soon-to-reopen Rosa Alpina, which is about to re-emerge under Aman's auspices (notably, it will now open nearly year-round, to capture visits outside the ski season). If aprés-ski is more your focus, Marmolada hotel in Corvara is the best option, right in the main town of the Alta Badia ski resort area. "People love being in town, walking around and seeing what's going on." Still, Gray suggests that a trip to the Dolomites is best planned with stays at a variety of locations. "You can get a pass and go from village to village, so you can even go over to another country [Austria] for lunch." NISEKO, JAPAN According to Gray, Japan—more specifically Hokkaido, the island north of mainland Japan—is the "darling of skiing right now." Niseko is the biggest resort on Hokkaido, and by far the most reliable when it comes to snow, even though it's not at a high altitude. "They get epic amounts," says Gray, adding that the flakes have a unique soft quality: "It's puffy, which I think appeals to people enormously." Another one of Niseko's biggest draws: it's linked to the IKON Pass, which gives skiers access to more than 50 resorts (predominantly in the US). Hokkaido's trails are spread across a volcano consisting of four different bases; they are not connected at the bottom, but it's easy to cross between when you're up on the hill. "Hokkaido is known for backcountry skiing," says Gray. "If you go as a regular skier, it's an intermediate mountain. Tree skiing is super fun since there are no tree 'wells' like in North America." The hotel scene is a little more underdeveloped than other ski towns, but Gray has a handful of trusty stays to recommend, including the Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono, appealing in particular because of its seclusion. The same goes for the high-design Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz- Carlton Reserve. "It would be great for someone who doesn't want to be on the hill as much." Those looking to soak up the village vibe might be better FROM TOP The Marmolada glacier provides a majestic backdrop when skiing the Dolomites; a private deck at Dolomiti Lodge Alverà; an en-suite onsen-style soaking tub at Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve BALHAR B O U RSH O P S .CO M