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Park City, Utah

One of the top places on my list for January destinations is Park City, Utah. Park City has seen a huge boom in tourism since the late 1980s and 1990s because of the introduction of the Sundance Film Festival. The festival (which is the largest independent festival in the United States) runs the last week in January and the first week in February every year. It attracts A-listers in droves and makes for great movie watching and a vibrant nightlife scene. I highly recommend you stay at The Montage Deer Valley. They have a magnificent spa, direct access to the mountain if you love to ski, and at 4 pm they serve complimentary s'mores and hot chocolate by their outdoor fire pit. It’s a great place to meet new friends and enjoy the majestic snow-filled mountain backdrop.

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Aspen, Colorado

My favorite March skiing destination is Aspen, Colorado. I first went to Aspen when I was seven years old and fell in love with the skiing and the vibrancy there. The fun landscape has also morphed in recent years with great new hotel offerings and exceptional nightlife. One of my favorite places to stay since they opened in 1989 (same year I was born ironically) is The Little Nell. At the base of the famous chairlift 9 at Snowmass, Little Nell offers a great location for walking, skiing, and exploring Aspen's great sights. The newcomer on the scene is W-Aspen which just opened recently and has one of the hottest bars and eateries in town (39 Degrees Lounge) which offers great bites and creative cocktails. Another hot spot to check out while in Aspen is the renowned Caribou Club. Nonmembers are permitted with a member or you can get in by paying for a weekly membership while visiting.

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New York, New York

One of my other favorite winter destinations is New York City. There is something very special about visiting Rockefeller Center the first week in December and watching the lighting of their famous Christmas tree. No matter what your religious beliefs, that coupled with the ice-skaters, brings you in a winter wonderland mindset. Another thing that puts me in the winter spirit is the famous Central Park Carriage rides. There are many great hotels in Manhattan that I’d recommend, The Lowell & The Four Seasons come to mind, and for cocktails and nightlife check out The Baccarat Hotel on the Upper East Side and the trendy Public Hotel on the Lower East Side. That's the beauty of New York there is always something going on, even in the chilly months.