Two families—four adults and three children—plus a nanny travel from Boston to Deer Valley, Utah, for a ski vacation.
Providers. Air travel by XOJet (650.594.6300, www.xojet.com); villa available through Luxury Retreats (514.393.8844, www.luxuryretreats.com).
Getting There. A stretch limo sent by XOJet—a private-aviation firm that combines a fractional-type business model with a charter operation—takes the families to the Signature Flight Support general-aviation facility at Boston’s Logan International Airport. One of the families has committed to purchasing 100 flight hours in a super-midsize Citation X jet. “The Citation X is comfortable, and it won’t have to stop for fuel on this trip,” says XOJet chief strategy officer Nick Solinger. “And it’s very fast: The trip will take only four and a half hours, about half an hour faster than the same trip on a midsize jet.” The roundtrip fare, about $28,000, is applied to a $375,000 commitment for the 100 flight hours. After landing at the Million Air general-aviation facility at Salt Lake City International Airport, the group takes a limousine to Deer ?Valley, about 40 minutes away.
Villa. For about $45,000 per week, the families rent Casa Nova (www.skicasanova.com), a seven-bedroom estate within the Deer Crest gated community at the base of Deer Valley Resort. “Casa Nova is completely ski-in/ski-out, with access to a private gondola,” says Patrick Thibaudeau, product development specialist for Luxury Retreats. That access and privacy—and the four-story, 13,000-square-foot villa’s ample space—make it the right choice for this party. “Four of [the bedrooms] are considered master suites, with king-size beds, fireplaces, and large en suite bathrooms,” says Thibaudeau. “The two adult couples would find extreme comfort in any of these rooms, and the nanny would be more than spoiled by any of the others. For the kids, they can each be given their own room, or they could stay in the bunk room on the first floor. ?This room has eight bunk-style beds, so if they all want to sleep on the top bunks there are no arguments.”
Experience. Included in Casa Nova’s weekly rate are lift tickets to Deer ?Valley Resort, a chauffeured SUV, and the services of an on-site manager and a Luxury Retreats concierge. “Our concierge can arrange for the nanny and three kids to spend their day with private ski or snowboard instructors who specialize in the individuals’ ski experience levels, whether expert or beginner,” says Casa Nova’s co-owner, Mark Toro. With the children occupied, the parents can test their skiing skills. “For the couple seeking the ultimate ski adventure, our concierge can arrange for a private chartered helicopter and an expert guide,” says Toro. “You fly out with guides who know how to find the best untracked powder in Utah backcountry.” A less-strenuous option for the adults is Casa Nova’s full-service spa experience, which begins with “a workout in the fitness area, led by a personal trainer, followed by a steam, sauna, and time in the hydrotherapy tub,” says ?Toro. ?The session concludes with “a couple’s massage in the privacy of their suite.”
