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4 Top Après-Ski Spots to Visit This Winter

By U.S. News & World Report

Cold-weather enthusiasts and avid skiers around the globe are in search of more than days whooshing through fresh powder on challenging slopes followed by a few drinks in a rustic bar by the fire. They want luxury resorts, high-end boutiques and destinations that give new meaning to the term ” après-ski.” They are interested in excellent wines or a craft beer scene and elevated regional and creative cuisine near the slopes. If you’re looking for a game-changing post-ski scene, consider these exciting winter destinations that will delight everyone, from the novice skier to the advanced powder hound that appreciates refined food, wine and an upscale après-ski ambiance.

[See: America’s 50 Prettiest Winter Towns.]

Alta Badia

The Dolomites, Italy

The upper valley of the Val Badia, known as Alta Badia, is located in the South Tyrolean Dolomites in the Italian Alps in northern Italy. A chic and popular luxury destination in both summer and winter, Alta Badia is part of the Dolomiti Superski ski domain. The rocky peaks and the lush green valley is breathtaking in warmer months and even more magical when snow blankets the landscape in winter.

This region hosts many international events, such as the ski world championships and ski mountaineering competitions and culinary events, like Care’s, The ethical Chef Days, where two-Michelin-starred chef Norbert Niederkofler and other acclaimed chefs gather to discuss sustainable gastronomy with roundtable discussions, master classes and presentations. The area is also known for its wellness centers, top-notch resorts, outstanding cuisine and excellent wines. Traditional Ladin dishes, the local cuisine, are on many menus and include a barley broth with cajinci, stuffed pasta pockets similar to ravioli and an Italian version of apple strudel or kiachln, which resembles a yeast doughnut with a filling.

Plan to stay in Corvara on the Sellaronda, where you can ski all around the Sella massif and cover nearly 25 miles of ski runs in a single day. The Sellaronda is one of the most impressive ski circuits in South Tyrol and all of the Italian Alps. For a memorable stay, book a room at Hotel La Perla, a family-run chalet-style boutique hotel with spectacular views, and an evening at La Stüa de Michil, the property’s Michelin-starred restaurant with impressive cuisine and a notable wine list.

Hida

Takayama, Japan

Located in the mountainous Hida region of Gifu Prefecture in central Honshu (Japan’s main island), Hida-Takayama (or Takayama) is part of the Japanese Alps. The best way to reach this area is by train. From Kyoto, the ride is about three hours.

The Sanmachi Suji District of Takayama is known for its well-preserved old town, with buildings from the Edo (or Tokugawa) period, the final time of traditional Japan from 1603 to 1868. The Takayama Festival, held biannually in the spring and fall, is considered to be one of the most beautiful festivals in Japan and dates back to the mid-1600s. In the winter months, the surrounding mountains beckon to skiers with popular resorts, onsens (natural hot springs), outstanding dining and locally brewed sake, as well as the prized Hida beef, a branded kuroge wagyu beef from the Gifu area.

The closest ski area to Takayama is Honoki Daira Winter Resort, which is accessible via the Nohi bus. The bus company even offers a ski package that includes ski gear rental and a lift ticket. Ciao Ontake Snow Resort is further from town, but you can arrange for transportation to the resort. Skiers are likely to find optimal powder conditions at Ciao Ontake with its approximate 6,500-foot-high elevation and north-facing slopes.

After an action-packed day on the slopes, wind down in the evening with an onsen bath in the spa at a favorite Ryokan (or Japanese inn), Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan, followed by a restful evening in one of their traditional Japanese rooms. Many restaurants serve the rich marbled delicacy of Hida beef, and one highly rated spot is Syuntei-Nakagawa, a French-Japanese teppanyaki-style restaurant where the meat, fresh vegetables and seafood are prepared on a hot grill tableside and served with local sake, or you can select from an excellent wine list.

[See: 8 Places That Are Perfect for a Winter Weekend Getaway.]

Megève

France

The alluring French ski destination of Megève is located in southeast France, near the Italian and Swiss borders, and is about an hour by car from Geneva. A charming medieval resort town with cobblestone streets and stunning views of Mont Blanc, Megève was conceived by Noémie de Rothschild a century ago. The wife of Baron Maurice de Rothschild, Noémie de Rothschild’s wish was for Megève to be the French competitor to the famed Swiss ski town of St. Moritz. With its picturesque setting, high-end boutiques, luxury resorts, spas and wellness centers, and the only three-Michelin-starred restaurant in the Alps, Flocons de Sel, Megève is a world-class ski destination.

Plan to stay in one of the rustic yet elegant, alpine chalet-style properties in town featuring cozy and romantic accommodations, such as Le Fer à Cheval or Les Fermes de Marie. There is also a new Four Seasons Hotel Megève, which recently opened in time for this year’s winter season. Created in partnership with Edmond de Heritage Rothschild, a lifestyle company, the 55-room property is the first hotel to offer direct access to the Mont d’Arbois slopes and is also home to a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Le 1920.

Deer Valley

Park City, Utah

For top-notch skiing combined with luxury accommodations and a sophisticated dining scene that’s closer to home, plan your next winter getaway in Deer Valley. With ski valets to carry guests’ ski gear and other first-class amenities, Deer Valley is consistently lauded as a top ski retreat. Guests return year after year to enjoy the optimal weather, family-friendly atmosphere, off-slope activities, upscale lodges, exceptional restaurants and après-ski scene. If you’re looking to splurge, consider spending a few nights at Stein Erikson Lodge, named after Norwegian Olympic gold medalist Stein Eriksen. A luxury European-style alpine ski lodge with spectacular views of Deer Valley Resort, the property also features award-winning dining at Glitretind Restaurant and Utah’s only five-star spa.

[See: 50 Charming Small Towns to Visit If You Love Winter.]

For other dining options, one of the most memorable spots is the Goldener Hirsch Restaurant, a AAA Four Diamond Award recipient and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, featuring contemporary alpine cuisine and classic cheese fondue. Another noteworthy dining institution is The Mariposa, located in the Silver Lake Lodge, which earns high praise for its creative, modern and classic dishes and award-winning wine list.

More from U.S. News

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6 Secret Ski Destinations You Can Afford

A Guide to the World’s Top Off-the-Beaten-Path Ski Areas

4 Top Après-Ski Spots to Visit This Winter originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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