You never know what you’ll find when you run across a little cottage in the woods. At Mirabelle Restaurant at Beaver Creek - well known for convincing even the weariest downhill-addled legs to get up and move come suppertime - you’ll discover Belgium-born Master Chef Daniel Joly’s menu, which vacillates between classic French concoctions like foie gras paired with a caviar crepe and black truffles to game-driven offerings with a decidedly American twist. Attention carnivores: Chef Joly’s elk filet with celery fries, turnip and quince compote and a berry wine reduction sauce is not to be missed.

But there’s something endlessly alluring about Mirabelle that goes far beyond the charms of its menu. It’s the kind of place where you’re likely to see co-owner Nathalie Joly casually maneuvering through the dining room, where a prominent portrait of the husband-and-wife team hangs above tables lit with flickering oil lamps. It’s the kind of place where your waiter was likely up before you that day, headed to the top of the mountain and can also likely give you a full ski report after he’s done explaining the daily four-course tasting menu. And it’s the sort of place with a history that precedes high-tech underwear, fancy resorts and the droves of women in furry boots that seem to dominate them these days.

Long before Mirabelle became one of Beaver Creek’s most popular dining destinations, it was, in one form or another, a gathering place for the region’s movers and shakers. According to local historians, the first home erected in the valley way back in the 1880’s occupied the land where the restaurant now stands. The current building’s west wing was built in 1898. The east wing, built later, made the house the largest in Avon, Colo. Its size and prominence made it a social hub for the growing local community.

To be sure, this little mountain cottage in the woods - now dwarfed by mammoth luxury homes and the glitz of nearby resorts - is no longer the grandest dwelling in the land. But we’d dare say the stream of eager guests is much the same as it ever was. Of course, we’re pretty sure our pioneer predecessors weren’t leaving full of lobster bisque and chocolate-laden sweets. Here’s to living in the present…

Over the weekend, I landed in Beaver Creek, Colorado for a little pre-holiday snow. There’s just nothing like downhill in the Rocky Mountains, even if it’s 14 friggin’ degrees. (That, by the way, was the high.) While there, I had the chance to snoop around a bit. Here are my picks for some of the best this resort area has to offer:

Best ski-in, ski-out hotel: For sheer location and proximity to the lifts, the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa can’t be beat. The hotel sits literally at the base of the ski area - not across a road, not via a shuttle. It’s right there. After braving the c-c-cold Colorado temps all day, guests can sidle up to the outdoor bonfire for s’mores in the afternoons or get the blood flowing again with a visit to the Allegria Spa.

Best luxury splurge: Spa day at the Ritz Carlton, Bachelor Gulch. Don’t miss the Grotto, which I blogged about during a visit there earlier this year. Ritz Carlton, Bachelor Gulch: The Grotto on the TravelPost.com Insider

Best airport shuttle service: Colorado Mountain Express. Sure, it’s one of the only options for shuttle transportation to and from Vail-Eagle County and Denver International airports, but it’s a reliable company with friendly service. And it’s much cheaper than hiring a private car service. I also like the fact that the drivers take time to introduce themselves, tell passengers where they are from and offer up insider advice on area attractions and activities.

Best romantic dining: Mirabelle. We’ll elaborate on this pick tomorrow.

Beers with buddies: The Dusty Boot Steakhouse & Saloon. If you’re looking for a place to knock back a few after a long day on the slopes, this cozy little spot is one of the most convenient options. Located in Beaver Creek village, this bar and restaurant fills up in the afternoons with patrons seeking a casual spot to refuel. Wooden stools flank the long bar, which offers frozen Margaritas, a solid selection of beers on tap and even some decent wines by the glass. Eats are typical Americana, Tex-Mex options and on the cheaper side - relatively speaking, of course.

Massage you can actually afford: Simply Massage. While hotels can easily charge over $100 for a 60-minute rubdown, this Avon massage destination prices its hour-long massage at $60 and its 90-minute massage at $90. You won’t find marble soaking tubs, steam showers or body wraps here - just massages. If you’re looking for the full day spa experience, head to one of the resort hotels. But if you’re just looking for a good massage to work out the kinks, this is the place. Same day appointments are also often available.

Best wine shop: Beaver Liquors. Yes, the name is somewhat obscene, and, yes, they sell copious t-shirts flaunting that fact. But head downstairs in this Avon, CO liquor store for an extensive inventory of wines from around the world. Being a fan of the often hard-to-find pinotage varietal, I was please to see a sizable selection of South African wines. The staff is also ready with plenty of suggestions if you need them. Another bonus: Order $100 or more from the store before your trip, and they’ll stock your condo before you arrive.

Where to rent: Christy Sports. This is the ski and snowboard rental choice of many a regular Beaver Creek visitor. And for Internet-savvy travelers (which I assume you are if you’re reading this), the shop offers 20 percent off rentals made online at least three days in advance. And with locations in Avon, Beaver Creek, Vail and other nearby ski resort areas from Breckenridge to Snowbird, you can get service on your rentals pretty much anywhere your mountain adventures take you.

For East Coast early birds, a free one-day lift ticket valid at Vail and Beaver Creek could be in your future. Here’s the deal: Anyone who flies into the Vail-Eagle County airport and has confirmed lodging in Valley Valley can take their boarding pass and lodging confirmation to Vail or Beaver Creek ticket windows for a free same-day lift tickets. It’s a good deal if you a) can snag a flight that lands you at the airport before noon (preferably before 10am) and b) don’t mind hauling snow bunny ass to the resort area. Yes, the airport is only 25 to 40 minutes from the major ski resorts (depending on your destination), but getting checked bags, checking into hotels and changing can eat up valuable time on the mountain.

The deal is valid through April 13, 2008. And because you can only get one lift ticket per lodging confirmation, I think this deal is probably best for couples or families with only one die-hard snow nut - while one of you deals with the logistics, the other could hot-foot it to the mountain.

2007-2008 Fly-In Ski-Out Promotion

This was the lovely sight I woke up to this morning in Beaver Creek, Colorado. It’s snowing that fine kind of small-flake snow that looks as if it’s so light it will never make it to the ground.

Insider tip of the day: Carbs allegedly help ease the effects of altitude sickness. As I was chowing on a bowl of pasta last night with two doctors, they admitted that the tactic isn’t as reliable as, say, popping a pill for a headache. But the idea that carbohydrates can alleviate or prevent the symptoms of altitude sickness is hardly an old wives’ tale, either. The science behind the carb-packing idea goes like this: when you travel from sea level to altitudes of around 8,000 feet or more in a single day, your blood has less oxygen flowing through it. Once in your body, carbs help transport oxygen through your bloodstream. While it may not be a fix-all for everyone and certainly should not be relied upon if you’re climbing to extreme altitudes, going for the carbs on your first few days on the mountain is one of those tricks many snow fans rely upon to before they hit the mountain.

Speaking of which, I’m off to eat pancakes.

Here’s a little tip for anyone heading to Vail or Beaver Creek this winter: buy lift tickets for three or more days on the slopes online at least seven days before you plan to arrive. Available through the Peaks Loyalty Program, discounted lift ticket packages vary in price depending on when you go, but for example’s sake, consider that you can get a pass for 3 consecutive days on the hill right now for $129, and a regular adult all-day ticket at the ticket booth will run you $87. That’s $87 per day if you pay full price vs. $43 per day with the discount.

Vail kicks off the winter 2007-2008 season today with SnowDaze, a week-long series of activities and events to get you pumped up for the (hopefully) snow-filled months to come. Buy a SnowDaze Festival Pass ($74.50) - which includes admission to all three headliner concerts - or a ticket to the Ludacris and The Roots concert ($40) on Dec. 8, and you’ll be able to purchase a $49 Vail lift ticket good through Jan. 31, 2008.

Along with great music, SnowDaze has some other cool events and offerings, including free morning ski tip sessions at the Vail Snowsports School, nightly DJ events at local bars and pubs, bonfire parties, an all-women’s snowboard and ski clinic and nightly Dine Around fixed price menu specials at local restaurants.

Not everyone does Thanksgiving with oodles of relatives and friends - it can be hard to accomplish when you live far away from your home town and circumstances prevent you from traveling during the hectic Thanksgiving travel week. But for those that want to getaway for a night or two in celebration of Turkey Day - and leave the cooking to someone else to boot - there are great deals to be had at hotels and resorts around the country. In the coming days, I’ll be highlighting several packages that are still available for Thanksgiving escapes.

First up: The Inverness Hotel and Conference Center in Englewood, Colorado. A popular destination for corporate conferences and business travelers, the hotel may at first seem an unlikely choice for Thanksgiving supper. But consider the great rates for overnight accommodations for two and Thanksgiving dinner at the hotel restaurant Baca: $110 for a standard room and $260 per night for an executive suite. That’s not bad for an overnight stay at a 4-star property with an 18-hole golf course, spa, fitness center and multiple dining options, bars and lounges.

The hotel is about a half-hour drive from Denver - so this is a solid getaway option for folks in the area who want a quick trip to a relaxing destination at a good price.

For the winter 2007-2008 ski season, Ski.com has some good package deals for families who book their trips through the web site. Book United Airlines tickets to Vail/Beaver Creek, Steamboat Springs, Jackson Hole or Crested Butte through Ski.com, and you’ll be entitled to one free ticket for a child 12 or under traveling on the same itinerary for each adult ticket you buy. Pay for lift tickets and/or rental equipment through Ski.com, and kids 12 and under ski free and/or rent free (1 paying adult=1 free child), depending on the resort.

Kids ski free at these resorts:

Beaver Creek
Mont Tremblant
Big Sky
Steamboat Springs
Breckenridge
Vail
Keystone
Whistler Blackcomb
Moonlight Basin

Kids rent free at these resorts:

Aspen/Snowmass
Lake Tahoe
Banff / Lake Louise / Jasper
Park City
Beaver Creek
Snowbird
Breckenridge
Steamboat Springs
The Canyons
Sun Valley
Crested Butte
Telluride
Deer Valley
Vail
Jackson Hole
Whistler Blackcomb
Keystone
Winter Park

As you’d expect, blackout dates for these deals apply. You have to book your flight or trip and buy your tickets and pay for rentals through Ski.com for the discounts. Packages that combine airfare, lift tickets, rentals and lodging are also available, but they vary so much in price depending on where you fly from that I am not including them here.

Fly Frontier? Then you may want to snag some cheap tickets before Thursday through the airline’s current nationwide sale. Here are a few of the routes and fares offered (all are one-way):

Baton Rouge - San Francisco $149

New York - Portland $149

Denver - Vancouver $129

Las Vegas - Memphis $99

Sale ends Sept. 14th. A 10-day advance purchase is required. Search for off-peak days (Tue, Wed, Sat) to get these fares.

Not that you’re likely to be thinking about snow right now (but then again, maybe you are)… Aspen has announced a $5 hike in lift ticket prices for the 2007-2008 winter season. That brings the walk-up ticket price to $87 - the steepest price for a one-day adult lift ticket in the nation. Oh well, it’s not like you go to Aspen for a bargain anyway…

Aspen Lift Ticket Prices Climb