Solitude is ripe with great lodging options: Bavarian-themed The Inn at Solitude, a variety of slopeside condos and townhomes, and exclusive luxury homes await overnight visitors. You really can’t go wrong in choosing a place to rest your head in Solitude Village. But how can you truly narrow down which building is right for you and your family?
If you are like me (and most folks who visit Solitude for a ski trip), you’ll need to soak those sore muscles at the end of the day. So let’s dive in — pun intended — to the pools and hot tubs available to lodging guests throughout Solitude’s cozy, European-style village. Each has its own unique personality and feel: let’s see if one or more suits you and your vacation goals.
The Inn at Solitude: Pamper Yourself
Centrally located with awe-inspiring village and slope views, The Inn is the only hotel-style accommodations at Solitude as most of the resort lodging options are condos and homes. As you would expect of any fine hotel, the services, dining, and amenities at The Inn are top-notch, including the Solitude Mountain Spa and its welcoming dry sauna. Also featuring one of the two pools at Solitude, as well as a hot tub that can fit close to a dozen friends, The Inn has all your soaking needs covered. The Inn is the spot if you plan to pamper yourself after a day on the slopes.
Speaking of the slopes, The Inn’s hot tub and pool offer unobstructed views of the mountain. If you hang up your skis a bit early, enjoy looking up to skiers and boarders schussing their way down to the village. By night, watching snowcats groom the upper reaches of the mountain — especially Sunshine Bowl — from the warm waters is mesmerizing. What better way to coax your muscles to recover knowing that fresh corduroy is awaiting tomorrow?
Club Solitude: For Those Who Want it All
Located in Eagle Springs Lodge East, and just a few short steps from Powderhorn Lodge, is Club Solitude. Featuring a game room, billiards room, movie theater, exercise facility, dry sauna, two hot tubs, and an outdoor pool, Club Solitude is perfect for groups who want a variety of options. The heated pool is more than large enough to swim a few laps, and the two hot tubs offer unobstructed views of the night sky.
Surrounded by mature trees, Club Solitude’s upper hot tub is an ideal spot to have a conversation and unwind. Its friendly, circular shape easily fits a few families. The lower hot tub is perfect for those who want to mix in some pool time: it’s quite refreshing to “cool off” for five or so minutes in the heated pool before returning to soothe stiff muscles with the jets in the hot tub.
Club Solitude is open to all Solitude lodging guests, so no matter where your room is, make it a point to check it out at least once during your trip. In the summer, kids will love the water slide emptying into the pool, so make sure the Club is on your list!
Powderhorn Lodge: Soak to the Sounds of the Thirsty Squirrel
Many Powderhorn guests wind up using the facilities at Club Solitude since it is so close, but don’t forget that Powderhorn also has its own hot tub for guests staying in that lodge. Pro tip: snag a spot at the Powderhorn tub on a Friday or Saturday between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m., when there is live music at Solitude’s classic après spot, the Thirsty Squirrel. You can soak adjacent to the bar and hear some tunes at the same time. On warm spring afternoons, the bar doors are usually propped open, and you can enjoy a different sort of “front row seat” to the music.
Creekside Condominiums: Rooftop Views + Secluded Location = Sunset Perfection
Who doesn’t love a bird’s-eye view? Located on the fourth floor of this iconic building, upstairs from Honeycomb Grill, the Creekside hot tub really is above it all. This may be the smallest tub at the resort, but there is rarely competition to grab a few spots. In fact, the smaller size adds to its charm and quaint, secretive feel. More often than not, you’ll have the place and unobstructed sunset views to yourself.
From this perch, you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the Solitude’s trademark clock tower while keeping an eye on the activity of Solitude Village as day turns to night. Wondering how long you’ve been in the warm waters? Simple: the clock tower chimes every fifteen minutes with a melodious reminder.
Wondering which room is closest? We’ve got that covered. The spacious Creekside 416 is so close you won’t even need a robe or shoes to go from door to door.
Eagle Springs Lodge West: A Hidden Gem with Room for a Party
Walking into Eagle Springs West is an experience, to say the least. The carefully-appointed entryway has a distinct vibe, similar to what you might expect of a lodge in the European Alps. Straight ahead, a large wooden door leads from the entryway to the hot tub on the mountain side of the building, where you can take in views of the upper reaches of the Powderhorn chair and ski runs off Eagle Ridge.
Need room to spread out? Have a bunch of friends? Travelling with a big family? Eagle Springs West is the hot tub for you. Get the whole crew together and trade stories from your day on the hill in this expansive tub. There are plenty of jets for everyone!
Spring Branch: Not Into Sharing? Private Soaking at this Luxury Home
So private, even I couldn’t find my way into this home for a review! But if the idea of village and mountain views, private soaking facilities, and a gourmet kitchen sounds good to you and your crew, I am sure this four-bed/four-bath luxury home will be a hit.
All photos taken by Corey Kopischke.