It's officially the shoulder season, the muddy, frustrating time in the high country when crowds disappear, but so does the skiing. It'll take a few weeks for the hiking and mountain biking trails to dry out, so in the meantime, we're bringing you a series of articles on what to do when the snow melts.
Where: Castello Di Casole in Tuscany, Italy
Who Will Love It: Big spenders who love Aspen and Vail in the winter
The Skinny: People who love high-end boutique hotels like the Sebastian in Vail (one of our 38 Essential Ski Town Hotels) or residence clubs like the Dancing Bear in Aspen should check out the other Timbers Resort hotels. With gorgeous properties in Cabo San Lucas and St. Thomas, it's hard to pick just one, but our favorite Timbers hotel might be Castello di Casole in Tuscany. A 41-suite (there are also villas and farmhouses), painstakingly restored tenth-century castle, Castello is located on a stunning 4,200-acre estate in the heart of Tuscany. With three restaurants, a spa, pool, and events like outdoor concerts and art exhibitions on site, spring and early summer is the perfect time to visit Castello. And by the time you make it back to a stateside ski town, all those muddy trails will be a distant memory.
· Castello di Casole [Official Site]
· Timbers Resorts [Official Site]
· All Surviving Shoulder Season Coverage [Curbed Ski Archives]