Oh, to be out and free

escape OH, TO BE OUT Free A N D

Rozman Mashor

It is no secret that with a lockdown likely to last until the year’s end, our collective desire to jump onto a plane and be whisked far, far away is constantly at the forefront of our minds. It has now become a daily tradition for me to – completely at random – burst out into song, yelling out “I want to break free!” Yes, yes, that melody references a love song as opposed to one of a journeyneed-making but hey, the words still ring out truth louder than any clarion call. And I know I am not the only one thinking this.

For the meantime the best we can do is toy with the idea of travelling to an exotic destination away from the chaos of the past year. While that definition changes radically depending on whose eyes we see through, for myself this is what that fantasy envisions. My voluntary and responsible confinement to a limited size space, in tandem with the hot, humid, stuffy climate of this region of the world, screams at me to head as many

degrees of latitude as possible away

from the equator. Simply put, I am filled with dreams of incredibly wide open, white and cold spaces where I can draw deep breaths without inviting a certain pesky virus to set up habitation in my lungs.

Ski Lodges, Ski Resorts, and hotels in the snow! Can you imagine it? I can. I imagine enjoying the picturesque L’Apogee Courcheval, which will be re-opening on December 17 this year to lovers of snowy mountains in France’s Jardin Alpin. Opulent chalets and panoramic penthouses of timber and stone that is a heaven for both families and solo travelers, offering breathtaking views high above a historic Olympic ski jump. From first class ski facilities to the subterranean spa, everything is pure luxury and I need to be there right now!

Just as equally mesmerising are the views from Park City Mountain of

the American state of Utah. Here, nestled within the peaks of Deer Valley in the Wasatch Mountains is the Waldorf Astoria Ski Resort & Hotel. This is the only luxury-class accommodation you will find providing slope access to the largest ski resort in the US. From simple guest rooms with fireplaces to Suites of various classes, this is a destination that proves an Oasis does not have to be smack-bang in the middle of a desert to qualify for that title. While we’re in the continental US, Wyoming has this treasure of a place called the Amangani, within the foothills of the Grand Tetons. The pioneering spirit of the Old West has been captured and blended with the redwood and sandstone architecture of this luxury hotel, embellishing the essence of Mother Nature’s raw beauty in a structure that is elegant yet minimalist. The vast emptiness accompanying a long stretch of horizon is so appealing in its polar opposite to being sequestered in my box.

“You’ve reached a Top 3 there”, you may say to me but I will respond that locales 2 & 3 are in the same country so I get to cheat by technicality and add a true third destination to my list of grand escapes this quarter. While not as large in scale, the Copperhill Mountain Lodge in Are, Sweden is encircled by stunning tundra – a veritable hinterland of who’s who in the cold biome category. Warm and cozy with the creature comforts we require while maintaining an isolation that is peaceful and calming.

Many among you may desire to be surrounded by Human traffic in light of our need to stay away from even small crowds of people, and that is understandable. I too believe a time will come not too long from now when that too is what I will crave. Until then, to be out in the open free as a bird is what I will continue to dream of.