BODY & SOUL Get creative

Want guaranteed snow and good times? Colorado is the destination for those in the know

BODY LANGUAGE

Olivia Falcon reports on what’s cool for skiers stateside

It’s peak season but I must confess I’m not a great skier, so instead I did a summer recce of Colorado’s most coveted resorts – Aspen and Telluride – to bring you snow bunnies all the latest intel on what’s new and exciting for winter 2022, since the Alps can be unreliable for a snow dump these days.

Over at The Little Nell in Aspen (rooms from $899, thelittlenell.com), a cashmere cocoon of a hotel that sits in pole position right by the ski-lift, offering the resort’s only ski in, ski out accommodation, they’re getting ready for the annual Christmas tree lighting, a heartwarming Hallmark-style affair that will feature carolers from Aspen High School, a mountain of Ladurée macaroons, Santa, and rescue pets from the local animal shelter that will

be up for adoption. After all, it’s no biggie to smuggle home a chihuahua or two if you’ve flown in on private jet. But before you fill your belly with wagyu beef spaghetti bolognese (yes, that really is a thing – in fact it’s THE thing to order at the hotel’s Ajax Tavern, Aspen’s answer to the Wolseley), a trip to the new Aspen X – an Aladdin’s cave of a store – is a must (aspenx.com). Here you’ll find everything from the latest Prada skiwear to experiences that money can buy, like a ten-course tasting menu dinners with superchef Matthew Zubrod. Further south in the charming town of Telluride, where the celebrities come to ski rather than to party, those in the know will be checking into the recently opened B&B Dunton Townhouse (rooms from £480, duntondestinations.com). An offshoot of Dunton Hot Springs (the off-grid uber retreat where high achievers such as the Kardashians and Silicone Valley zillionaires come to unplug), the chic clapboard townhouse boasts five bedrooms with Tyrolean-inspired interiors designed by starry event planner Johnny Roxburgh. Perfectly positioned in the heart of the downtown district, you can ski directly to the gondola (which takes you straight to Alpini Vino, north America’s highest restaurant, alpinovino.com) or for those who like to potter you can shuffle round the corner to Main Street for shopping at Two Skirts (great clothes, shoptwoskirts.com) and Crossbow The Little Nell in Aspen offers great skiing and fabulous après-ski activites Leather (best for custom belts and hats, crossbowleather.com). n

MIND & MATTER

Life’s little luxuries

THE SHIELD Combining the first ever bio-identical human collagen designed for topical skincare, this delivers an instant burst of hydration and penetrates deeply for long-lasting results. Clever encapsulated micro-algae also reduce pigmentation. MZ Skin The Rich Moisturiser, £150. mzskin.com

THE BED FELLOW This super competent cream covers and treats most of the ailments of aging skin with a formula that includes a special gold-peptide complex that boosts collagen for a firmer, smoother skin texture. Dr Nyla Rejuvenating Night Cream, £110. doctornyla.com

THE SUPERPOWER Fitted with 180 red lights to target the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and redness, this LED mask also contains rose quartz crystals to harness acupressure techniques – together they stimulate collagen and elastin production for dazzling results. Angela Caglia LED Face Mask, £550. netaporter.com

Body & SOUL

Camilla Hewitt explores the positive infl uence of creativity

1BETWEEN THE SHEETS Sexual wellness plays an important part in how we feel. It’s a creative interaction that can instil a sense of wellbeing through intimacy and connection. The more we celebrate our sexuality and feel comfortable expressing ourselves, the more in tune with our mind and body we feel. It goes without saying that a healthy sex life can boost our vitality, and we’re not just talking between the sheets. With all the dopamine and oxytocin swirling around in our bodies, we often become more intuitive, more selfassured, and more energised, both at home and work. Smile Makers pleasure products and sex education programmes have been designed to unlock sensorial potential, increasing confi dence and creativity for those couples, and singles, in need of a little help. smilemakerscollection.com

2ON PAPER Engaging in a creative activity, be it journaling, poetry or painting, can be cathartic for bottled up feelings. If you’re not sure where to start, being an observer of art can unlock emotions and inspire the imagination. Anna Koska’s books, based on tales and illustrations of the natural world, are not only an emotive and evocative escape but also a showcase of contemplative, personal work bought to life in pencil, pen, ink and watercolour. Observation and creative refl ection are mindful activities all ages and abilities can benefi t from. From Coast & Cove: An Artist’s Year in Paint and Pen by Anna Koska.(Pavilion, £14.99)

3TABLE IT Mealtimes and entertaining can boost our wellbeing, not only through social interaction but as opportunity to express ourselves through cookery or creative table arrangement. Daylesford’s seasonal workshops, from fl oral styling and wreath-making to edible Christmas gifts and effortless canapés, help you fi nd your creative fl are. Taking place on 16 December, their guide to table arrangement encourages you to be inspired by the textures, tones and scents of the season. From choosing a colour palette to layering table linen, ceramics and fl orals, setting a table can be a celebration of creativity and seasonality. daylesford.com

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« CHECK IN: UNPLUGGED

Brain fog and anxiety from our always-on culture can cloud our creativity. Unplugged has nestled tech-free, o -grid cabins in the heart of nature as an opportunity to escape the endless notifi cations and background noise in our brains. Being in nature has the ability to evoke a creative way of thinking by making us more curious and freeing the imagination instead of forcing it in a particular direction. Unplugged’s experts suggest that 72 hours is just enough time away to switch o completely.