• I'm a luxury travel advisor, and these are destinations I'll be recommending to clients this winter.
• For a sunny and sandy getaway, I suggest going to Palm Beach or Oil Nut Bay.
• St. Moritz and the Dolomites are popular ski destinations for my clients.

I'm a luxury travel advisor based in Los Angeles and I book five-star hotels and vacations for my wealthy clients around the world.

Many of them try to travel to upscale destinations with luxury hotels that feel exclusive without the large crowds of tourists.

These are a few destinations I recommend to my clients looking to get away this winter.

Palm Beach is a solid pick within the US.

I've found that this tiny island in the south of Florida is quickly emerging as a popular destination among wealthy travelers for its beaches, shops, and sunshine.

One highlight is Palm Beach's Worth Avenue, a retail paradise with a range of designer stores and high-end restaurants.

I recommend staying at The Breakers Palm Beach, a historic hotel with a golf course, tennis courts, and four pools. It's especially great for couples and families with kids.

The area also has exciting developments in the works for 2025. World-renowned chef Thomas Keller plans to open a new restaurant and The Vineta Hotel is set to open in the spring.

St. Barts is a popular escape from cold temperatures.

This French-Caribbean island is where many jet-setters and celebrities vacation during the winter months.

Its many beaches are great for families with kids, and its vibrant nightlife scene can be great for young couples who want to have fun.

I suggest travelers also stop by the nearby Colombier Beach — a stunning white-sand beach and natural reserve that is mainly accessible by boat.

Most of my clients stay at the luxurious Eden Rock St. Barths, a five-star hotel adjacent to Nikki Beach and Gypsea, two lively beachfront lounges.

I recommend the Dolomites for those who want snowy slopes.

For clients looking to hit the slopes, I recommend the Dolomites, a chic Italian mountain town and a great alternative to the Swiss or French Alps.

The mountain range is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 18 peaks.

I've also got my eye on the many luxury hotels sprouting up there in the next few years, including The Aman Rosa Alpina, set to reopen in 2025 after extensive refurbishments, and Hotel Cristallo in Cortina d'Ampezzo, which is being rebranded into a Mandarin Oriental.

St. Moritz is also a great choice for skiers.

This small resort town in Switzerland has a monthslong ski season, so I recommend it to clients who love to ski.

A popular spot for celebrities and royalty, St. Moritz is dotted with designer stores, cozy restaurants, and high-end hotels including the glamorous Badrutt's Palace Hotel St. Moritz and Grace La Margna.

St. Moritz also has plenty of nightlife and entertainment options.

Billionaire St. Moritz — an experience combining fine dining and live entertainment — debuts at the Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski this season. I've also heard the exclusive, members-only club Dracula is worth a visit if you can manage to get an invite.

Lastly, if you're headed to St. Moritz in February, you won't want to miss the International Concours of Elegance, where you can watch rare cars zip across a frozen lake.

For those who want to relax on a beach all day, I recommend Costa Palmas in Mexico.

Costa Palmas is the perfect place for travelers who want to lay low and relax.

This exclusive community in Baja's East Cape is home to nearly 2 miles of swimmable beaches, a yacht marina, and a small village with special restaurants like Mozza by Nancy Silverton and Delphine by chef Ludo Lefebvre.

My clients typically stay at the luxurious Four Seasons Costa Palmas, but an ultra-luxury Amanvari is set to open in 2025, so that's also on my radar.

Oil Nut Bay is my pick in the British Virgin Islands for larger groups.

This serene private island in Virgin Gorda is perfect for big groups or families with its beautiful turquoise beaches, rentable villas, and range of activities.

Oil Nut Bay has a private marina, heliport, beach club, and resident-owned luxury villas that can be booked for short-term stays.

Villas typically have one to seven bedrooms, and some can accommodate a dozen guests. To make the trip more luxurious and laid-back, you can arrange for private-chef service throughout your stay.

Oil Nut Bay also has water activities, a spa, hiking trails, sunset boat charters, and a nature center so there's something for everyone without even leaving the property.

• I've skied at over 20 resorts in the US. After visiting Brighton Resort twice, I wouldn't go back.
• The resort isn't as impressive as its neighbors in terms of vertical drop and skiable acres.
• I thought it was too crowded on my visits and I'd rather try somewhere new next time.

I've had the opportunity to ski at over 20 resorts across the United States, and five of them were located in Utah.

The state is home to some of the most iconic ski resorts in the US and lots of snowfall, truly making it a powder skier's paradise.

When I close my eyes and think of skiing there, I picture myself gliding down black-diamond runs, indulging in the après-ski scene, and soaking in breathtaking mountain views.

Although that's the experience I've had at most resorts, one beloved Utah destination has let me down: Brighton Resort.

After skiing there in two different years and in two different months, I've realized this popular spot is one I just don't need to return to.

Brighton's lift lines were significantly longer than other ski resorts I've been to

Brighton is part of the Ikon Pass, a famous ski-lift pass that many skiers and snowboarders have around the world.

The ski resorts on the pass are known for their excellent runs, top-notch amenities, and overall upscale atmosphere, which attracts many tourists.

Due to the pass's popularity, you can generally expect larger crowds at Ikon Pass destinations across the country.

However, I've skied at numerous Ikon destinations around the country, and the lift lines at Brighton during my visits felt significantly longer than any others I've encountered.

This is likely because Brighton only has six lifts that service dozens of trails. In comparison, the majority of Ikon destinations in the US have at least 10 lifts — some more than 20.

I wish the resort would install more lifts or make existing ones larger to better alleviate some of the crowding.

Its terrain doesn't measure up to neighboring resorts

Brighton has over 1,050 skiable acres of terrain. Although it's not necessarily small, it seems relatively compact compared to neighboring resorts like Alta and Snowbird, each home to over 2,000 skiable acres.

Brighton's vertical drop is also at least 780 feet smaller than the ones at those nearby resorts.

This results in fewer challenging runs and allows skiers to reach the bottom more quickly, leading to longer waits in lift lines for the next run.

I felt the nearby après-ski options were limited and a bit disappointing

I really enjoy the après-ski experience and love hanging out with my husband and friends after a long day on the slopes.

At well-known resorts, I can typically find a wide variety of choices for post-slope drinks, appetizers, and meals throughout the surrounding mountain and village areas.

However, at Brighton Resort, I felt the options were limited. Most of the nearby dining spots were located by the base of the mountain, which meant they could get pretty crowded.

During our trip, we struggled to find available tables in the packed — and, thus, often loud — restaurants we visited in the area.

I also found the views from the dining options we visited to be less impressive than those I've experienced at other ski resorts in Utah.

Many people love skiing at Brighton, but I don't plan on going back

Utah attracts over a million visitors yearly, with many of those skiers and snowboarders heading to Brighton to enjoy its snow and runs.

Although I'm glad to have checked this resort off my bucket list, I ultimately doubt I'll return. I felt I spent too much time in lift lines, was not particularly impressed with the terrain, and found the après-ski options didn't meet my expectations.

That said, if you view lift lines as part of the experience, don't mind cruising down more moderate terrain, and aren't particularly concerned about après-ski selections, you might enjoy this resort.

Brighton Resort did not respond to a request for comment.

• I've been skiing and snowboarding for decades and taught my children how to do the winter sports.
• Make sure your layers are keeping you dry, and pay extra attention to your hands.
• Start on the bunny hill and work your way up — don't ski or board above your level.

I've been skiing and snowboarding my whole life and even taught my children how.

Every so often, while riding the chairlift, I look down upon some out-of-control skier in soaked-through jeans, a snow-flecked sweatshirt, and cotton gloves. A few moments later, they crash into some obstacle and tangle themselves among their skis and poles.

The sports are fun winter activities, but if you're not properly dressed or prepared, you're putting yourself and others at risk.

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, here are a few tips for staying safe on the mountain.

Make sure you're packing the proper equipment

Slope safety begins at home. Before you leave, consider your outfit.

You'll definitely want waterproof snow pants and a jacket that will keep off the wind and rain, but your layers don't have to be anything fancy.

To start, you may be able to cobble together something warm from what you already own. Try wool sweaters, synthetic running shirts, and that random fleece vest that you own but never wear.

I think it's pointless for a new skier to drop hundreds of dollars on gear, but there are a few body parts worth investing in (hand, feet, head). If you're going to spend money on anything, invest in good gloves.

Beyond that, ski socks are priceless in keeping toes warm. A good neck gaiter and a basic pair of goggles can prevent nose and eyes, respectively, from dripping icicles, too.

Staying dry is of the utmost importance

Keeping your body warm and dry is necessary on the slopes.

Rule No. 1: Anything made of cotton has no place on the mountain.

When cotton gets wet — an inevitability for first-time skiers and snowboarders who spend a lot of time on the ground or anyone who's prone to sweating — the material absorbs the moisture, remains wet, and makes you cold.

Choose synthetic materials or natural fibers like wool that help to wick away water from the body and keep you warm.

The boots you pick can make or break your day on the slopes

Whether you're renting or investing in your first pair of ski or snowboard boots, know that they're supposed to be snug.

The boots are meant to react to your feet's movements, so they have to be a little tight. However, they shouldn't be cutting off your circulation.

If they're uncomfortable in the rental shop, they're going to feel terrible on the mountain.

Do yourself a favor and make sure they feel as close to perfect as possible before you hit the chairlift. The employees in ski shops should be experts who are able to help.

Take it slow — especially if you're a beginner

Once you arrive at the mountain, don't look to tackle anything above your level.

If you're a beginner, head straight for the bunny slopes. There's no shame in learning to turn, stop, and not kill yourself or someone else on the mountain's gentlest run.

The fastest way to get off the bunny hill is to take a one-hour lesson to help you acquire the basic skills to become a more competent rider.

After you gain the fundamentals, progress in order. Conquering the bunny hill doesn't mean you're ready for black diamonds. Head to green-circle beginner trails to practice your turns and technique. After getting comfortable with those skills on that terrain, try the blue-square intermediate trails.

Pro tip: Keep in mind that trail markings are not universal from mountain to mountain. A black diamond in the Poconos usually isn't as difficult as a black diamond in Colorado.

You're not too cool for a helmet

We're heading into 2025 and not the aughts — a time when people didn't seem to truly understand that speed, hard surfaces, and bare skulls made for dangerous combinations on the slopes.

Whether you're a beginner or a pro, you'll want a helmet. You can usually rent these if needed.

Learn the 'basic food groups' for skiers

I think taking a lesson is the best way to really get the hang of skiing, but there are a few tips and stances to get you started.

First-time skiers need to remember two foods: pizza and french fries.

Keep a gentle bend in your knees and shape your skis like a piece of pie to give yourself a more controlled stance and proceed down the mountain at reduced speed. Thinner pizza slices make you go faster, and wider ones slow you down.

When you're ready to go faster, shaping your skis like french fries will send you straight down.

Keep your knees bent when you're on a board

Snowboarders have fewer food terms to remember, but you'll want to loosely bend your knees and carve back and forth across the mountain to limit your speed.

The trickiest part of snowboarding is shifting from your heel to toe to change directions.

My best advice is to start slow, commit to every turn, and look where you want to go (not backward).

• The Alps have the bulk of the world's major ski resorts.
• Property companies say the quality of the skiing is not the only criteria for some Alpine buyers.
• Instead of winter sports, wellness is taking priority for many seeking an Alpine chalet.

Powdery snow, wide slopes, epic mountain views, and a vast network of interconnected trails weaving through snowcapped forests are hallmarks of skiing in the Alps, home to many winter resorts.

About 120 million people visit the Alps between December and April for its ski and snowboard offerings.

Yet, for some wealthy chalet buyers in upmarket towns such as Gstaad and Courchevel, it seems skiing is no longer the only draw.

In its 2024 Alpine Market Review published in November, property company Knight Frank reports buyers are just as interested in the "après ski" health and wellness activities after hitting the slopes as strapping on the skis.

Knight Frank surveyed about 730 high-net-worth individuals from more than a dozen countries for the report and found that health and wellness ranked above skiing and snowboarding in priority when asked about the Alpine lifestyle they're most interested in.

Wellness offerings also came out ahead of ski-in/ski-out access and proximity to the village center when wealthy respondents were asked what amenities were most important in their purchasing decisions.

The rebalancing of their priorities aligns with findings from Bain & Company and Altagamma's 2024 Luxury Monitor. They found that consumer spending has shifted away from tangible goods to luxury experiences, particularly those linked to wellness and personal treatment.

In response to increased demand for wellness offerings, Knight Frank notes that resorts in the Alps are repositioning themselves as "a top destination for rejuvenation" with high-end spas, thermal baths, and specialized health resorts.

"The Alps are increasingly viewed as a year-round destination, with health and wellness now overtaking skiing as the primary lifestyle driver for buyers," said Kate Everett-Allen, head of European residential research at Knight Frank.

Knight Frank's results echo a similar ski market report from Savills, highlighting the emergence of "wellness/medical retreats" in luxury winter resorts.

Jeremy Rollason, head of ski for Savills and author of the report, told Business Insider that health and wellness offerings are not an entirely novel concept. In the mid-1900s, he said, the Swiss Alps had sanatoriums visited by those with physical and mental health issues.

But interest in modern health and wellness trappings, such as saunas, steam rooms, and heated outdoor pools, among Alpine buyers, is now picking up speed, Rollason said.

"You buy in a ski resort because you like the mountains and probably because you like skiing or winter sports," he said. "There is much more than that now, and that's required developers and providers of hospitality in the ski resorts to offer so much more."

Rollason added that if the uber-wealthy are buying a chalet, "then it's not just a chalet — it's an all-encompassing leisure object."