The villa, which opened in May 2024, sits at the top of Sasakwa Hill in the Grumeti Reserve, a private concession on the northwestern border of the Serengeti National Park.

Singita has exclusive use of the 350,000-acre area, where it operates three lodges and four private villas.

Its newest and most expensive is Milele. In peak season, a night at Milele costs $36,400. Low-season rates are $27,300 a night.

Aimas spent years managing properties around the world, but he returned to Tanzania to help open Milele.

"These are the things I dreamed about when I decided to come back to my country," he said.

Aimas said the property's first year has been a success so far. The typical guest stay is around five days, and travelers' responses have been overwhelmingly positive.

"When they see it, they can't believe it," he said.

Peterlis Kibwana, my safari guide while staying at Singita's Sabora Tented Camp, drove me to Milele. During the 40-minute drive, we spotted herds of zebras, pairs of giraffes, and wildlife at almost every turn.

Soon, a massive cliff came into view, and Kibwana pointed to its top.

"That's Milele," he said.

As I squinted at the property, it was clear the views from the villa were bound to be remarkable. Even miles away, I could tell that Milele was impressive in size.

As Kibwana drove up the hill to the villa's entrance, I was surprised — Milele no longer seemed massive. Shrubbery blocked most of the structures. Instead, a warm wooden pathway led into Milele.

A large infinity pool sits at the edge of Milele's property, overlooking vast plains. I imagined spending all day migrating between the pool and loungers as I watched animals below migrate to new areas.

While I enjoyed the view for just a few minutes, seeing the Grumeti Reserve from up high was an entirely new experience. I had spent the past two days viewing elephants and lions up close.

Seeing massive herds, spotting birds in midair, and playing "I Spy" with different species gave me a new perspective on the ecosystem.

Milele can accommodate 10 guests at a time, although Aimas said that just a couple or two often stay at the villa.

When guests are here, Aimas estimates there are about 20 staff members on-site — from butlers and chefs to safari guides and housekeeping.

Throughout the villa, I discovered moments of privacy and community. For example, two large dining tables and a communal firepit encourage bonding, while suites are secluded from the villa's main area.

Much of Milele's focus is on connecting guests with the outdoors. While I visited on a gloomy afternoon, Aimas shared that most rooms, including the main lounge, have large sliding doors that open.

The main lounge has couches, a fireplace, a fully stocked bar, and a dining table. Step outside, and there's another dining table and more couches.

From the lounge area, guests can access a 10-person cinema — if they can spot it.

The door to the cinema seamlessly blends in with the hallway, and I would've walked right by it if Aimas hadn't pointed out the door.

Comfortable recliners and couches fill the dark-lit room, and a screen stretches across one wall.

Aimas explained that Milele has an on-site chef to cook guests fine dining meals each night and dishes on request.

Beyond that, a stocked pantry is accessible all day, and the property also has a wine cellar, where wine tastings are hosted.

Milele's private gym is a room with floor-to-ceiling glass panes. Here, guests have all-day access to ellipticals, bikes, and treadmills.

During their stay, they can also book vinyasa and yin yoga classes on the property's outside deck.

There's a main bedroom suite, a junior suite, a two-bedroom family suite, and a fourth suite.

Each one is individually designed and named after a Serengeti animal. Dazzle, for example, is the name of a group of zebras. Inside this suite, gray armchairs sit at the end of the bed, and a checkerboard of similar colors covers one wall.

Meanwhile, the crash suite, named after rhinos, is filled with cream and light colors.

While each room slightly varies in style and amenities, each suite has private bathrooms, automatic curtains, and sliding doors leading to outdoor decks.

Others have dressing rooms, offices, and private spa pools.

Back toward the entrance of Milele, guests can access the main suite. Here, there are two interior bathrooms and two outside showers. There's also a dressing room and an office.

Again, large glass sliding doors lead to a private outdoor area. Here, guests can rotate between a private spa pool, loungers, couches, and tables.

The dazzle suite is also secluded from the main area, and along the pathway, guests pass some of the villa's outdoor areas.

A boma is a traditional outdoor area for a firepit. At Milele, a circular stone bench surrounds a firepit, so guests can curl up around a fire each evening and stargaze. Nearby is a sala, a covered area where guests can lounge and dine outside.

While Milele is accessible by road or bush plane, Kibwana and I stopped at Singita's helicopter pad, where some of the wealthiest guests arrive.

While it's tempting to never leave the property, staying at Milele offers more than access to the villa.

Private game drives around the Grumeti are included in the rate, and guests can book activities like hot air balloon rides, community visits, walking safaris, and yoga classes for additional costs.

My tour lasted under an hour, and returning to my luxury lodge felt like an impossible task.

From having access to so much pristine land to enjoying meals cooked by a private chef, touring Milele took luxury to levels I'd never seen.

Italy's lift tickets were far cheaper than most of the ones I've seen in Colorado.

Skiers can access the Dolomites' dozen resorts, including Cortina d'Ampezzo, with a lift ticket that costs 70 euros, or about $73, a day.

In Colorado, lift tickets at popular resorts are often triple that price. At Aspen Snowmass, for example, lift tickets cost $244 a day.

Some independently-owned resorts in Colorado offer lower-priced lift tickets, like Cooper Mountain, where weekday access is just $45 and weekend access is $110. However, if you're looking for a town dotted with Michelin-starred restaurants, celebrity spotting, and luxury resorts in Colorado, you'll also be paying a higher price to get on the mountain.

Snowboarding in Cortina cost me $145 versus the $488 it would cost in Aspen.

Whether it's a snowboard or a pair of skis, Cortina d'Ampezzo had cheaper rentals than I've seen in Aspen.

In Cortina d'Ampezzo, rentals cost around $50. If booking in advance, options were even cheaper, with stores like Ski System Cortina offering a day rental of skis, poles, boots, and a helmet for $43 or $33 at Rightfeeling Ski Rent and Shop.

Finding rentals that cheap is hard in a place like Aspen. Christy Sports offers rentals in Aspen for $75 a day if you book in advance. In person, the cost is $90 for skis, boots, poles, and a helmet. Aspen Skis charges $60 a day online for a similar package.

Thankfully, I didn't have to pay either of these costs since I own a snowboard, and checking it on my international flights didn't have any added costs. However, if I did need to rent gear, I would've saved $54 by snowboarding in Italy.

If we compare Cortina d'Ampezzo to its North American twin, Aspen, lodging is another category in which the Dolomites were cheaper.

I spent $777 for a two-night stay at Camina Suite and Spa, a four-star hotel in Cortina. Here, I had amenities like a free breakfast, sauna, and free parking.

There were plenty of more luxe hotel options to choose from. I could've spent more than $1,500 a night to stay in Cortina d'Ampezzo's nicest resorts like Hotel de Lën or Rosapetra Spa Resort.

Staying in Aspen's top resorts, like The Little Nell or St. Regis Aspen, would cost more than $2,500.

Meanwhile, Cortina d'Ampezzo is home to many more affordable options. In the heart of Cortina d'Ampezzo, more than 10 hotels offer rates lower than $300 a night. If you want to stay in Aspen proper, there are just two hotels with prices lower than $300 a night.

If I wanted a similar four-star experience in Aspen, I would've had to pay about $1,000 a night. By traveling to Italy, I had a luxury stay for about $1,223 less.

I was in utter shock when the Italian man behind the bar told me my lunch cost 12 euros. I ordered a sandwich and an Aperol spritz on the mountain and expected a cocktail alone to be more than that total.

In Colorado, I'm used to paying high prices for slopeside food. A burger and fries on the mountain or at the base tend to cost around $40 after tax and tip, and I haven't found a beer cheaper than $8 before tax.

Even beyond simple slopeside eats, high-end cuisine was still more affordable in Cortina compared to Aspen.

I could dine on a six-course Michelin-starred menu at Cortina's SanBrite for $156. In Aspen, a five-course menu at the one-star Bosq costs $195. Factor in tips (or the lack thereof), and SanBrite is a much better deal.

Between free breakfasts, cheap mountainside lunches, and affordable dinners, I spent about $150 on food for two days in Italy. Compared to Aspen, traveling to Italy saved me at least $200 in food costs.

While every other aspect of a ski trip in Italy is much more affordable than Colorado, the biggest financial hurdle was getting there.

My round-trip ticket between Denver and Venice cost about $1,200. If I had booked further in advance and been more strategic about when I visited, a flight to Venice could've cost $700.

I also rented a car to get to the mountains, which added another $350 to my transportation costs.

The total cost for my weekend skiing in Cortina was about $2,700. Meanwhile, a similar weekend in Aspen would cost about $2,960.

If I had planned my flights better, that cost could be closer to $2,000. Of course, there are ways to make both trips more reasonable — I splurged on meals and compared two of the world's most expensive ski towns.

But if you asked me if I'd rather spend a day skiing across Italy's Dolomites or in Aspen, I'd pick Italy any day.

The Viceroy is one of Snowmass' most luxurious properties, tucked in the ski town's base village.

It's comprised of two separate buildings: the Pinnacle and the Cirque.

The Pinnacle, the Viceroy's first building, opened in 2009 with 163 rooms. In 2024, the Cirque opened, adding 42 rooms to the property.

Layouts between the two buildings range from a studio to a four-bedroom suite.

"Every single unit here is owned by an individual person, but in this building, 90% of those people put them back into the Viceroy rental program," Andy Gunion, a managing partner at East West Partners, the company that developed the Cirque, said. "Most people that are staying there as a guest have no idea that they're staying in someone's condo."

Each condo's design and amenities are identical, and owners can opt to list their spaces as hotel rooms managed by the Viceroy, where the profits are split.

When initially listed for sale, many of these condos sold for millions of dollars. The recently opened Cirque sold out in days, with properties ranging between $2.5 million and $11.75 million.

Katie de Besche, Viceroy's director of sales, told me on a recent visit that about 10 people live at the Viceroy year-round, and another 8 to 15 owners stay for longer stretches of time.

"They love it," de Besche said. "There's a couple that comes down and has a meeting and cup of coffee at the end of the bar every morning. They enjoy the social aspect of it."

Both residents and hotel guests have access to the same amenities, although some — like the pool and restaurant — close during shoulder seasons.

While only a few live there full-time, others own condos for various reasons. For some, owning and renting out the unit is a way to make passive income since the revenue from guest stays is split between the owner and the hotel.

Other units, like the penthouses, sit empty as the owners wait to flip it for a profit, de Besche said.

And others own properties for convenience.

"We manage it, we rent it out, and they don't have to do anything," de Besche said. "They come and enjoy it when they want."

De Besche said her parents are a great example. They've owned a condo in the Pinnacle building for 10 years. They keep it in the rental pool and can access the condo whenever they visit Snowmass.

The cost of rooms for hotel guests can vary. During my stay in early January, the one-bedroom suite cost $2,250 a night. Business Insider received a media rate for the two-night stay.

The Viceroy's entry-level prices start at around $1,100 during the winter, but larger suites can reach $3,500 a night.

My suite in the Cirque building was a two-bedroom residence with a lock-off, meaning the second connecting room was rented separately during my stay.

These two-bedroom residences, when sold, had an average sale price of $2.96 million.

For two nights, I imagined what it would be like to not only vacation in a luxury hotel but also live in one.

De Besche said that staying in the Cirque over the Pinnacle would give me a bit more space and a more residential feel.

"This could be in a high-rise in Denver," de Besche said. "You feel like it's more of a home, but with direct access to the amenities."

She was right. Stepping inside my suite felt less like stepping inside a hotel and more like stepping inside an apartment.

There was a kitchen with a gas stove, full-sized fridge, dishwasher, and oven. Inside a closet, I discovered a washer and dryer. In the living room, a long sectional sat facing a gas fireplace.

Overall, the entire suite felt modern, clean, and crisp with neutral colors.

The bed was comfy, and later, as I fell asleep, I couldn't help wonder and dream about who owned the condo.

There were no signs of the owner — no family pictures on the wall or clothes tucked in the closet. Instead, ski and Colorado-inspired art filled the walls.

Like the kitchen, living room, and bedroom, the bathroom was large.

A two-sink vanity stretched along one wall, and a large rainfall shower sat in the corner of the room.

"We don't allow the homeowners to do much in the way of personalization," de Besche said. "So, from a guest experience, you feel like you're staying in a hotel."

She explained that homeowners have storage carts for their belongings when they're not on the property. When they arrive, the hotel staff drops off their items.

Since the two buildings were constructed in different years, their designs vary slightly.

However, many rooms across both buildings connect to neighboring rooms and suites. De Besche said this makes it ideal for families and large groups traveling together.

From a shuttle service to a gym, the property is filled with luxury amenities, most of which are located in the Pinnacle building.

The Viceroy is Snowmass' only ski-in, ski-out luxury resort.

A ski lift was a three-minute walk from my room. De Besche explained that the slopes by the property are where some ski lessons and classes are conducted, making it ideal for families and children learning the winter sport.

Meanwhile, the lift near the resort connects advanced skiers to the rest of the mountain.

Also near the lift is one of the property's two restaurants. While The Nest will be renovated this spring, this winter, it's a casual slopeside restaurant serving items like burgers, Caesar salads, and hummus.

Everything guests need to ski is also on-site. Hotel guests and residents can buy lift tickets, rent gear, shop for ski accessories, and store their personal gear at the property.

It wouldn't be a luxury hotel without a gym and spa.

The Viceroy's gym has large windows looking out onto the ski slopes, and its spa has a relaxation room, six treatment rooms, a yoga room, and a store.

At the Viceroy's entrance, guests can find a reception desk and concierge. Beyond that, there's plenty of seating and a lounge.

Throughout the day, the lounge is a café selling pastries, fruits, and other snacks. At night, it's a bar with cocktails and light bites.

The restaurant was recently renovated, and each day, it welcomes guests for breakfast and dinner.

Toro's menu is filled with chef Richard Sandoval's Latin-inspired cuisine.

"It's unexpected. You wouldn't think you're sitting in Snowmass in an environment like this," de Besche said.

Later that evening, I cozied up at one of Toro's tables for dinner. I dined on miso chipotle halibut, hamachi sashimi, and an opera cake for dessert.

Each dish balanced familiar flavors with surprising elements. For me, the sashimi stood out with its refreshing yuzu sauce.

After finishing my meal, I thought back to de Besche's comment and agreed. For a few hours, I was transported out of a snowy ski town to a warm seaside destination.

The property has a large pool, outdoor bar, and three spa pools.

De Besche explained that the spa plunge pools are a little cooler than a traditional hot tub, so guests can spend longer soaking in the water.

The pools were an ideal place to relax after skiing, and I imagined the area coming to life on warmer ski days.

Between large living spaces, luxurious amenities, and slopeside access, it wouldn't be hard to get on board with living in a luxury hotel.

I could skip Doordash and order room service to my condo, and housekeeping would be a call away.

As I packed my bags after a short stay, I left the Viceroy envying the few condo owners who live on-site year-round.

Once you've made it to a ski resort in Colorado, getting on the mountain is simple. Likely, you'll have one or two options: a ski lift or a six-person gondola up the mountain.

In Italy, I saw several options for scaling the slopes. During my ski day in Cortina d'Ampezzo, for example, I first boarded a 40-person gondola, followed by a lift.

It was by far the largest gondola I've ridden, and throughout my three days snowboarding in Italy, I boarded these large gondolas along with smaller gondolas, ski lifts, and T-bars.

The consequence was that getting to the slopes often took longer since I spent time waiting for other people to board these large spaces. On the flip side, though, I rarely sat in a lift line once on the mountain — a common occurrence on Colorado's crowded slopes.

I read through lists of recommended restaurants in Cortina d'Ampezzo and listened to locals share their favorite spots in the Dolomites to grab a quick bite.

At each recommendation, I pulled up Google Maps to see how I could drive or walk to the spot. Often, I'd need to strap in my snowboard to get to their recommendations.

Refugios, which are mountain guesthouses, are known for great meals. Meanwhile, in Colorado, ski restaurants typically stick to the staples: chicken tenders, hamburgers, and chili.

While Colorado's mountainside restaurant scene may be changing — resorts like Snowmass and Arapahoe Basin have opened newer, nicer restaurants in the past few years — my friends and I typically stick to packed sandwiches and granola bars, basically quick bites consumed on chair lifts or at picnic tables.

Lunch some afternoons in Italy naturally led into après. The French word is similar to America's concept of happy hour. In Italy, it seemed like a staple of a ski day. In Cortina d'Ampezzo, I could hear music echoing as I snowboarded down one slope.

While the concept of après has made its way to Colorado, I rarely have friends who stick around a DJ set or carve out a few hours during the day for a sit-down meal.

The overall trend seems to be that the focus is on the sport when you're in the mountains in Colorado. In Italy, the focus is an experience that includes dining, drinking, and, of course, skiing or snowboarding.

I stared at my first ski map in Cortina d'Ampezzo and searched for familiar colors. In Colorado, ski runs are marked green for easy, blue for intermediate, and black for hard.

As I eyed Cortina d'Ampezzo's map, I saw no green lines. Then I remembered that Europe's grading system is different. Easy runs are blue, red runs are medium, and black runs are hard. Plus, there were colors I had never seen. Orange marked the equivalent of double blacks, and green dotted lines highlighted items like hiking trails.

Beyond the differences in colors alone, most European ski maps use numbers instead of names to signify ski runs.

In Colorado, you might head down runs named Bittersweet, Copperopolis, or Kaboom. In Italy, I looked at numbers — like skiing down slopes 85 and 62.

When it comes to the types of runs in Colorado, everyone seems to have a preference. Some skiers and snowboarders love narrow runs between groupings of trees. Others seek out moguls, a series of bumps down a run. If you're like me, you avoid both and stick to wide-open slopes.

The variety of runs was limited at the two resorts I visited in Italy. Most runs were groomed, and I didn't see a single mogul run.

The same goes for trees. Most of Italy's skiing happens above the treeline since trees stop growing at lower altitudes in the region. That means you'll find very few runs carved through pines. Instead, everything I snowboarded down in Italy was flat and open.

I walked up to my first gondola in Cortina d'Ampezzo, a wealthy ski town in Italy often compared to Colorado's ritzy Aspen, and I was shocked to learn that a lift ticket for the day would cost a mere 70 euros, or about $73.

In Aspen, a lift ticket cost me $250 in January.

Beyond the cost of getting on the mountain, other parts of skiing in Italy were cheaper.

Aperol spritzes cost less than $7, sandwiches less than $10, and gear was less than $50 a day for boots and skis or a snowboard.

The sport is expensive at resorts like Aspen, Snowmass, and Winter Park. Ski gear can cost closer to $100. In 2023, I paid $84 for skis and boots; gear at Snowmass this year was $78.

When I boarded my first Italian gondola, the fashion brand Guess was plastered across its walls. Minutes later, on my first lift, I noticed each pole had a bright-red Prada advertisement. At the base of my first run, a billboard showcased a Ford Bronco.

I saw ads everywhere I looked in the Dolomites.

It was unexpected, especially coming from Colorado. Sure, there are a few ads on the slopes — lunch advertisements fill lift safety bars, and you might see a luxury-sponsored bar — but it's not nearly as common as it was in Italy.

I find Colorado's mountains breathtaking every time I end up on the slopes, but I'll admit that the views of the Dolomites were some of the most impressive I've seen.

As I snowboarded across the Brixen resort during golden hour, I was in awe of the jagged peaks.

The views alone convinced me that lugging my heavy snowboarding gear was worth every bit of discomfort, and I won't second guess a future European ski trip.

From the luxury real estate ads in the Aspen airport to views of mansions from the town's gondola, it was clear from the moment I arrived in the ski town that owning property in Aspen takes a lot of wealth.

In fact, Aspen is the most expensive ski town in the country, with an average weeklong vacation costing $5,330 for one traveler in 2023. 

Blocks away from Aspen's downtown is Red Mountain, a neighborhood known for residents that are so rich it's nicknamed "Billionaire Mountain."

I toured the neighborhood, where famous faces like Walmart heiress Ann Walton and the Bezos family owned property.

Along the drive, I also spotted one of the most expensive homes ever sold in Aspen — a $72.5-million property bought by Patrick Dovigi, a former professional hockey player and the founder and CEO of the waste management company Green for Life Environmental, according to Aspen Daily News.

As I crawled up the switchback mountain roads, the properties became larger, and the entrance gates grew grander. 

I embarked on tours of five different mansions in Aspen with luxury real-estate agents Heidi Houston, Doug Leibinger, and Carrie Wells.

The homes ranged from $13 million to $51 million and came with extravagant features I could never imagine owning, like wet bars, indoor pools, and 12-car garages.

At the very top of Billionaire Mountain, I stopped at The Peak House, a 22,000-square-foot estate that sold for $40 million in 2022. 

The Peak House is the highest residence on Red Mountain and real-estate agent Heidi Houston pointed out features that earned the property its price tag. 

Beyond its sprawling size and grand views, the home had a wine cave, an enormous living room, and a 12-car garage. Plus, the estate also had its own set of uncommon additions. For example, there was an indoor pool and a secret bedroom built for the first owner's mistress.  

Aspen Park is a 15,000-square-foot home five minutes away from downtown Aspen. The house sold for $51 million by real-estate agent Carrie Wells.

On a tour of the home, I spotted two elevators, 10 fireplaces, and a Lamborghini-themed garage. I also discovered unusually extravagant amenities throughout the house. For example, an oxygen system that pumps extra oxygen into the room was placed in the primary bedroom. Its goal is to mimic different sea levels and reduce the effects of altitude sickness, as Wells showed me during the tour. 

Stepping into Dalwhinnie Farms, a dispensary in the heart of downtown Aspen, was the poshest cannabis-buying experience of my life.

Dalwhinnie's CEO, Brandon Barksdale, told me that the store was intentionally designed to cater to Aspen's elite. Within my first moments inside the store, I was greeted by scents of warm leather and views of crystal glassware sparkled from nearby shelves.

It's not just cannabis Dalwhinnie sells. Next to its display of edibles, flowers, and concentrates are Rolex watches, cashmere scarves, and jewelry with a $92,000 price tag. 

Aspen was one of the first times I slept in five-star hotels. The experience didn't disappoint.  

At the time, for $848 a night, I stayed in The Little Nell, Aspen's only five-star and five-diamond hotel. It has welcomed celebrities like Britney Spears and Beyoncé. Later, during my trip, I spent $700 for a night at The St. Regis Aspen Resort. The St. Regis also has five stars and is known for rich and famous visitors like Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, and Paris Hilton.

With famous clientele and expensive rates came luxury offerings that made me feel a bit like a celebrity, too. 

I expected to see designer dogs playing fetch at the parks and lapdogs in Louis Vuitton purses, but I hadn't considered how hotels and restaurants would cater to pups.

At The Little Nell, for instance, dog owners could order the"Canine Delights Daily," which was served in dog-friendly bowls and included carrots, brown rice, scrambled eggs, and the owner's choice of protein. 

Most five-star hotels have a long list of amenities, but one of The Little Nell's biggest appeals is its ski-in/ski-out access and its own designated ski concierge.

The concierge will help guests coordinate ski lift tickets, rent gear, schedule ski school classes, and even preheat their ski boots each morning so they don't have to worry about cold feet. 

I've stayed at hotels that had free airport shuttles on buses and vans, but I never had access to luxury cars at hotels. 

At The Little Nell, I had access to a free electric Audi Q8 e-tron car rental.

To celebrate the transition from day to night, each evening, a saber was brought out to the courtyard for a dramatic Champagne popping. 

While I missed the ceremony on the first night, I happily accepted a glass of Champagne upon check-in. The ceremony felt overly grand for a daily ritual, but I'm also not one to complain about free bubbly. 

Small things in Aspen felt like shocking luxuries that I've never seen in cities like New York or Denver, like covering water fountains and bike stations for inclement weather.

In Aspen during the winter, the bicycle rideshares were closed, the bikes were stored away, and plastic covers were placed on the docking stations.

The same went for the town's water fountains. Each water station in Aspen had a snug cover that protected it from the colder temps.

To me, it seemed like the city of Aspen cared about its infrastructure. In the summer, I imagine the town's resources would be up and functioning — unlike the broken water fountains I remember from my time in New York. 

Good luck finding a McDonald's, Chipotle, or Subway anywhere in or near Aspen. The quaint ski town takes pride in its upscale food scene, which doesn't include fast-food chains.

In fact, the town's one and only McDonald's closed its doors in 2016. 

The most casual restaurants I visited during my stay in Aspen were The White House Tavern, where sandwiches cost between $21 and $26 without fries, and a pizza shop that served $6 slices. 

I arrived at the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport in jeans, a turtleneck, and a pullover sweater. This was much nicer than my typical airport attire of leggings and a T-shirt.

Yet I was by far the most underdressed traveler in the airport. In every corner of the small terminal, I noticed people with designer shopping bags and Louis Vuitton suitcases.

The airport had one eatery that sold warm food and snacks. Other than Coca-Cola products, Wrigley gum, and Flipz pretzels, there were few name brands. 

I spent about $8 on a pack of gum and a marshmallow treat. Although I'm used to airport food being overpriced, Aspen's airport set the bar even higher in terms of prices. 

At the food counter, travelers could order an $18 chicken cordon bleu sandwich, a $19 portobello rice bowl, or a $19 pork carnitas burrito. 

For snacks, options included a $15 bag of trail mix, caramel-flavored popcorn, and handmade marshmallow treats from The Crispery. 

Between a home oxygen system and room-service dog food, by the time I landed home in Denver, I had cataloged new luxuries I never dreamed of.

Previous trips to New York City and Paris had moments of indulgence, but in Aspen, I embraced the town's extravagance the moment I arrived.

CiCi said she constantly sees passengers who can't pick up their carry-on bags and require help from other passengers or a flight attendant. When it comes to her role as a flight attendant, CiCi stressed that lifting suitcases is not part of her job.

She doesn't want to risk hurting herself by lifting someone else's bag, and airlines often have policies preventing flight attendants from lifting passengers' suitcases, meaning that if a flight attendant gets injured while helping with suitcases, they may not receive worker's compensation.

CiCi said passengers should be confident and comfortable lifting their luggage.

Plus, some airlines, like Frontier Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, have rules about how much your suitcase can weigh. If your bag is overstuffed and weighs too much, you might have to check it at the gate. This can add unwanted time to your travel.

CiCi said she passengers will often walk up to their gate with a roller suitcase, a backpack, and a purse — that's one too many carry-on bags, according to airline rules.

This can result in gate agents asking passengers to consolidate their belongings into two bags, which adds time to the boarding process. Plus, this can cost a traveler money if they can't fit everything into two bags and need to pay for an extra carry-on.

CiCi said passengers who need to access their carry-on suitcases can sometimes cause delays in boarding. She recommends packing everything they need for a flight in their personal item.

"People put things that they need on the plane — like their book and their earbuds or whatever they're going to need — inside their suitcase," she said. "It's not easy to access."

Passengers who must get in their suitcases and sift through their belongings during boarding can block other passengers from their seats and cause delays.

Waiting until they're in midair to get items from their suitcase is risky, too — turbulence could've shifted the bags in the overhead bin, which might cause them to fall and injure someone.

CiCi said her advice is to ensure all your flight essentials are in your personal item, which will be within reach during the flight.

The changing altitudes an airplane experiences cause gases to expand during a flight, which can, in turn, cause toiletries or water bottles to leak in your carry-on.

CiCi said she sees this frequently, but she has a few tips.

First, squeeze as much air out of the bottle as possible. She said this would help prevent expansion.

Perhaps most importantly, she said, choose travel-sized containers wisely. CiCi said that she's tried dozens of travel-sized containers designed to prevent leaks and that the ones she's had the most success with have screw-on caps instead of snap tops since these create a tighter seal.

CiCi said it's important to stay hydrated on a flight.

The Aerospace Medical Association recommends that travelers drink 8 ounces of water each hour on a plane.

While you can't bring more than 3 ounces of liquids on the plane, you can bring a frozen water bottle or an empty bottle you can refill once you're inside the airport terminal. 

This will help travelers save money and stay hydrated.

CiCi said turbulence during the summer can get intense since high heat causes more convective turbulence in the sky. When there's a lot of turbulence, flight attendants are sometimes required to remain seated.

If flight attendants can't get up, passengers don't get snacks or beverages. Some airlines, like Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air, have ditched the complimentary snack service and offer drinks and snacks for sale.

CiCi suggests passengers bring their own snacks. She said that in addition to fruits like apples and oranges, she always has a few bags of nuts in her luggage.

CiCi said that if you're flying with just a carry-on, wear your heavy items on the plane instead of packing them.

She said she's sometimes shocked to speak to passengers who are traveling far with just a carry-on and wearing light airplane attire.

That's not what CiCi does. She said that on a recent flight to Italy, she wore her bulky rain boots, a sweater, and a jacket — even though she was flying out of hot, humid Florida. She added that this saved her a significant amount of space in her carry-on and allowed her to pack more outfits for her trip.

I've experimented with a handful of viral airplane products. While some have let me down, others have drastically improved my flying experience.

One winner is a foot hammock that wraps around a seat's tray table. It allows me to have my knees bent, creating a different seated position for a long flight.

I love it, but for this flight to Tanzania, I packed an inflatable travel pillow. I was flying light and felt like having two long-haul comforts was overkill in my limited space.

Unfortunately, I didn't love the blow-up pillow. It felt bulky and uncomfortable, and instead, I longed for my hammock.

Looking back, the hammock wouldn't have taken up much space and would've been worth packing. For future long-haul flights, I might even consider trying a brand-new product.

Delirious after 22 hours of travel, I landed in Ethiopia feeling gross. I hadn't brushed my teeth like I typically do on long-haul flights, so I immediately headed to the terminal's bathroom to freshen up.

Instincts kicked in, and I used the airport's bathroom water to brush my teeth.

I had spent less than 15 minutes in the country and already made one of the mistakes everyone urges you to avoid — drinking tap water.

The Ethiopia tourism site cautions people against drinking the country's tap water and brushing their teeth with it, as it can cause waterborne diseases.

I spent the rest of my layover monitoring any slight change in my body. Thankfully, I didn't consume much and was fine for the rest of my journey.

Some long-haul travelers swear by changing into new clothes during lengthy travel days. I, however, have always considered this a waste. Unless I can shower and get clean, dirtying two sets of clothes typically doesn't make sense to me.

After this 33-hour day, I've changed my mind. Brushing my teeth and washing my face in Ethiopia didn't make me feel much more refreshed. But having a clean set of clothes would've been a game changer — mostly because it would've helped my mindset.

Instead of dreading the remainder of the trip, new clothes would've felt like a fresh start and potentially helped me manage the nine hours of the journey I had left.

This is a common mistake I make on flights. Experts recommend drinking 8 ounces of water for every hour you're in the air since flying is a dehydrating experience.

While it would've been challenging to consume 160 ounces of water, I definitely didn't drink close to that amount, which contributed to my exhaustion and lethargy after landing in Tanzania.

Electrolytes or hydration salts could have also helped, so I'll carry them on future flights.

I started my journey with a red-eye flight, which I initially thought was smart. My game plan was to fall asleep during the first flight and continue sleeping after a five-hour layover and during the longer 13-hour flight.

I successfully slept through most of the first flight, which was only three-and-a-half hours.

As soon as I boarded the 13-hour flight, I realized I made a major error: My body was still on Mountain Standard Time. It was morning, and I was wide awake.

Looking back, I should've forced myself to stay awake for the first flight and focused on sleeping during the longer flight. That way I could've been better adjusted to my destination's time zone and had a few more hours of rest.

I didn't give up hope after making that major mistake of snoozing on the first flight. So, after finishing meal service on my Ethiopian Airways flight, I attempted to get more rest.

I blew up my travel pillow, snuggled in my seat, and closed my eyes.

Sleep didn't come, and I regretted not packing melatonin or another sleeping aid for the flight.

After boarding my 13-hour flight wide awake, I was ready to binge. I had downloaded the latest season of the "Great British Baking Show," a movie or two, and a handful of "Normal Gossip" podcast episodes.

I was content for four hours. By hour five, my eyes had glazed over, and my ears ached from my headphones. Since I couldn't sleep, I needed anything to keep me occupied.

What I wanted was a physical book or crossword puzzle. I was tired of looking at screens, but without anything physical in my bag, I was stuck flipping through passenger safety instructions and an e-book on my phone.

Next time, I'll pack a crossword puzzle, magazine, and book to keep me occupied.

Once I landed in Ethiopia, I connected to the airport's WiFi and checked in with friends and family.

Fast-forward to my next three-hour flight — I hopped into the Netflix app to finish my downloaded episodes, but everything had disappeared.

My guess is that the shows I downloaded weren't licensed for Ethiopia, so Netflix removed them from my downloads.

I believe I would have kept my downloads if I had kept my WiFi turned off and my phone on airplane mode.

Either way, it was another reason for me to have packed a physical book to read.

I was groggy, smelly, and slightly delirious when I finally landed on the island of Zanzibar.

More importantly, I was thrilled to kick off my adventure. From the people to the animals to the food and scenery, my trip to Tanzania was worth every cramped minute on a plane.

Leading up to the 13-hour flight, I learned that my business-class ticket also granted me access to the Star Alliance Lounge at the Los Angeles International Airport.

Another new experience was the airport lounge, which caters to first-class, business-class, and some travel credit-card holders. Before landing at the airport, I had never visited an airport lounge.

Thankfully, I had a seven-hour layover in LA to discover its unexpected perks. I spent hours tasting every food item I could find and exploring the lounge's outdoor patio and quiet room.

My favorite perk was knowing that an Air New Zealand representative was stationed at the lounge, supplying flight updates so I didn't have to stress about missing an announcement or my flight. 

The lounge was a luxe respite and much nicer than the airport gates and restaurants I typically camp at during layovers. 

With a full stomach, I left the airport lounge, grabbed my carry-on suitcase, and navigated through the crowds of people waiting to board the flight. 

At my gate, I passed families and couples waiting for their boarding groups to be called while my group — business class, which is the airline's version of first class — was welcome to step onto the plane. 

I reached the jet bridge entrance, scanned my boarding pass, and joined two dozen business-class passengers. Together, we were some of the first people on the plane. 

As someone who has only ever sat in economy, boarding first was an entirely new experience. I'm typically one of the last people on the plane and accustomed to hunting for rare overhead luggage space.

Since there were fewer people, the business-class cabin felt more spacious. I had plenty of overhead storage available for all my belongings, and I didn't have to worry about being told I'd need to gate-check a bag. 

One of the biggest perks of flying business class on long-haul flights is the extra space. 

In economy, I'm used to cramped seats that hardly recline. 

Even with an expectation of a larger seat with more room in business class, I was shocked by how spacious the seat actually felt on my Air New Zealand flight. In front of me was a footrest, where at 5 feet and 8 inches, I could stretch out my legs. I also used this space to store my backpack. The tray table was larger than any I've seen in economy.

Perhaps the best part was the seat's ability to recline. I had four buttons to experiment with moving my seat backward and forward. Plus, I could lie flat, which was a valuable feature when it was time to sleep. 

As I boarded the Boeing aircraft, a flight attendant asked if I would like a glass of Champagne or something to drink before takeoff.

I'm used to a smiling flight attendant handing me a sanitizing wipe when I've boarded — not a glass of bubbly. 

I happily accepted a flute. Shortly after, another flight attendant came by with a tray of roasted nuts. I quickly learned I would never be hungry or thirsty on this flight.

I also realized the snacks I packed in my backpack wouldn't be needed. Instead, I was part of the group I'm typically envious of: the first-class travelers with space, snacks, and endless alcohol to enjoy on their plane ride.

I wasn't surprised to see a blanket and pillow waiting for me at my seat since I'd had those amenities in economy before, but I was thrilled to find a bag of complimentary toiletries.

The purple pouch contained a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, ear plugs, an eye mask, lip balm, lotion, a pen, and a pair of socks.

As I lathered the balm across my lips, I wondered how much the tube cost. I later found out that the Ashley & Co. Lip Punch retails for $15, and the brand's Soothe Tube lotion costs $25. 

These small perks added an element of luxury throughout the flight, and they came in handy when I realized I had left my toothpaste in the bottom of my carry-on suitcase. 

After taking inventory of all the free stuff at my seat, I noticed that nearly everyone around me had their shoes off and their complimentary purple and black striped socks on.

I sat there shocked. There are a few plane etiquette rules I always follow, like giving the person in the middle seat both armrests. At the top of my list is not taking off my shoes — no one wants to smell stinky feet. 

I succumbed to the peer pressure, tossed my rules aside, and slipped off my shoes. Between the length of the flight and having more space in business class, I felt less guilty taking off my shoes, which I'm not sure I would've done in economy. 

After I took off my shoes, examined my toiletries, and settled at my seat, the flight attendants came around the cabin, introduced themselves, and offered each passenger a hot towel. 

There have been few instances in my life when I've received a hot towel, so I eyed my fellow passengers for clues on how to use it correctly. 

The people around me wiped their faces, necks, and hands, and I followed their lead. 

I felt spoiled using the towel and thought it was a relaxing way to start my flight.

Later, after a nap, the flight attendants came around with another hot towel before serving breakfast. This time, I confidently wiped the towel across my face. The warmth coated my skin, and I felt refreshed and ready for the morning. 

When it was time to eat dinner, my first meal of the flight, a menu was provided at my seat outlining options for the three-course meal inspired by New Zealand ingredients. Beetroot-cured salmon, poached chicken, and chocolate truffle ice cream were listed on the menu. 

The flight attendants kicked off dinner service by placing a cloth napkin across my tray table and laying down a set of metal silverware. I quickly realized that this meal would be nicer than any airline meal I've ever had.

On previous long-haul flights, as a vegetarian, I was given one option on a tray. The meal was typically packaged and served with plastic cutlery.

The silverware at my seat already established a drastic difference. Next, I was offered butter, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Following the condiments, the flight attendants walked around with a basket of warm sourdough and garlic bread. 

Then, the first course arrived. I opted for a pescatarian meal and was served stuffed olive leaves. This was followed by a main course of Alaskan cod with saffron sauce and finished with a chocolate tart for dessert. 

The meal was rich and filling. From its appearance and taste, I thought the meal could easily be served in a nice restaurant rather than an airplane cabin.

Our flight was a red-eye. We departed LA in the evening and were scheduled to land in Auckland in the early morning. 

After dinner was cleared, passengers slowly retreated to the bathroom to freshen up before bedtime. I headed to the restroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. By the time I was done, a flight attendant had converted my seat into a bed. 

During the turn-down service, a flight attendant presses a few buttons, which turns the upright seat into a horizontal bed. Then, they add a mattress topper, blanket, and pillow. Finally, they pull out the seat belts for safety and check in with each passenger to see if they want any final drinks, snacks, or items before dimming the cabin lights.

I thought the transition from dinner to sleep was effortless for passengers. As I grabbed my eye mask, I knew there was a good chance I'd actually fall asleep. I rarely have that confidence when sitting upright on a plane in economy. 

Sure enough, I slept for about five hours in the comfy bed and woke up to the smell of hot coffee and breakfast.

Before our plane left the jet bridge, I was getting to know the flight attendants. They stopped at every seat to confirm the passenger's dinner order and introduce themselves.

While I've encountered plenty of welcoming flight attendants in the past, this was the first time I'd been on a flight where everyone exchanged names.

By the end of the long-haul flight, we were all on a first-name basis and sharing travel recommendations for our coming trips. 

Since there were fewer passengers in business class and just as many flight attendants when compared to economy, we were able to bond much more than I expected. 

When our plane touched ground again, I wasn't ready to disembark. Instead, I could've spent another day in the glamorous cabin.

As a budget traveler, the chances I fly business class again are slim, so I soaked in every moment in my lie-flat seat and cherished every drop of Champagne. I hope I'll be able to experience the premium cabin again in my lifetime. At the very least, I'll bring my toiletry pouch on any future economy flight to replicate a small part of the experience. 

Vaccines and medications might be required for travel, depending on the destination. Uganda and Kenya, for instance, require a yellow fever vaccine before entering.

I was overwhelmed when I pulled up the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website to figure out what vaccines I needed for Tanzania. Over a dozen vaccines were listed. While some were routine, others were diseases I had never heard of.

To be safe, I met with a travel nurse who researched where I was going and advised me on what I did and didn't need. Altogether, I spent $250 on malaria medication, a Typhoid fever vaccine, and the consultation. That, along with over-the-counter medication, sunscreen, and bug spray, put this unexpected cost closer to $300.

While plenty of destinations require a visa, the cost can vary.

In Tanzania, travelers apply for a yearlong tourist visa, which costs $100. If they're heading to Tanzania's Zanzibar Island, visitors are required to pay another $40 for mandatory travel insurance.

Altogether, I spent $140 just to be able to start my safari vacation.

Whether it's a travel agent or a TikTok video you're referencing for packing advice, the source is bound to mention bringing neutral colors for your trip.

Visitors are encouraged to wear olive, tan, brown, and khaki colors for safaris. They should avoid blues and blacks because they can attract tsetse flies, which can carry a sleeping sickness disease. Meanwhile, bold colors can scare off animals.

While you might have some athletic clothes in this color palette, chances are you'll need to do some shopping for the trip.

For example, I didn't have a neutral-colored sweater or pair of pants for the trip. By the end of my shopping spree, I had spent nearly $150 on clothes — a number I didn't factor into my original budget.

Lodges across the Serengeti typically price their accommodations based on the season. Some lodges have two categories: high season and low season. Others divide prices by peak, mid, and low season.

In the Serengeti, the high season includes June through October and the end of December. During this time, guests can expect to pay more for accommodations.

Depending on the lodge, peak prices cost travelers hundreds of dollars more than low-season prices.

Tanzania is home to a myriad of ecosystems and habitats. The Serengeti is a main draw for tourists, but nearby areas like the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar Island are also popular stops on a Tanzania itinerary.

While many of these areas are short drives or flights away, the costs of road transfers and bush flights can add up if you're visiting multiple areas on vacation.

For example, a flight between Arusha and Zanzibar cost me $75, and a road transfer between two Zanzibar properties was $100. Within the Serengeti, a 30-minute bush flight between two lodges costs $300.

Transfers ended up being a major part of my safari budget, and I hadn't realized they would be so costly when I started planning the trip.

When researching the cost of a lodge or safari accommodation, travelers often see a sticker price for a night at the lodge.

While this price might include game drives, meals, and laundry services, it often doesn't include government levies, taxes, park fees, or conservation fees.

Those fees can add up. For example, I paid $283 in park and camping fees for a two-night stay within the Serengeti. At another lodge, the national park and concession fees were $271 for two nights.

Depending on the length of the trip, an extra $130 a night can quickly add up.

As safari owners and travel agents have previously told Business Insider, these additional activities are worth it.

A guided walk in the bush, for instance, will give travelers a whole new perspective on the ecosystem. They'll see insects, birds, and plants that can't be spotted from a safari vehicle.

Similarly, community visits to learn about the history and culture of the Indigenous populations living in Tanzania offer new perspectives and global connections the average traveler doesn't get every day.

These activities were some of the highlights of my two-week Tanzania trip. While they had payoffs, they also cost extra. For example, I paid $100 for a community visit one day and $60 the next for a guided walk.

Tipping is customary across most of Africa; who you tip and how much you tip can quickly add up.

Meg van Niekerk, a safari planner for Go2Africa, explained that these tips support lodge staff, who often have spouses, parents, and children back home to support as well.

"It's like a blessing," van Niekerk said.

Fortunately, these costs are standardized, so it's something you can budget for ahead of time.

For example, Go2Africa recommends tipping $20 a day for your safari guide, $20 for general hotel staff, $15 for a butler, and $15 for your safari tracker.

There's also bound to be a few more people you didn't factor in — like the driver for a road transfer or a guide for a community visit. I found $100 to be a fair amount to budget per day for tips during my safari.

Van Niekerk added that this is "just a guideline," and travelers can tip more or less depending on their budget and the service they receive.

Sure, I knew a few bush flights and tips would impact the overall cost of my first safari, but I didn't know by how much.

Thankfully, conversations with travel agents helped me better understand just how much I could expect to pay for a safari vacation.

While the unexpected costs of a safari felt overwhelming at times, the experience was all worth it.

Van Niekerk put it best when she told me, "It starts with it being a once-in-a-lifetime trip, but you will come back."

Regardless of hidden fees, I don't doubt van Niekerk, and I'm sure I'll be back.

To kick off 2022, I planned a trip to a Colorado ski resort with friends. 

In the weeks before the trip, I debated skiing versus snowboarding. I was unfamiliar with both and determined to take a class. Procrastination got the best of me, and by the time I signed up, all the ski lessons were full. 

Snowboarding classes were still available, so the decision was made for me.

My first day on the slopes was a hilarious disaster. My friends and I didn't pick up the sport as naturally as we had hoped. The day ended up with us walking down a run instead of snowboarding down it.

Even though I didn't finish my first day as a snowboarding pro, I did understand the appeal. It was fun to be challenged by something new and spend the day outdoors. 

The following winter, I headed to Colorado's Winter Park Resort for a work trip.

I planned to take Amtrak's Winter Park Express train to the resort. Once there, I'd spend two days on the slopes. I was itching for another new experience, so I booked a ski lesson one day and tried snowboarding the next day. 

This time, I didn't procrastinate. I booked the ski lesson a few weeks in advance and was eager to compare the two sports. Here are the major differences I noticed.

My first time snowboarding was with a friend who grew up skiing.

As we each stepped into the massive snowboard boots, she exclaimed how comfortable they were. To me, they felt awkward and bulky, but she promised that they were far more comfortable than any pair of ski boots she ever wore.

A year later, I finally understood what she meant. 

The ski boots I wore were coated in a hard plastic shell, which meant my feet didn't have much flexibility inside the shoe. They also had two awkward bumps at the front and back of each boot for ski clips, making it feel like I was never walking on a flat surface. 

Simple tasks like walking downstairs were challenging. Meanwhile, my snowboard boots had a softer and cushier interior and the bottoms were completely flat.

I didn't mind wearing the snowboard boots all day, but I couldn't wait to get out of the ski boots.

One of the biggest differences between the two sports is where your hips and chest face the mountain while you're skiing or snowboarding.

I knew there would be a difference, and I was curious which way I would prefer to face — either straight downward on skis or perpendicular on a snowboard. 

While skiing, my hips and chest were directly facing forward. This allowed me to use my peripheral vision. I could tell if anyone else was coming down the mountain on my left or right.

On the snowboard, however, my hips were perpendicular to the slope. This made looking behind me slightly easier, but I had a larger blind spot on my snowboard that made peripheral sight more uncomfortable.

Of course, neither skiing nor snowboarding gives you complete 360-degree views, but I felt like my vision was overall better on skis — especially as a beginner. 

Between lift lines and catwalks on runs, I had to learn to navigate on flat surfaces while snowboarding and skiing. 

After trying the two, I learned skiers have it way easier.

That's because most skiers, myself included, use poles. With my poles, I could push myself on flat patches and propel myself forward. 

Snowboarders, on the other hand, don't have poles. I needed to prioritize momentum during any flat area, and if I ended up coming to a stop, I needed to unclip my back foot and skate around. 

Skating on a snowboard was utterly exhausting, and after trying skiing, I longed for the ease of poles. 

Before my first snowboarding lesson, I crowdsourced advice and tips.

Every single person told me to prepare to fall. A lot. 

I went into the class expecting my fair share of topples, but I had no idea just how often I would find myself on the ground.

During the four-hour snowboarding class, I fell dozens of times. When I hit the slopes, I was on the ground more than I was standing.

When I went into my skiing lesson, I expected the same number of falls. During the four-house lesson, I didn't fall a single time.

I did attempt a green run later that day and fell a few times, but it still didn't come close to the number of falls I took during my first day of snowboarding.

Another place where I struggled as a beginner snowboarder was getting on and off the ski lifts.

When the lift ends, it doesn't stop moving. Instead, skiers and snowboarders must hop off their seats and ski or snowboard down a slight decline to the start of their run.

Again, ski poles were a major advantage in this situation. When I got off a lift on skis, I felt sturdy and confident. I never fell.

Getting off a lift on a snowboard, however, seemed like a skill within itself. I had to keep my balance while pushing off the lift. The result was fall after fall.

On my first day of snowboarding, I didn't successfully get off one single lift without falling. Meanwhile, I navigated lifts easily on my first day of skiing. 

Before trying skiing and snowboarding, I didn't realize how hard the sports would be on my body.

After snowboarding, my wrists were aching from falling forward onto my hands all day.

My calves were also not prepared for snowboarding. While on a snowboard, you use the toeside and heelside edge of the board to turn. After many toeside turns, my calves burned.

Skiing was also a hard workout. "Pizza-ing," which is when you point your skis into a triangle to stop, can strain your knees. That's the technique I was taught, and by the end of my first day on skis, my knees were sore from all the "pizza-ing."

Either way, my body was exhausted by the end of my first day on both a snowboard and skis.

My biggest concern with learning how to ski and snowboard was learning how to stop.

If I wanted to do either of the sports safely and comfortably, I knew I needed to be confident in my ability to brake quickly and effectively.

Luckily, this skill took little time to learn on a snowboard. With my board perpendicular to the slope, I could put downward pressure on my heels and immediately stop. While I wasn't able to get down mountains on my first snowboarding day, I was able to feel comfortable stopping.

This wasn't the case for skiing. Anytime I picked up any speed, my "pizza-ing" maneuver wasn't strong enough to slow me down. Instead, I spent my first day stopping by intentionally falling over. 

I'm sure it's a skill I could learn on skis, but the confidence I had with stopping on snowboards was enough to stick with that sport instead. 

After two winters in Colorado, I imagine I've heard the phrase close to a hundred times from friends. And I've recited it nearly as much to others.

That's because after trying both, I'm starting to understand why it's said so often.

While my first day on a snowboard last year was disastrous, my second day went much smoother. By the end of day two, I could get down blue runs, and after about five days, I felt confident navigating on the heelside and toeside edges of the board.

I'm not quite as confident yet with skiing. I've skied only one day, and although I fell far less than I did snowboarding, keeping my feet perfectly parallel seems like a skill that would take months, if not years, to master.

The two sports have their pros and cons.

Since I've spent more time on a snowboard overall, I'm sticking with that for now. I'm aiming to master using my toeside edge, and my fingers are crossed that I'll be on black runs sooner rather than later.

"Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" is a John Hughes and Chris Columbus collaboration following the first "Home Alone" movie, which took place in the Chicago suburbs. 

In "Home Alone 2," Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, is heading out for the holidays with his family. After a series of mistakes, McCallister ends up on the wrong plane — it's flying to NYC instead of Miami, where the rest of his family is headed.

Once he lands, McCallister explores the city solo and eventually runs into Harry and Marv, the same bad guys from the first movie, played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern.

The movie was released in 1992. More than 30 years later, many of the scenes look similar to NYC today.

"Home Alone 2" is filled with plenty of famous — and not so famous — New York destinations. 

I rewatched the classic Christmas movie to see how the film holds up to reality. 

After mistaking a man in a tan jacket for his father, McCallister arrives in NYC with the cityscape on full display in the background.

Initially feeling defeated, McCallister quickly realizes that a solo trip to New York City could be a fun adventure.

Maybe it's because I'm always in a frantic rush to get to the airport on time, but the views from LaGuardia Airport's windows have yet to impress me as they did in the movie. 

After the shock and worry of what just happened, McCallister decides to make the most of his stay in NYC.

Fortunately, he has his father's carry-on bag, complete with his dad's credit card, cash, and a Polaroid camera.

He hails a cab and crosses into Manhattan, where his adventure begins. 

In the movie, McCallister rides in a now-outdated taxi. Today, most taxis are modern cars, although they've kept their iconic yellow color. 

When it comes to the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, it hasn't changed. The only difference I spotted is that in 2010, "Ed Koch" was added to the front of the bridge's title after former Mayor Edward I. Koch.

These scenes go by quickly as McCallister visits neighborhoods and iconic spots sprinkled across the entire island.

The movie takes place during the holiday season. I was surprised there weren't more people in the background of this scene, which takes place in Midtown Manhattan, a neighborhood that is typically bustling with tourist activity.

Come wintertime, Radio City Music Hall typically teems with people eager to spot a Rockettes performance. 

The short scene features McCallister crossing paths with a Santa on stilts outside the Empire Diner.

The diner at 210 10th Avenue in New York's Chelsea neighborhood opened in 1976. 

Since then, the diner has closed and reopened a few times with new owners. Today, it's led by executive chef Jestin Feggan. 

The diner looks the same as it did in the movie, but behind it is a colorful mural painted by Eduardo Kobra. The mural features Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Quong Yuen Shing & Co. on Mott Street opened in 1891 in the heart of Chinatown and sold everything from salted duck eggs to medicinal herbs.

In the "Home Alone 2" script, it also sold firecrackers, which McCallister stuffs into his backpack as he exits the store. 

In the mid-1980s, the store received a new name, 32 Mott Street General Store, and in 2003, it closed in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, The New York Times reported.

While visitors can no longer stop at this specific spot, they can head to Chinatown in Lower Manhattan to explore its history and discover delicious eats.

McCallister looks out into the water and spots the Statue of Liberty. Surprisingly, this will be the only time we see this iconic landmark in the two-hour movie. 

The Battery, a 22-acre public park, is one of my favorite parks in Manhattan thanks to its water and greenery. 

For the most part, I think the movie gets it right. By that, I mean that the Statue of Liberty is far enough to need binoculars for a close-up view. However, you'll have to bring your own since the coin-operated ones no longer exist in the park.

The World Trade Center was comprised of seven buildings. McCallister makes his way up 110 stories to view the city from one of the Twin Towers.

On September 11, 2001, both Twin Towers collapsed in a terrorist attack, destroying the observation deck McCallister visits.

The closest thing to McCallister's view today is the One World Observatory.

The experience is 102 stories high, compared to McCallister's 110 stories. It's also enclosed, unlike the Twin Towers' outdoor observation deck.

This scene is Harry and Marv's entrance to the movie. The two have escaped from prison and are spotted in New York in the back of a fish delivery truck. They've traveled to NYC to steal money. 

The fish market is portrayed as a bustling place in the movie. 

Today, the fish market is entirely different than the one pictured in "Home Alone 2."

Opened in 1822, the market existed at South Street Seaport for over a hundred years. In 2005, it moved to an enclosed space in the Bronx.

Tourists and buyers arrive early — the market opens at 2 a.m. on most days.

While it might look drastically different from the movie, I can guarantee it has the same smell.

The Pigeon Lady will become an essential character later in the movie, but upon their first encounter, she scares McCallister.

McCallister runs away and heads to The Plaza Hotel, aka "New York's most exciting hotel experience," which is how McCallister refers to it while reciting a commercial he watched in the movie.

Standing in the southeast corner of Central Park, visitors can get a complete picture of the famous building. 

Its exterior hasn't changed much. The iconic hotel is still one of New York's most famous hotels. It was built in 1907, and in 1969, it was designated an official landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. 

The statue points McCallister in the direction of the hotel.

The general is known for helping Argentina, Chile, and Peru gain independence from the Spanish, according to NYC Parks.

Today, it looks the same as it did in the movie and can be spotted at Central Park South and Avenue of the Americas.

Once McCallister finally makes it to the hotel, he explores the extravagant lobby. It's decorated for the holiday season, and pots are filled with poinsettias.

In the lobby, McCallister runs into Donald Trump, who is playing himself — the owner of The Plaza Hotel. As Business Insider previously reported, Trump, who no longer owns the hotel, insisted on having a cameo in the film. 

Later in the scene, McCallister uses a fake voice to call and make a reservation for a suite. 

McCallister enjoys the hotel's pool and orders an ultimate room service experience.

Since 1992, the hotel has updated some of its interior and offerings, but the essence and luxury of the experience remain the same.

My guess is that it's much more expensive compared to when McCallister would've stayed. According to the hotel's website, rooms are priced between $1,000 and $33,000 for a night this January. 

This scene is where the duo gets the idea to rob a toy store. 

I've watched plenty of children — and adults — take a tumble at Wollman Rink.

The ice skating rink opened in 1950. Each November, it opens to the public for skating. In the summer, the area is a popular pickball court location.  

Here, McCallister sets foot into a store brimming with stuffed animals, musical instruments, and toys for all ages.

Lonely Planet said that Duncan's Toy Chest is based on the real New York City toy store, FAO Schwarz.

The actual store wasn't used for filming. Instead, filming took place in Chicago, with exterior shots from Chicago's historic The Rookery and interior scenes filmed in The Uptown Theater, The Sun reported.

I've stopped at FAO Schwarz once or twice and spotted the same joy and excitement depicted in the film.

However, many physical elements have changed. The store temporarily closed in 2015 and moved locations, and in 2018, it reopened at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. 

In the time since the movie came out, many of the store's current toys are different from the ones seen in the movie.  

As McCallister hops into the back of a horse-drawn carriage to escape Harry and Marv, the audience learns that this isn't the first, and likely won't be the last time McCallister visits the famous park.

In fact, McCallister wanders through Central Park a handful of times throughout the film. It's where McCallister spots the Plaza Hotel, stows away in a horse-drawn carriage, and befriends the Pigeon Lady. 

Throughout the film, McCallister is spotted across Manhattan's largest park. 

Yes, people still feed pigeons, and horse-drawn carriages still exist. 

As with any film shot decades ago, things will look different, but the crowds, and lack thereof, remain true.

I've explored areas of the 840-acre park that are both eerily quiet and swarmed with people. Overall, the film's depiction of the park is pretty accurate, based on my experience. 

McCallister makes his way to Times Square, which has some of the heaviest foot traffic in all of NYC.

I find Times Square to typically be pure chaos with crowds of tourists, business people, and performers filling the streets.

I was surprised to see it so empty in the movie. 

At the end of the movie, McCallister reunites with his mother in the plaza, who flew to New York to search for her son.

In the movie, the plaza is entirely empty. 

During my first winter in New York, I thought it would be fun to celebrate the holiday season by admiring the city's lights, window displays, and music, but I instantly regretted visiting Rockefeller Plaza.

The plaza was packed, and I remember having to push my way through the crowds to catch a glimpse of the tree. 

In fact, I doubt the plaza is ever as empty as it is in "Home Alone 2." 

While I'm glad I checked it off my bucket list, I have no desire to go back.

There's no place like NYC, especially during the holidays.

Watching "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" is still a reminder of the magic the city has each winter, no matter how much has changed since the movie came out.