Five Best: Rocky Mountain Retreats

Danielle Demetriou soaks up the scenery of the great outdoors from these lofty hideaways

Rainbow Ranch Lodge, Montana

Located in the heart of the rugged Big Sky region, Rainbow Ranch Lodge is an elegant hideaway on the banks of the Gallatin River. The 21 suites and cabins feature stone fireplaces, vaulted ceilings and wooden verandas. Life at the lodge invariably revolves around the great outdoors: skiing and dog sledding, in the winter, fly fishing, biking and horse-riding in summer. The hotel is also home to an award-winning collection of 8,500 bottles of wine, reportedly the largest in Montana.

Rainbow Ranch Lodge, Highway 191, Big Sky, Montana, US (001 406 995 4132; www.rainbowranch.com). Doubles from $204 (£120), room only

Sundance Resort, Utah

The world of movies may descend on Sundance Resort for the annual festival, but in style as well as location it is a million miles from Hollywood. When Robert Redford bought 5,000 acres of wilderness at the foot of Mount Timpanogos in 1969, his aim was to create a sustainable artistic community. Today, it hosts exhibitions, photographic workshops and food and wine festivals. But it is the setting that takes centre stage. Rustic cottages are simply furnished with roughly hewn beams, wood stoves and indigenous artefacts. The award-winning Tree Room provides fine cuisine by candlelight while the Native American-inspired spa offers treats such as a sage and sweet-grass rub.

Sundance Resort, Sundance, Utah, US (001 800 892 1600; www.sundanceresort.com). B&B starts at $256 (£151).

Emerald Lake Lodge, British Columbia

Discovered in 1882 by the guide Tom Wilson during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Emerald Lake is a serene spot in a wildly remote location. The lodge lies on a private island, encircled by the calm waters of the lake and the towering mountains. Hand-hewn timber, giant stone fireplaces and historical artefacts create a feeling of comfort and seclusion in the 85 guestrooms. Its Mount Burgess Dining Room serves Rocky Mountain cuisine reflecting the region's native Indian and Victorian legacy, with an emphasis on local wild game.

Emerald Lake Lodge, Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada (001 403 410 7417; www.crmr.com). Doubles start at C$242 (£114), room only.

Fairmont Banff Springs, Alberta

Possessing a grandeur to rival the soaring mountains that surround it, the Fairmont Banff Springs doesn't do things by halves. The 19th-century chateau-style property is home to 770 guestrooms, award-winning golf courses and a spa that sprawls across 38,000 sq ft. But for all its opulence, the main focus lies in its location. Surrounded by the alpine forests that are home to grizzly bears, elk and bighorn sheep, the hotel sits alongside the Bow River in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. An afternoon-tea lounge, sushi bar, and wine store are among an array of places for guests to refresh themselves inside the hotel.

Fairmont Banff Springs, 405 Spray Avenue, Banff, Alberta, Canada (001 403 762 2211; www.fairmont.com/banffsprings). Doubles start at C$263 (£124), room only.

The Peaks Resort, Colorado

Among the lofty 14,000ft peaks of the Rocky Mountains is Telluride, a 19th-century mining town as quaint as it is remote. The Peaks Resort provides a classy refuge from the ski slopes - surrounding pistes cover 733 acres. The 174 guestrooms, cabins and penthouses share one common attraction: vast windows framing views of the dramatic landscape. Relaxation is elevated to an art form at the Golden Door Spa - where even canine guests are pampered in its "Doggie Spa".

The Peaks Resort & Golden Door Spa, 136 Country Club Drive, Telluride, Colorado, US (001 970 7286800; www.thepeaksresort.com). Doubles start at $159 (£94), room only.