Skiing: Jackson Hole’s Snow King gets a make-over; new Lake Tahoe hotel

A steadily improving economy has led to a flurry (yes, I meant that) of upgrades and new building at ski areas throughout the West. Here are three to watch:

• The Snow King Hotel at the Snow King Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyo., reopened Dec. 6, after a year-long $17-million renovation. As part of the updating of the 36-year-old property, all 203 guestrooms were refurbished with new beds, furniture, carpet, flat-screen TVs and updated bathrooms.

New guest amenities include a year-round Activity Center, which offers ski, snowboard, mountain bike and other rentals, as well as information on trails, hikes and other activities. The pool area has been enhanced with additional seating and fire pits. Also new is a fitness center and, for those who just can’t leave work behind, a business center.

The revamp includes a new restaurant, Hayden’s Post, which offers regional cuisine in a dining room fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows providing a 240-degree view of the mountains.

Snow King Mountain, established in 1939 as Wyoming’s first ski area, plans to celebrate the reopening of the resort and its 75th anniversary with a free ski day Dec. 14.

For information on room rates and ski packages, go to Snow King Resort or call (800) 522-5464.

• In South Lake Tahoe, the Landing Resort & Spa will open Thursday. The boutique hotel, just three blocks from Heavenly Village and gondola, has 88 guestrooms, with fireplaces, private decks and lake views. You can store your skis for free, and a ski valet is on hand to help you with your equipment. Introductory room rates begin at $149 a night. For more information and reservations, call (855) 700-5263.

• The Hotel Madeline in Telluride, Colo., is rolling out the (snow-white) carpet with 12 new guestrooms consisting of double queen rooms, one- and two-bedroom suites and three-bedroom condos. All will be available by Christmas week. The hotel is offering a Skier’s Escape package, starting at $499 a night, with a fourth night free, breakfast for two daily, two three-day lift tickets and a $100 resort credit per stay. For more information or reservations, call (866) 475-4403.

Follow us on Twitter @latimestravel, like us on Facebook @Los Angeles Times Travel.