Really loved our stay at the Rustler. Four nights with three kids. Views on upper floors spectacular. The rooms were expensive (they all are on the mountain) but the breakfast-and-dinner-included aspect took some of the sting out. Rooms large and clean, great beds, nothing fancy (hello - it's a lodge, not the Four Seasons!), and - surprise - the food was excellent. I had literally the best omelettes of my life here, four mornings in a row.
You're being served here largely by ski-bum kids in their 20's (you can tell by the ski-goggle raccoon tans), so attitude and service varies. But we had no complaints. Kids seemed in good humor, even at tail end of the season, and they were really nice to our young 'uns.
Hot pool ... yessss. Very nice. Nothing like soaking in 95 degrees as a light snow tickles your ears. Otherworldly!
But the best thing about the Rustler is the atmosphere. Family-friendly, casual, and when the lodge was forced by avalanche weather to accomodate 300+ trapped skiers, they did so with aplomb, without exploiting the situation (rooms were offered at $25/night, bunks for free) and with no real disruption to its regular clientele. Bar scene felt like a really good party. All this while another premier lodge nearby charged its normal $700/night rate to trapped day-skiiers!
The Rustler really showed its true colors in this crisis situation. For this display of hospitality alone, we'll be back!
