Sushi in the mountains? Despite its distance from the nearest ocean, Vail, Colorado, has just become the place to find some of the best sushi around.

Classically trained in Tokyo, Nobu Matsuhisa is known for infusing traditional Japanese cuisine with South American and western flavors. His extensive menu at Matsuhisa Vail includes everything from hot and cold appetizers to salads, soups and sashimi to noodle dishes, rolled sushi, an extensive selection of tempura and a long list of specialties and full-fledged entrées. Needless to say, my husband and I were completely overwhelmed, so we asked our server to bring us her favorite dishes. She kept the courses coming—all 10 of them!—until we cried uncle.

If you'll forgive the photography (we brought our appetites but not the proper gear, and the very dim lighting was a bit of a challenge), we'll share with you a look at the highlights of our meal:

First up was Yellowtail Jalapeno ($20), six perfectly prepared slices of fish topped with thin slices of jalapeno -- delicate despite the heat. We added a cilantro leaf to each bite and suggest you do the same.

One of my favorite snacks, shishito peppers, are on the menu ($10) and just as I said, "Oh, we have to try those!" they appeared. These were the most delicious I've had: more tender than usual and blistered in hot oil, then served with a slightly sweet sauce and coarse sea salt on the side. Eating shishitos is a bit like playing a pepper version of Russian Roulette: about 1 in 10 is super spicy. But last night luck was on our side; all were pleasantly mild but flavorful.

Next up was a pair of crisp little Nobu Tacos ($5 each) stuffed with sweet lobster meat and served atop a smooth, creamy avocado purée. Fun to eat, and tasty too!

The smell of hot sesame oil beat the next dish to the table. Australian Wagyu Beef Tataki (M.P.), served "New Style" was tender and delicious.

I'm so sad that the photo of my favorite dish of the evening is blurry. I just had to include it anyway. You could make a meal of this salad of lobster, shiitake mushrooms and delicate greens ($32). A spicy lemon dressing pulled all the ingredients together beautifully.

If Nobu threw a Super Bowl party, this next dish—Creamy Spicy Crab ($17)—is what he would serve. Rich doesn't begin to describe this decadent concoction that was served bubbling hot, with a gorgeous golden-brown crust. Half a serving of this is enough to put a man down.

But did that stop us from enjoying five more dishes? Of course not!

Up next was the ultimate dish for mushroom fans: a mixed-mushroom Toban-Yaki ($18). It arrived sizzling in a domed ceramic cooking pot, having been flamed in a mixture of sake and soy sauce. Vegetarian dishes should always taste this good!

Matsuhisa's huge selection of tempura includes everything from asparagus to zucchini. Our server brought us two pieces of octopus ($8), which my husband ate before I could get a picture.

The servers at Matsuhisa recommend that if you plan to make sushi part of your meal, you should order it as a final course. And that's just what we did. The pure, delicate flavors of Maguro (tuna; $9) and Saba (mackerel; $8), and a California roll ($10) were just the rest our palates needed.

Oh, and what did we drink? We tried two cold sakes that were delicious, but the beverage that paired best with everything we ate was Champagne. We recommend you give it a try too!

Matsuhisa is opening to the public today and is located in the lobby space of The Solaris Residences, in the center of Vail Village. Pricey public parking ($30 for a few hours!) is available in the Solaris building. Matsuhisa Vail is a sister restaurant of Matsuhisa Aspen, which has consistently been regarded as one of the top restaurants in Aspen since 1998.

For reservations at Matsuhisa, call 970-476-NOBU (6628). To learn more, visit matsuhisavail.com (please note that as of today, the website is still in the works).

When we think of real "mountain living," we think of Spanish Peaks. This private residential community, which spans more than 5,700 acres in Big Sky, Montana, has it all: ski-in/ski-out access to the biggest and least crowded ski resort in America, a stunning Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course, miles of private trails, delectable dining and big mountain comfort—with a whole host of luxurious amenities to match.

Earlier this year, The Club at Spanish Peaks was kind enough to offer Mountain Living readers exclusive access to the private community for an adventure-filled winter getaway. If you missed your chance to visit then, you're in luck: Spanish Peaks is opening its doors to non-members again, this time for a four-night, end-of-summer Spanish Peaks Adventure Package.

The package includes four nights for two in a Clubhouse guest room, which is conveniently located just steps away from all the Spanish Peaks amenities, which you'll have unlimited access to during your stay: There's fine dining (including a buffet breakfast each day), a pool, hot tub (perfect for a nighttime soak under the stars), and miles of private hiking and mountain biking trails.

Once you've unpacked and settled in, you'll ease into your adventure at the bar, with complimentary cocktails with the general manager. We recommend you take this opportunity to pick his brain about the best spots on the property and in Big Sky. After dinner, you'll want to turn in early, as the coming days will be adventure filled.

The package includes a day ride on horseback into Yellowstone Park with a personal Spanish Peaks wrangler (a gourmet picnic lunch is included)...

one round of golf for two on Spanish Peaks' Tom Weiskopf signature golf course (a golf cart and lunch are included)...

And a picnic lunch and half day of fly-fishing at Spanish Peaks Fish Camp on the South Fork of the West Fork of the Gallatin River.

We think the price for this adventure-filled four-day getaway is pretty great: $1,000 per person based on double occupancy. This offering is, of course, subject to blackout dates and availability, so we recommend you book soon; the reservation deadline is September 15, 2011, and you'll need to complete your stay by September 30, 2011—while the weather is still conducive to riding, golfing and fishing!

To learn more about this package, or to reserve your stay, call 406-995-5900. For more on Spanish Peaks, visit www.spanish-peaks.com.

Mountain Living’s publisher Holly Scott has a lot to celebrate today. On August 8, 2001, she joined the magazine as sales director. And today—10 years, several redesigns and a few hundred thousand frequent-flyer miles later—she’s sending her 70^th issue of Mountain Living to press. We caught up with Holly and asked her to share her most memorable moments (from harrowing drives on I-70 to selling ads on the slopes at Mary Jane) from the past decade—and what she’s looking forward to taking on next.

Favorite Mountain Living cover: The cover of our January/February 2010 issue. It was our first “Mountain Modern” issue, and the issue in which we debuted our new logo and format. It has such a “Wow” factor.

Most “I need to move here now” mountain town: Vancouver, B.C. It’s the perfect mix of cosmopolitan city, mountains and water. There are seaplanes landing and skiers coming down the mountain, all against a backdrop of amazing skyscrapers. And of course the shopping and dining are second to none.

Most “I need to eat here now” mountain restaurant: Bistro c.v. in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I can still remember the last meal I had there: a grilled romaine salad with truffle-garlic dressing, the freshest Colorado trout and the best glass of Malbec ever.

Clockwise from top left: Holly crosses the finish line after her first half-marathon. The cover of the January/February 2010 issue. Holly plays piano for guests at the Natural Dream Home's opening gala, September 27, 2007. Vancouver, B.C., Holly's favorite mountain town. Holly celebrates a successful inaugural Design Bloggers Conference at José Andrés' restaurant The Bazaar in Los Angeles. Holly with Klaus Obermeyer, founder of Sport Obermeyer. "I loved meeting him," she says. "He was such a charmer, had great stories to share, and even yodeled at our Best of the High Country event!"

Best spot in the high country: The gondola that connects the town of Telluride with Mountain Village. I’ll never forget my first business trip to Telluride: We loaded up our work bags for the day and hopped into the gondola to head down to our meetings in town. I looked out at the mountains and aspens and the town below and it hit me: This is the coolest job ever.

Hotel manager who knows you by name: Cory at the Sky Hotel in Aspen. I stay there often when I’m in town, Mountain Living has held events there, and they’re always happy to accommodate any whim, even at the last minute. And what better way to end the workday than with an ice-cold martini at the 39 Degrees Lounge?

Most miles driven in a day: About 360, from Denver to Telluride, Colorado.

Most miles run in a day: Thirteen, when I ran my first half-marathon earlier this year. On an average day, it’s more like three to five miles.

Worst I-70 moment: I was in the car with my family on the way to a Mountain Living “Best of the High Country” party in Aspen. My youngest son was just three weeks old. We were stuck on Vail Pass in a snowstorm, sandwiched between an SUV and a semi truck, when suddenly our anti-lock brakes locked and we started spinning in a circle in the middle of two lanes. All of a sudden we were within inches of the semi truck. And then we stopped. My husband very calmly pulled off the road and sat there silently. I asked if he was OK, and he said, “I can’t feel my legs.” Needless to say, we were all pretty shaken up for the rest of the ride. But the one bright spot was getting snowed in for an extra day in Aspen—and managing to get the last hotel room in town!

Clockwise from top left: The Telluride gondola, where Holly first realized that she has "the coolest job ever." Holly's first publisher photo: "I'm wearing pearls and a black suit. The last time I wore a suit to the mountains, people in Edwards asked if I was a tax collector!" Holly multi-tasks in the car on the way to a ML event. The Mountain Living team. 39 Degrees Lounge at the Sky Hotel in Aspen, Colorado, Holly's favorite place to end the work day. Holly's son Miles hangs out at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera.

Favorite part of the job: The people. I have the opportunity to connect with so many talented people who are so proud of their work and so excited by mountain architecture. And I love our team. Each and every day they drive me to keep doing better and better. And, of course, the company we work for. They really want to take care of us and see us succeed. It’s been a good ride.

Most unforgettable moment: The completion of Mountain Living’s Natural Dream Homes. That was an unbelievable thing to be involved with. I felt like we were really setting the standard for educating people about how to build luxury “green” homes. As challenging as it was to marry publishing and construction, it was so rewarding and exciting to see something through from a mere idea to the final photo shoot.

Most “I can’t believe I’m doing this right now” moment: A potential advertiser once said to me, “I will do a full advertising program with you, but the only place I can meet with you is on the slopes at Mary Jane. Meet me there at noon on Thursday, on your skis with the contract in your hand.” So I got the contract and my skis and went up there, he signed the contract on the mountain and we skied a run together. I don’t think he’ll ever forget that customer service, and I know I won’t!

What’s next: I’ve recently been promoted to Sales Director for our parent company’s Home Design Division. This expanded role (I’m still publisher of Mountain Living!) has given me the opportunity to share my experiences and help others get the job done. And I’m not finished yet; 10 years is just a blip on the screen. There’s so much more I want to do, and I have a lot more in me to share.

We love the look of vessel sinks, but sometimes it's tricky to get your hands up and over those high rims and into the bowl.

That's why we love Stone Forest's elegant "Bronze Lunette" vessel. Its sides arch upward like a "little moon" but the front scoops low, allowing for easy access.

Practicality aside, this sculptural sink is a true work of art. Designed by Santa Fe artist David Hoptman and cast in golden bronze using traditional sand-casting methods, each vessel is distinguished by finishing marks, minor pitting and small color anomalies, giving each its own unique personality and patina.

To learn more, visit www.stoneforest.com.

We're loving the bold colors and patterns Doug and Gene Myer have put together for the latest outdoor fabrics at Link Outdoor.

This combination of crisp white, navy blue and bright red has us thinking of pebbled beaches, sand dunes, quaint seaside cottages and lobster rolls. And in this summery dream, this song plays in our head.

As for these juicy fabrics... Well, now we're sitting poolside, wearing flowy white pants and a big, wide-brimmed hat, sipping a gimlet and listening to this.

May your summer weekend be as joyful as the one we're conjuring up now.

Imagine spending a summer weekend visiting some of Aspen’s finest private homes.

Enter our weekend getaway contest and you could do just that!

One lucky winner will receive two exclusive private tour tickets to the Roaring Fork Valley Parade of Homes and Home & Garden Show, July 15-17, plus a one-night stay for two July 15 at the elegant Hotel Lenado Aspen — rated a "Top 10 Small Hotel" by SKI Magazine.

Take your pick of the private twilight tour at 5 p.m. July 15, including chauffeured transportation to three luxury homes plus food and drinks throughout the tour - or - a private morning tour starting at 10 a.m. on July 16, including chauffeured transportation to several luxury homes and condos, plus a delicious champagne brunch. Food and drink during both tours will be prepared by Food & Wine magazine’s “Best New Chef” alumnus Ted Cizma. The package is valued at $495.00.

There are three ways to enter and win:

1. 'Like' us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RFVPOH
2. Tweet a link to the official page (http://mountainbuilder.biz/parade) including the Twitter event hashtag #RFVPOH.
3. Link to the RFVPOH event page on your website or blog. Be sure to post a link to the page on our Facebook wall.  

Enter as many times as you like. One winner will be chosen in a random drawing from all eligible participants on Tuesday, July 12, 2011. Good luck!

If you love looking at other people's houses as much as we do, then you won't want to miss Chase International’s annual Lake Tahoe Lakefront and Luxury Estates tour, next Wednesday, June 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It's the ultimate open house: an up-close look at 32 gorgeous private homes and estates on the shores of Lake Tahoe, ranging in price from $2.1 million to just under $16 million.

(download)

Click here to download:

mark-your-calendar-a-tour-of-tahoe-s-finest-private-homes-for-sale-4p6j5bPSrkuJr2R0k8vB.zip (496 KB)

(Here's a peek at home #30, on exclusive Lakeshore Boulevard in Incline Village.)

Join the tour and go as you please, visiting the homes you choose at your own pace. Just don't miss the complimentary lunch, which will be served at two locations: a historic lakefront home in Glenbrook, Nevada, on Tahoe's east shore, and a timeless lakefront residence complete with a new kitchen, pier, lift and buoy, set on an acre in Incline Village, Nevada, on the lake’s north shore.

For more information, or to receive your invitation, call Pat Gannon at Chase International at 775-588-6130. 

If you can't make it to Tahoe for the tour, take a virtual peek at these and other spectacular homes for sale by visiting chaseinternational.com.

(Home #31, in Incline Village) 

Photos by Eric Jarvis, Jarvis Photography