Jesse Loomis began to tire of snowboarding during the winter of 2008. He’d been riding boards for almost two decades, but as a father of three, he no longer took the same risks on the mountain that he once had as a fearless 20-year-old. The overall experience was beginning to grow stale, but his kids were approaching ages that would allow Loomis to introduce them to the sport. On a whim, he grabbed his old Burton Elite 150—his first snowboard from the late 1980s—and trudged up the hill behind his home in Vermo…

Cadillac rolled out a bold replacement for the Escalade full-size SUV.
Powered by a 420 hp 6.2-liter V-8, the new Escalade will be offered in two- and four-wheel drive as well as on two wheelbases—116.0 and 130.0 inches, the latter designated the ESV. That ESV model measures 224.3 inches overall, 20 inches longer than the standard model. The Escalade’s exterior features a sleek, tailored look with a large shield-shaped chrome grille flanked by new vertical all-LED headlamp clusters.
While the Escalade shares…

The engineering house Callaway is offering an innovative wagon version of the 2014 Corvette Stingray called the AeroWagon; it expects to begin delivery of the modified cars in early 2014. Known for its lineup of performance-enhanced vehicles ranging from Corvettes to full-size SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade, Callaway is making a departure with the AeroWagon’s modified body that includes a new wagon-like roofline, which boosts rear cargo capacity in the two-seat sports car. In addition, buyers can specify the …

The celebrated chefs Mario Batali, Dario Cecchini, and Roberto Caporuscio are among those participating in the four-day La Cucina Italiana Food and Wine Festival in Las Vegas. Held from Thursday, December 5, through Sunday, December 8, at the Venetian and Palazzo hotels, the event will kick off with a carnivore’s feast for 100 guests ($250 per person), prepared by Cecchini and Wolfgang Puck. The dinner will include prime beef sliders, roasted-chestnut-and-truffle soup, wagyu-beef sashimi, and bistecca alla Fio…

Just as the phylloxera outbreak of the 1860s caused the French to switch from wine to Cognac with their meals, a few years ago some Parisians again began having a glass or two of eau-de-vie with their dinners—only this time it was prompted by a voluntary appreciation of the complementary flavors of Cognac when paired with the food rather than forced by a scarcity of wine.
Gradually, this trend has spread to the United States. At a dinner hosted by the House of Hennessy (www.hennessy.com/us) at the Hotel Bel-A…

Earlier this month, flooring manufacturer Carlisle added two new collections, Oyster Bay and Sunapee Lake, to its selection of wide plank floors, which are crafted from the heartwood of large, old-growth trees. The use of heartwood in American homes—an uncommon occurrence today—dates back 400 years to the time of the first New England colonists. The mature wood, located deep within the center of a tree, is not exposed to the elements, making it less likely to splinter and warp. The old growth also produce…

The 4-year-old Oasis Collections offers modern residences throughout South America for long-term rental along with a concierge service, members-only clubhouses, and private drivers. Of its 600 apartments, houses, and villas in eight cities, these three properties are among the best—and most stylish. 631.731.1677, www.oasiscollections.com

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
This minimalistic home on Joatinga beach, which is known for its world-class surfing, features five bedrooms, six bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling glass …

The eponymous owner of Cliff Lede Vineyards in the Stags Leap District of the Napa Valley has an obvious passion for all things cultural. This enthusiasm manifests itself in every aspect of the property: The tasting room, with its California Craftsman–style design, quietly evokes the region’s past, for example, while in the winery, sleek postmodern architecture and state-of-the-art, custom-designed conical tanks epitomize the present and future. Works of modern art from Lede’s collection adorn this minimalist …

Jet manufacturers unveiled a series of competitive new products, advanced technologies, and updated designs last month in Las Vegas at the annual conference of the National Business Aviation Association. Buyers were courted with bigger cabins, new engines that deliver more power while burning less fuel, and continuing evolution in cabin amenities that create a more comfortable, quiet, productive travel experience. Those in search of a small jet to suit owner-operators also found a new option with the debut of …

Graceful, the latest yacht from the Hamburg shipyard Blohm + Voss, will arrive at the end of the year, boasting an indoor pool that measures nearly 50 feet by 10 feet and can be converted to a dance floor by raising the pool floor. The 269-foot yacht—which can reach a maximum speed 17.6 knots—was designed by the London-based H2 Yacht Design to feature a separate owner’s area with a duplex suite and a balcony that folds out to the sea, in addition to two VIP suites and three guest suites that can sleep 10 addit…