Dr. Charles Stoopack, a clinical instructor at UC San Diego and a former practicing OBGYN, has a second home in Vail, Colorado. He combines his love for skiing and adventure with THIRDHOME ski properties across the globe. He also loves discovering new cultures and attending musical events in Vail. He highly recommends catching a George Balanchine ballet (either Swan Lake or Serenade) if you ever get the chance. Meet THIRDHOME member Dr. Charles Stoopack!
Left to Right: Dr. Stoopack, his wife Judy, daughter and daughter’s fiancé Tyler
How did you get involved with THIRDHOME?
I saw an article in a travel section of the Sunday paper. This was back in the fall of 2014. It just sounded like such a unique concept. The article showed all these places you could go, and it looked amazing. What happened at that point, I either called or emailed THIRDHOME in October, and we had a couple of conversations and I ended up joining around Christmas.
Dr. Stoopack and Judy in Ireland
Where are you based?
I’m based out of Carlsbad, California, which is North of San Diego. I grew up in New York and moved here when I was 25 for my residency at UC San Diego, and I just fell in love with the place.
Dr. Stoopack hiking through Grouse Creek Trail in Vail
What do you do for a living?
I originally practiced as an OBGYN. At this point in time, I’m a professor at UC San Diego. I used to be in clinical practice for 23 years, but I had to have some orthopedic surgeries and stopped practicing and transferred to education. It’s wonderful teaching. I’m doing a lot of good. You try to mold young physicians into caring doctors, try to teach them what we call the “Art of Medicine,” how to appropriately care for patients to make them feel valued. The gain as a physician is that your practice will be more fun and be rewarding if you have that sort of relationship with your patients.
Dr. Stoopack with the staff of Bon Vivant Barbados
Who do you usually travel with?
My wife and my daughters. Now they’re both engaged, so we’ve got two weddings coming up this year. We travel with other couples as well. The idea behind joining THIRDHOME was that the properties were large and we could bring groups of friends or family.
Left to Right: Family friend Martha and Judy Stoopack at Villa Celeste
What are your favorite travel hobbies?
I like skiing. I also like beach holidays with a beautiful beach that has nice sand and warm water. I like traveling where it involves culture, fine dining and fine wining as well. Not like whining, but wining!
Dr. Stoopack with his brother, Peter, and his best friend Knut
In your past travels with THIRDHOME, what was your favorite destination and what did you love about it?
I wrote down the whole list so I could think about it. I would say Barbados. We stayed in a 9 bedroom and 9 bathroom villa that was fully staffed. The whole experience was very spoiling. The staff felt like your family after a day or two. They prepared all the meals. We paid for food and staff, of course. We had access to a private beach club at Sandy Lane which is one of the premier beach clubs in the world. It’s where Tiger Woods got married. The whole thing, the island, the people the staff, the access to the beach, it was just wonderful. We brought 13 people with us, and there was plenty of room for everyone. The food was incredible. We’d come home from wherever we were and there would be pitchers of margaritas and hor d’oeuvres waiting for us. We’d be sitting at a long dining table and it felt like we were in an old fashion movie. It was just spectacular.
Dr. Stoopack and Judy with friends and family in Doolin, Ireland pub
What’s the next destination you are eyeing to travel to with THIRDHOME?
I’m going to Kenya next, to two different THIRDHOME properties. We’re going to Hippo Point and then to Cottars Mara Private Homestead. They look incredible. There was only one week available at Cottars, and it’s our 30th wedding anniversary and after several weeks of talking with the owner, with the help of Liz Bates, THIRDHOME‘s Director of Travel and Concierge Services, the owner agreed to give us that week. We’re very excited! The other property [Hippo Point] was featured on the cover of Architectural Digest as well. It has a gorgeous tower. I recall reading that Brad and Angelina had stayed there once, too.
Ski trip to Whistler
What do you love most about your property with THIRDHOME?
The skiing in Vail. It’s the best skiing mountain in North America because it’s not terribly cold (Whistler members would argue with that). You get sunny days, which is much different than Whistler, where it was very dark. Vail’s got the back bowls, which if you don’t ski are these large open areas, they call them the legendary back bowls. The condo is extremely well located. It’s about 5 minutes from the gondola, if you don’t want to walk to the bus stops out front too. Our building went under a $10 million remodel so everything is updated and upgraded. The location is wonderful, 3 nice bedrooms, and 1800 sq ft. It’s very spacious. You can go there with other couples or two families and not feel on top of each other. I used to bring our daughters along with their friends for ski trips. We still go every summer for the annual dance festival. Something that’s unique to Vail is the summers. There is a BRAVO music fest that goes through July for 6 weeks or more, then a dance fest, then a jazz fest around Labor Day. There are a lot of cultural experiences that are just delightful. During the day you can hike or golf, then at night you go to the performances. These are world-class performances. The saying is that people go to Vail for the winter and then move there for the summers.
Any personal/family achievements you’d like to share?
Both of my daughters are engaged now so we have a busy year ahead of us. Their fiancés are great guys. We also have our 30th wedding anniversary coming up.
How has THIRDHOME changed the way you travel?
It allowed me to visit places that we probably would not have gone to and has allowed me to have accommodations for many people.
Left to Right: Dr. Stoopack’s daughters their friend at Bon Vivant
Anything else you think members should know?
I think the staff [of THIRDHOME] is wonderful. The concierge and member services are very helpful: Liz, Kristine, Amy Jo, Kelly. I hope I didn’t leave out anyone. I got a friend to join, and he booked a trip to San Juan Island. Actually, I’ve had two people that joined and two others thinking about it. And the Chairman’s Club, I’d thought about it for a while and when I finally did it, I loved it. It’s definitely worth it.
Dr. Stoopack and friend Jon at Villa Azul Celeste
The Chateaux Deer Valley, a THIRDHOME Affiliate since 2013, is one of Park City, Utah’s most beautiful mountain properties. Located within steps of the world-renowned Deer Valley Resort, The Chateaux Deer Valley offers luxurious accommodations with premier access to Deer Valley’s coveted ski slopes. Not only is skiing easily accessible (a 3-minute walk away), the historic mining town of Park City is only a short 3 miles away. Make The Chateaux Deer Valley a part of your winter vacation plans.
Find out why members love playing and staying at The Chateaux Deer Valley.
The Chateaux Deer Valley sits in one of Utah’s top tourist destinations, Park City. Many members already know the city for its impeccable skiing, but fewer know that Park City is home to the Sundance Film Festival. Moreover, the area is home to plenty of outdoor recreation besides skiing. Nearby hot springs, hiking trails and biking trails keep travelers visiting year-round. And what better place to take on the wonders of Park City than the illustrious The Chateaux Deer Valley?
Upon entering the grand lobby of The Chateaux Deer Valley, guests are assisted by thoughtful and well-experienced front desk staff. Their role, as well as the role of the entire staff, is to ensure that each guest has a uniquely luxurious stay at The Chateaux Deer Valley.
The only thing warmer than the crackling hearths found in each suite and the lobby, are the smiles you’ll receive from each The Chateaux Deer Valley staff member. There’s nothing quite as welcoming as the intimate embers and beaming faces you’ll find during your Park City stay.
The 4-bedroom luxury suites are perfect for large families, groups or business retreats. With 2,700 square feet of space, there’s plenty of room to spread out, make yourself at home and store your gear. Chateaux Deer Valley offers ski storage (winter season) and bike storage (summer season) to help maximize your living space.
Each bedroom has its very own bathroom, gas fireplace, flat screen television and king bed. Each suite also has a queen murphy bed or sofa bed for extra sleeping space. Each suite can accommodate up to 12 people.
Don’t have ski gear? Not a problem, get outfitted for your skiing excursion at The Chateaux Deer Valley’s onsite retail shop, Ski ‘N See. Carrying your gear is a breeze with staffed concierge and bell service (winter season only). Take a shuttle, or walk the short distance to the nearest ski lifts to start your day. Don’t sweat the difficult parts of ski travel, The Chateaux Deer Valley has you covered, so you can spend more time careening down the face of Bald Mountain.
In summer or winter, you’ll be able to relax in the comfort of The Chateaux Deer Valley’s outdoor hot tubs and heated pool. A full-service spa is also available to work out any of that post-ski leg strain. Le Spa Chateaux offers a variety of skin treatments, deep tissue massage options and nail care options. You will, undoubtedly, be relaxing as much as you play during your Deer Valley adventure.
The Chateaux Deer Valley is also home to the award-winning Cena Ristorante & Lounge, featuring Italian cuisine and stunning views of Deer Valley. Start with the Mushroom Ragout Bruschetta, ease into the Cioppino & Cappellini, and finish with the scrumptious gelato. Each dish is a discovery at Cena Ristorante & Lounge.
Breakfast buffets are also served daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Remember, if you ski enough, the calories don’t count.
Whether it be for a romantic getaway, a family ski trip, a group cycling trip or a mixture of any of the aforementioned, The Chateaux Deer Valley has all of the amenities you’ll need to make your stay an unforgettable experience. Between the adventure, relaxation and fine dining you’ll see why THIRDHOME members love staying with The Chateaux Deer Valley.
Click here to browse available weeks at The Chateaux Deer Valley.
WHAT ARE THIRDHOME MEMBERS SAYING ABOUT THEIR LUXURY HOME EXCHANGE TRIPS (TO COSTA RICA AND WYOMING) THIS WEEK?
This stunning villa in Joy de Costa Rica is located on a picturesque cove about halfway between the Caribbean fishing villages of Cahuita and Puerto Viejo, and only 2 kilometers south of Cahuita National Park. The villa’s large indoor and outdoor living spaces and six deluxe suites offer a luxurious but relaxed Caribbean flavor. You won’t have to lift a finger with the retreat’s private chef, daily maid service, night guard, golf course staff and concierge who can facilitate all of your vacation desires. Don’t forget to check out the beautiful saltwater pool, which not only has exotic views of the jungle but also views of the beautiful Costa Rican sunsets.
THIRDHOME member Greg says, “What makes Joya so unique is you really see howler monkeys every day, hear them every morning, enjoy toucans and parrots (and a variety of other gorgeous birds) in the trees around the villa, and hear the sound of the jungle every night!” click here to read more of Greg’s review.
Situated in the tranquil valley of Jackson, Wyoming, the Eagle’s Nest Lodge sits on four acres of land with spectacular views of the Teton Mountain Range to the west. This custom built home combines luxury features of a 5-star hotel and the charming feel of a rustic mountain cabin. With 5 bedrooms, a chef’s kitchen and grand living room with a beautiful stone fireplace, this home is perfect for entertaining family and friends. The lodge is conveniently located only ten minutes from the Jackson Hole Mountain Ski Resort, which was once regarded by Forbes as the number one resort in the United States. From fly fishing, mountain biking, skiing and horseback riding, there are activities to please every guest and create a vacation experience you will never forget.
THIRDHOME member Roderick says, “Our first trip using THIRDHOME was our best family vacation to date. Great use of the hot tub, indoor fireplace and outdoor fire pit. [The] Living room was our place to hang out and catch up on life and our travels for the day in the area.” click here to read more of Roderick’s review.
Members, click here to view all available weeks and plan your next THIRDHOME trip. Remember, you must be logged in to your account to see availability.
Want more information about our luxury home exchange club? Click here to learn more about THIRDHOME