When it comes to ski resorts and wintery adventures, the mountain towns in Colorado have an embarrassment of riches. Growing up in New Jersey, my family would drive nearly five hours to ski the resorts of Vermont. Sometimes my dad would pile us in his van and do a 10-hour round trip in a single day. I have so many fond memories of chilly outdoor time with my family as a kid. Then, I headed west later in life.

Why I Love These Mountain Towns in Colorado

When I moved to Boulder, Colorado I was blown away to learn that I had nearly a dozen resorts within a two-hour drive and another dozen more just a bit further. The initial allure was, of course, the downhill. But then I began to discover the other adventures on offer, from fat tire biking along stunning singletrack and Nordic skiing past old gold mines, to snowmobiling and dog sledding in the backcountry.

Every ski town has its own personality, plus quirky annual events that I try to time my visits around. The properties from 鈥攁 hip hotel membership club that started in Breckenridge and now has outposts in Vail, Winter Park, and Steamboat Springs鈥攊s my typical go-to stay for the hyperlocal vibe, convenient co-working spaces, athlete-worthy gyms, and restaurants with high-quality cocktails and food (from $169 to $299 minimum per night).

If you prefer a vacation rental, has properties in Vail, Beaver, Creek, Aspen, and Snowmass and recently introduced Peak Pursuits, an adventure-focused concierge service that can arrange activities such as heli-skiing and sleigh ride dinners. Here鈥檚 my cheat sheet on how to navigate the on and off-piste winter thrills of the most beautiful mountain towns in Colorado.

Best Things to Do in Aspen-Snowmass

I have a soft spot for Aspen. If you look past the glitz and glamor you can still find a soulful mountain town with epic adventures on offer. A free public transportation system transfers you between the resort鈥檚 four mountains, each with its own personality and appeal (Buttermilk for families; Aspen-Highlands for its mythic bowl). And Hero鈥檚, the new terrain expansion on Aspen Mountain, will push your edge with chutes and gladed areas. You can be part of the downtown apr猫s scene, but I prefer to get my culture fix after skiing and visit the or .

Where to Play

In my opinion, Aspen-Snowmass has Colorado鈥檚 best . A season uphill pass costs $69 ($10 of the fee goes to Mountain Rescue Aspen) and gives you access to dedicated routes on Buttermilk and Snowmass mountains all day, and you can uphill Ajax Mountain and Aspen Highlands when the lift isn鈥檛 spinning. The Roaring Fork Valley is also a , boasting 60 miles of free cross-country and snowshoe trails between Aspen, Snowmass, and Basalt.

I like to work up an appetite, skate skiing the so I can splurge on the burger at Woody Creek Tavern or I鈥檒l pay for a $25 pass at Ashcroft Nordic Center, set across from an old ghost town, so I can cross-country ski out to for their pre-fixe lunch menu. They also have an option to reach the restaurant by horse-drawn sleigh.

For unreal views without a lot of effort, book a with T Lazy Ranch (from $275).

Where to Stay

Aspen has no shortage of ritzy hotels with see-and-be-seen crowds but I prefer the low-key properties in both Aspen (from $629 a night) and Snowmass (from $569 a night). Rooms are outfitted with Smeg fridges and microwaves, banquette seating for dining or remote working, plus plenty of hooks and cubbies for ski gear. In the morning, you鈥檙e treated to a complimentary breakfast buffet. After skiing, you can soak in the hot tub or heated outdoor pool then hit the bar for live music and wood-fired pizza.

Where to Eat

The former log cabin recently underwent a renovation and expansion and this season will be accessible by foot off of Snowmass鈥檚 new Coney Express Lift. You can ski in for lunch or extended apr猫s hours, which feature shotskis and charcuterie boards, or book an evening snowcat dinner.

I buy an uphill pass just so I can attend the monthly at the Cliffhouse at Buttermilk.

, a new dive bar in Aspen, was recently opened by two locals and affordably-priced food was a term of the restaurant鈥檚 deed-restricted lease. A beer and beef slider will cost you less than $10; a steal in Aspen.

And if you鈥檙e flying in or out of the airport, a detour to , tucked away in the Aspen Airport Center, is a must. Her flavorful dishes, like vegetable maffe, a West African peanut curry, and seafood gumbo, pay homage to her French and Ivory Coast roots.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

Buttermilk Mountain will host the Winter X Games January 23-25, 2025 and the and the Visa Big Air January 30-February 6. But I鈥檓 most excited for the inaugural halfpipe event of Olympic snowboarder Shaun White鈥檚 new Snow League, happening March 7-8.

Best Things to Do in Breckenridge

Just 80 miles west of Denver, Breckenridge is one of the state鈥檚 most popular Front Range ski resorts. Some lament the crowds, but I find once you鈥檙e on the mountain, it鈥檚 easy to spread out. Five peaks boast more than 180 trails webbed across nearly 3,000 skiable acres of terrain, ranging from high-alpine bowls to beginner-friendly tree runs.

I like to rise early and warm up with a yoga class at and always build in a down day to explore the boutiques, restaurants, and public art and studios of the in Breck鈥檚 charming Victorian downtown.

Where to Play

Rent a fat bike (they also have e-fat bikes) from and explore the nearly 20 miles of groomed trails at the Gold Run Nordic Center (half-day rentals from $65). The outfitter鈥檚 guided rides to and are great because they provide transportation back to town so you can imbibe worry-free (from $85).听

Where to Stay

The feels more like a restaurant with rooms. The Euro-style inn has just four, Scandi-minimalist suites stocked with useful amenities like Topo Designs backpacks and yoga mats. Two of the town’s best eateries are just below the rooms. The seafood-centric, ground-floor restaurant features a raw bar and items like fish and chips and lobster roll sliders; the basement-level speakeasy-inspired tavern serves comfort foods like cheesesteaks and fried chicken sammys. (From $399 per night.)

Where to Eat

Matt Vawter, chef and owner of , was recently named the James Beard Awards鈥� best chef in the mountain region. The mega accolade, often called the Oscars of the food world, has made reservations to experience his exceptional tasting menu a must.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

, a wacky celebration of the Norse god of snow, takes place December 12-14, 2024 with a colorful parade of costumed revelers. This year, Breck will try to lure 1,370 participants to help reclaim the unofficial world鈥檚 longest shotski record from Park City. I hope to be there.

Best Things to Do in Crested Butte

I live in one of the greatest mountain towns in Colorado, but I still get mountain-town envy every time I visit Crested Butte. The soulful vibe and lack of big brand hotels and chains have earned it the reputation as Colorado鈥檚 last great ski town. If you鈥檙e seeking rowdy terrain, Crested Butte Mountain Resort delivers. Known as the North American birthplace of inbounds extreme skiing and riding, it boasts more than 560 acres of expert terrain. Want bragging rights? Tackle Rambo, a 55-degree-pitch run considered the steepest lift-served, tree-cut trail in the U.S. Beyond the resort, the surrounding Gunnison Valley offers a treasure trove of backcountry adventures to satiate all types of outdoor lovers.

Where to Play

Cat skiing with local outfitter on 1,000 acres of powder-blessed terrain just ten miles out of town ranks as one of my all-time snowboard days (private cat for up to 10 people costs $8,500 or buy a single seat for $850).

If there鈥檚 a dry spell, is a perfect alternative to downhill skiing and grooms a number of areas around town that are free to access. The maintains nearly 35 miles of trails that can be accessed with a $25 day pass. The six miles of trails at the Town Ranch and on the Rec Path can be accessed for free.

Where to Stay

Ski-in/ski-out has an on-site ski rental shop, a sprawling spa, spacious rooms, and a lounge in partnership with local film company Matchstick Productions that hosts screenings and athlete activations (from $230 a night).

Where to Eat

Carb up at the , a dive-y pizza spot. I love that the menu at the has healthy options like the completely satisfying quinoa-spiked power salad, as well as the not-so-healthy stuff you crave after a day slaying pow, like a burger topped with pork belly and fried onions.

On Sundays, in-the-know locals Nordic ski or snowshoe to , located one-mile from the Peanut Lake Trailhead Loop.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

, an outrageous costumed American Birkebeiner qualifying Nordic event, takes place February 1, 2025 and the course winds through the heart of downtown making it a favorite spectator event.

Best Things to Do in Steamboat Springs

Ski Town USA is known for both its ultra-dry, trademark 鈥渃hampagne powder鈥� and Old Western cowboy character. In the last few years, the resort has been re-imagined with a new base area, complete with a skating rink and food hall, and a dedicated beginner area, Greenhorn Ranch. Advanced skiers once bemoaned the lack of expert runs. No more. Last year the resort debuted Mahogany Ridge & Fish Creek Canyon, some 650 acres of test-your-mettle terrain.

A free bus runs every 20 minutes between the village and town, making it easy to explore galleries and shops like stalwart western wear.

Where to Play

Channel your inner cowboy (or girl) on a snowy trail ride at , led by fifth-generation wrangler (and enthralling storyteller) Ray Heid ($150). Then warm up with a steamy soak. I like the ease of ($29) but clothing-optional-after-dark is an experience ($20, cash only). If you don鈥檛 have 4WD and snow tires, book a to reach the secluded springs ($50 round-trip, entry fee included).

Where to Stay

The historic recently renovated its 35 rooms and has a hard-to-beat downtown location walking distance to shops and restaurants. (From $199 a night.)

Where to Eat

Options abound. On the hill, you can choose from ramen, pizza, tacos, and subs at the . In town, the offers Jamaican jerk chicken, poke bowls, classic cocktails, and more. Brunch at is worth a late start on the slopes, particularly for the banana foster French toast and smoked tomato and pesto Benedict.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

Like a rodeo on the slopes, the annual , January 20, 2025, always leaves me in stitches as I watch cowgirls and cowboys in their chaps and Stetsons speed down a dual slalom course, hit jumps, then lasso a person, saddle a horse, and ski across the finish line.

Families shouldn鈥檛 miss the oldest west of the Mississippi. Celebrating 112 years on February 7-9, 2025 the festivities include ski racing, skijoring, and a fireworks-studded night show featuring the famed Lighted Man, who shoots fireworks from his pyrotechnic suit while skiing down the hill.

Best Things to Do in Telluride

Telluride looks like it was meant for a snow globe. Nestled in a picturesque box canyon within the jagged San Juan Mountains, it isn鈥檛 the easiest resort to reach in winter, which means you rarely find crowds. If you make the effort, you鈥檙e rewarded with quad-burning slopes and a darling downtown lined with Victorian homes, art galleries, indie boutiques, and some seriously great dining.

A free, pedestrian gondola makes it effortless to bounce between the mountain and the historic downtown while soaking in awesome views.

Where to Play

can access more than 200 square miles of high-alpine skiing and its single-day heli-trip promises six runs with up to 14,000 feet of leg-quivering vert (from $1,875 per person).

I always like to build in a mellow activity to temper all of the adrenaline and one of my favorite experiences over the years has been dog sledding the snowy trails of the Uncompahgre National Forest with family-run company, . (Prices vary, for current rates.)

Where to Stay

I like the convenience of the ski-in/ski-out (from $399 a night), and appreciate their massive fitness center. Intimate, five-bedroom (from $550 a night) is steps from the town gondola and feels like a fancy B&B, complete with complimentary wine, beer, and snacks, and hearty breakfast spread.

Where to Eat

Sometimes I opt to stay downtown just so I can be walking distance to the , an institution beloved for its monster-sized, made-from-scratch baked goods (the homemade pop tarts are addictive).

On piste, , North America鈥檚 second highest elevation fine-dining restaurant, channels Italy鈥檚 Dolomites with its charcuterie and cheese spreads, deep wine list, and killer mountain views. I still haven鈥檛 experienced the omakase menu at , a stellar sushi spot in town, but their happy hour is one of the best deals around with half price sushi rolls.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

Many Colorado resorts now host a , but Telluride鈥檚 (February 22-March 1, 2025) stands out for its raucous pool parties and kick-off event, the Telluride Aids Benefit fashion show gala.

Best Things to Do in Vail

People like to hate on Vail because its parent company is a mega ski conglomerate. That shouldn鈥檛 take away from its seriously great terrain. I鈥檝e lived in Colorado for a decade and am still discovering all that the resort鈥檚 seven back bowls have to offer in its 2,785 acres of terrain. And in the last few years, the Bavarian-inspired village has been reinvigorated with new bars, restaurants, and the wild entertainment venue, .

Where to Play

Skiing the Minturn Mile, an out-of-bounds run that spans three miles and drops 3,000 vertical feet, is a right of passage for hard-charging locals.听 I usually think of Nordic skiing as a killer workout, but turns it into an adventure by leading half- and full-day tours into the White River National Forest where you鈥檙e likely to ski past abandoned mines and wildlife (from $160).

Where to Stay

I love how the celebrates the resort鈥檚 1960s heyday. Design details, like framed 10th Mountain Division pins in the rooms, nod to the region鈥檚 alpine heritage. After a day on the hill I head straight to the downstairs recovery lounge, equipped with massage guns, leg compression sleeves, and a Himalayan salt room. (From $469 per night.)

Where to Eat

Matsuhisa has some competition now that upscale sushi spot has opened in the Grand Hyatt Vail. This winter, Denver鈥檚 award-winning Italian restaurant, , opens in the Four Seasons. On the mountain, I can never resist the smell of barbecue wafting from , accessible off chairlifts 3, 17, and 7.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

I鈥檝e marked my calendar to see the action at the at neighboring Beaver Creek December 6-15, 2024. Music fans won鈥檛 want to miss , a weekend concert series April 4-5, 2025 featuring DJs like Interplanetary Criminal and Don Fuego (tickets from $99).

Best Things to Do in Winter Park

I鈥檒l admit, the initial appeal of snowboarding at Winter Park was that I could bypass traffic by hopping on the , a stress-free, direct train service that runs Friday through Sunday throughout the winter from Denver鈥檚 Union Station to the base of the resort (tickets from $19 to $39).

Widely considered Colorado鈥檚 original ski resort, it strikes a rare balance of being both a destination yet feeling like locals still rule the hill. I鈥檝e been a devotee since my first trip. You鈥檒l find newbie and kid-friendly groomers and some super fun glades at Winter Park and neighboring peak Mary Jane is known for its thigh-burning moguls and hike-accessed Cirque terrain.

Where to Play

Head to to snow tube ($35 an hour), fat bike ($20 per hour), and snowshoe (rentals $25 per day).

On select Saturday evenings this January through March, you can uphill by headlamp for an alpine dinner at , a vintage lodge near the Explorer Express and Prospector lifts, then descend under the stars.

Where to Stay

I satisfy my cabin fantasies by staying at the . This collection of 31 Instagram-worthy, mid-century-inspired cabins feature Malm fireplaces and deep soaking tubs and the restaurant has an Argentinean gaucho grill that cooks tomahawk ribeyes and wagyu for the decadent burger to perfection. (From $299 a night.)

Where to Eat

The main drag of the town of Winter Park is about three miles from the resort and even on snowy nights I brave the drive just to have the fiery curries at . And the French fries (yes, the fries) at are so good I sometimes just have a whopping serving and an old fashioned and call it dinner.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

The annual Spring Bash and Splash is a rowdy series of bluegrass concerts, costume contests, beach parties, and pond skims held every weekend from the end of March through April.

Any time Jen Murphy gets frustrated sitting in Colorado鈥檚 I-70 ski traffic she has flashbacks to traffic jams enroute to the icy slopes of Vermont and the 30-second descents of the Poconos, the stomping grounds of her youth. Jen is a regular 国产吃瓜黑料 contributor and our travel-advice columnist who has recently written a beginner鈥檚 guide to Costa Rica, a story on how she used AI to plan a trip to Maui, and shared tips on how to get refunded for vacations听bunked by bad weather.听

The post Your Ultimate Guide to Winter 国产吃瓜黑料 in Colorado鈥檚 Top Mountain Towns appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

I want to live and work in a mountain town this summer, but finding affordable housing is proving to be near impossible. Can you give me any tips or direction so I can turn this dream into reality? 鈥擜 Frustrated Flatlander

鈥淚 came for the winter and stayed for the summer鈥� is a common mountain-town refrain. That sentiment, combined with a pandemic-fueled real estate boom, has resulted in a dearth of affordable housing, both seasonal and permanent, in mountain towns across America.

In many small western communities like Steamboat Springs, Durango, and Snowmass, Colorado; Sun Valley, Idaho; and Mammoth Lakes, California, it used to be that employees and locals lived in houses, and tourists stayed in hotels. The reverse is now true: houses are monopolized by Airbnb and VRBO rentals and second homeowners, and some hotels are being purchased by ski resorts and converted to affordable employee housing.

Sadly, more and more essential jobs are going unfilled, some with six-figure salaries, because potential employees can鈥檛 find reasonably-priced rentals. As a result, many mountain towns are shifting their focus to year-round, affordable-housing programs. In Wyoming, for example, Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Teton Area helps to fill critical nursing and teaching positions by building homes for individuals and families making between 30 to 80 percent of the area鈥檚 median income.

What does this mean for seasonal workers? Here鈥檚 my advice for finding affordable summer housing in a mountain town.

Find Towns Working on Their Housing Shortages

Whitefish, Montana, the gateway to Glacier National Park, is one such place. Its , which supports full-time and seasonal employees, is funded in part by a added to local lodging, food, and transportation. Half of the contributions from its participants go to Housing Whitefish, a nonprofit that facilitates affordable housing.

Part of last year鈥檚 $52,000 allocation went toward a newly launched rental-assistance program, modeled after a similar one in . Over 12 months, Housing Whitefish will distribute a total of $64,620鈥攐r $5,385 a month鈥攖o 17 qualified applicants. (The money goes directly to the property owner or management company.)

The , which advocates for better options in the North Tahoe and Truckee, California communities, aims to add inventory for the local workforce through its recently launched Accessory Dwelling Unit pilot program. Homeowners are incentivized to add rental space that includes a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen, and in return they receive assistance with building, permitting, and leasing processes.

Although the organization can鈥檛 help you find housing, it does direct prospective renters to resources through the .

In 2022, Breckenridge, Colorado, allocated $50 million to a five-year workforce housing plan to create some 1,000 new units. The town鈥檚 housing fund also receives money from a short-term rental fee requiring owners to pay a set amount for each bedroom they rent. The goal is for nearly half of the town鈥檚 workforce to live in Breckenridge, with a little over a third of the housing inventory reserved for locals.

In 2016, Aspen Skiing Co., the town鈥檚 largest employer, purchased six 280-square-foot tiny homes for about $100,000 each and put them in the Aspen-Basalt Campground for both summer and winter seasonal employees. The project was such a success that it now offers 69 tiny homes for hires, and for the first time this year has introduced units designed to accommodate year-round employees.听Units range from $550 to $750 a month, and summer leases are available from May 15 through October 31. The units currently have a waitlist for Aspen Skiing Company employees.

Employers in Sun Valley, including the Limelight Ketchum hotel, have also purchased tiny homes in the Meadows RV Park, 3.5 miles away, to rent to employees. Many of these programs run on an application system and most take enrollment for summer employees in March.

Land a Job Before You Head Out

Many large employers, notably ski resorts such as Aspen Snowmass, , and , Colorado, or , Vermont, offer housing or make an effort to help you find housing after you鈥檝e been hired. Sun Valley Resort, for example, has two dorm-style buildings with free laundry and fitness centers available for seasonal employees on a waitlist basis. Two-to-four-person accommodations range from $140 to $210 per person every two weeks. There鈥檚 also an option to pay day-to-day, starting at $10 a day.

Beyond ski resorts, places like offer town employees short-term seasonal rentals, for jobs at businesses like the recreation center or golf course, as well as rental-deposit-assistance programs.

Betsy Crum, housing director for the town of Snowmass Village, notes that winter housing is typically full, while there鈥檚 sometimes more housing available for summer workers.

Montana鈥檚 Big Sky Housing Trust has housing for up to 100 seasonal residents in four- and five-bedroom dorm-style configurations. These units are leased to local independent employers. Lone Mountain Land Company, another major employer in Big Sky, offers dorm-style housing for up to 400 seasonal residents employed by their entities.

Check Out These Helpful Housing Websites and Social Media Sites

Due to the huge demand for housing, many landlords avoid popular rental-listing sites Craigslist and Zillow. One resident seeking a new tenant for housing she has in Carbondale, Colorado, 30 miles from Aspen, didn鈥檛 publicly post a listing because she knew she鈥檇 be overwhelmed with calls. Instead, she put the word out quietly to friends and looked at posts from people in need of housing on a local Facebook group, .

In fact, local Facebook community groups or neighborhood-focused sites like often have rental listings you won鈥檛 find on larger, public sites like Craigslist. is a free site where you can find a roommate or a room available to rent within a house.

When posting that you鈥檙e seeking housing, be clear about your employment situation, desired rental dates, and budget. Younger people should present themselves as a mature, responsible option, preferably coming in with a job already secured. (For example: 鈥淗ello, I鈥檓 coming here to work for the Solar Institute and need a place to stay from mid-June through July that鈥檚 less than $600 a month.鈥�)

You might find success on , a housing marketplace for vacation towns that pays property owners to convert their homes to short- and long-term rentals for the local workforce. Mountain destinations include Woodstock, Vermont; Truckee and South Lake Tahoe, California; Wood River Valley, Idaho; East Placer County, California; and Eagle County, Colorado.

Finally, is a membership-based platform (starting at $10.75 a month) where you can find house-sitting or pet-sitting gigs.

Consider 5 More Resources

1. Look at a Town鈥檚 Website

Many communities offer housing programs or partner with local nonprofits or housing authorities, like the , to administer programs. 鈥淚t鈥檚 always worth a call to any city鈥檚 housing development and housing authority to see if they have resources,鈥� says Daniel Sidder, executive director of Housing Whitefish.

2. Embrace Camping or Vanlife

In Colorado, and have options for free car camping for a season. You can shower at local rec centers.

3.听Cruise the Town

Some good old-fashioned neighborhood drive-bys to spot 鈥淔or Rent鈥� signs posted outside of apartments, on community boards at grocery stores, or in coffee shops can lead to deals, too.

4. Talk to Locals

Lindsay Nohl, 46, enjoyed free communal housing in Tucson, Arizona, while working as the director of NOLS Southwest. But when the campus closed during Covid, she moved to Teton Valley, Idaho. Recently, she made her eighth move in four years, as landlords continue to increase prices or start to rent their properties on Airbnb.

Her go-to strategy for finding cheap housing on the fly? Word of mouth. Another lesson: be flexible. Even though Nohl hasn鈥檛 had a roommate in two decades, she鈥檚 now paying $1,000 a month to share a two-bedroom, 800-square-foot house so she can remain in Teton Valley for the summer.

5.听Scan Newspaper Classifieds

You might come across opportunities to pet-sit or nanny. Or working as a property manager can also lead to free or affordable housing.

Weigh Your Options

The last thing you should consider, Flatlander, is which mountain towns are too pricey or too popular. For example, Steamboat, Aspen, and Telluride, Colorado, as well as Jackson, Wyoming, and Big Sky, Montana, have reputations as luxury vacation escapes, which means housing is in high demand and the cost of living will be greater there than in lesser-known but more economical mountain towns like Le Grande, Oregon, and Reno, Nevada. Or even Laramie, Wyoming, which has a lot going for it.

Many seasonal jobs pay minimum wage, which varies from state to state. In Utah and Wyoming, for example, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, while Montana pays $10.30 an hour, Colorado $14.42 an hour, and California $16 an hour.

You should also consider free services offered by the mountain town you鈥檙e considering. Aspen is expensive, but it offers free public transportation, which is another way to help save on costs.

Spending a summer working in a mountain town can be one of the best experiences of a young person鈥檚 life. I hope my advice lands you good, affordable housing. I鈥檒l be pulling for you.

Travel-advice columnist Jen Murphy has scored affordable rent by offering free travel tips to her landlord, as well as volunteering to take out the building鈥檚 trash cans on garbage day and maintain the gardens.听

The post Summer Work in a Mountain Town: Dreamy. The Rent: Not So Much. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

If you had to pinpoint one thing that makes Breckenridge so awesome in summer, it鈥檇 probably be this: choice. As good as the mountain biking, trail running, fly-fishing, and rafting are鈥攁nd make no mistake, they鈥檙e world class鈥攖hose are just part of what makes the place so special. The town鈥檚 culinary and cultural scenes don鈥檛 take a back seat to its abundant adventure options鈥攖hey ride shotgun. From morning adventures in the mountains to afternoon strolls through the Arts District, here are ten reasons to visit Breckenridge this summer.

It Has Great Events

From June to September, Breckenridge is bustling with a slew of celebrating everything from bacon and bourbon to arts and music. If you鈥檙e after competition, Breckenridge has a summer brimming with races: from endurance biking to fun runs, there鈥檚 an event for every level of competitor.

The Trail Systems Are Epic

lists 324 miles of single- and doubletrack trails in and around Breckenridge. And that鈥檚 just a portion of the area鈥檚 sprawling: lung-busting trail runners, peak-bagging hikers, and ambling families will all find a surplus of suitable options in the surrounding mountains. For insider knowledge on the best trails, pop into the Welcome Center or one of the town鈥檚 many bike shops and ask for advice.

There Are Tons of Ways to Cool Off

Life at 9,600 feet never gets unbearably sweltering, but even on the warmest days or after a sweat-inducing adventure, it鈥檚 easy to feel refreshed in Breckenridge. on Lake Dillon Reservoir, the nearby Frisco Reservoir, or Maggie Pond. Or go fly-fishing in one of the nearby rivers. Want a bigger thrill? The surrounding region offers all levels of whitewater rafting and kayaking, with the world-renowned Arkansas River a short shuttle trip away.

It鈥檚 Easy to Give Back

Perhaps the only thing more rewarding than riding or running a well-crafted trail is helping to make one. Mountain bikers looking to lend a hand should link up with , which hosts trail days from April to September. If hiking and trail running are your thing, sign on for a work day with or the. 鈥淵ou can expect to swing a tool and be instructed on how to dig in the correct way,鈥� says Mike Zobbe, a board member with Summit Fat Tire. Of course, it鈥檚 not all work. 鈥淲hen we鈥檙e done working, we鈥檒l often ride the trail or tailgate back in the parking lot.鈥�

The Kids Will Not Get Bored

On Breckenridge鈥檚 namesake mountain, the ropes course, zip lines, trampolines, and alpine slide at can entertain the kids for days. Off the mountain, you鈥檒l find mellow rafting trips, tons of parks, and even gold panning at Country Boy Mine. There鈥檚 also spin-casting on rivers and ponds and guided horseback riding.

The Music Scene Is Surprisingly Diverse

Start with the Riverwalk Center, which offers everything from classical music to battle-of-the-bands throwdowns. (Insider tip: Catch the National Repertory Orchestra during its free rehearsals.) Later, check out a late-night performance at the Motherloaded Tavern, held every Friday and Saturday. Perhaps the most 鈥淏reck鈥� way to enjoy live music, however, is in the beer garden at , a local ski manufacturer. 鈥淚t鈥檚 our third season in the backyard beer garden,鈥� says RMU鈥檚 Alicia Bergmann. 鈥淥ur focus is to keep the music free and to celebrate local artists.鈥�

You Can Go Carless

And that鈥檚 a big deal for anybody who deals with an automobile commute in their nine-to-five life. If you travel to Colorado via Denver International Airport, a handful of shuttle companies make the two-hour jaunt a breeze. Once you鈥檙e here, downtown is flat, making for easy cruiser bike navigation and old-school strolling. The Breck Free Ride bus service is hyperefficient, and most of the lodging properties offer free shuttle services to dining and entertainment. Dubious about how easy it is to lose the car? Here鈥檚 a .

They Take Their Adult Beverages Seriously

Breckenridge Brewery鈥檚 Avalanche Amber Ale has been a favorite out west for decades. But that鈥檚 just the start. From Breckenridge Distillery’s award-winning spirits to newish Broken Compass Brewing, the is thriving here, with five craft brewers in town.

The Art Scene Is Very Hands-On

Many of the artists in Breckenridge鈥檚 walkable Arts District offer classes, and the Breckenridge , held every August, has everything from workshops to nature walks with local artists. (Last year鈥檚 topics included balanced-rock sculptures and inflatable art, among other nature-themed events.) If you just want to look, that鈥檚 fine too: swing by the Breckenridge Gallery, which has been celebrating the arts for 40 years.

You鈥檒l See the Stars

Thanks to Breckenridge鈥檚 progressive exterior-light policy, the stargazing right in town is pretty darn good. For a more robust outing, drive 20 minutes south to Hoosier Pass and hike by headlamp about 700 vertical feet until you get above tree line. Bring along some lightweight camping chairs and a down coat鈥攔adiational cooling at 11,000-plus feet is a real thing.

Nestled in an alpine setting of sunshine, mountain peaks, and charming Main Street, , unites our shared passion for embracing life鈥檚 best moments. If your bucket list includes hitting the trails, dining alfresco, and exploring the town鈥檚 vibrant history, art, and apr猫s scene, you鈥檙e headed to the right place.

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In a ski town, every conversation eventually leads back to the same topic: . Here are a few gems I overheard while riding the gondola at Colorado’s Keystone Resort a few days ago.

My nephew and 14 of his buddies are all living in the same three-bedroom condo! The guy who invented toothpaste bought that slope-side mansion and plans to spend two weeks there each year! My neighbor just sold his doghouse for $4.7 million!听

OK, I may have made some of those up, but you get the point. Home values are booming in ski towns鈥攑ricing out everyone but the wealthy鈥攁nd after , many Americans are cognizant of this fact. And now, there鈥檚 a new television program that is further exploring this compelling topic.

Our friends at HGTV (Home & Garden Television) are currently airing a real estate-themed gameshow that takes place in Breckenridge, Colorado, one of the most competitive home-buying markets in the state. Battle on the Mountain, the series centers on professional home flippers鈥攜es, those handymen and women who swoop into your neighborhood, purchase a fixer-upper, slap some new paint on the walls, and then attempt to sell it for $200,000 over asking. For Battle on the Mountain, three teams of flippers will each renovate houses in Breckenridge with the ultimate goal of driving the property value sky high. The team that raises its home鈥檚 sticker price by the greatest amount wins a $50,000 prize. Here鈥檚 how HGTV describes the rules:

With a $100,000 budget, each team has to determine which renovations will lend to the biggest payoff in their mountainside homes.听Teams will also be tasked with weekly custom-build challenges, as well as team-building field trips. At the end of each challenge, guest HGTV judges will tour each of the spaces to determine the winner of the week, who will receive the subsequent $3,000 cash prize. At the end of the entire competition, judges will analyze the renovations in full, while real estate experts will value each of the updated homes.听听

of Battle on the Mountain aired this past Tuesday, and I flicked it on with morbid curiosity. As a lifelong Coloradan鈥攁nd a frequent visitor to Breckenridge鈥擨 wanted to see the actual houses they had chosen to repair. I watched in horror as two contestants toured their mountain getaway and complained about the wood paneling, worn carpet, and outdated appliances. I immediately flicked the thing off.

You see, there are literally thousands of people in Breckenridge and the greater Summit County region who would love to live in that house鈥攁ny house, really鈥攏o matter the shabbiness of the carpet. As has been covered in 国产吃瓜黑料 and in other , the ballooning cost of housing in mountain towns has made life miserable for the people who live and work in the communities. Nary a day goes by without a new media report on this devastating dynamic. Just this week, the Summit Daily News听reported that Breckenridge for 56 units of subsidized housing set to open later this year. After just four days, 776 different people had applied.

Elsewhere in Colorado, the search for housing is even more dire. More than 100 migrants from Venezuela recently came to Carbondale, seeking jobs in the resorts and service industry. When they couldn’t land employment, many resorted to living in their cars. Officials approved a plan to into temporary housing for them.

Meanwhile, HGTV is glorifying the individuals who are making livable homes even more out of reach for workaday people in these communities. Some readers may recognize this conceit from the streaming show The Curse, a comedy series in which Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder attempt to launch a reality show about flipping houses in鈥攁nd gentrifying鈥攁 working-class town in New Mexico.

Look, I get it鈥攖elevision is supposed to entertain audiences, and not every program needs to explore heavy topics like displaced workers and people living in cars. But I still think Battle on the Mountain represents a missed opportunity for HGTV. You see, the housing crunch in mountain towns has created a bottomless trove of utterly bonkers real estate-themed stories that would be great for television. Just ride the ski lift at your local resort and you are bound to hear one. And I guarantee that the individuals impacted by these situations are far more compelling than home flippers.

If any HGTV executives are reading, I have written pitches for several housing-adjacent programs that are just waiting to be filmed in Breckenridge, Crested Butte, or any other ski town in Colorado.

I Rent the Bathtub!

For powder-chasing ski town dwellers, one way to afford skyrocketing rent is to cram multiple people into one condominium. Tenants will rent out the bedrooms, couches, and yes, even bathtubs as a living space! In this series, we profile six bathtub renters in Summit County, Colorado, and see how each has made his or her bathing basin into a livable space through creative design and efficient storage. Our bathtub renters will each be given a budget of $80 in Kohl’s Cash to decorate his or her space, and judges will award the winner a new set of extra-plush bath towels.

Party Animal Property Manager

Dave works for a property management company in Snowmass Village, and his daily duties include flushing toilets and checking the electricity at slope-side megamansions owned by billionaires that go largely uninhabited for 50 weeks out of the year. But Dave is also a party animal, and he cracked the code for throwing the best shindigs. He transforms these empty dream homes into private nightclubs for his friends! But after every great party, Dave must complete a huge cleanup. In this series, viewers will watch Dave plan his epic blowouts, sidestep his wealthy clients, and then hire armies of cleaners, plumbers, and sometimes carpenters听to pick up the pieces after each epic bash.

Beat the Airbnb Police!

The patchwork of laws governing short-term rental units in Telluride , creating major headaches for property owners who use Airbnb, VRBO, and other lodging websites. Luckily, real estate attorney Steve Jones Esquire is on the job. Steve helps his clients sidestep onerous taxes and restrictive regulations through creative legal wrangling. Watch Steve declare a converted basement condo a place of worship! See him tell Airbnb renters that they will need to fill out W-9 taxation forms and become temporary employees of a phony shell corporation in order to receive the keys to their rental unit. Will Steve convince a pair of tourists to legally change their surnames to that of a property owner in order to get a great rate on weekend lodging? You’ll have to tune in to see!

Alone: Vail

A cast of hardened survivalists鈥攚ho also happen to work in ski lift operations for Vail Resorts鈥� take on the ultimate bushcraft challenge. Using just ten survival items purchased at the Home Depot over in Avon, the Alone cast members will attempt to live on National Forest Land just outside the resort boundary for as long as they can. Watch as they build shelter, hunt squirrels and deer, and still show up to run the high-speed quad on time. How long can these lifties make it in the wilds of Eagle County? Tune in to this very Colorado edition of the famed survival series.

The post A New TV Series Turns the Mountain Town Housing Crisis into a Game Show appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

You won鈥檛 find spring music festivals and the听typical end-of-season听festivities at ski resorts this year鈥攖he pandemic is still not over, as much as we want it to be鈥攂ut that doesn鈥檛 mean spring skiing has been canceled.听Conditions ranging from听powder to听slushy corn snow are on offer well into April in many states, and best of all, most of the midwinter crowds are now gone. Here are some of our favorite picks around the country for spring ski trips.

Breckenridge, Colorado

plans to stay听open through Memorial Day weekend, making it one of the longest operating ski resorts in the country. With a summit elevation of nearly 13,000 feet, snow at the top of the mountain stays cold here even as the weather starts to turn.听Breck鈥檚 big spring festivals,听like Breck Pride and the听concert-packed Spring Finale,听are on hold this year, but the ample sunshine and laid-back vibes are not.听 for skiing (day tickets from $179), so plan ahead. For a day off from the slopes, head to the听, which has听doubled its fat-bike rental fleet due to increased demand. And the 60-room (from $179), a five-minute walk from the Quicksilver Lift, has three snow cabanas serving homestyle shared plates from the hotel鈥檚 Cabin Juice restaurant. Finally,听be sure to check out the new 听in town for its eclectic tasting menu and music-inspired wine list, offered in one of two cozy six-person yurts in its front yard (from $115 per person, minimum of four people; 脿听la carte dishes are available inside).

Mount Hood Meadows, Oregon

Spring at听听usually means beer festivals, banked slalom races, and pond skimming. This year听some of that will still take place, but mostly听you鈥檒l come for the sunshine, a ski season that extends听into May, and the chance to听 at the base听(overnight parking permit from $4). The ski area currently sells a听 (from $239) that鈥檚 valid for the remainder of the season. For a fun听Pacific Northwest road trip, hit up听, also on Mount Hood,听known for its extra-long season, and听, less than three hours away in Bend, with听great spots to听 come this time of year.

Killington, Vermont

is known for having one of the longest seasons on the East Coast, typically staying open into May or even June. Show up on a sunny spring weekend and you can lap soft bumps under the Superstar quad, then tailgate in the parking lot with coolers and grills. The resort鈥檚听 (from $249) gets you unlimited access from now until the end of the season at both Killington and neighboring听; your pass will also score you听 at the 听(from $266).

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, California

Billed as the spring-skiing capital of the U.S.,听听frequently gets听ample amounts of snow through March and April, which means the two neighboring resorts can stay open well into May (they鈥檝e even been known to reopen for the Fourth of July). Typical spring skiing here includes music festivals like听 (on hold until听2022) and on-mountain revelry like the听 and the Cushing Crossing Pond Skim, also听both likely on hold this year. No matter: you can still ski perfect corn snow off Sherwood Chair at Alpine, then hang out in a lawn chair in the Subway parking lot while eating a bratwurst from the听. Ikon听pass holders can score up to 30 percent off lodging at the听 (from $598) through Memorial Day.

Mount Bohemia, Michigan

Spring skiing in Michigan brings mild temperatures, deep snow depths, and sweet late-season deals. Head to the Upper Peninsula鈥檚 , which averages over 270 inches of lake-effect snow annually听and has two main lifts and four shuttle busses that access 585 acres of rugged, ungroomed terrain. Mount Bohemia tends to stay open until the end of April,听and on spring weekends, you can ski until 5 P.M. Sleep in a 鈥攖he resort鈥檚 spring-break special includes lift tickets, meals, and lodging from $75 per person听per day.

Sugarloaf, Maine

usually hosts its popular Reggae Fest in mid-April. That won鈥檛 happen this season,听but spring at the Loaf is still a guaranteed good time, and the mountain usually stays open until the end of April. If you for next season, you can start using听it now to ski the rest of this month (from $569). The resort still听plans to host its popular East Coast Pondskimming Championships on April 17. Book a room at the听 (from $287), which has a brewery inside.听

Snowbird, Utah

Boasting Utah鈥檚 longest ski season,听 has been known to stay open until early July after听deep-snow winters. This year is looking promising, with more than 300 inches of snowfall already on the slopes. Plus, April and May can still bring big storms to Little Cottonwood Canyon. When it鈥檚 a bluebird day, there鈥檚 no better place to be than listening to live music on the Plaza Deck after a day听skiing laps off Snowbird鈥檚 legendary Cirque. From now until May 2, you can听 slopeside at Snowbird, including lift tickets, starting at $145.

The post Spring Skiing Is in Full Swing at These Resorts appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

This is a developing story. For the latest information on the status of resorts听and protocol, visit听individual resort websites.

Ski season is going to happen this year. But it won鈥檛 look like it used to. Resorts around the U.S. are听using input from state and local health guidelines听to operate as safely as possible. In place of crowded apr猫s-ski bars and packed gondolas, you鈥檒l see extra-long, spaced-apart lift lines, skiers in full-face coverings, and take-out lunches eaten outside. Many听resorts will also require advance reservations, so be sure to听check for capacity updates before you go.

Beyond operating and safety protocols, we wanted to know听what some of our favorite ski areas听around the country have planned for this winter, so we called up places like Taos, Big Sky, and Breckenridge to see what鈥檚 on tap.听

Copper Mountain, Colorado

Opening day: November 30. Though the resort usually opens earlier in the month, a later opening date should allow for more snowmaking and natural snowfall to ensure听there鈥檚 enough听terrain for skiers and riders to spread out. 听

Passes and tickets: The (from $1,049)听gets you unlimited access to Copper, and pass holders won鈥檛 need a reservation to ski. You鈥檒l buy听.听Any ticket purchased听more than 12 days ahead of time will be mailed to you; otherwise,听you鈥檒l grab it from on-site pick-up boxes.

What鈥檚 new: The resort is implementing an for parking. Whether you鈥檙e skiing, tubing, or just coming to walk around the village, you鈥檒l need to book a parking spot in advance. If you ride 听or get dropped off, you won鈥檛 need to make a reservation.

Lessons: Copper will kick off听the year by offering only for groups of up to six people who are related. Starting in 2021, additional youth ski and snowboard programs should be available.

Before you go: Check the听 for updates and the听听for notifications.

Aspen Snowmass, Colorado

Opening day:听November 26 for Aspen Mountain and Snowmass; December 12 for Aspen Highlands, and December 18 for Buttermilk.

Passes and tickets: You can ski seven days at Aspen Snowmass on the Ikon Pass听or two days on the ($489)鈥攚ith either, you鈥檒l need to in advance. A limited number of lift tickets will be sold, so听book yours at least 72 hours ahead of time. Tickets can be delivered to your local lodging or collected from pick-up windows.听

What鈥檚 new: Aspen is expecting a 20 percent decrease in visitors this year, due in part to the lack of international tourists and corporate groups it often attracts, which means fewer听crowds this winter.

Uphill access: Known for its liberal uphill policies, the ski hills of Buttermilk, Snowmass, and Aspen Highlands听will continue to allow uphill ski access during lift-operating hours, but this year听you鈥檒l need to stick to designated routes and check for closures due to capacity limits. The ski area鈥檚 fourth hill, Aspen Mountain, will only allow uphill access before or after the ski day.

Don鈥檛 miss: A $2.5 million renovation of , atop Snowmass, is now complete. A sit-down lunch includes slipper service, where you can swap ski boots for (freshly cleaned) slippers. Make a reservation, as capacity will be limited.

Before you go: Check the听 for updates, be sure to download the听, and stay abreast of what鈥檚 happening with听this听, launched this year.

Breckenridge, Colorado

Opening day: Breckenridge plans to open exclusively to those听who have any level of an 听(from $999) beginning November 13. Single-day tickets won鈥檛 be sold until December 8.

What鈥檚 new: All Vail Resorts, including Breck, will be starting the season with a听 for Epic pass holders. So听book your ski days in advance鈥攜ou鈥檙e allotted up to seven priority days (which vary by resort)听that听can be made well ahead of time, while other days can听be reserved the week of. This听reservation system will open for the season on November 6. Skiers and riders will now be allowed to bring their own lunches into lodges. If you plan to rent ski or snowboard gear, book online ahead of time and get it delivered to wherever you鈥檙e staying.

Don鈥檛 miss: is installing a new clear dome, which can be reserved for property owners and guests in an existing group who want to apr猫s responsibly in a heated, private slopeside space听with beverage听service and mountain views.

What鈥檚 closed: Full-service bars will likely not open for indoor service, but beer and wine will be available to go at most lodges and markets.

Before you go: Check the听, and be sure you have the听 for updates.

Big Sky, Montana

Opening day: November 26.

Passes and tickets: Big Sky may limit the number of season passes sold this year, but as of press time, they鈥檙e on sale and won鈥檛 require reservations. The Ikon Pass grants you seven days at Big Sky, for which you鈥檒l need to make a 听to ski. The Mountain Collective Pass听gets you two days here, and at this time, reservations for Mountain Collective pass holders aren鈥檛 required.

What鈥檚 new: The Lone Peak Tram will open this year, with face coverings required and limited capacity. The resort is also considering a new boot-pack route to offer听skiers and riders a way to climb Lone Peak from the top of Dakota lift,听bypassing the tram. Also, this winter听the public will be able to access the 8,000-square-foot Yellowstone Conference Center as a bigger indoor space for lunch and hot-chocolate breaks.

Early ups: New this year, an unguided first-tracks program called will let skiers and riders load the Ramcharger 8 lift at 8 a.m., an hour before everyone else. You鈥檒l need to purchase an Early Access ticket online听(from $60), and only a听limited number of them听are being sold.

Before you go: Check the听 for updates, and be sure to听.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Opening day: November 26.听

Passes and tickets: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort pass holders听won鈥檛 need to make reservations to ski, but Ikon听pass holders鈥攚ho get seven days here鈥攚ill need to book a spot. Mountain Collective pass holders, who get two days at Jackson Hole, do not need to make reservations at this time. The resort will sell a limited number of daily tickets;听buy听them听online at least 14 days in advance for the biggest discount.听

What鈥檚 new: If you want to skip the tram, skiers and riders will be allowed to boot-pack up Rendezvous Bowl via the East Ridge Traverse. Those interested in trying out a pair of demo skis this season听can now rent gear from seven different locations at the base of Jackson Hole, as well as two hotels鈥斕�(from $480) and 听(from $370)鈥攐r request delivery to your lodging.

Early ups: Book a and you鈥檒l have an option to upgrade for early tram and gondola access. This winter听the general public will be able to load Teewinot, the Sweetwater Gondola, and the Apr猫s Vous chair 30 minutes earlier than the resort鈥檚听9 A.M. opening time, to help spread people out from the base area.

What鈥檚 happening: The invite-only听, an event which听features top skiers and riders launching into the famed Corbet鈥檚 Couloir,听will return for its fourth year this winter. It鈥檚听scheduled to run听February 16 to 21, 2021, via听livestream.

Where to stay:听When you book a well-designed vacation rental with听听(from $95), amenities include听a no-contact check-in,听bundled lift tickets, and a fridge stocked prior to your arrival.

Before you go: Check the听, and download the听, which now features听real-time updates on lift wait times, parking access, and other information.

Snowbird, Utah

Opening day: Snowbird plans to open, conditions permitting, on November 30. By kicking the season off a bit later than usual, the resort hopes to have expanded terrain, more snowmaking, and as many lifts open as possible starting from the first day.

Passes and tickets: Ikon听pass holders get seven days at Snowbird, and no reservations to ski will be required, but you will need to . If you鈥檙e buying a day ticket, get it online ahead of time, and plan to pick it up from self-service kiosks scattered around the base area.

What鈥檚 new:听All visitors to Snowbird arriving by car will need to make a reservation for parking. The will still operate but at reduced capacity and with a face-covering听requirement.

Lifts: The tram will operate at just 25 percent of its usual winter capacity; however,听anyone not skiing or riding won鈥檛 be allowed up to the top of the mountain this year.听

Before you go: Check the听, and get the soon-to-be-released Snowbird app, which will have wait times, parking information, and other critical updates.听

Park City, Utah

Opening day:听November 20.

Passes and tickets: If you have any version of the Epic Pass, you鈥檒l need to make a听 to ski. For day tickets, rather than buy a regular lift ticket in advance (pricing to be announced), opt for the more affordable听听(from $107 a day), a low-commitment version of the Epic Pass. The Epic Day Pass also gets you between one and seven days, and, yes, those still require听a reservation.

Lessons: Group lessons for the four-and-under age group won鈥檛 be available this year.

Eat: For dinner, is offering dine-in service, take-out meals for a family of four, and frozen entr茅es to cook at your lodging, like chef-prepared lasagna, plus free delivery. The restaurant will also sell an听array of boxed to-go lunches that you can听bring听to the ski hill.

Don鈥檛 miss:听 is hosting听virtual mixology classes and online whiskey-education courses. Pick up a bottle of bourbon, and learn how to make a proper old-fashioned at your condo.

Before you go: Check the听, and be sure you have the听 for updates.

Taos, New Mexico

Opening day:听November 26.

Passes and tickets: Taos Ski Valley will operate at 50 percent capacity this season, which means that both day ticket听(available on October 15; prices to be announced) and season pass (available on October 9; from $450) holders will need to reserve spots in advance.听If you buy an Ikon Pass, you鈥檒l get seven days at Taos听and听will need to make a reservation before you show up. The Mountain Collective Pass gets you two days here, with no reservations needed.

Travel restrictions: As of press time, if you鈥檙e traveling to New Mexico from a state on the high-risk list for COVID cases, then you鈥檙e required to听.

Start your day: Get a green-chile-smothered breakfast burrito and a coffee to go from , located inside the , which is set to reopen听this winter. The resort is going cashless, so plan to pay for everything鈥攆rom dining to rentals鈥攂y card.

Stay here:听听(from $250)鈥攖he resort鈥檚 newest ski-in, ski-out hotel, was closed for the summer听but is expected听to听reopen for winter at 65 percent capacity. Its听restaurant, , is currently open for online ordering and takeout.

Before you go: Check the听.

Sugarloaf, Maine

Opening day:听To be announced.

Passes and tickets: The (from $649), on sale until October 12, gives you access to both Sugarloaf and Sunday River;听the Ikon Pass gets you up to seven days of skiing here; and the Mountain Collective Pass gets you two days. Currently, no reservations will be required for any of those passes. Lift tickets can be purchased online听and, unlike many resorts, at walk-up ticket windows the day of. You鈥檒l also find ten听new automated kiosks around the base area to pick up lift tickets purchased ahead of time.

What鈥檚 new: Gone are the days of human ticket checkers. Sugarloaf has installed radio-frequency identification听gates that you鈥檒l ski through to scan your passes before听loading the lifts.

Travel restrictions: coming from outside of a handful of nearby states are required to show a negative COVID test result or self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the state.

Transportation: You can still ride the free shuttle around the area, but plan on wearing a face covering, and expect capacity to be cut in half.

Before you go: The听 has more details, and be sure to download the听. The听 will post updates on听operations and conditions.听

Stowe, Vermont

Opening day: November 20.

Passes and tickets: All guests using an Epic Pass will need to make a听 to ski at Stowe this winter. Lift tickets will only be sold online after December 8 for designated days.

Travel restrictions: Vermont currently has听 in place, so if you鈥檙e coming from outside its borders, be sure to read up on quarantine requirements before you pack your听bags.

Lifts: The gondola will be open. Face coverings will be required, and only related groups will be allowed to load听together.

For your convenience: You can now get take-out orders or groceries delivered to your door, thanks to听, the area鈥檚 first (and only) food-delivery service.

Before you go: Check the听 and the听 for the latest updates.

Mammoth Mountain, California

Opening day: Mammoth tends to be one of the first ski resorts in California to open. This year听the resort will start cranking the lifts听November 14.

Passes and tickets: Walk-up day tickets won鈥檛 be available, and those听purchased in advance will be sold on a limited basis, so expect to secure them at least seven days in advance. Skiers and riders with an Ikon Pass have unlimited access to Mammoth and won鈥檛 need to make reservations, as of press time.

Drink: has a socially distant beer garden that鈥檚 open for patio dining and beer tasting, or order online to pick up a growler to take back to your pad.

Soak: Squeezing into a natural hot springs with strangers isn鈥檛 a great idea this year, and many of the steaming pools around Mammoth can get crowded in a normal year. Instead, book a private tub and winter campsite or room at听 (from $60), 50 minutes northeast of town.

Before you go: Check the听, and download the free听.

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, California

Opening day: November 25, conditions permitting.

Passes and tickets: There鈥檚 no reservation system here for skiing and riding. Ikon pass holders get unlimited days at Squaw Alpine; Mountain Collective pass holders get two days. There will be no walk-up ticket sales, and advance tickets will be offered on a limited basis. If you buy a ticket more than ten听days ahead of time, it can be mailed to you.

What鈥檚 open: Ski and ride schools will be operational, with new regulations in place. The Funitel and aerial tram are slated to open with face coverings required and social-distancing efforts in place.

What鈥檚 closed: The popular sunset happy hours at High Camp, atop the tram, won鈥檛 be available this year, though restaurants there will be open. Favorite festivities,听such as听the holiday torchlight parade and moonlight snowshoe tours, aren鈥檛 currently scheduled, but the springtime is likely to go on, pending local ordinances.

Eat here:听, which opened last year in Squaw Valley Village, has online ordering and swift take-out service.

Before you go: Be sure to check the听 and听 or the听 for the latest on parking and mountain capacity.听

Sun Valley, Idaho

Opening day: Sun Valley鈥檚 Bald Mountain will open on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, with nearby Dollar Mountain to follow on December 12.

Passes and tickets: You won鈥檛 find a reservation system at Sun Valley this winter, though lift tickets may be restricted to minimize crowds, so be sure to get there early. Epic pass holders now get seven days of skiing or riding at Sun Valley, and even though the Epic Pass requires reservations at Vail-owned destinations, at this time you don鈥檛 need a reservation to use your Epic Pass here.

What鈥檚 new: This winter, a high-speed quad replaces what was the resort鈥檚 oldest chairlift, Cold Springs, and skiers and riders will be able to spread out on 380 acres of new skiable terrain, located on Bald Mountain鈥檚 south side.

For your convenience: If you need to leave items behind, there will be a bag-check station outside the lodge.

Before you go: Check the听 and听 for updates.

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Jeffrey Bergeron鈥檚 phone started ringing at all hours the third week of March, soon after his adopted hometown of Breckenridge, Colorado, shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A native of Brockton, Massachusetts, on Boston鈥檚 gritty South Shore,听Bergeron moved to Breckenridge in 1975 when he was 20. He鈥檚 represented the town鈥檚 5,000 residents as a councilman for more than a decade. Known by his nom de plume, , the 66-year-old media personality describes himself as 鈥渒ind of a freak,鈥� which makes him a man of the ski-town people in a way that most elected officials are not.

Breckenridge was founded as a mining town in 1859. It existed for more than a century before a tiny ski resort opened there in 1961 on 12,998-foot Peak 8. Now听听is among the biggest and busiest in the country, routinely notching more than 1.6 million skier visits as one of the most popular destinations on Vail Resorts鈥� vaunted Epic Pass. Last year听the town听recorded $658 million in taxable sales by local businesses.听Multimillion-dollar homes are in vogue the way two-room cabins once were. Bergeron has accepted the growth like ski bums accept summer鈥攂egrudgingly鈥攚hile always striving to defend the easygoing听vibe he fell in love with 45 years ago,听when he and a friend puttered down Main Street in their 1962 VW Squareback.

So听this March, when nearly a dozen longtime residents called Bergeron, on the verge of sobbing, unsure what they were going to do or if they would be able to stay, the pandemic hit home in a way that no bottom line could. 鈥淚n many cases, these were dudes in their forties听who I ski with or lift weights with, and they were fighting to maintain their composure,鈥� Bergeron told me. 鈥淭hey thought they were taking the next step to their future鈥攖hey finally had a business and property. Then, within five days, everything was tenuous.鈥�听

Anyone living in a ski town like Breckenridge, the place I have called home for 18 years, knows how drastic this economic and lifestyle crash has been. Take Downstairs at Eric鈥檚, a popular family restaurant on Main Street owned by the town mayor, Eric Mamula. Eric鈥檚 had set revenue records for seven straight years entering 2020. It appeared primed to do that again, with unprecedented sales in January and February and a booming start to March, typically the richest month of the year for听Breckenridge鈥檚听local businesses. Just up Ski Hill Road, at the base of Peak 8, Breckenridge Grand Vacations (BGV), which sells luxury time-shares and manages nearly 900 lodging units, was on pace to notch the highest sales total听in its 32-year history.

Then on Saturday, March 14. Two days later, the town shut down its restaurants and bars, and all tourists were asked to leave by the end of the week. Their departure left much of the community out of work. BGV, the largest year-round employer in Summit County, furloughed more than 500 staff, or 85 percent of its workforce. Vail Resorts laid off or furloughed almost all of its local employees for up to six months. It was as if an ice age had arrived while everyone was sleeping, and we woke up to a place听frozen in time. Retail shops that had been short-staffed all winter replaced their 鈥淗elp Wanted鈥� signs with COVID-19 closure notices. I walked down the double yellow line on Main Street for blocks without seeing a car鈥攐r a person.

Breckenridge has endured its share of local and global calamities, from听rampant mine closures to 9/11听to the Great Recession. But the last real threat to the town鈥檚 identity was the 1980鈥�81 winter, when the resort only opened for brief stretches and closed for the season in March, after recording just 86 inches of snow听(an average season sees around 350 inches). The population exodus was so dramatic that someone posted a sign on Main Street that read听鈥淟ast One to Leave, Turn Out the Lights.鈥� Twentieth Century Fox, which owned the resort at the time, made sure that never happened again, investing in snowmaking and installing the world鈥檚 first high-speed quad chairlift the following year. 鈥淭hat event was not even in the same galaxy as this pandemic, as far as fostering insecurity about the future of our town,鈥� Bergeron says.听

Over the past two months, mountain towns around the world have adjusted to an uncomfortable, indefinite standstill. March and April are typically economic windfalls, and some resorts stay open through May, including Breckenridge. After the pandemic hit, businesses small and large, as well as nonprofits and municipal governments, slashed their budgets, anticipating annual revenue losses of 40 to 50 percent. Locals hunkered down like marmots in a blizzard. The (where I worked before starting a freelance career) published 12-page newspapers when they鈥檇 normally be four times听as thick,听and it solicited donations from readers. The only companies hiring in the classifieds were Waste Management, the hospital, and Wendy鈥檚.

According to 听released on March 24, we can expect to see a $400 billion decrease in U.S. travel spending this year,听including $350 billion in domestic travel, which is听Breckenridge鈥檚 bread and butter. 鈥淭his is seven times the impact of 9/11,鈥澨齮he report stated. Local property manager Toby Babich, who serves as president of the international Vacation Rental Management Association, told me that bookings from May through August were down 80 percent from the previous year in听traditionally powerhouse destinations like Florida and the Gulf Coast, and down 40 to 60 percent in mountain towns. Bergeron says he wouldn鈥檛 be surprised if Breckenridge loses 15 percent of its population. (In addition to the 5,000 year-round residents, there are also hundreds of seasonal winter workers.) Aside from those who move back in with their parents to escape the area鈥檚 high cost of living, it鈥檚 unclear where they would go.

To help locals get by, in late March, the town dipped into its $20 million rainy-day fund and established rent-assistance pools for small businesses and those who work in town. Nearly 210 business owners applied for April aid, receiving an average of $3,000 from a $1 million听fund, while 900 residents鈥� rent handouts were drawn from a pool听of $500,000. The point was to spread out the body blows. 鈥淏efore the town chips in, we鈥檝e been going to landlords and saying, 鈥楬ey, you鈥檙e owed this much, what will you take?鈥欌�� Bergeron says. If the landlord doesn鈥檛 cooperate, neither does the government.听Other ski towns, like , have done similar things, while in Jackson, Wyoming, are filling the benefactor role. Still, not every ski bum is protected. In Stowe, Vermont, the only rent assistance available is what people can procure from the feds, says town planning director Tom Jackman.听

Everyone has feared a mental-health crisis as part of the pandemic, and for a while,听it appeared Breckenridge might avoid that fate. Testing for the virus听ramped up in mid-April听(as of this writing, 243听people had tested positive in Summit County, with 47听hospitalizations and one death), and talk of reopening began. Then two local teenagers committed suicide eight days apart in late April, sending the community into shock. 鈥淚 think we can say confidently that the isolation was a factor in the emotional rawness of these kids,鈥� says Jen McAtamney, executive director of , a local mental-health nonprofit.听鈥淏ecause they鈥檙e听supposed to be socializing, and their brains are developing right now, so it鈥檚 hard for them to see the other side of this鈥攖he future.鈥� Building Hope funds up to 12 therapy sessions for anyone in need, often starting as soon as a person听applies. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been getting as many calls in a day as we usually get in a week,鈥� McAtamney says.

What does the future look like for Breckenridge and other ski towns? Much depends, of course, on how long the pandemic lasts. 鈥淚 describe it, frankly, as unrolling a snowball,鈥� says Robin Theobald, a fifth-generation Breckenridge resident and prominent local businessman. 鈥淎 snowball will roll down the hill on its own, but how do you put that back on the hill? You can鈥檛 unroll it.鈥� Town manager Rick Holman says he expects to see a $190 million decrease in sales this year, compared with 2019. Already听at least one Main Street shop has gone under, with more likely to follow. Many businesses received federal assistance to cover payroll and overhead, but that doesn鈥檛 solve the biggest problem: a lack of visitors spending money.听

All lodging properties were shut down through May but were allowed to reopen June 1. The Breckenridge Tourism Office was targeting July 4 as its official summer kickoff, then changed course and decided not to stage any major events, to prevent large crowds. Main Street, typically clogged by traffic, is being turned into a pedestrian throughway, giving people more room to avoid each other. BGV plans to have its guests sign a pledge to abide by public-health orders upon their arrival鈥攁 provision many locals support, given their wariness of letting outsiders back in without treatment or a vaccine for the virus. The 鈥淏GV Promise鈥� requires guests to cover their faces anytime they鈥檙e outside their rooms at the resort, unless they鈥檙e eating, drinking, or playing in the pool. 鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to avoid conflict among our guests,鈥� says company CEO Mike Dudick. If visitors refuse to wear masks inside a retail shop or a restaurant downtown, as mandated by government officials, the town鈥檚 delicate dependence on tourism could come to a head.

鈥淚 think there鈥檚 going to be a philosophical discussion for locals to have,鈥� Dudick says. 鈥淏ecause those who were in the camp of听We have way too many tourists, now they鈥檝e gotten to look squarely down the barrel of what it looks like with zero. So what kind of economy do we really need to live in this community? Where鈥檚 the balance point?鈥�

Mayor Mamula, who was听reelected in early April, and whose father was the mayor 20 years ago, envisions one potential silver lining that could extend to ski towns everywhere. With many service workers earning between $25,000 and $30,000 a year, homeownership听is often out of reach, a major reason why locals leave to raise their families elsewhere. 鈥淢aybe some housing goes on the market when we come out of this, and people who have lived here for a long time are actually able to afford it,鈥� Mamula says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what I鈥檓 hoping for: we get a shake-up in the economy, where some of the people who have used this as strictly a place to make money and not a place to live will get replaced by people who want to live here.鈥� It鈥檚 an attractive prospect on paper, but April Norton, director of Wyoming鈥檚 Teton County Affordable Housing program, says early signs in Jackson Hole leave her worried.听鈥淚 see it going the other way for us, which is really scary,鈥� she told me.

Ironically, two bases that have been assailed by locals who feel Breckenridge is too busy鈥攄ay-trippers听from the Front Range and time-share occupants鈥攁re likely to play a crucial role in kick-starting the economy. But how many destination travelers join them, and when, is the wild card. Breckenridge Tourism Office CEO Lucy Kay told me the organization has spent 鈥渧ery little鈥� of its $1.2 million summer advertising budget, which is used to attract visitors from out of state. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 want to bring in too many people too fast,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e want to see how much fills organically.鈥� The long-term prognosis remains unpredictable, like the virus. 鈥淵ou could take this out to a worst-case scenario, where we lose part of next winter, and that could be devastating,鈥� says Mamula, whose restaurant employs 48 people, four of whom tested positive for COVID-19 in May. 鈥淭hen I don鈥檛听know what happens. I don鈥檛听even want to think about that right now.鈥�
听
Theobald believes there is too much money invested in Breckenridge by wealthy vacationers for its economy not to recover. Urban residents still pine for mountain escapes, perhaps now more than before. But if you ask Bergeron, the biggest threat is qualitative, not quantitative.听
听
鈥淭he people who have called me in a state of panic really reflect what this place is about, and yet they might have to leave,鈥� Bergeron says. 鈥淭hey鈥檇 be replaced eventually by people with the same occupation听but who don鈥檛 have the historical understanding of what our town is. And that could really change what I think is the best part about Breckenridge鈥攖he character. It鈥檚 forgiving, freewheeling, and a remarkable place to live.鈥�

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It鈥檚 not all that often that your accommodation听is the cheapest part of your ski weekend. But if you鈥檝e never considered hostels to be an option, you鈥檝e been overspending: boutique bunkhouses are multiplying in the United States, and they often offer many of the same amenities you鈥檇 find in a nice hotel at a fraction of the price.

These hostels in prime ski areas in the U.S. and Canada are all under $100 a night. That鈥檚 cheap enough to justify taking a vacation day to ski for a third day. Or call in sick鈥攚e won鈥檛 tell anyone.

Loge Camps

Mount Shasta, California

听is a small chain that buys old hotels and motels and renovates them into hipper spaces. Its Mount Shasta location, about 15 minutes from the slopes, offers traditional bunk-style hostel rooms as well as private, dog-friendly options (from $50). Expect to find a chill vibe here, where you might even make a few new friends at the听brand-new caf茅 and bar and听fire pit, to the sound of听occasional live music. Come spring, the property will also introduce a few campsites.听Cross-country skis听and snowshoes听will be available for rent on-site starting this month (from $15).

Park City Hostel

Park City, Utah

Stay minutes away from Park City鈥檚 ski resorts听for a tenth鈥攐r less鈥攐f the cost of staying at a local听on-mountain resort. 听(from $33)听is close to free public transportation that runs to all of the nearby ski areas, and it also runs its own trips to Snowbasin once a week. There are bunk rooms,听private rooms for couples and families, a spacious common room and kitchen with a fireplace and pool table, and plenty of areas to store your gear.

Homestyle Hostel Vermont

Ludlow, Vermont

听is just a mile from , and you鈥檒l find amenities here you鈥檙e likely not used to from a hostel. All guests get complementary breakfast and can take a free shuttle from the property to the mountain. In addition to traditional bunk rooms, it听also offers a听variety of private accommodations for couples, families, and larger groups (from $55). Rooms are outfitted with white-noise machines to defend against snorers, and there鈥檚 an on-site restaurant, open on the weekends, so you can eat close to home after a long day of shredding.

The SnowMansion

Arroyo Seco, New Mexico

, in the artsy village of Arroyo Seco, has rooms varying from bunks for single travelers to private rooms for up to ten听people (from $38). It鈥檚 about 20 minutes from both Taos Ski Village听and the town of Taos鈥攚ell worth an afternoon of exploration for its art galleries, incredible food, and historic homes. The hostel offers a particularly good deal for skiers who need to travel with pets: for听an extra $30 a day, you can leave your pet at the hostel while you鈥檙e skiing, and the staff will walk them and make sure they have fresh water.

Vail Bunkhouse

Minturn, Colorado

听is between Vail and Beaver Creek, about ten听minutes from each resort, in a small town with a lot of character and plenty of walkable dining options. Unlike a traditional bunk room, where privacy is at a minimum (if it exists at all), the beds here are a bit more podlike, with a wall that covers about two-thirds of the bed and a curtain to close it off entirely (from $52). This provides a bit of insulation from snorers and makes for听a super-cozy place to snuggle up with a book or journal. The property also offers a six-bunk room that can be rented in its entirety for a group of friends or family听and a four-bunk room that converts into two bunks and a king-size bed. Guests receive a 20 percent discount on听rentals from , which are brought right to the hostel.

Bivvi Hostel

Breckenridge, Colorado

is about as posh as it gets for a hostel. When you walk in and see the bright-blue antler chandelier hanging from the vaulted ceiling and the massive stone fireplace, you might wonder at first whether you鈥檝e wandered into the wrong place. But you haven鈥檛鈥攆or a fraction of the cost of other Breckenridge hotels, and just a ten-minute walk to downtown, you can snag a supercomfy twin bunk here, free homemade breakfasts,听and access to the hot tub (from $70). If you want to get fancy, the hostel also offers private rooms, including one with its own tub.

Whistler Pangea Pod

Whistler, British Columbia

听offers 88 spacious one- and two-person pods in eight听separate rooms, including one for women only (from $43). Pods have full-size beds鈥攕o two adults can share one鈥攁nd lockable luggage storage. There鈥檚 also space to keep听skis and bikes听in the so-called Toy Box.听Pangea Pod has a rooftop patio to enjoy the听view, and an on-site restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktails.

The Hostel

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

听undeniably boasts听the best location on this list and听a screaming deal at that鈥攊t鈥檚 right in Teton Village, about a one-minute walk to the gondola at Jackson Hole. Both private rooms and bunks are available, as well as an array of amusements to help you get to know your fellow skiers, like Ping-Pong, pool, shuffleboard, and foosball tables (from $32). The property听also has an area to wax your skis听and accommodates pets in private rooms for听an extra $10 a night.

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Colorado鈥檚 most popular ski lifts often come with hefty price tags. But if you鈥檙e willing to forego the name recognition of saying you skied at Breckenridge or Vail, you鈥檒l find scores of locals-only mountains worth your time. These well-kept secrets might not have fancy spas or heated lifts, but with day听tickets for under $100听and听hostels and cheap hotels close by, it鈥檚 possible to spend a day on the slopes and a night out in town for less than $150.

Loveland Ski Area

Price: From听$135听

One of the greatest things about (day tickets from $75) is how close it is to Denver: just 90 minutes听west of听the airport. But its greatest asset? Free snowcat skiing. Anyone with a lift ticket can pick up a , which are first come, first served,听to ski听right along the Continental Divide听into expert-only terrain that lift takers听can鈥檛 reach. Loveland also offers free access to its terrain park and to slopeside cabins that you can reserve during the day for picnics and BBQs. Then there鈥檚 the 听deal, where, if you join in the annual Valentine鈥檚 Day Mountaintop Matrimony celebration, you and your new spouse can ski for the price of one.

Where to Stay: The (from $60) in Silverthorne is minutes away from Loveland and within walking distance from the Summit Stage bus stops, so you can easily get to Dillon, Keystone, Frisco, and Breckenridge if you want to ski a day elsewhere or just explore another town. The five-room hostel has both bunk and private room options听and includes a continental breakfast.

Monarch Mountain

Price:听From听$117

What 听(day tickets from $94) lacks in fancy amenities, it more than makes up for in its proximity to several of Colorado鈥檚 best hot springs.听Located three hours southwest of Denver and 20 miles west of Salida, Monarch听has 54 trails for skiers of all levels and an extreme-terrain area called Mirkwood.听For those looking to splurge,听there鈥檚 also听听(from $400) that gets you to wide-open bowls and steep chutes. After a day on the slopes, soothe your muscles at 听(from $24)听or (clothing optional;听from $9), the latter听an hour southeast, but听both with听affordable private rooms and dorm-style accommodations (from $30). For the nonskiers in your group, book a day of 听(from $24).

Where to Stay:听The 听offers comfortable, spacious private rooms and basic bunks (from $23听for a bunk) just a short drive from restaurants in town. The (from $24听for a bunk) has is very basic,听but is right in the heart of downtown.

Wolf Creek Ski Area

Price:听From $106

When it comes to powder, 听(day tickets from $76) is king. This small mountain typically gets more snow than any other resort in the state, averaging around 480 inches each year. And because it鈥檚 one of the least convenient to access鈥攆rom Denver it鈥檚 a 4.5-hour drive southwest鈥攊t doesn鈥檛 get skied out as quickly as the big resorts, and you never have to compete with crowded听lift lines.听If you鈥檙e looking to shred, you can do it here from the lifts or in听, where expert-only terrain is a short hike from the top of the听Treasure and Bonanza chairs.

Where to Stay: The , an听eight-person cabin, is small but cheap (from听$30). It鈥檚 about a 40-minute drive east of听Wolf Creek. If you want to splurge with your lift-ticket savings, stay at the in Pagosa Springs (from $330), a half-hour northeast, which has nearly two dozen hot-spring pools (or stick with your budget听and opt for a day pass, from $30).

Ski Cooper

Price:听From $95

If you鈥檙e looking for a family-friendly mountain, 听(day tickets from $62) might be it. Cooper has mellow trails ideal for beginners听and is also expanding its expert terrain for the upcoming season. A new lift opens听in听December,听offering access to steeper and more challenging runs. For more a advanced option,听you can book a seat in 听(from $400). And for those in your group who prefer to ski on mostly level ground, the , a resort with听wide skate lanes on a听groomed trail system, is right across the parking lot.

Where to Stay: The 听(from $32) offers a wide variety of accommodations 17 minutes north of base camp and is within walking听distance of听shops and restaurants downtown. For more rustic luxury and closer proximity to the mountain, book a night or two in a 听($240 for up to six people). You鈥檒l have to work for it by skiing in, but you can arrange for your luggage to be transported via snowmobile to make the journey more enjoyable.

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There鈥檚 no shortage of great places to cozy up for a winter getaway, but with amenities like stargazing observatories, wood-fired saunas, exceptional taverns, and winter sports aplenty, these new mountain huts, hotels, and lodges are raising the bar. You may never want to leave.

Sister鈥檚 Cabin

Breckenridge, Colorado

A new 2,090-square-foot backcountry hut called听Sister鈥檚 Cabin is opening on the northern side of Breckenridge鈥檚 Baldy Mountain. An upgrade from your typical rustic hut, this winter-only 14-person cabin comes with a wood-fired sauna and indoor bathrooms, meaning no snowy midnight treks to an outhouse. Built by the , it鈥檚 expected to open in January and will start taking reservations via soon. Heads up: You鈥檒l need to ski tour or snowshoe about 3.5 miles and climb some 1,500 vertical feet to get there. (From $50 per person per night.)

Mount Royal Hotel

Banff, Alberta

In 2016, a fire burned down the historic 135-room . This July, it reopened its doors, and the place has been completely redone, with comfortable new beds, sleek decor, phone-charging stations, gas fireplaces, and a general store for grab-and-go lunches. Oh, and you can order drinks without leaving the new rooftop hot tub. The concierge desk can help arrange outings like Banff-area hikes and skiing at Lake Louise, or you can browse through guidebooks in the hotel鈥檚 library. (From $82 per night.)

Eastwind Hotel

Windham, New York

At the new , which opened in the Catskills in June, you can book a well-appointed hotel room, two-room suite with a fireplace and writing desk, or a tiny Scandinavian-style A-frame cabin. Each comes with access to an outdoor wood-barrel sauna and hot tub. Skiing at Windham Mountain Resort is a five-minute shuttle ride away, or head to Hunter Mountain, 20 minutes down the road. Breakfast is served on weekends, and the in-house chef whips up group dinners on Saturday nights. (From $219 per night.)

Compass Rose Lodge

Huntsville, Utah

Opening in January 2019, the has an on-site coffee shop, free breakfast, and its own astronomic and lunar observatory that plays host to public star parties. But the best part? Its strategic location in Huntsville means the 15-room farmhouse-style hotel has significantly increased the lodging options near Utah鈥檚 remote Powder Mountain Resort. (From $227 per night.)

The Josie Hotel

Rossland, British Columbia

opened at the base of Red Mountain in late November, adding a ski-in, ski-out boutique hotel to the otherwise low-key ski area. When you鈥檙e finished exploring the powder-choked glades off Red鈥檚 Granite Mountain, hotel staff will store your skis overnight, book you a deep-tissue massage in the soon-to-open spa, or point you toward apr猫s-ski cocktails in the hotel bar. The hotel is currently offering a where a two-night stay includes a pair of lift tickets for the resort. (From $142 per night.)

Snowpine Lodge

Alta, Utah

Alta has a handful of legendary old-school hotels where every meal comes included with your stay and the shared bathroom is down the hall. When the opens in January 2019, it鈥檒l be the first true luxury ski-in, ski-out accommodation on the mountain. In addition to private rooms, the hotel has dorm-style bunks and everything skiers need, like lockers, a good bar, and hot tubs with views of the hill. (Bunks from $99; rooms from $259.)

Limelight Hotel Snowmass

Snowmass, Colorado

The Limelight Hotel in downtown Aspen is already a crowd favorite for its laid-back yet upscale vibe. This winter, Aspen Skiing Company is opening another property, , a 99-room hotel right next to the听. You鈥檒l be treated to ski-in, ski-out lodging, a stellar European-style breakfast spread, live music and drink specials during apr猫s, and a free ride to Aspen鈥檚 three other mountains. Sign up for the First Tracks program with the concierge and you鈥檒l be on the slopes before everyone else. (From $159 per night.)

Experimental Chalet

Verbier, Switzerland

You鈥檒l come to Verbier to ski its world-class steeps, but you鈥檒l stay for the party. This quaint Swiss village, after all, is home to the raucous apr猫s-ski at and the . The new , opening in December, is your home base for both. In addition to 39 sleekly designed rooms, you鈥檒l find easy access to the M茅dran lift, a restaurant run by a chef brought in from Paris, a retro cocktail bar, and a wild nightclub in the basement. (From $208 per night.)

Caldera House

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Teton Village, at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, isn鈥檛 lacking for high-end hotels, but with the debut of splurge-worthy this summer, just steps from the resort鈥檚 famous tram, there鈥檚 a new king of the hill. Guests can rent lavish听two- or four-bedroom suites. Each comes with a chef鈥檚 kitchen, a palatial living area with a gas fireplace, and private balconies. You鈥檒l be treated like ski-town royalty with a private member鈥檚 locker room for your gear and an on-call concierge who can organize everything from caribou sleigh rides to backcountry heli-skiing. In case you鈥檙e not actually royalty, the Southcable Caf茅, in the main level of the hotel, serves coffee, breakfast burritos, and sloshies鈥攖he frozen cocktail made famous in Jackson. (From $1,250 per night.)

Red Mountain Alpine Lodge

Red Mountain Pass, Colorado

Slated to open in late December, the new is an off-the-grid timber-framed backcountry cabin located near Silverton on the 11,018-foot Red Mountain Pass. It鈥檚 just 300 yards from the highway, making access much easier than many of Colorado鈥檚 other huts. The place sleeps up to 20鈥攔ent the whole thing, a private room, or a spot in the loft鈥攁nd comes with three meals a day, hot showers, a wood-burning sauna, and guided or unguided access to some of the best out-of-bounds ski terrain in the San Juans. (From $134 per person per night.)

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