North America’s Best Ski Towns to Live In
As the offseason rolls by, you might be thinking, “Wow! I would love to live closer to the slopes next year.”
There are tons of great ski resort towns to choose from throughout North America, so we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorites to help you figure out where your dream winter (or year-round!) home should be.
#9: Tahoe City, CA
Tahoe City, California is not typically the most recommended Lake Tahoe ski town, but it has some unique features that nearby Truckee does not. First, the shorter commute to the lake puts you closer to the plethora of hikes, swimming, boating, and other outdoor activities available in the area. Second, Tahoe City’s Sherwood neighborhood residents have access to a residents-only entrance to Palisades Tahoe’s Alpine Meadows side on the backside near the Sherwood chairlift. The residents-only parking and quick access to some of the mountain’s best snow means that residents can almost certainly get fresh tracks on every powder day — and perhaps more importantly, avoid the frustrating weekend and holiday parking reservation policies of Palisades Tahoe’s main lots.
The neighborhood’s shared benefits and family-friendly nature also tend to give residents a better sense of community — winches, snow blowers, and shovels have been lifelines that community members have loaned out to other residents free of charge because of the community’s tight-knit nature. However, Tahoe City locals are not known for being the most open to outsiders, so you’ll really have to commit to your long-term residence there to enjoy these communal benefits.
Tahoe’s resorts are beloved for their typically high snowfall (the 2023 season recorded 754 total inches!), but that can also present unique challenges for day-to-day life. With multi-foot snow storms expected a few times per season, residents should be prepared to dig themselves out in the morning. Most residents also own snowblowers for clearing their driveways and generators to keep refrigerators running during somewhat frequent power outages caused by storms. Luckily, the lakeside town has most of the amenities that nearby Truckee exclusively offered until recent years, including a major supermarket and all-season outdoor equipment stores – meaning that you can easily stock up before any incoming weather.
+ Pros
– Cons
Extreme winter weather swings may not be for everyone
May be difficult to form community in first few months
Unique local benefits
Tons of year-round activity options
Extremely family-friendly
#8: Crested Butte, CO
Crested Butte, Colorado might be the most underrated ski town in America. Regarded as “the last great Colorado ski town,” Crested Butte is tiny – the resort contains three times more skiable area than the town takes up. With a lofty 12,162 feet of elevation and 3,062 feet of vertical drop combined with a higher percentage of expert terrain than almost any other ski resort in the U.S, Crested Butte is truly a rider’s paradise. Perhaps best of all for a home mountain setting, Crested Butte rarely picks up long lines.
Crested Butte resort also has mountain biking trails available during the off-season and has been designated the wildflower capital of Colorado, making it a beautiful and adventurous town to live in before the winter snowfall. The small town vibes are present in every aspect of local life. Crested Butte residents told us that the frontdoor mountain access and sense of local community were what made Crested Butte their top choice, especially compared to other Colorado ski towns that have become more commercial.
+ Pros
– Cons
Very remote
Fewer amenities than some other towns
Stunning backdrop
Small-town, uncommercialized vibe
Great summer activities
#7: Whitefish, MT
If you don’t know much about ski towns, Whitefish may be a name that you haven’t heard before, but it’s one you should know. Located less than 15 minutes from the resort of the same name, Whitefish is a small town with a decidedly local feel. Whitefish may be known for its winter ski scene, but locals will tell you that the best time to be there is in autumn, when the larches change color, an annual event that residents have a front-row seat to.
Whitefish locals we reached out to were huge fans of the year-round access to outdoor recreation, particularly the proximity of Glacier National Park. One resident in particular was quick to mention rock climbing opportunities in the area: because Whitefish isn’t a traditional place to look for rock climbing adventures, it’s easy to get away from any crowds without traveling too far from home. Other locals claimed that Whitefish’s food was a big draw, with well-rated options from a smattering of different cuisines.
When it comes to winter — the resort isn’t a perfect fit for everyone, but its plethora of advanced tree terrain may be just right for the ski enthusiasts who are looking to live close to their mountain.
+ Pros
– Cons
Remoteness
Year-round outdoor activity options
Empty ski slopes during winter
Lively but local town
#6: Bend, OR
Bend, Oregon isn’t a ski town. Bend is a fully fledged small city that happens to have great access to skiing. Mount Bachelor is located less than 30 minutes away from downtown Bend, and a handful of Oregon’s other slopes are also within driving distance.
While the quality of these slopes may not match that in other parts of the U.S. or Canada, Bend has a strong year-round claim to a spot on this list. Not only does Bend have winter skiing, but its location at the foot of the Oregon Cascades makes it perfect for outdoor activities year round. Locals each have their own favorite hikes, but we’re fans of a 4.7-mile out-and-back route past Blow and Doris Lakes in Deschutes National Forest.
Additionally, Bend’s “big city” status means that you don’t have to worry about the isolation of the summer months present in many ski towns and you rarely have to compromise on amenities. The size and relative pricing of rent in Bend also means it’s home to a diverse year-round crowd of working class folks who make a living in Bend, vacation home owners, and remote workers – a born and raised Bendite told us that you can meet people from all walks of life living in Bend.
Despite the size, Bachelor is not often considered a destination resort, giving the mountain shorter lines compared to some others on this list. If you want your winter house to be your summer, spring, and fall house, Bend might be perfect for you.
+ Pros
– Cons
Lack of a true “ski town” feel
Middling in-bounds expert terrain availability
City amenities
Diverse culture that extends beyond the ski scene
Year-round nature access
#5: Telluride, CO
Telluride, Colorado is one of our favorite ski towns in the country. With a smattering of après options, lifts just feet away from housing, and typically small crowds, Telluride is a fantastic option for the “everything else” of skiing. The mountain itself is fairly impressive too, offering outstanding amounts of terrain at every level despite the small footprint.
Our biggest concern with Telluride, however, is making sure that visitors get a good value. Housing prices in Telluride are quite high, with median housing prices month-by-month ranging from $1.8 to $5.2 million in the past year, and even just visiting the resort can be pricey – despite being part of the Epic Pass, only the highest tier of the pass gives you access to Telluride’s resort.
Locals did mention a silver-lining to this pricing, however: because of the difficulty of securing housing in Telluride and its isolated location inside of a box canyon, the sense of community among Telluridians is incredibly strong. One resident told us that it can take over 35 minutes to walk the mile-long town because of how many times you’ll have to stop and say hi to people you know. If you can afford it, Telluride is probably the best ski resort on this list to bring the family to, with terrain for riders of all levels and off-season activities to match.
+ Pros
– Cons
Extremely expensive cost of living
Modestly-sized in-bounds skiable area
Plentiful off-the-slopes activities and lodging options
Varied in-bounds terrain
Short lift lines
Tight knit community
#4: Breckenridge, CO
Breckenridge, Colorado is located just two hours from downtown Denver and just minutes from the eponymous ski resort itself. While the mountain isn’t perfect and draws heaps of tourists, the resort’s biggest issues don’t rub off on those spending a lot of time there — thanks in large part to a decent selection of other nearby mountains, many of which are on the same Epic Pass as Breckenridge.
Despite its reasonable proximity to Denver, a small footprint and wonderful après-ski options — including the highest elevation distillery in the world — make the town of Breckenridge a wonderful place to unwind in the winter months. Residents told us that groups in towns are constantly planning seasonal events for the community, sometimes as often as twice per month, ranging from ice carving in the winter to art festivals in the summer. Year-round residents are also privy to Breckenridge’s hiking and lakefront activities during the summer months.
+ Pros
– Cons
Altitude will take some acclimatization
Large tourist population during peak winter times
Lively town
Quality-of-life amenities like large supermarkets and city services
Excellent terrain options across multiple nearby ski resorts
#3: Park City, UT
With a population around 8,000 and with Salt Lake City less than an hour away, Park City has plenty of access to both city life and the slopes. Nearby Park City and Deer Valley are both solid ski resorts, and many of Utah’s other top notch resorts, including those in the Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, are within easy driving distance to make a day trip. The dry Utah weather results in some of America’s best snow conditions. Park City residents will enjoy some of the largest concentrations of in-bounds skiing in the U.S. right at their doorstep; Park City Mountain Resort is the largest ski resort in the country, and thanks to a massive expansion utilizing slopes previously marked out for a new resort, Deer Valley will soon be home to the third-largest skiable footprint of any resort in the U.S.
One of the biggest perks for new residents, locals tell us, is the Sundance Film Festival and the associated culture surrounding it. As a Park City resident, you’d have access to reserved and reduced price tickets, as well as a front row seat to industry moguls and new stars alike.
Park City does have some drawbacks, however, for those looking for a particular vibe. Deer Valley is one of just three resorts in the nation that still enforces a ban on snowboarding, limiting the terrain options for snowboarders in Park City. Additionally, Utah’s substance use laws may be a dealbreaker for some riders. Locals mentioned that the substance use laws in Park City seem to make it a more family-friendly town than some of our other resorts.
With a median housing price in excess of $1.5 million, Park City reflects a consistent complaint made by almost every ski town resident we talked to: prices have soared since COVID-19. Despite this (or perhaps causing this), Park City remains in high demand as visitors and residents alike love the city’s easy access to both the slopes and Salt Lake City.
+ Pros
– Cons
Expensive cost of living
Snowboarding ban at Deer Valley
Easy access to ski slopes and summer activities
City amenities
Proximity to Salt Lake City and airport
#2: Whistler, BC
You can’t make a list about ski towns and not talk about Whistler Village. Spread out at the base of the massive Whistler Blackcomb ski resort, Whistler is truly a city unto itself. Between an outlet mall, a multitude of dining options, and a population of around 14,000, Whistler is a miniaturized metro area in the mountains. Longtime Whistler riders will tell you that some of the best experiences of a trip there are what you do after calling your second-to-last run – the après-ski options are limitless. Residents tell us that the endless off-the-slopes choices were a huge draw.
With a median house price around $1.2 million, Whistler’s homes aren’t quite as costly as others on this list, but it has its own drawbacks. Whistler’s popularity means that you’ll often be caught in lines that are hundreds of people long to get your first tracks, despite how accessible the slopes are. Even with the unparalleled traffic on Whistler’s slopes, however, locals still manage to form a sense of community. “Everyone kind of knows everyone, it’s a really cool vibe,” one resident told us. Additionally, while Whistler is the largest ski resort by area on the continent, if you manage to exhaust your interest in the mountains’ terrain, there’s not really any nearby resorts to try out — sending many locals to the backcountry. If you do find yourself wanting a new experience in Whistler, your best bet is likely to try out the world-class sliding center or the plentiful cross-country skiing/snowshoeing trails nearby.
+ Pros
– Cons
Long lines basically every weekend
Expensive cost of living
Limited town outside of resort premises
Access to the largest ski resort in North America
A variety of options, reliable city services, and many more amenities all split between two resort towns
#1: Aspen, CO
Aspen, Colorado is home to some of North America’s best skiing — and perhaps the most desirable town on the continent as well. Aspen is not a sleeper choice, with housing in the area costing much more than could be found elsewhere, but you get what you pay for. Between high demand and an ongoing moratorium on the construction of new housing, the cost of a single family home in Aspen is among the highest in the country: the median house price in Aspen is almost $3 million.
That being said, if you can stomach the price, Aspen’s easy access to Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Aspen Mountain give the city access to more diverse types of terrain and resorts than any other location in the United States. Snowmass and Aspen Highlands, in particular, are some of the top ski resorts in North America, offering world class skiing in close proximity to one of the most well-known resort towns in the country.
Aspen also has access to some of the city living amenities that smaller resort towns may not – despite its population of only 7,000, Aspen’s reputation as a tourist destination means that the city is equipped with all of the services that America’s richest visitors might expect, including salons, gyms, movie theaters, luxury shopping, and even a free bus that runs through most of town. Locals told us, however, that the tourism reputation is sometimes a blessing in disguise. Because of the town’s reliance on visitors for its crowds, off-peak times of year can be quiet, giving residents an opportunity to experience Aspen in two very different lights and work around whichever of those you prefer. Finally, Aspen’s central location within the Colorado Rockies puts you within a day’s driving distance from nearly every top-tier ski resort in the United States.
+ Pros
– Cons
Housing price/availability
Remote location
Diverse terrain options
Lively ski town
Peak season party mode and off-peak small town vibes
City amenities in a small year-round population
Final Thoughts
Almost every single resident we spoke to at every resort mentioned that increasing costs of housing have made these towns less accessible to new residents, meaning that ski resort living may not be for everyone. There’s lots to consider when picking a place to call home, so be sure to know what’s right for you and where you can find it.
There are tons of great options for ski resort towns and the perfect option for you may not have made our list. If you think people should know about one that we didn’t list, feel free to leave a comment below!
