The best winter vacations should involve some snow, a cool bar for imbibing après ski, and a fun hotel to gather with your friends. And while there are loads of different options around the world when it comes to ski resorts, we’ve compiled 10 of the most fun ones out there.From California to Vermont and Canada, these lively, powder-covered resorts are all well worth the trip — and if you want to ski year-round, there’s even a resort in Argentina that hits its peak season during our summer. So grab your gear, enlist your friends, and get ready to hit the slopes.
Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes, CA
Hollywood’s cool kids usually hit the slopes in Mammoth, a six-hour drive from L.A. Like most ski resorts, the lift tickets aren’t cheap, but at $125 per day, they are less expensive than some comparable destinations. Plus, the snow is as good as you’re going to find anywhere in California. The town’s restaurant game is also fairly strong — check out pizza joint Campo Mammoth — and the nightlife is always popping. For après-ski, head to Tusks or the Yodler.
Where To Stay: The Alpenhof Lodge is a quintessential European-inspired ski lodge. The rooms are more funky than luxurious, but it all adds to the charm. Plus, there’s a beer and whiskey bar called The Clocktower Cellar on-site. Rooms run $159 to $209 per night (we suggest springing for a room with a fireplace, even though it’s a little extra).
Breckenridge Ski Resort, Breckenridge, CO
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains are filled with ski resorts, including Aspen and Vail. But Breck, as it is known, is the most welcoming to twentysomethings who aren’t looking to drop a lot of dough on dinner while clad in their finest mink. When you’re done on the mountain, check out Friday night karaoke at Jake’s Dive Bar or hit up the rowdy Cecilia’s. Breckenridge Distillery, which makes several types of spirits, and Broken Compass Brewing are also worth a stop to quench your thirst. Oh, and did we mention that weed is legal in Colorado?
Where To Stay:The Bivouac looks the part of a mountain lodge with its wooden beds, wall paneling, and burning fireplaces. The high-end hostel is ideal for groups, with its six- and four-person bunk bed rooms (don't worry, there are also private rooms), hot tub, and complimentary breakfast. Hostel beds run for $59 per night while private rooms go for $109.50.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Teton Village, WY
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort can be found in the heart of the Rockies near Grand Teton National Park, which means the ski mountains are impressive and boast incredible views. In fact, the resort has one of the U.S.’s highest vertical drops (so it's a good choice for more experienced skiers). After coming off the slopes, head to Jackson institution Mangy Moose for a spicy margarita. If you’re looking to party all night long, head into the town, where you can find an array of bars like Rose and Pinky G’s.
Where To Stay:Hotel Jackson is a luxury boutique hotel in downtown Jackson Hole that features upscale Western decor. It also offers a ski valet and transportation to the ski hill, which will help make hauling your gear easier. Rooms are slightly pricy, but you can find deals for around $270 per night.
Squaw Valley Ski Resort, Lake Tahoe, CA
The site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw Valley is one of the largest ski resorts in the U.S., attracting scores of young tech employees from nearby San Francisco. Snow has been scarce in Tahoe for the past few seasons, but this year has brought an onslaught of white power. In the afternoons, skiers make a beeline for slopeside bar Le Chamois for beer, wine, and pizza. Too crowded? Try Irish pub Auld Dubliner for your après-ski fix.
Where To Stay:Basecamp Hotel is perhaps the coolest ski hotel in the market right now, with one room, dubbed “Great Indoors,” that features a fancy tent inside. There’s a beer garden restaurant and several common area decks, perfect for making new friends. The hotel offers several ski package deals, but a standard king will run you $143 per night.
Stowe Mountain Resort, Stowe, VT
Stowe’s quaint New England vibe makes for the perfect winter getaway. You can ski or snowboard on the resort's two mountains (one of which is the highest in Vermont). If you’re at an advanced skill level, be sure to hit one of the four double-black diamond runs, which are considered some of the most challenging on the East Coast. Swing by the Mattherhorn or the Roost for après-ski drinks, and in the evening, Crop Bistro & Brewery is a busy spot with live music.
Where To Stay: Book a room at Field Guide, a chic boutique hotel with thoughtful amenities and a much-welcomed hot tub. Queen rooms run for $169, but if you take a big group, the Trail Suite accommodates eight guests for $519 per night.
Matterhorn Zermatt Bergbahnen, Zermatt, Switzerland
With its impressive view of the Matterhorn, Zermatt boasts some of the world’s best skiing. It’s also the sort of town that draws in a glamorous crowd, with lots of celebs flocking to the slopes each year. One of the coolest aspects of skiing in Zermatt is that you can actually follow the trails into Italy and back over the course of a day. Papperla Pub is a popular spot to unwind after a day out, with its young crowd and live music, while Hennu Stall is a classic, lively après-ski bar. The town also boasts outdoor rinks for ice skating and curling if you need a break from the mountain.
Where To Stay: Zermatt is an incredibly expensive town, but Le Petit Charme-Inn provides a high-quality stay without the massive price tag. The cute 20-room B&B is located right in the middle of the town — and only a seven-minute walk from the ski lift. Single rooms go for $95 while doubles go for $144.
St. Anton am Arlberg, Tyrol, Austria
Austria is one of the original meccas of skiing, especially high-end places like Lech. St. Anton is a ski resort in the Tyrolean Alps, well known for its serious terrain and legendary post-skiing partying. And there’s no lack of cool bars to grab an after-mountain beer: The Mooserwirt is among St. Anton’s most famous (and gets really wild), but Krazy Kanguruh and Anton Café are also worth a stop.
Where To Stay: The m3 is a stylish hotel with views of the snowy mountains outside and a private sauna for shivering guests inside. It also has easy access to the ski mountain’s lifts and the town’s train station. Rates vary by date, but you can find deals for around $270 per night.
Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler, British Columbia
Whistler Blackcomb is actually two mountains combined into one resort, making it one of the world's largest ski areas. Its famous Peak 2 Peak Gondola connects the two mountains (and takes you an insane 1,430 feet above the ground). You should commit at least several days to exploring all the runs, which number over 200. As for the nightlife? Well, if you’ve watched Bravo’s reality series Après Ski, you may have a sense of what’s in store. There’s plenty of options, even if you’re not a rich reality star, but try Dusty’s, Merlin’s, or the Crystal Lounge.
Where To Stay: Whistler has a lot of hotel options, but Summit Lodge is an affordable, comfortable pick. The hotel, which has a quirky, fun vibe, has a kitchenette in every room. Depending on the week, rooms go for as low as $260 per night.
Cerro Catedral Ski Resort, Bariloche, Argentina
Argentina may not be one of the first places you think of when it comes to ski destinations, but it should be. Cerro Catedral Ski Resort, located in Patagonia near the town of Bariloche, has beautiful views and plenty of power-covered runs. Peak season is in July, which means you can hit the slopes while everyone else is taking summer holidays. The nighttime action takes place in Bariloche, where Tarquino and Cruz Bar are both highly recommended.
Where To Stay:Galileo Boutique Hotel is Bariloche’s best bet during ski season, mostly because of its close proximity to the lifts. There are a variety of room sizes, from studio king rooms to deluxe suites that can accommodate up to six people (grab your squad). Rooms start at $149 per night for a deluxe studio.
Lake Louise Ski Resort, Alberta, Canada
Lake Louise Ski Resort is situated in Canada’s Banff National Park, right on the edge of the glimmering Lake Louise. The resort is one of North America’s largest, with a huge variety of terrain for skiers of every level. The town itself is more low-key, with an emphasis on scenic views and relaxation rather than nightlife. Still, you can find some fun at Kokanee Kabin and Powder Keg Lounge in the afternoons when everyone heads off the mountain. For a classier drink, pay a visit to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, a hotel acclaimed for its views and luxury environs.
Where To Stay: Check out cool lakeside resort Post Hotel & Spa, which has free shuttles to and from the mountain. You can pick from hotel rooms or cabins, all of which are charmingly woodsy and rustic. It’ll cost you $260 per night, but the view will make that rate worthwhile.
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