Attention Skiers: These Are the Mountain Getaways You Need to Visit Now

The Sunset Travel Awards celebrate the best in travel in the West. These four mountain towns are the 2026 winners of the Where to Go: Mountain Wonders category. Check out the complete list of winners here. For our definitive and searchable travel directory to help you plan your next trip in the West, click here.

Breckenridge, Colorado

Courtesy of Breckenridge Tourism Office

This charmingly hip mountain town balances world-class mountain recreation with genuine alpine vibes, offering everything from skiing and hiking to a creative heart of galleries and restaurants. Its elevation and access to the Rockies make it a standout Western destination that delivers both adventure and culture.

Canyons Village at Park City Mountain

Courtesy of Canyons Village Management Association

Known for its Champagne snow, this ski-in, ski-out destination combines Olympic-caliber slopes with a vibrant village atmosphere that buzzes year-round with festivals, dining, and outdoor activities. It’s truly the gold standard for modern mountain resorts.

Deer Valley Resort

Courtesy of Deer Valley Resort

This luxury mountain resort in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah elevates hospitality with meticulously groomed slopes, exceptional service, and a commitment to preserving the skiing experience (no snowboards allowed). From heated ski valets to gourmet dining, it’s an unparalleled alpine destination in terms of scope and experience for travelers seeking curated sophistication alongside outdoor adventure year-round.

Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Courtesy of Visit Pagosa Springs

Surrounded by 2.5 million acres of Weminuche Wilderness and San Juan National Forest, and set amid the majestic San Juan Mountains in Southwest Colorado, Pagosa Springs offers visitors a rich geological and cultural history to explore. Rooted in storytelling, “Pagosah” is the Southwestern Ute word for “healing waters,” and the town is renowned for its world-famous hot springs. In the heart of downtown, The Mother Spring, designated by Guinness World Records as the “Deepest Hot Springs Aquifer in the World,” fuels three hot springs locations that draw visitors from around the world to soak in mineral-rich geothermal waters coveted for their healing properties. A four-season destination for outdoor adventure, its landscape is defined by soaring cliffs, rugged peaks, magical alpine pools, undisturbed wilderness, and cascading rivers, revealing a dramatic geological history that invites visitors of all ages to venture into Pagosa Springs’ backcountry.