10 Wintry Getaways You Absolutely Need to Add to Your Bucket List

These alpine climes really embrace the energy of winter, and a perfect way to reach peak hygge. From a Nordic-themed spa in Alaska to an A-frame cabin village in Colorado, here are the top 10 places to embrace the winter in the West.

Fairmont Banff

Banff, Alberta

A wintertime road trip through the state of Alberta reveals wide, open spaces, fewer crowds, and idyllic landscapes in the agricultural heartland of the Canadian Rockies. Though the area is often thought of for its azure alpine lakes, the colder months are absolutely worth a visit whether your’e into ice climbing or ice skating.

Thomas J. Story

Winter Park, Colorado

Winter Park has long been a destination for Denver snow-seekers, but last year’s opening of A-Frame Club, a collection of 31 A-frame cabins put it squarely on our radar. The property includes a historic saloon and a wood-fired, French alpine-inspired restaurant right at the base of an epic ski resort. Each mid-century-inspired cabin at the A-Frame Club features tall ceilings, beautiful birch wood paneling, soaking tubs, ski and equipment storage, Malm fireplaces, and swoon-worthy views of the forest outside.

Courtesy Shore Lodge

McCall, Idaho

Nestled in a spectacular sliver of the Salmon River Mountains, McCall is a mountain town somewhat frozen in time. Situated among dense Ponderosa pines, it’s a scenic two-hour drive from bustling Boise, but it couldn’t seem farther away. With Brundage and Tamarack Mountains nearby, the main draw for travelers in the winter months is the snow. But even if you’re not a die-hard extreme winter sports enthusiast, there’s a hearty helping of Western nostalgia beckoning in this charming part of the Gem State. Hot springs, brewhouses, and excellent snowshoeing abound.

Courtesy Tamarack Lodge

Mammoth Lakes, California

Mammoth Lakes often gets overshadowed by massive resort towns, but Mammoth Lakes is one of the last small Sierra towns, with a tightly knit community that boasts a distinctly California identity. Just take it from Aida Mollenkamp, founder of Salt & Wind Travel, who calls it her home.

Courtesy of Visit Utah

Deer Valley, Utah

Skiers-only (and proud of it), Deer Valley is brimming with Utah’s featherlight snow. And this season, a brand new Grand Hyatt has opened, offering this exclusive resort town something new to talk about. With over 300 acres of skiable terrain set on the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains, it’s a bucket list winter trip to be sure.

Courtesy Visit Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Winter is practically synonymous with Jackson Hole, which needs no introduction. With its buzzy downtown surrounded by national parks, it’s the ultimate base for cowboys and millionaires alike. You can check out an insider guide to the area by David DeFazio, founder of Wyoming Whiskey to make the most of your trip.

Thomas J. Story

Crested Butte, Colorado

Crested Butte is synonymous with winter sport, and there’s no better place to base yourself than Taylor River Lodge, operated by Eleven. They offer profound, soul-shifting retreats that integrate the cold plunging, forest bathing, and wellness, all while staying in the property’s eight beautifully appointed log cabins, and the trips truly integrate the greatest parts of the surroundings. (Bonus: Their spa, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the snow-dusted forest outside, is undoubtedly one of the most gorgeous in the world.)

Visit Hood River

Mt. Hood, Oregon

Enjoy pristine forests, a crown-jewel lodge, and great new places to stay and eat at Oregon’s classic ski destination located just an hour’s drive east of Portland. Here, you can visit Timberline Lodge, one of Oregon’s architectural crown jewels, a monument to the hundreds of local artisans, woodworkers, and craftsmen who constructed the place under Franklin D. Roosevelt. And between resort powerhouses Timberline and Skibowl, skiers and boarders have access to more than 5,000 feet of vertical elevation―which some say is on par with Whistler, Aspen, or Tahoe.

South Shore of Lake Tahoe

South Shore of Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada

With outdoor adventure, top-notch eats, and high-touch hotels, the South Shore of Lake Tahoe is the perfect escape no matter the season, but winter is where it really shines. While its true that resorts like Heavenly and Kirkwood offer some of the best resorts in the West for skiers and snowboarders, there’s plenty for folks who aren’t into adventure sports to enjoy, from beer tasting to simply sitting by the fire pit at your lodge and enjoying a quiet evening sipping hot toddies under the stars.

Courtesy Visit Alaska

Anchorage, Alaska

You don’t have to fly to Sweden to get a dose of Nordic cozy. The new Alyeska Nordic Spa is giving achy adventurers an opportunity to enjoy 50,000 square feet of self-care just outside Anchorage. The alpine sanctuary includes outdoor hot and warm hydrotherapy pools, barrel saunas, massage rooms, a full-service cafe, and various wellness treatments. It’s a Norse wellness refuge complete with cold plunges that even Wim Hof himself would approve of.