Great winter trips in the West

Find snow, solitude, and shopping on a fun winter getaway

The West's best ski towns

Whether you’re all about the hot toddies, mountain views, Wild West saloons, après-ski eats, or small-town-ness, we’ve got the place for you

Photo by Brown Cannon III

1 of 11

View all

Sunset's top ski destinations

Plan the perfect ski trip this winter in the snowy town that's just right for you. Whether you're looking for the prettiest getaway or prefer a laidback setting, our ski town awards have the right spot for everyone.

Most Old West charm: Steamboat Springs, CO

Spur-clad cowboys from the area’s 400 cattle ranches mingle with fur-clad skiers on main hub Lincoln Avenue. Wanna look like a local? Stop by the 1905 F.M. Light & Sons for cowboy threads.

Slopes: Race down 2,965 acres of some of the West’s best gladed and groomed skiing at Steamboat ($97), including Shadows and Buddy’s Run. Hang around at the top of the gondola at 1 p.m. and you might get a chance to take the chairlift with 1964 Olympic silver medalist Billy Kidd, decked out in his signature Stetson.

Sleeps: Downtown’s Hotel Bristol (from $139) opened in 1948 and still has its Old West touches, from the saloon to the Native American quilts in the bedrooms.

Info: 24 miles from Yampa Valley Regional Airport; steamboat-chamber.com