One of the most beautiful mountains in the Rockies, Vail is one of the largest single-mountain ski resorts in the nation suited for all types of winter sports enthusiasts.

Vail, CO

Vail is less an old-school ski town and more a storybook village. You can walk to bars, restaurants, or stores, and it’s about a two-hour drive from Denver International Airport.

Asheville is a quaint and quirky town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It has a walkable downtown core full of Art Deco, Beaux-Art, and Art Nouveau architecture.

Asheville, NC

The riverfront Art District is full of galleries and workshops, perfect for an afternoon wander. Don’t miss visiting the Biltmore Estate, built by George Vanderbilt himself.

Many breweries, hikes, and water activities are nearby, and numerous fun bookstores to browse. There is a small regional airport, or Charlotte is a couple of hours' drive away.

This former mining town in the Wasatch Mountains has runs to snowshoe, hike, and inner tube. There are many high-end spas and even a mountain roller coaster.

Park City, UT

With a cute, Old West feel, this town has history to explore at the Park City Museum or on a walking tour. Public transport is also free and surprisingly efficient.

Named one of the best European look-alike towns in the U.S., Leavenworth is a magical village in the Cascades just a few hours away from Seattle.

Leavenworth, WA

This town is full of festivities year-round. In winter, you can enjoy annual Christmas Markets, holiday lights, and a snow globe atmosphere made possible by Alpine weather.

During the spring and summer, the Enchantments are open for hikers and campers and every fall is Oktoberfest, just like in Bavaria. The local reindeer farm is always open to visitors.

The mountains that surround the town — the Madison Range, Spanish Peaks, and the Gallatin Range — are full of seasonal activities, like stargazing and spotting the Northern Lights.

Big Sky, MT

For non-skiers, activities like sleigh rides, winter hikes to frozen waterfalls, and even a trip to Yellowstone National Park all make easy off-slope options.