Five Lodges, Five Kinds of Ski Trips: Our Expert Picks for the 2026–27 Ski Season

The right lodge not only gives you a place to sleep; it decides how your mornings start, how far you walk in ski boots and whether dinner and post-ski activities involve a stroll or a bus ride. Pick the wrong one, and you spend your trip working around it. Pick the right one and the whole trip falls into place.

Our Mountain Travel Experts have toured these properties, skied these mountains and booked them for travelers of every kind. Here are their picks for the season ahead — matched to the kind of skier you are.

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For the First-Chair Skier: The Crestwood, Snowmass

Best for: ski-in/ski-out

If your ideal ski day starts laps down the mountain before the coffee's cold, The Crestwood in Snowmass, Colorado, is a fit. These condos sit right on the slopes in Snowmass Village, so you can click in and ski out without a shuttle, a crowded parking lot or a long walk lugging gear.

Inside the condos, skiers have room to spread: full kitchens, fireplaces and space for the whole crew to dry and store gear. Outside, a heated pool and hot tubs are waiting during après. And when you want a change of scene, Snowmass is a quick bus ride away from Aspen.

As for the skiing, Snowmass is the largest of Aspen Snowmass's four mountains, with wide groomers, long cruisers, plenty of steeps and terrain fit for all levels.

Expert Tip: Ski-in ski-out is the biggest upgrade for families with young kids. No hauling three sets of skis to a bus stop at 8:30 am. Instead, you just walk out the door.

For the Terrain Explorer: Grand Summit Resort, Park City

Best for: big-mountain variety

Utah’s Park City Mountain is one of the largest ski resorts in the U.S., and the Grand Summit puts you at the base of Canyons Village, right at the lifts. That means first tracks on the Canyons side and an easy route across the mountain to the Park City side — two resorts' worth of terrain without ever getting in a car.

The resort is built for ski days with a ski valet, a heated outdoor pool and hot tubs, a full-service spa and dining onsite when you want to call it an early night after your last run. When you do want a night out, historic Main Street is a short drive away.

Getting here is easy, too. Salt Lake City International Airport is about 40 minutes away, which makes Park City one of the most accessible big-mountain trips in the West.

Expert Tip: Arrive early and ski the Canyons side while Park City-side skiers are still riding over. You'll get the quieter runs before the crowds spread out.

For the Village Lover: Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe

Best for: village access, restaurants and shopping

Some skiers measure a trip by vertical feet. Others measure it by how good dinner was. If you're in the second camp — or traveling with someone who is — Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe is the call.

It sits next to Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe, a short walk from the Heavenly Gondola and surrounded by restaurants, bars and shops. You can ski all day, walk back in your boots and be out for dinner without needing a car. The Stateline casinos and nightlife are right down the road for anyone who wants to keep the night going.

The resort brings a laid-back, beach-town vibe to the mountains, with onsite dining, a bar and room to unwind.

Expert Tip: Ride the Heavenly Gondola even on your rest day. On a clear day, the views from the top of Heavenly — Lake Tahoe on one side, Nevada desert on the other — are some of the best in skiing.

For the Classic Skier: Sun Valley Lodge

Best for: ski history and old-school glamour

Sun Valley Lodge opened in 1936 as America's first destination ski resort, and it still carries that golden-age feel. Hemingway wrote here. Hollywood stars skied here. The world's first chairlifts were built for these slopes.

Today, Sun Valley Lodge pairs that history with modern comfort. The lodge offers a full-service spa, a heated outdoor pool, and the famous year-round outdoor ice rink out back, with Bald Mountain as the backdrop. Free shuttles run to the base of the Sun Valley Ski Resort, where you'll find long runs that serious skiers love, and Dollar Mountain is nearby for beginner laps.

Expert tip: Catch an evening skate on the outdoor rink after dinner. Under the lights with Baldy glowing in the background, it's one of the most memorable nights in ski country.

For the Family Planner: Manor Vail Lodge

Best for: families and easy ski school access

Manor Vail Lodge sits at the base of Golden Peak, home to Vail Ski Resort's kids' ski school. Drop-off is a short walk from your door, so mornings stay calm instead of rushed. And once the kids are set, you're steps from the Riva Bahn lift and Vail's legendary terrain, including the Back Bowls.

The condo-style suites come with kitchens and fireplaces, which makes it easy for families to settle in and save on meals. After skiing, there's a heated pool and hot tubs on-site, plus a slopeside restaurant and bar for après. Vail Village is an easy walk along Gore Creek when you're ready for dinner or shopping.

Expert Tip: Golden Peak is one of the quieter ways onto Vail Mountain in the morning. Even if you don't have kids in ski school, it's a smart place to start your day.

Not Sure Which One Fits Your Crew?

Every skier wants something different from a winter trip — slopeside convenience, endless terrain, a lively village, a little history or a stress-free family setup. That's exactly why the right lodge matters.

Our Mountain Travel Experts have skied these runs and toured these properties, and they'll match you with the one that fits your group — then handle the flights, transfers, lift tickets, and rentals, too. Connect with a Mountain Travel Expert.