Some skiers and snowboarders want to lap mellow cruisers all day, bask in the sun at après, and have a massage on the books for later that evening. They go for the sun, the fun, and the vibes.
And then there are the adventure seekers. They want to charge hard from first chair to last, hunt down every powder stash on the mountain, and roll straight into a dog sledding tour as alpenglow lights up the mountains. Après should be waiting right outside their front door, not across town. For this crew, the right hotel is more than a place to sleep. It’s their launchpad for big days, bigger missions, and every story that comes with it.
The perfect adventure basecamp can make your entire trip. We're talking about properties with heated boot storage that saves the day, where complimentary shuttles run to multiple destinations, and where the staff can point you toward the best Nordic trails or that hidden hot spring the locals love. These hotels nail the location and understand that the right home base makes every adventure easier to reach.
And that’s where our Mountain Travel Experts come in. After decades spent exploring the world’s best mountain destinations – sleeping in the beds, skiing the slopes, and testing which hotels truly support an adventure-packed itinerary—they know exactly which stays rise above the rest. These five ski lodges consistently check every box in the adventure basecamp formula: whether you're juggling first tracks with afternoon wildlife tours, coordinating a group with different interests, or simply maxing out everything a mountain destination offers. When adventure and adrenaline are the priority, here's where we'd stay.
Go for: Prime Jackson location that puts you within striking distance of everything from Grand Teton National Park and skiing to the town square, plus modern rooms with gear storage.
Mountain Modern sits where you want to be in Jackson – close enough to walk to the town square's famous antler arches and nightlife, 5 blocks from Snow King Mountain, 10 miles from Grand Teton's south entrance, and a free shuttle ride from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. This is Basecamp headquarters for anyone who wants to ski hard, then pivot to wildlife safaris, dog sledding trips, or sleigh rides through the National Elk Refuge. The location alone makes it worth considering, but it's the thoughtful details that really seal the deal.
Every room comes with dedicated gear storage areas (plus luggage storage), which makes a huge difference when you're hauling skis, snowshoes, and layers for a family of four. Guest rooms range from couple-friendly setups to bunk rooms and suites built for families and groups who want a homey space to hang out together. There’s not one but two hot tubs and heated pools – choose between the indoor option or the outdoor setup with Teton views that look fake, they're so good. The Triple M lounge space delivers on games, a firepit patio, and grab-and-go bites, while two on-site restaurants cover your bases: Big Hole BBQ slinging barbecue ribs, and the BAPP serving up the only Korean restaurant in Jackson.
And while many roads into the national parks close for winter, the adventure keeps rolling. Explore Grand Teton by snowshoe to Taggart Lake, cross-country ski along the park road, or book a guided winter wildlife tour to spot wolves, bison, moose, and bighorn sheep. For a rest day, soak at Granite Hot Springs or hit the Snow King tubing hill right in town. When it’s time for the slopes, hop on Mountain Modern’s complimentary shuttle to Teton Village.
Expert Tip: Our Mountain Travel Experts can package your Mountain Modern stay with lift tickets, guided tours through the national parks, airport transfers, and more, so you spend less time coordinating logistics and more time exploring Jackson Hole's endless winter playground.
Go for: Town Center location with quick bus access to Big Sky Resort, on-site gear rentals, plus the Gravity Haus membership network if you want to connect with other mountain-minded travelers
Gravity Haus Big Sky plants you right in Town Center, the perfect home base for chasing powder days or exploring everything else this area offers. The property features 29 newly renovated guestrooms, a restaurant (serving up delicious tacos), bar, fitness center, and coworking space (perfect for digital nomads). From here, the free bus system becomes your best friend, running regularly to Big Sky Resort's base and all the way to Bozeman when you want city access.
The amenities here are dialed. On-site rentals through their partnership with Bike Butlers give Gravity Haus guests 10% off (and members score up to 7 complimentary gear rentals per year). Terrain Taco and Unravel Coffee handle your food and caffeine needs, while the hot tub, cold plunge, and sauna included with your stay take care of recovery.
Big Sky's winter activities lineup extends well beyond the resort. World-class Nordic skiing trails in Meadow Village deliver that Montana quiet and picturesque views. Guided snowshoe tours through the forests surrounding Lone Mountain take you to spots you'd never find solo, and scenic snowmobile routes into Yellowstone National Park get you to Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring when they're empty. The family-friendly Enchanted Forest (where trees glow with thousands of lights after dark) makes for an unexpectedly magical evening walk. And Norris Hot Springs is an easy day trip away.
Expert Tip: Our Mountain Travel Experts can build you a Big Sky package that includes Gravity Haus accommodations, lift tickets, and guided backcountry ski tours with local operators who know where the good snow hides.
Go for: Steps-from-the-slopes location in Japan's legendary powder paradise, an authentic onsen experience with 2 mineral baths, and serious gear storage
Evo Hotel Hakuba sits right next to the Happo Bus Terminal, the hub of Hakuba Valley's entire inter-resort shuttle system. From your door, 10 different ski areas become accessible via free buses that run all day: Happo-One (9 minutes on foot if you don't want to wait), Hakuba 47, Hakuba Goryu, Tsugaike, Cortina, and more. Stay here and you’ll have easy access to 2,372 acres of terrain and 93 miles of trails coated in legendary Japow (Japanese powder).
Each room blends Japanese aesthetics with mountain functionality, and the designated heated secure storage for snow gear (including boot warmers) makes a huge difference. Continental breakfast comes with your stay, and the full bar serves handcrafted cocktails alongside all-day food: La Marzocco espresso made with All Press beans, grab-and-go lunch bentos for the mountain, and gyoza with Japanese whisky when you roll in at night. On-site gear rentals have everything you need (even bicycles if you want to explore the valley on 2 wheels). And right outside your front door is a Lawson convenience store (crucial for late-night Japanese snacks), Happo Onsen, a free foot onsen on the street, Happo Bijin Ramen, Montbell outdoor shop and Izakaya Kihachi.
But here's what sets Evo apart: this is a genuine onsen hotel, with two on-site mineral baths sourced from local springs with mountain views. After skiing Japan's famously light powder all day, sliding into 104-degree mineral water while snow falls outside hits different than any regular hot tub. Additional amenities include concierge services (helpful for restaurant reservations where you don't speak Japanese), coin lockers, luggage storage, and laundry facilities that matter on week-long trips.
Expert Tip: Hakuba's multi-resort access can be tricky to navigate. Our Mountain Travel Experts can set you up with the right guide, get you organized with lift tickets, and arrange airport transfers from Tokyo or Nagano.
Go for: Minutes from Mt. Mansfield with lodging that ranges from poolside bunk rooms to stunning A-frame cabins, plus a Gear Garage stocked with fat bikes and alpine essentials
Outbound Stowe neighbors Mt. Mansfield – Vermont's tallest peak and Stowe's main mountain – but the real advantage is how the lodging options flex for different crews and budgets. Classic rooms work for couples, poolside and bunk rooms handle friend groups and families, the A-frame cabins with massive windows give you that Vermont postcard aesthetic, and cozy cottages sleep 2-6 when you want more space and privacy. The property connects directly to Stowe Recreation Path, a 5.5-mile paved trail that stays groomed for fat biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing in winter.
The communal spaces here don’t disappoint. A beautiful outdoor patio with a fire pit stays open year-round for drinks or s'more-toasting under the stars. The group game room offers locally roasted coffee, organic tea, a toasty fireplace, and a board game library for those fun group nights in. On-site Eastside Bar + Bites handles food and drinks, and the hot tub frames up dreamy mountain views.
The Gear Garage is where Outbound really shines for adventure seekers. Rent fat bikes on-site, plus other gear to level up your outdoor winter excursions, like Rumpl Blankets, Solo Stoves, or stargazing kits. Stowe's winter excursion menu runs deep: ice skating at Spruce Peak Village Center (with free skating and free rentals), backcountry snowshoeing on trails that wind through birch forests, super cute dogsledding operations, snowmobile tours, sleigh rides, ice fishing on frozen lakes, ice climbing with guides on frozen waterfalls near Smugglers' Notch and Nordic skiing on groomed trails that crisscross the valley. Notable wineries and breweries dot the area – Vermont's craft beer scene rivals any state, and the cideries are legitimately world-class.
Expert Tip: Our Mountain Travel Experts can package your Outbound stay with Stowe lift tickets, guided winter trips like dogsledding or ice climbing, plus dining reservations to savor that classic Vermont farm-to-table atmosphere (because the town's top tables fill up fast during peak season).
Go for: The rooftop pool and hot tub, plus complimentary ski lockers with ski-in ski-out access to Chickadee chairlift
The Cliff Lodge sits at the base of Snowbird Village, with easy access to the Snowbird Center and Aerial Tram. You're within walking distance of multiple restaurants, bars, and shops, but more importantly, your complimentary ski locker sits steps from Chickadee chairlift – which means you're clicking into bindings and loading the chair for Snowbird while other hotels are still waiting for shuttles. Every room serves up slope views (watch skiers carve down Chips Run while you have morning coffee) or Mt. Superior vistas. This is Snowbird's flagship full-service property, the one that balances ski-in convenience with those extra amenities that matter after chasing Utah powder all day.
The Cliff Spa is the real draw here: a world-class facility with over 21 treatment and salon services, a yoga studio, fitness center, and the famous rooftop pool and hot tub. The spa area (including rooftop access) requires a reservation, but the ground-floor pool and hot tub stay open to all guests anytime. The on-site ski gear rental and repair shop keeps you on the slopes (and daycare options give parents a chance to sneak in more laps). The Aerie restaurant anchors the hotel's dining, serving elevated local cuisine with panoramic slope views through floor-to-ceiling windows – it's the spot for celebrating big ski days or just watching the sunset light up Hidden Peak.
The Cliff Lodge’s accessible village setup, where everything you need lives within walking distance, makes this basecamp particularly appealing for groups with different skill levels and interests (plus, you won’t need a rental car here). Some people want to ski every minute the lifts are running. Others want to split their time between the mountain and the spa, or explore the village. The Cliff Lodge delivers it all.
Expert Tip: Our Mountain Travel Experts can book you a room with views of the slopes or Mt. Superior (whichever calls to you), spa reservations, and even multi-resort packages if you want to explore nearby Alta or other Wasatch resorts during your trip.
It’s no secret that the hotel you choose sets the tone for your entire ski trip. Book the wrong spot and you'll spend your ski vacation juggling logistics, hunting for gear storage, or driving 30 minutes just to find a decent meal. Book the right basecamp and suddenly everything flows: you wake up, grab your (warm and dry) gear, and the day's adventure is already underway.
Our Mountain Travel Experts have stayed at these properties, tested the gear storage, sampled the restaurants, and mapped out the shuttle systems. We know which rooms offer the best value, which packages include the extras you actually want, and how to coordinate all those details that eat up your planning time.
Ready to find your perfect adventure basecamp? Connect with a Ski.com Mountain Travel Expert now, and let's start building your dream ski trip.
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