Hotel Jackson, Jackson, Wyoming
The opened in June 2015 smack in the middle of downtown Jackson, a block to the town square and a quick drive (the hotel offers a free shuttle) to the powdery steeps of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The 58-room hotel is a brand new LEED-certified building and it feels that way—sleek, clean, and modern. You’ll find rooms decorated with reclaimed barn wood, a staff knowledgeable about snow conditions, and an intimate bar and restaurant called Figs that serves farm-to-table meals.
The Landing, South Lake Tahoe, California
When the opened in 2013, steps from the shore of Lake Tahoe, it replaced a dingy, run-down motor lodge with a shiny, luxury hotel. The upgrade is noticeable: you’ll get a free glass of champagne upon check-in and rooms come with gas fireplaces, heated toilet seats, and hot chocolate machines. You’re walking distance to the Heavenly gondola, which will whisk you up to impeccably groomed runs. For dinner, dine at Greek-inspired cuisine at the five-star Jimmy’s Restaurant.
The Bivouac, Breckenridge, Colorado
is part of a new breed of upscale, ski-town hostels. You can book a wooden bunk in a communal room for less than $60 a night or request your own private room. The place opened in downtown Breckenridge in 2013 and offers complimentary hearty breakfasts, three beers on tap, and easy shuttle access to Breck’s expansive peaks.
Mad River Barn, Waitsfield, Vermont
The , which re-opened under new ownership and after a major renovation in 2013, has 18 cozy rooms, including suites that fit a family, plus an on-site restaurant and pub serving Vermont ales and grub, and a game room with shuffleboard and foosball. And it’s just down the road from some of the best terrain in the East at Mad River Glen and Sugarbush.
The Cube Boutique Hotel, Revelstoke, BC
The , which opened in downtown Revelstoke in January 2014 and was named for its modern-looking exterior design, has 21 rooms, including some family rooms, and offers stay-and-ski packages, which will get you discounted rates on lift tickets. A free shuttle delivers you to the 3,121 acres of lift-accessed terrain at nearby Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Don’t miss the free waffles in the morning.
Field Guide, Stowe, Vermont
, a new boutique hotel in downtown Stowe that opened in October 2015, has 30 rooms, ranging from suites to private cottages. The mountain-meets-modern decor includes papier-mâché animal heads and trail maps as wall art. Guests are treated to a hot tub, outdoor firepit, complimentary breakfast, and lounges stocked with vintage nature magazines.
The Homestyle Hostel, Ludlow, Vermont
Avid travelers Eliza and Justin turned an art gallery into a quaint six-bedroom inn on Main Street in Ludlow, Vermont, just a mile from Okemo’s snow-covered trails via the free shuttle. At the , which opened in December 2014, a chef whips up communal dinners Thursday through Sunday nights, and when the chef isn’t in the kitchen, guests are welcome to use the space to cook for themselves. Free breakfast includes homemade granola and game night is a hit in the bar on Wednesdays.