Key Points
-
A new report ranked Colorado as the best U.S. state for a luxury winter vacation.
-
With 41 ski resorts, 500 snowshoeing trails, Michelin-level dining, and Dark Sky stargazing, the state is a paradise for outdoor winter travelers.
-
Famed hotspots like Aspen, Vail, Telluride, and Breckenridge offer everything from world-class skiing to five-star spas and mountaintop restaurants.
With the first flurries on the ground and lodge doors swinging open, travelers all across the U.S. are ready for their winter getaways.
There are hundreds of destinations to choose from—with skiing, cozy accommodations, and plenty of seasonal treats—even if you don’t want to break out your passport. In fact, you can find ski hills in 37 U.S. states. Of course, the most popular picks among winter sports enthusiasts take them to the nation’s mightiest mountain ranges, with technique-testing terrain, breathtaking views, and piles of powder. And to those looking to spend the season in luxury, one state is home to the most alluring destinations of them all, according to a new report from Wander.
With searches for “ski vacations” up 200 percent last month, the home rental service sought to determine the best U.S. state for a luxury winter trip, taking into account the quality of ski resorts, lift ticket prices, average snowfall, private jet access, and the availability of off-mountain activities like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and stargazing. In the end, Colorado blew past the competition, earning a score of 9.12 out of a possible 10 and easily eclipsing runner-up California’s score of 7.46. With everything from heli-skiing adventures to après dining with Michelin credentials and exclusive mountaintop clubs, the Centennial State has something to satisfy every traveler’s discerning tastes.
According to the report, nowhere is better to enjoy world-class skiing and impeccable off-mountain experiences. With 41 ski resorts, 500 snowshoeing trails, and 17 certified Dark Sky Places, Colorado’s winter stats alone are impressive. And when we asked nine of our travel experts their favorite ski destination in the U.S. earlier this year, the winner was unanimous: Colorado.
One hotspot among luxury-seeking travelers is Telluride in the picturesque San Juan Mountains. In addition to its many merits as a ski destination, Telluride is home to the best resort in Colorado from our World’s Best Awards, the Madeline Hotel & Residences. And skiers can skip the soggy sandwiches and greasy fries at lunchtime. Instead, they dine like royalty at 11,966 feet, thanks to mountaintop eatery Alpino Vino.
Telluride’s clear skies also make it a great place for astronomy lovers, but if combining stargazing and hitting the slopes is your main goal, there’s no better choice than Breckenridge. The mountain became the state’s first certified Dark Sky ski resort in July. By day, explore Breckenridge’s 2,908 acres of skiable terrain, and by night, check out a lively bar scene and gold rush-era architecture.
Up at Vail, guests soothe their muscles fireside in elegant ski-in, ski-out chalets and spas at upscale accommodations like the Four Seasons Resort and Residences. The heated cobblestone streets and pristine, European-inspired charm complete the ski village’s storybook atmosphere.
But Aspen seems to have the glitziest digs of them all, with the iconic town and nearby Snowmass Village sweeping six spots on our top 10 best resorts in Colorado of 2025. Book a room at The Little Nell for a distinguished wine program, a superb après scene, and some of the best service in the nation, or see why the equally stately and welcoming Hotel Jerome has dazzled slope-side visitors for 130 years. Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort, which comprises three separate downhill mountains, also has the dubious honor of being the most expensive in the U.S.
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
