To qualify as a proper ski town, a destination needs a few things. For starters, a decent ski hill. It doesn’t have to be a big, flashy resort—just a good-sized mountain and ample snowfall (and a lively bar at the base lodge always helps). Beyond that, it’s nice if there’s a downtown with some shops, cafés slinging quality food, and housing and lodging that real people with normal jobs can afford. If a town has those things, then chances are a close-knit community of mountain dwellers has formed. Read on to discover the next great affordable ski towns.

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