Whether you’re taking your job remote and relocating to the mountains, or you’re looking to plan a ski trip to somewhere new, choosing the right ski town comes with a lot of options—and a lot of responsibility. Do you want to be nestled deep in a mountain range far from the madding crowds? Or do you need to be near a major airport and have reliably fast Wi-Fi? What’s your preference when it comes to hitting the slopes: a major ski resort, a small local hill, or good backcountry access (or all three)? And can you contribute to the town’s community in a responsible way without adding to the housing crunch, congestion, and staff shortages that many mountain towns are experiencing these days?
To determine our favorite ski towns, we looked at a variety of factors, including lodging, housing availability, cost of living, and whether a wide range of accessible ski terrain for all abilities is offered. There isn’t a North American mountain hub that hasn’t felt the pandemic crunch, but these places—from a White Mountains outpost on the East Coast to a relatively low-key gateway in Colorado—are quieter alternatives to the perennially popular ski destinations.