7 spectacular mountain cabins to social-distance this ski season

Ski season is kicking off, and whether you're looking to stay on the mountain or retreat to the wilderness between runs, there's a cabin to fit the bill. From haute accommodations at Jackson Hole and Breckenridge to bargain finds in California, Utah and Vermont, here are seven options for your next snowy getaway.

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The white-walled interior of Alpenglow cabin in Colorado — This cabin doesn't have access to Aspen during the winter months, but there's still plenty of skiing to be had in the vicinity © Airbnb/

1. Alpenglow Cabin – Twin Lakes, Colorado

Aspen has some of the best skiing in the world, but given that Colorado is synonymous with its slopes, the state has plenty of other options for beginners and experts alike. Across Independence Pass in Twin Lakes, less than an hour from Copper Mountain and Ski Cooper – and only a bit further to Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, and Monarch – Alpenglow Cabin is a beautifully styled retreat, with new appliances, wide-plank wood floors, soaring ceilings, and mountain views from every angle. $322 per night.

A treehouse cabin in the snow — A luxe treehouse cabin is perched right on the slopes at Whitefish © Vrbo

2. Ponderosa at Snow Bear Chalets – Whitefish, Montana

Debating between a slopeside situation and a more elevated escape? The Ponderosa is billed as one of the world’s first ski-in, ski-out luxury tree houses, and it has an enviable perch directly on the hill at Whitefish Mountain Resort, just 30 seconds away from the lift. But while the location is a major draw, it’s not the only one. There are the usual upscale touches – private hot tub, gourmet kitchen, wraparound deck, soaring windows that blur the line between inside and out – and unexpected elements as well, including a tiny round room at the top of the turret that offers a bird’s-eye view of the skiers below. $699 per night.

The exterior of a modern A-frame cabin near Lake Tahoe, California — A modern A-frame in North Tahoe offers the best of town and country © Airbnb

3. Modern Mountain A-frame – Carnelian Bay, California

With ample opportunities for hiking, fishing, biking, and beach-going, California’s Lake Tahoe can be a great summertime escape, but it’s perhaps even better in the winter months, when the reliably heavy snowfall translates to stellar conditions for skiing and snowboarding. This recently updated four-person cabin in North Tahoe is fairly secluded, removed from the bustle of Tahoe City yet ideally positioned between Northstar and Squaw, in a neighborhood that handles the plowing in the event of a storm – really, the best of both worlds. $234 per night.

The open-plan living space at Granite Ridge, with a dining table, stone fireplace, and windows looking out on the Tetons — Situated at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, this elegant cabin overlooks the Tetons © Airbnb

4. Granite Ridge Cabin – Jackson, Wyoming

Between its location in Jackson Hole’s Teton Village, a short walk from the slopes, and its proximity to Snow King Mountain – not to mention Grand Teton National Park, less than a mile away from door to door, and the town of Jackson, a 20-minute drive – Wyoming’s four-bedroom Granite Ridge cabin is at the heart of it all. And its rustic-luxe decor matches its surroundings, with exposed-wood beams, antler light fixtures, local art, and, of course, a deck with a hot tub overlooking the Tetons. $580 per night.

A red A-frame cabin surrounded by tall trees with a fire pit in the foreground — Near Brighton and walking distance to Solitude, the Nellie has room for six © Vrbo

5. The Nellie – Silver Fork, Utah

At 572 sq ft, the Nellie doesn’t have the biggest footprint, but it’s well-situated for singles or small groups – as long as no one has objections to close quarters. The lone bedroom sleeps six, with two individual twin beds and two sets of bunks, but the cabin’s shared spaces make up for the lack of privacy, from the board games, vintage decor, and wood-burning stove in the living room to the s’mores-ready fire pit out back. And then there’s the location: it’s ski-in, ski-out to the chairlift at Solitude (a 12-minute walk or five-minute skate-ski) and four miles to Brighton, should you need a change of scenery. $202 per night.

The living space at Clifton Lodge, with log walls, a stone fireplace, leather sofas, and big windows with mountain views — Go big with a log-cabin manse in Breckinridge © Vrbo

6. Clifton Lodge – Breckenridge, Colorado

When you’re traveling with a crew and money is no object, why not go all out? A 3,500-sq-ft log home that sleeps 10, Clifton Lodge is situated right on Breckenridge’s Peak 8 and ski-in ski-out to the resort’s longest trail, the three-and-a-half-mile 4 O’Clock Run. Off the slopes as well, the luxe property has everything you could need, from the expansive mountain views to the updated kitchen to the south-facing deck complete with hot tub. $1409 per night.

The living room at the Four-Season Mountain Retreat in Vermont, with wood paneling, leather couches, and red walls. — This Vermont hideaway is a gamer's delight © Airbnb

7. Four-Season Mountain Retreat – Starksboro, Vermont

For winter fun in the Northeast, you can’t do much better than Vermont, and this two-bedroom cabin in Starksboro serves as a solid home base for exploring the Green Mountains. Less than 10 minutes from Mad River Glen and half an hour from Sugarbush, the 2,100-sq-ft property boasts classic cabin-style decor – wood paneling from floor to ceiling, homey quilts on the beds, hunting trophies on the walls – alongside overstuffed leather sofas, stainless steel appliances, and a game room with a pool table, foosball, air hockey, and darts. $206 per night.