The chairlift is just the beginning: a new generation of winter travelers is redefining what makes a ski destination worth the journey. As mountain-bound guests increasingly seek destinations that pair world-class skiing with wellness rituals, cultural immersion, and intentional design, four distinctive properties are answering the call with compelling reasons to start packing your snow boots.
This season, Hotel Willa in Taos, New Mexico, channels the creative soul of the Southwest with contrast therapy and starlit stillness just minutes from legendary slopes—now more accessible than ever via JSX’s semi-private flights serving Taos and prime ski destinations including Salt Lake City and Aspen; Hoback Club in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, offers an intimate basecamp for accessing the Tetons’ iconic terrain and backcountry adventure; Omni Interlocken in Broomfield, Colorado, delivers alpine panoramas and mindful luxury between Boulder and the Rockies; and the newly reimagined Hotel Marina Riviera in Big Bear, California, transforms the classic ski town escape with lakeside views and restorative wellness amenities.
From desert-meets-mountain landscapes to Teton vistas and alpine lakefronts, these four destinations prove that this winter’s most memorable ski trips offer more than just powder. For travelers seeking ski season getaways with substance, soul, and scenery, these are the Western escapes that deliver.
Hotel Willa | Taos, New Mexico:
- A soulful retreat that channels the creative and cultural rhythms of Taos, where a desert-meets-mountain landscape sets the tone for a year-round escape just minutes from the iconic ski valley. Guests can unwind with ritual-inspired amenities, from a sun-drenched pool and hot tub framed by native flora to a contrast-therapy circuit featuring a sauna and a cold plunge. Evenings invite stillness with flickering fire pits and a tranquil stargazing deck beneath famously dark skies, while days unfold through gallery strolls, scenic drives, and seasonal cuisine that celebrates the flavors of the Southwest. Offering a grounded, culture-rich stay, Hotel Willa highlights Taos’ evolution that goes beyond the traditional snow-season appeal and ski resort.
Hotel Marina Riviera | Big Bear, CA:
- A reimagined mid-century retreat designed for balance, stillness, and effortless connection to nature that brings new energy to California’s mountain landscape. Golden foliage, crisp alpine air, and lakeside sunsets set the tone for a restorative escape, while wellness-forward amenities, including a year-round heated pool, cold plunge, hot tub, and barrel sauna, invite guests into a rejuvenating “soak, plunge, float, repeat” ritual. Evenings unfold by sunset-facing fire pits and starlit skies, and mornings carry the scent of pine that lingers across the lake. Blending mountain adventure with laid-back spirit and featuring easy access to Big Bear’s vibrant fall trails, scenic drives, and lakefront adventures, Hotel Marina Riviera proves the mountains are no longer just for winter.
Omni Interlocken | Broomfield, CO:
- A panoramic mountain retreat set between Boulder and the Rockies that captures the spirit of Colorado’s alpine landscape through balance, connection, and design. The reimagined resort blends productivity with play, offering nature-inspired accommodations and thoughtful design elements that reflect the surrounding landscape. Guests can tee off across 27 holes at The Golf Club at Omni Interlocken, restore through wellness programming such as floating sound baths and guided nutrition classes, or savor regional flavors at The Camper, Shep’s, and Fairways Restaurant. Featuring a blend of mountain air, mindful luxury, and wide-open horizons, Omni Interlocken defines the essence of winter travel.
Hoback Club | Jackson Hole, WY:
- Set to open this January 2026 just in time for peak ski season, Hoback Club is Jackson Hole’s newest and only ski-in, ski-out ultra-luxury, members-only private club and residences, offering the ultimate home base for premier ski getaways. Instead of navigating shuttles, crowds, and hotel lobbies, guests wake up to pre-warmed gear, slope-side ski valets, and direct access to the mountain from dedicated ski concierges. After a day on the legendary Teton mountains, recovery is seamlessly woven into the experience with hydrotherapy circuits, cold plunges, Himalayan salt chambers, and in-residence treatments, ensuring every guest is refreshed and ready for multiple days on the slopes.
