Editor’s Note: Those who choose to travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions, rules, and safety measures related to COVID-19 and take personal comfort levels and health conditions into consideration before departure.
Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure or a luxurious retreat, America’s best mountain towns have something for every type of traveler. During the winter months, these towns offer world-class skiing and snowboarding, and come summer, visitors can enjoy hiking, rafting, mountain biking, and more — they’re truly year-round destinations. From Aspen’s pristine slopes and luxury hotels to Asheville’s vibrant art scene and Leavenworth’s European feel, these mountain towns offer unique experiences and stunning scenery.
Here are 10 of the best mountain towns in the United States.
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Park City, Utah
About an hour’s drive from Salt Lake City, Park City is best known for skiing and Sundance. Of course, there’s more to the city than that — in the winter, visitors can snowshoe, snow bike, snowmobile, and more, while summer travelers can enjoy fly fishing, golfing, horseback riding, and rafting, among other activities. There’s a full range of accommodations, ranging from Airbnbs to five-star hotels, so there’s something for every budget and travel style.
Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson, Wyoming is located in one of the most picturesque parts of the country, surrounded by mountains and national park land. During the winter, ski at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and in the summer, soak up the fresh air with visits to nearby Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. The stunning Amangani and Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole offer luxurious accommodations, spas, and mountain views.
Asheville, North Carolina
Surrounded by North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville combines outdoor adventure with quirky mountain town charm. The city has a vibrant art scene — downtown Asheville is packed with galleries and boutiques — and it’s surrounded by great hiking trails. You can’t visit Asheville without stopping at the historic Biltmore Estate, a stunning mansion built by George Vanderbilt in the late 1800s. Extend your time on the perfectly manicured property with a stay at The Inn on Biltmore Estate.
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Taos, New Mexico
Perhaps New Mexico isn’t the first place you think of for a mountain vacation, but Taos, a town surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, might change your mind. In addition to skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and rafting, visitors can trek with llamas, take a hot air balloon ride, or soak in the hot springs. Hotel Luna Mystica offers unique accommodations in charming vintage trailers.
Stowe, Vermont
This Vermont mountain town is truly a year-round destination, with opportunities for outdoor activities like skiing and ice skating in the winter, hiking in the summer, and admiring the colorful foliage in autumn. Opt to stay at The Lodge at Spruce Peak for ski-in/ski-out access, or enjoy the plentiful amenities at Topnotch Resort.
Related: 13 Beautiful U.S. Mountain Ranges for a Scenic Adventure Trip
Aspen, Colorado
No list of America’s best mountain towns would be complete without renowned ski (and après ski) destination Aspen, Colorado. Like Park City, Aspen has a little something for everyone, with pristine slopes, high-end shopping, fantastic restaurants, and several luxury hotels, including The St. Regis Aspen Resort, which offers a quintessentially Aspen experience with upscale accommodations, daily Champagne sabering, and the Remède Spa.
Bozeman, Montana
Conveniently located near Yellowstone National Park and Big Sky Resort, Bozeman is the perfect home base for a trip packed with outdoor adventure. When you’re not trekking through the national park or hitting the slopes, relax at the Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman, which has a rooftop pool offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Estes Park, Colorado
Located in northern Colorado, near the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is ideal for active travelers who want to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. There’s rafting, rock climbing, hiking, fishing, and more, and fans of the horror film “The Shining” should check out the historic Stanley Hotel — it’s said to have inspired the Stephen King bestseller-turned-film.
Leavenworth, Washington
Take a trip to Germany without leaving the continental United States when you visit Leavenworth, Washington. Find German specialties, including sausages, schnitzel, sauerkraut, pastries, potato salad, and of course, plenty of beer, in this charming, Bavarian-inspired village. During the winter, visitors can enjoy skiing, ice climbing, sleigh rides, and more, and in the warmer months, it’s all about rafting or tubing on the river, hiking or climbing in the mountains, or touring nearby cideries and wineries.
Lake Placid, New York
Located in New York’s Adirondack Mountains, Lake Placid is a snowy wonderland in winter and an outdoorsy escape in the summer. The town has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, so it’s a prime location for skiing and snowboarding — you can even visit the Olympic sites or check out the Lake Placid Olympic Museum for a dose of history.
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