Respite from the city, endless adventure, snow covered peaks and sweet-smelling forests — venturing into the mountains is one of our favorite ways to retreat from the stress of everyday life. Whether you’re looking to hit the single track on your bike or the slopes, finding where to lay your head every night can be overwhelming. To help plan your escape we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite luxury resorts and lodges in the mountains. Here are some of the best mountain vacations in the US.
We hope you love the resorts in the mountains we recommend. Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay.
1. Taylor River Lodge — Almont, Colorado
If you didn’t know what hygge is, let Taylor River Lodge show you how it is done. With a post-adventure bathhouse complete with sauna and saltwater pool, offerings like Fire and Ice massages, sound healing, and forest bathing, Moroccan rugs and hickory wood furniture, and the gentle babbling of the Taylor River outside your window, the Taylor River Lodge is the ultimate combination of exploration and relaxation.
To put it simply, “Taylor River Lodge’s spa menu is as extensively decadent as the culinary menu, but what makes it truly unique is the adventure menu. Set out to explore the surrounding winter wonderland on snowshoes or cross country skis with an expert (and infectiously spirited) guide, only to return to a cozy collection of riverfront cabins drenched in hygge goodness,” Andy Banas, Marketing Director for Taylor River Lodge shares with Matador Network. It’s easy to see how this mountain escape combines luxury, adventure, and relaxation into a perfect vacation package.
2. Resort at Squaw Creek — Olympic Valley, California
Located at the base of Palisades Tahoe, the Resort at Squaw Creek isn’t just a winter destination. Ski-in/ski-out, spa accommodations, and views of the towering peaks might draw you there in the winter, but a championship golf course, fly fishing center, and scenic hiking trails make it a year-round mountain retreat.
Kressa Olguin, the area director of marketing for Resort at Squaw Creek notes, “Resort at Squaw Creek is an ideal destination to take part in all of the amazing experiences available here in North Lake Tahoe year-round. In the winter months, our resort offers a premier ski-in/ski-out experience with lift access to Palisades Tahoe. We also provide a variety of recreational activities including guided snowshoe and cross-country ski tours, broomball, ice skating, and an on-site sledding hill. During the warmer spring and summer months, our guests can enjoy everything from fly-fishing at our on-site ponds stocked with rainbow trout, to a Pedal Paddle Tour where guests ride bikes to the lake for a paddle board session.” It’s easy to see why this property, surrounded by epic mountains and located 15 minutes from Lake Tahoe, is a favorite mountain retreat of ours.
3. Tordrillo Mountain Lodge — Tordrillo Mountains, Alaska
The last frontier, Alaska is home to some of the most awe-inspiring mountain ranges in the United States. The Tordrillo Mountain Lodge offers an endless number of adventures. Activities like “Kings and Corn” enable you to ski in the morning and fish for King Salmon in the evening. They also have an array of family activities such as the Via Ferrata Climbing Adventure as well as whitewater rafting and alpine hikes.
Mike Overcast, heliski pioneer and owner of Tordrillo Mountain Lodge shares with us, “Known for its world-class outdoor exploration, the Tordrillo Mountain Lodge offers multi-sport Alaskan adventures and a true remote luxury experience. Located on the shores of the Talachulitna River and Judd Lake in the Tordrillo Mountains, the remote Tordrillo Mountain Lodge is the perfect base for the Alaskan trip of a lifetime. Just a 40-minute flight from Anchorage, Tordrillo Mountain Lodge is a remote, multi-sport, luxury lodge in the heart of the Tordrillo Range where outdoor adventures by day give way to world-class accommodations at night.” The Tordrillo Mountain Lodge has everything you could want in a mountain retreat — ensuring you’ll get your dose of nature and high-end comfort.
4. The Peaks — Telluride, Colorado
Hidden in the San Juan mountains, The Peaks Resort and Spa has easy access to both Telluride and relaxation amenities. Located in Mountain Village, The Peaks is a ski-in/ski-out property, which means you’re only an elevator ride away from hitting the slopes. This mountain retreat is home to Altezza, a restaurant that has unparalleled views and a cozy atmosphere so you can end your day with a tasty cocktail while watching the sun set over the valley. To wind down from a day of exploring, The Peaks Resort is also home to the largest spa in Colorado, which offers a variety of treatments, fitness activities, customized wellness plans, and more to help you relax and recharge.
“The Peaks offers a convenient a ski-in and ski-out experience and “heli in / heli out” with our friends at HeliTrax. We hope to welcome you to our resort so you can enjoy all of the amenities we have to offer, including the largest spa and fitness center in Colorado,” says Patrick Latcham, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Telluride Ski and Golf. Escaping to Telluride is an adventure within itself — and pairing that with The Peaks makes it a blissful retreat. Nearby trails, local bars, and the world-renown Telluride Ski Resort make this small town a must when vacationing in Colorado.
5. Continuum, Teton Village, Wyoming
We love a cozy wood-clad, fireplace-filled mountain lodge. That said, we have to include the Continuum in Teton Village not just for the simplistic, modern design and perfect location at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, but for the atmosphere they create. If you’ve never been immersed in an adventure-born community, the Continuum is a space you want to visit. A 12 screen Megatron with three additional televisions display adventure films and competitions year-round in their large common room. This space welcomes those staying at the hotel as well as those looking for a beer and communal hooting during competitions like Natural Selection.
Kelly Bajorek, Senior Director of Communications and Marketing for Continuum remarks that Continuum is a “Modern, stylish, and comfortable, Continuum is Teton Village’s home base for the adventurist. The hotel offers 90 well-appointed rooms and lofts, an outdoor heated pool and hot tub for year-round relaxation and fun, and a bar and grill serving as the social hub for Teton Village.” Kelly’s note on being a social hub is spot on, and we want to make sure you feel as immersed in adventure culture as the Continuum enables.
6. The Society Hotel Bingen — Bingen, Washington
The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic area is an 80-mile long river canyon nestled against the peaks of the Cascade Mountain Range. This is the backdrop of The Society Hotel, making it a picturesque all-season mountain retreat for adventurists and wellness seekers alike.
The Society Hotel is a relaxing start and end to days filled with exploration. Jonathan Cohen, the co-owner of The Society Hotel, comments, “Our guests are drawn here for the area’s endless scenic hikes, top ski resorts on Mount Hood, endless mountain bike trails, and Gorge winds that make the area the wind sports capital of the world — as well as world-class wineries and local breweries. Best of all, after a day on the slopes, in the water or on the trail, guests can take a relaxing soak in our Spa and Bathhouse, which features an indoor saltwater soaking pool, outdoor hot pool, cold plunge pool and cedar sauna.”
7. Sun Valley Lodge — Sun Valley, Idaho
If you haven’t been to Idaho, put Sun Valley on your list. Known for its ski resorts, Sun Valley also has year-round activities like sleigh rides, golf, mountain biking, and fly fishing. The Sun Valley Lodge is near some of our favorite outdoor activities and has a 20,000 square foot destination spa, a world-class fitness center and yoga studio, a glass-enclosed outdoor pool and pool café, and all new re-imagined and re-appointed restaurants, lounges, lobbies, and event space.
“At the Sun Valley Lodge, après ski could include a signature cocktail in the Duchin Lounge, ice skating on our year-round outdoor rink or bowling at our private lanes. Wander through the twinkling Resort Village in the evening and either pop into some of our fabulous retail outlets such as Brass Ranch, or dine in one of five delicious restaurants. And if you can squeeze in a visit to our world-class and award-winning spa, you won’t regret the full relaxation experience,” says Bridget Higgins, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Sun Valley Resort. We’ve fallen in love with the Sun Valley Lodge for its easy access to adventure and incredible spa.
8. Sheldon Chalet — Denali National Park, Alaska
The Sheldon Chalet is truly a one-of-a-kind mountain retreat. Perched on a nunatak in the Don Sheldon Amphitheater of Denali’s magnificent Ruth Glacier, just 10 miles from the summit, Sheldon Chalet is more than a place to stay — it’s a once in a lifetime experience. Luxury accommodations are matched by the awe-inspiring mountain views, all paired with no WiFi meaning this is the only mountain retreat on our list to keep you totally disconnected from the world. Images and words barely do the Sheldon Chalet justice, as the feeling of this mountain retreat is unparalleled to anything we’ve experienced.
Robert Sheldon, owner of Sheldon Chalet shares, “Sheldon Chalet in Denali National Park, Alaska is the perfect destination to immerse in the beauty of the aurora this upcoming season. Perched on a nunatak 6,000 ft above the Don Sheldon Amphitheater within the park, the Sheldon Chalet is only accessible by helicopter from Anchorage or Talkeetna and uniquely the only lodging on the flanks of Denali. Five acres of scenic private property at this luxury chalet offers unique access to views of some of the most dramatic vistas in the Alaska Range and on earth.” Location isn’t the only thing that is important when deciding on a mountain retreat, but if it were, this would be our number one.
9. Sleeping Lady — Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth is what you might picture when you envision a European ski town: Alpine-style buildings, cozy pubs, and small local shops that all offer a warm welcome to visitors. Sleeping Lady, a mountain resort is located just outside of town, offers a blend of traditional rustic elements with luxuriously modern accents. A spa, organic garden, and access to incredible hiking trails and backcountry skiing offer endless possibilities for your next mountain adventure.
The director of marketing at Sleeping Lady, Danielle McKee says, “Everything at our resort is designed to relax and inspire. Environmental sustainability is a way of life for us. We have a two-acre organic garden that provides much of the produce and herbs used in our resort restaurants, and all of our on-property vehicles are electric. Furthermore, every stay at the Sleeping Lady supports the Icicle Fund, which in turn supports non-profit organizations focused on the environment, the arts and cultural history in North Central Washington.” Sustainability aside, the Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort gives you mountain views and the cozy aesthetic you’re looking for in any mountain retreat.
10. Edgewood — Stateline, Nevada
Imagine waking up to the turquoise waters of the biggest alpine lake in North America— that’s the experience that awaits you when you visit Edgewood. Along the shores of Lake Tahoe, Edgewood offers amenities ranging from a Spa and Beauty Bar to evening s’mores. With curated resort activities in every season, Edgewood lets you unwind with events like guided breath work and virtual sleep stories after a day of stand-up paddleboarding on the lake or skiing at nearby Heavenly Mountain Resort.
“Edgewood Tahoe is truly the ultimate mountain retreat — it’s idyllic location offers guests easy access to a number of world-class mountain resorts for exhilarating winter activities, but is also a haven for all-season travelers looking for outdoor adventure whether that be on nearby hiking, biking, and walking trails, water activities, and so much more. Complemented by breathtaking Sierra Range and Lake Tahoe views, Edgewood also offers guests the very best in wellness-inspired itineraries, indulgent holistic spa treatments for optimal relaxation and recovery, distinct dining destinations, and the promise of creating long-lasting memories with friends and loved ones,” says General Manager Corinna Osborne. The views at Edgewood are enough to persuade a stay at this mountain retreat, and the activities and first-rate amenities are the cherry on top.
11. Sonnenalp — Vail, Colorado
Vail, Colorado is well known for its skiing — but its hiking and biking trails, along with incredible views, mean Vail should be on any mountain-lovers bucket list. Located in the heart of Vail Village, the Sonnenalp is in the Colorado Rockies. The Sonnenalp Spa is a rejuvenating space for both mind and body and is outfitted with a state-of-the-art fitness center and oxygen bar. Their pool overlooks the banks of Gore Creek, and the rooms offer views of the surrounding mountains.
Johannes Faessler, owner of the Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail tells Matador Network, “Based in the pedestrian village of Vail surrounded by world-renowned skiing and hiking terrain, Vail is the perfect mountain destination in both summer and winter. Our Sonnenalp guides offer private hikes and our guests can access our 18 hole championship golf course, tennis and fitness classes at the Sonnenalp Club exclusive to members and our guests. The Sonnenalp Spa is the perfect place to unwind after a day of adventure and offers heated indoor and outdoor tranquility pools with the best views of Gore Creek. The modest lodge our family established over 40 years ago led to the hotel and resort that rests at the heart of Vail today — a renowned, destination intertwined in the fabric of an iconic community which shares a welcoming spirit cultivated by a history of family ownership and management that makes staying at the Sonnenalp an unforgettable resort experience.”
If the location of the Sonnenalp didn’t make us fall in love with the property, the Faessler family’s view on hospitality sealed the deal. 