Ninety-five-degree days have us looking ahead to cooler months and, more importantly, ski season. As most seasoned skiers who don’t live right by the mountain know, hotels and rentals at the hottest ski resorts book up quickly, like really quickly. We’ll speak for ourselves and say we have no interest in missing out on the best après scenes this upcoming season. We’ve got all the info you need on which ski stays you’ll need to book ahead of time, and we compiled a list of our top 5 that will definitely book up before fall.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

It’s no secret that Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is a hot spot for skiers and boarders each season. The old-school railroad town, albeit touristy, is something special. The Tetons sparkle, and the good times flow in charming downtown, and on the mountain you’re met with some of the best skiing in the United States. Although remarkable, Jackson Hole is sure to be crowded. Here are some prime spots to book early.

The Virginian Lodge

The boutique, family owned Virginian Lodge offers tons of old-school, western ski charm with a retro feel and newly remodeled rooms. Located right in the center of downtown Jackson, the Virginian makes a great home base for skiers who want to walk around town post powder-day. But, with seven fire-pits, two hot tubs, and an all-season pool, you may not want to leave this spot. Plus, their iconic on-site saloon is calling your name!

Average price per night: $359

@virginianlodge

The Anvil Hotel

The carefully-designed Anvil Hotel offers visitors a slightly cheaper option right in the thick of downtown Jackson. Once a run-down motel, the Anvil was beautifully reimagined; the Brooklyn-based owners put thought and care into each cooly crafted room.

Average price per night: $175

@anvilhotel

Aspen, Colorado

Attracting tourists from around the globe, this historic town is known for its luxury stays and experiences (Cloud Nine, anyone?). Home to the winter X-Games since 2002, there’s always something fun going on in Aspen. Amidst all the action, finding a place to stay in this ski town can be next to impossible, so we recommend you book fast. Check out our vibey Aspen stays below.

Aspen Meadows Resort

Aspen Meadows Resort offers large, modern rooms and prime amenities on their large, semi-secluded property. The resort is just a five-minute drive from downtown, and shuttles are offered to the base of the mountain and town throughout the day. The suites at Aspen Meadows overlook sprawling fields of snow, and their outdoor pool and hot tub sit right under the mountains!

Average price per night: $359

aspenmeadows.com

Limelight Hotel

Aspen definitely attracts an A-List crowd, and the hotel prices tend to follow suit. The Limelight, one of our all-time fave ski stays, offers a younger crowd moderately priced luxury and comfort situated right at the center of downtown Aspen. Just steps from the Silver Queen Gondola, this newly renovated spot attracts a super fun crowd. We can almost guarantee you’ll be making new friends in the lounge after an exhausting day at Ajax or a night of dancing at the Belly-Up. With limited hotel options downtown, the Limelight Hotel will be sure to book up quickly.

Average price per night: $218

@limelighthotel

Breckenridge, Colorado

Charming Breckenridge is notably famous amongst all sorts of travelers. Just under 2 hours from Denver, Breckenridge is frequented by Coloradans and is home to a number of sweet hotels and condos. With expansive ski terrain and historic downtown, Breck is a definite spot to be this upcoming season. Not to mention, the going out scene is as good as it gets!

Gravity Haus Breckenridge

With locations in Vail, Breckenridge, and Winter Park, Gravity Haus is not just a chic hotel but also a ‘club’ of sorts. Through their membership program, you can store your skis there all season and get discounted room rates if you can only make it up on weekends. But even when popping in on a one-off trip, when you’re at Gravity Haus it feels like you’re welcome to stay a while. With a coffee shop, loungey restaurant, and on-site rental shop, you won’t want to leave. But, with its prime location downtown, you may just venture out to hit the bars of Breck.

Average price per night: $185

@gravityhaus

Park City, Utah

The historic western town of Park City is a definite must-see. Undoubtedly cool, with charming cottages and boutiques lining the hilly main street, Park City is a popular ski spot for travelers from all over. From Park City, you can easily hit several ski mountains, but you may just want to stay put if you can snag a room at this wildly popular spot.

Marriot’s Summit Watch

Don’t be fooled by the big name; this Marriot is of its own breed. The highly coveted Marriot’s Summit Watch is located right at the bottom of Main Street, just steps from the town ski lift, which takes you right to the base of the mountain! The location couldn’t be better, the rooms are plush, and downtown Park City is lively as could be. Need we say more?

Average price per night: $153

marriottvacationclub.com

Sun Valley, Idaho

At the base of the Wood River Valley, set among Idaho’s towering Sawtooth Mountains, sits charming Sun Valley. Celebs and A-listers have frequented this chic ski spot since the 1930s! Sun Valley’s coveted status remains strong, making it difficult to get in if you don’t plan ahead. The city of Ketchum, central to Sun Valley, is home to some of our favorite ski stays. Check out our Sun Valley faves, and be sure to book quickly!

Sun Valley Lodge

The iconic Sun Valley Lodge is rich in history. One of the country’s first ski destination lodges, this spot has remained popular throughout its 80-year history. The lodge was renovated in 2018, and now includes a deluxe spa, pool, and 108 brand new rooms. Experience a piece of Sun Valley’s history at this legendary ski stay.

Average price per night: $210

sunvalley.com

Hotel Ketchum

The new, beautifully designed Hotel Ketchum is super plush, centrally located, and affordable. Kind of perfect, right? We sure think so, and so do a whole lot of other Sun Valley visitors, so we recommend booking this hotspot early! Be sure to check out the highly rated Barrio 75, their on-site, upscale taco and tequila spot.

Average price per night: $175

@hotelketchum

Tahoe, California

The beloved area of Lake Tahoe, California is home to 15 highly rated ski resorts, all surrounding their namesake- the crystal clear, ice-cold Lake Tahoe. This makes skiing in this area a one-of-a-kind experience, as many of the mountains have summit views of the expansive lake. Even with almost 250 days per year of sun, Lake Tahoe gets epic amounts of powder (17 feet in December 2021 alone!) making for incredible ski days. Off the mountain, the charming towns throughout North and South Tahoe offer great dining options, bars, and shops. As close as 3 hours from San Francisco and minutes from the Reno-Tahoe airport, the entire Tahoe area is a hotspot not only for people who live in SF but travelers from all over, too.

Basecamp Tahoe

With locations in South Tahoe and Tahoe City, Basecamp has gained popularity among Tahoe-goers. Offering great prices and comfy lodging, each of Basecamp’s two rustic, cabin-style spots is a favorite amongst younger travelers. Be sure to book Basecamp in advance, as this hotspot fills up super quickly!

Average price per night: $159