13 cozy getaways for your Colorado ski vacation

Snuggle up by the fire in these delightful vacation rentals

By Megan Barber@megcbarber Nov 4, 2019, 12:42pm EST

Part of The Curbed guide to Colorado ski country

Top-notch skiing is only half the fun of a quality ski vacation. A truly memorable cold-weather getaway includes hot chocolate by a roaring fire, a hot tub soak under the stars, and a dreamy view of snowflakes falling outside the log cabin window.

Fortunately, Colorado has no shortage of vacation rentals that elevate your trip from average to epic. And while we’re suckers for a well-designed ski hotel, there are distinct advantages to renting a furnished house or condo from sites like Airbnb or Vrbo.

Families will appreciate a vacation rental’s well-stocked kitchen. Many rentals also come with free parking. And renting a larger house can actually be more affordable for groups: Gather a few friends and you can save big while indulging in alpine luxuries like steam showers and fire pits.

We’ve winnowed the best of the best from the plethora of vacation rentals in Colorado’s most popular ski towns, with an eye toward value and design. From a minimalist Vail condo to a rustic log cabin in Crested Butte, here are our favorite ski vacation rentals in Colorado.

A wood and stone house sits on a ridge overlooking a valley of aspens and a river. Mountains and fog can be seen in the distance.

Cabin with panoramic views at Purgatory Resort (Durango)

With room to sleep 12 over five bedrooms, this family-friendly cabin is steps from the slopes at Durango’s Purgatory Resort. Perks include a game table, home theater, private deck, and cozy stone fireplace, and kids will love sleeping with their friends in the trundle-filled loft area. Relax in the extra-large Jacuzzi tub post-skiing, then take the short 25-minute drive into Durango for dinner and drinks.

Starting rate: $621 per night

An interior photo of a condo living room. There is a gray couch with fluffy white pillows, a round coffee table, and a modern black fireplace. A balcony is in the background.

Contemporary condo in Vail

“Affordability” and Vail don’t usually go together, and that’s why this sleek two-bedroom condo is such a show-stopper. The condo is located between Vail and Lionshead, a short walk from the ski lifts and with easy access to the town’s free shuttle. Guests have access to the Aria Club and Spa next door, and other amenities include space to sleep six, a fireplace, a laundry room, and a high-end kitchen perfect for cooking. Mountain views make things even sweeter.

Starting rate: $343 per night

A large log cabin has two aspen trees in front and and several peaked roofs. A gravel driveway sits in front and stairs lead to the entrance.

Family-friendly log cabin near Winter Park (Fraser)

Looking to sleep a crowd? Round up the crew and head to this six-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath log cabin. The 7,000-square-foot house sits on six and a half acres above Fraser, about 12 minutes from skiing at Winter Park Resort. It might not be slopeside, but you gain so much more, including a fire pit, ski boot dryers, a playground, wood-fired pizza oven, hot tub, and plentiful decks. With room to sleep 15 and top-notch reviews, this one’s a gem.

Starting rate: $500 per night

A silver, boxy modern house features a long driveway and lots of glass walls. Lights are on at sunset so the home appears to glow, and trees are in the background.

Glassy modern mansion in Breckenridge

Featured on HGTV’s Extreme Homes, this five-bedroom abode has a 25-foot sliding glass wall that opens to a four-season outdoor living room and fire pit with views of Baldy Mountain. Throw in the indoor theater, foosball table, hot tub, and restaurant-worthy bar areas and you might not make it to the slopes. If you do escape from the luxuries of the 17-person compound, skiing is a five-minute drive away at Peak Eight.

Starting rate: $795 per night

A boxy wooden tiny home features black windows and two chairs in front of it.

Tiny home near Vail and Beaver Creek (Red Cliff)

If you’re looking for budget-minded ski accommodations and don’t mind a short commute to the mountain, check out this tiny home located in Red Cliff, an end-of-the-road town that’s off the grid with gorgeous mountain views. Skiing at the mom-and-pop, affordable resort Ski Cooper is 15 minutes away, while Beaver Creek and Vail are a 25-minute drive. The solar-powered tiny home sleeps three and includes amenities like TV, hot water, and internet. Bonus: A pet-friendly policy means you can bring Fido, too.

Starting rate: $139 per night

An interior photo of an A-frame with exposed wooden beams, a gray couch in the living room, a midcentury coffee table, and a large stone fireplace.

Remodeled A-frame near Breckenridge

Maybe it’s their classic mountain styling or eye-catching architecture, but A-frames are back in style. Cozy up in this remodeled A-frame located five minutes south of Breckenridge’s historic main street. Vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, and room to sleep nine make for a pleasant vacation, as do the forested views from the living room’s fireplace. A reasonable nightly rate seals the deal.

Starting rate: $150 per night

A log cabin and stone set of condos features green trim, balconies, and garages. Snow and trees surround the building.

Mountain Village condo (Telluride)

There’s no prettier ski town in Colorado than Telluride, thanks to a box canyon and big mountain views. For a condo option in the resort’s upper Mountain Village—the ideal spot for skiing—check out this three-bedroom, four-bath log home. With room to sleep eight and a private two-car garage, the rental features private ski access down to the Telluride gondola. Plush beds, a cozy fireplace, and plenty of log cabin charm create an ideal setting for small groups looking to get away from it all.

Starting rate: $461 per night

A whimsical wood and stone house has a corner turret and light glowing from the windows. Fall trees, stones, grass, and a driveway surround the house.

Steamboat Springs turret house

If a mountain vacation sounds like a fairy tale, you’ll love the feel of this four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath retreat in Steamboat Springs. The 14-person home features an array of luxury touches, including multiple master suites, four fireplaces, and a 920-square-foot patio with a snow-melt system that makes it viable for year-round use. When you’re ready to ski, the neighborhood’s private gondola whisks you uphill to the base area in just a few minutes.

Starting rate: $700 per night

An open floor plan has a small living area with gray couches and a fireplace, cork flooring, and a kitchen with wood island and midcentury modern chairs.

Telluride downtown contemporary

Telluride’s Mountain Village provides the best ski-in/ski-out lodging, but don’t sleep on the city’s historic downtown, located at valley level. This three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath upper-level condo is located steps from the river and access to chairlift seven, and is in easy walking distance to all the restaurants and bars on Colorado Avenue. A flood of positive reviews rave about the home’s cleanliness and airy feel, and amenities like a hot tub, free parking, and steam shower keep travelers coming back for more.

Starting rate: $300 per night

A rustic wooden home with red trim and covered in snow sits behind a snowy street. In the background you can see a snow-capped mountain, blue skies, and fluffy white clouds.

Rustic Crested Butte house

Often considered the last great ski town in America, Crested Butte is a laid-back mix of colorful Victorians and timber cabins, all centered around the walkable Elk Avenue. Stay at this rustic two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath house and you’ll be steps away from the coffee shops, pizza joints, and bars downtown. Bedrooms are well appointed and can sleep eight, while a hot tub lets you soak after skiing. Parking is free. Worried about making it to the slopes? A free shuttle stops right across the street and takes you seven minutes up the road to Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

Starting rate: $247 per night

The view from a gray and white modern kitchen into a living room. The living room features gray chairs and views with snow and trees.

Sleek four-bedroom in Aspen

You may not be able to splurge on a $7 million Aspen home of your own, but you can vacation in one. This four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath modern stunner can sleep up to 12 and is located in Aspen’s quiet West End neighborhood with mountain views. A kid’s bunk room makes this an ideal option for families, and the rental comes with free parking and loads of amenities like travel cribs and high chairs. A convenient location makes for an easy walk to restaurants, bus routes, and skiing at Aspen Mountain.

Starting rate: $350 per night

A chalet-style home features beige exteriors with a darker gray trim. Green grass flecked with snow is in front of the house.

Beaver Creek chalet

The ritzy younger sister of the Vail Valley, Beaver Creek is the place to go for high-end chalets like this 12-person rental in Avon. Three bedrooms boast king-size beds and the home comes with a hot tub, laundry room, and designer kitchen. Skiing is just five minutes away at Beaver Creek Resort, or you can head 10 minutes east to Vail.

Starting rate: $213 per night

A wooden three-story house at dusk sits covered and snow with lights glowing gold. A forest surrounds the house.

Snowmass ski-in/ski-out (Aspen)

If you need a family-friendly, spacious house that’s also ski-in/ski-out, look no further than this six-bedroom beauty in Snowmass. The living room features a stone fireplace, exposed beams, and expansive valley views, while the bedrooms are cozy and quiet. Other perks include a hot tub, elevator, multiple decks, and a mudroom to stash your ski gear.

Starting rate: $600 per night