Winter vacation destinations are trending
With an average 23% increase in November–January occupancy from 2016 to 2017, winter destinations across the U.S. delivered peak profits for vacation homeowners. If you’re in the market for a vacation home in a winter destination, read on. Vacasa’s winter destinations report highlights the 10 markets that should be at the top of your list.
When you find a vacation home you love and want to know its rental revenue potential, simply plug its address into our vacation rental income calculator and we’ll show you how much you could be earning with Vacasa.
We've also released a new version of this report for 2021–2022. Read it here.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a vacation home in winter destination markets:
Home discounts skyrocket in December
Buyers who wait until spring to buy a vacation home in a winter market may be missing the best deals. A new study looking at sales of single-family homes and condos from 2013 to 2017 concluded that the biggest discounts in home prices all occur on days between October and February—with seven of the top 10 taking place in December. No matter when you plan to buy your winter vacation home, be sure to start looking during peak season.
Visiting a winter destination at the height of the busy season creates an opportunity for buyers to experience little things that are a big deal to guests. It’s a time for future homeowners to explore considerations that are unique to the market, such as internet connectivity, cell reception, road conditions, and access to activities, all of which can make or break someone’s winter vacation—and your reviews.
Local favorites deliver
In addition to big-name resort regions such as Park City, Utah, and Stowe, Vermont, vacation homeowners are seeing high returns with local favorites such as Oregon’s Mount Hood region and Big Bear Lake, California.
Local favorites tend to be drive-to markets, located within a few hours of a metropolitan area but still not major national players. These markets do well in times of economic downturn, or when increases in oil prices cause families to hit the road rather than fly.
Downhill isn’t everything
While it may be sacrilege for some to even consider, investing in a winter destination isn’t always about downhill skiing. One of our top markets to buy a vacation home—Leavenworth, Washington—is more popular with guests seeking that cozy cabin feel and holiday activities than the resort lifestyle.
But don’t worry. Investing in a Leavenworth vacation home wouldn’t mean you have to hang up your skis. It’s less than an hour’s drive from Steven’s Pass and Mission Ridge, two respectable Pacific Northwest mountain resorts. And with hundreds of miles of trails, it’s a dreamscape for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding.
Find the hidden gems
If you’re looking to buy a vacation home in a winter market next year, it can pay to look beyond the major resort areas. Consider lesser-known winter wonderlands that deliver consistent returns and increasingly extended opportunities for vacation rental revenue through off-season events such as fairs and music festivals.
Two destinations that tend to miss out on the national spotlight but consistently deliver high return on investment for vacation homeowners include Flagstaff, Arizona, and Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Often referred to as best-kept secrets, these markets have a dedicated fan base of guests willing to drive a little further to enjoy great skiing and shorter lift lines.
November is booming (and shoulder season occupancy is increasing)
From snowfall to resort activity, peak season occupancy trends in winter markets can be impacted by a number of factors—but they still have a story to tell. Looking at year-over-year (YOY) occupancy changes from 2016–2017 for our top 10 markets, we see a 17 percent average overall increase in winter season occupancy.
Between 2016 and 2017 there was an average 34 percent jump in November occupancy across our top 10 winter markets. It was a big snow season out West and in New England, but the snow didn’t start piling up in a memorable way until December and January in most markets, so we don’t believe that was the cause of the November spike.
