Top 10 best places to buy a winter vacation home

Big Sky reigns supreme ski country once the snowy season rolls around, affirming the city’s top spot on Vacasa’s 2024 Best Places to Buy a Winter Vacation Home. Renowned for its “Wild Montana” feeling and 6,000 skiable acres, Big Sky sits about an hour northwest of Yellowstone National Park and brings in visitors for year-round adventure. With a vacation home in the heart of the action, guests can spend the day delighting in snow-capped peaks and spotting wildlife. Between Big Sky Ski Resort’s world-class appeal and the area’s largely untouched natural landscape, Montana is rich in outdoor recreation and makes an easy vacation destination that appeals to buyers, with a strong cap rate of 8%.

Killington rests along its namesake peak and the Green Mountain range of central Vermont. The area is renowned for its skiing, boasting one of the largest ski resorts on the East Coast, trails for every skill level, and the largest vertical drop in New England at 3,050 feet—it’s no wonder it claims the #2 ranking as a great place for buying a vacation rental. After the snow melts, there are plenty of unique ways to sightsee, like biking across the Vermont Rail Trail, touring the New England Maple Museum, and visiting neighborhood markets and farm stands. The median sale price is on the lower end of other vacation destinations on this list at $361,007, making it a smart real estate investment for winter vacation homes and short-term rentals.

Rising from its position in last year’s trend report is Teton Village, a community located at the foothills of the Teton Mountain Range and home to the world-class Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. For a more mellow pastime, take a tram ride through the mountains and take in unbelievable sights, or head to one of the nearby spas to unwind. The area may be known for its winter activities, but it is full of summertime adventure as well, with intense mountain biking, evening gondola rides, and outdoor mountainside dining. Though all these perks do make for a higher median sale price, the annual gross rental revenue could bring in more than $190,000.

With a Vail vacation home, winter thrills are never too far away. Vail Mountain has one of the largest ski resorts in the world, with 5,317 acres of skiable terrain and 335 inches of annual snowfall. The sky-high mountain town hosts about 1.3 million visitors a year, who come to enjoy beloved city festivals, stunning natural scenery, high-end stores, and Gore Creek, which runs right through town. As a perfect home base for outdoor activities in every season, the only challenge here for guests is what to do first. Though the median sale price in Vail rests on the higher end, the annual gross rental revenue is a cool $110,000.

Find where groomed ski slopes and small-town charm meet. With an active winter sports community, waterfall hiking trails, annual Renaissance Faires, and a classic northeastern covered bridge, it doesn’t get more quaint than Stowe. The town is surrounded by state forests and state parks, allowing visitors to revel in downtown attractions or savor some peace and quiet along the outskirts. Add a cap rate of 5.10% to the mix, and you can’t go wrong with a cozy New England winter vacation home.

When it comes to ski towns to buy a short-term rental in, Steamboat Springs could bring you an annual gross rental income of around $73,300. Known for its “champagne powder,” an easy-going altitude, and après-ski activities, Steamboat Springs attracts visitors from every corner of the country for ski trips and family vacations. Guests can take advantage of the area’s 171 trails, 6 peaks, and 150 hot springs with a vacation rental to return to and relax after a full day of fun. Reap some big ski season rewards with a vacation home close to the slopes.

Brian Head’s 360 inches of annual snowfall perfectly complements its uncrowded slopes and breathtaking natural beauty. Get in on the action with real estate near some of the most popular ski properties, like Giant Steps Ski Lodge, and Brian Head Resort, which promises the “The Greatest Snow on Earth.” In the warmer months, guests can explore the beautiful Utah landscape through nearby Cedar Breaks National Monument and the area’s trove of hiking trails. With a median sale price of $380,000 and a healthy cap rate of 4.10%, Brian Head is ideal for those looking to step a foot into real estate investments.

South Fork is a hot spot for outdoor adventure located in the foothills of the San Juan Mountains, with the Rio Grande and South Fork rivers running through town. A short 25-minute drive will take you to Wolf Creek Ski Area which is known to have the “most snow in Colorado” with 255 miles of winter recreation trails. The altitude of South Fork (at 8,200 feet) isn’t the only thing about the town that’s higher-than-average: a short-term rental here could also deliver a cap rate of 4%.

Snowfall or sunshine, this little Idaho town is an adventure playground. When snow is on its way, Brundage Mountain Ski Resort and Little Ski Hill / Payette Lakes Ski Club offer a range of options, like cross-country ski trails, ski school for beginners, and runs for every ski level in between. A vacation home will provide the perfect home base to catch McCall’s iconic Winter Carnival, as well as experience the area’s hot springs après-ski. After a chilly day of outdoor activities, bundle up next to the fire with a cup of hot cocoa in your own winter haven—an investment that, on average, could gross over $45,000 in rental revenue.

Whitefish is often included among the best small towns in America. Peruse the shops, settle into incredible views, and enjoy access to both Flathead Lake’s 180 miles of shoreline and Glacier National Park. Guests are in for a vacation to remember, whether dashing down the slopes at Whitefish Mountain Resort or venturing out to enjoy the area’s mountain scenery, ample wildlife, and world-class fishing. While this destination rounds out our top ten list of Best Places to Buy a Winter Vacation Home, it is certainly not the least, with an impressive annual gross revenue of $56,000.