9 Couple-Friendly Ski Resorts in the US and Canada

Free bike rental, frequent shuttle service to mountain and ski village

Skiing in the Pacific Northwest has its perks and one of the biggest is the climate. Although the snow may not please those accustomed to the soft, fluffy powder of the Rockies, temperatures in this gorgeous British Columbia town tend to be more mild, thanks to its proximity to the coast. The mountain—Whistler-Blackcomb—is enormous, and one of the best views of the land is via a gondola ride connecting Whistler and Blackcomb.

Nita Lake Lodge isn’t a ski-in, ski-out accommodation, but you can access the chairlift via a short walk from the property’s front doors. Or, hop on the free (reliable) shuttle if you’re laden with equipment. Rooms at this boutique lodging, many of which look out onto the namesake lake, are spacious and include fireplaces for cozying up after a day on-piste. Round out the holiday with a couples massage at the on-site spa, where, in addition to having a therapist work through your knots, you can chill out in the outdoor hot tub.

On-demand concierge service available with package purchases, twice-daily housekeeping services available with Bed & Breakfast option, wood-burning stoves

The secret’s out: Big Sky, Montana’s skiing is some of the best you’ll encounter in the United States and Canada. Its 6,000 acres of skiable terrain do a fine job of making you feel all alone up there. While you can of course find a great steak in this town, the restaurant scene offers much more than the expected and enough to keep your appetite enthralled and your body fueled for days.

Lone Mountain Ranch, open since 1915, unsurprisingly packs a ton of charm in its 148 acres. There are only 27 cabins on site, ranging in size from one-bedroom to six—the latter, a fine option for couples traveling together. Claw foot tubs, wood-burning stoves, and the sweet sound of soft snow all-around make this the ultimate option for those seeking a true in-the-woods experience. Don’t miss the Sleigh Ride Dinner, one of the most memorable dining experiences you’ll ever have.

Breakfast is included, private on-site chef

Utah claims it has the best snow on the planet, and after just a few hours swooshing down the impressive runs of Park City and Canyons, it’s hard to argue with the oft-repeated tag line. On top of fabulous mountain conditions, add world-class dining, upmarket boutiques, and art galleries that will do their very best to turn you into a collector, and you have a recipe for an utterly divine vacation.

It’s been 10 years since the total gut renovation of this 1889 limestone school building. Named after George Washington, the darling accommodation, once functioned as a school, and as The Washington School House demonstrates from top to bottom, there may be no place more unique than this. Eight rooms are housed in the historic building, and a suite across the street is just as chic as the rest of the property. Aprés ski fare is included, but you’ll have to spring for the private dining if that appeals.

Rooms with ample space for ski/snowboard equipment, great Wi-Fi, heated, indoor pool

Often likened to a quaint European ski village, Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont offers the full monty: fantastic mountain conditions (with plenty of freshly groomed trails as well as discoverable backcountry); adorable restaurants (we’re talking authentic fondue!); and enough local, craft breweries to keep you hopped and happy. 

While it’s not always the case that the newest game in town is also the best, in the matter of Tälta Lodge, the sentiment rings true. Fancy a muscle-relaxing swim and sauna hang after a day on the mountain? How about an aprés ski Bloody Mary by the outdoor fire pit? Tälta Lodge’s 51 rooms, seven of which are dog-friendly, lean toward minimalism, but include everything you might need for a ski trip to this part of the Green Mountain State, such as modular walls for hanging equipment and strong, reliable Wi-Fi.

High-definition smart TV, in-room Sonos speakers, bath amenities from Grown Alchemist

Overlooking Upstate New York’s Windham Mountain Resort would be regretful, for what this Catskills town (just two and a half hours outside of New York City) offers is solid ski and snowboard terrain a stone’s throw from a bevy of excellent dining options and rolling hills with fresh new views every which way you turn. It’s not called the “Gem of the Catskills” for nothing.

The boutique Union and Post, opened in 2020, is a welcome addition to the family-run motels and rustic ski lodges found in this region. Its proximity to the mountain and dedication to craft food and drink served at its on-site restaurant make for a warm  home-away-from-home feel. Well-appointed, cozy guest rooms feature locally crafted furniture and spacious bathrooms.

Large bathrooms, well-appointed fitness and aquatic center, great spa

Banff National Park, a part of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada, offers premier skiing with an exceedingly gorgeous backdrop in a designated UNESCO Heritage site. Diverse terrain to please all levels of skiers and snowboarders can be found across the region’s three ski resorts: Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Mt Norquay. An impossible number of bluebird days elevate the already laudable mountain.

For ultimate ski-in, ski-out luxury, Fairmont Banff Springs gets the win. Dubbed Canada’s “Castle in the Rockies,” as if the building’s grand exterior wasn’t enough, a stay inside includes stunning accommodations, attention to details, and personalized service—the latter in spite of its impressive size, holding 757 guest rooms and suites. Unwind with a drink in The Vermillion Room, where selecting one of the signature’s cocktails is no easy feat, though you might just opt for the Bartender’s Special if you can’t make up your mind.

Large soaking tubs, Nespresso coffee makers, beautiful spa

Although seasonal flight service has made Telluride a bit easier to access, slightly more effort is required to arrive here than to any number of Colorado ski spots. One look around this Western ski town with its smattering of upscale dining and shopping just off the formidable mountain, and you’ll be glad you made the trek.

Part of the Auberge Resort Collection, Madeline epitomizes the luxury ski resort. Expect alpine design with a refined flair and modern sensibility. Mountain- or village-facing balconies add to the spacious, airy feel of many rooms, and the aptly-named spa service Mountain Love Journey for Couples, complete with bubbles and bites, will set you up for another day on the slopes.

Outdoor hot tubs, complimentary coffee in lobby

Jackson Hole joined the Ikon Pass a few years ago, and adrenaline junkies promptly put it on their bucket ski list. This is not a mountain for the uninitiated, however, considering 90% of its terrain is designated expert and intermediate. But the payoff for thrill seekers is evidenced in the bragging rights attached to conquering the resort’s 4,139-foot vertical drop. 

Recent years have seen major development in the accommodations category, but in fact, overlooking the recently reimagined The Virginian is ill-advised. It’s here you’ll get a real taste of Wyoming’s Old West roots and genuine hospitality. Free Wi-Fi, an on-site liquor store, and redesigned rooms boasting rich leather furnishings are a sight for sore eyes, er, feet.

Generously-sized rooms, chauffeur service to and from airport and around town, cool art

Few ski resorts in North America are held in such high esteem as Aspen Snowmass. While there is a bit of a see-and-be-scene crowd here, particularly during busy holiday periods, Aspen retains its artsy origins and low-key vibes via a creative community of artists. The mountain itself competes with the best of Europe’s offerings. 

Hotel Jerome, also part of the Auberge Resort family of posh properties, has been around since 1889, so if it’s a taste of history set in luxe digs you’re after, you have come to the right place. Rooms and suites, some as large as 1265 square feet, feature floor-to-ceiling windows, cowhide chairs, and mounted deer, lest you forget the Old West origins. The concierge can arrange such excursions for two as a horse-drawn carriage tour or taking a snowcat to a cozy cabin in the woods for dinner—that is, if you can peel yourself away from the eminently comfortable J-Bar with its high-back, leather bar chairs, and friendly bartenders.