20 Best Snow Lodges for an Affordable Winter Vacation

A snow-filled winter vacation in a cozy mountain lodge can cost as much as $1,000 per night, but days spent in a wintry wonderland don’t have to be pricey. GOBankingRates checked out some of the most charming snow lodges across the U.S. where you can get rooms for $250 per night or less on average. Strap on your snowshoes and head out for a winter vacation that won’t stress your wallet.

Estimated/average price: $131

Experience the magic of a Yellowstone National Park winter, tucked away in its interior where only snow coaches can travel. The Old Faithful Snow Lodge sits in the Upper Geyser Basin less than a half-mile from its famous namesake. Sit in front of a crackling fire in the lodge, gaze out the window at steamy springs and geysers or set off on a snowy outdoor adventure.

Estimated/average price: $129

You might think of Arizona as a place to sip margaritas poolside in the winter desert, but its high country is a winter wonderland. Enjoy amazing views of the largest groves of towering ponderosa pine trees that you won’t find anywhere else in the nation when you stay at Snow Bowl’s Ski Lift Lodge and Cabins. Check into a room with a gas fireplace to complete the woodsy experience.

Estimated/average price: $119

Enjoy a luxury getaway at Cozy Hollow Lodge in Big Bear Lake, just two hours from Los Angeles. Browse through the alpine village, ski the nearby slopes and head to the lodge to cocoon yourself in woodsy ambiance. A slate fireplace and adjoining Jacuzzi for two provide you with two great ways to warm up in the 101 Deluxe King Studio Lodge Aspen suite. The 450-square-foot studio also includes a kitchen with full fridge and stove top, a roomy king bed and flat-screen TV.

Estimated/average price: $65

Check into the heart of Wisconsin’s snowmobiling country when you stay at White Pines Lodge north of Gresham. Spend your days out on the trail before returning for a hot dinner at the Woodland Supper Club. For a treat, upgrade to a whirlpool suite for as little as $99 per night Sunday through Thursday. You’ll also get discount coupons for three local casinos.

Estimated/average price: $119

Enjoy days on the slopes of Eldora Ski Area with a free door-to-door shuttle when you stay at the Boulder Adventure Lodge. The lodge puts you in the center of Colorado winter action from backcountry skiing in Rocky Mountain National Park to snowshoeing trails in Boulder Canyon. Back at the lodge, unwind in a hot tub or get social at happy hours and group dinners.

Estimated/average price: $39 per adult

Arcadia Lodge was started as a summer getaway in the 1920s, but the quiet winter months make it a sublime snowy getaway. The lodge was a stopover for gangster Al Capone, and this land of “sky blue waters” was featured in early commercials for Hamm’s Beer. Rent the six-bedroom Snow Lodge for a winter get-together with friends, or snuggle into other wood-paneled cabins with snow-framed views of lakes and woods.

Estimated/average price: $169

Spend your days on the ski slopes of Lake Tahoe and your off-slope time cozied up in this luxury A-frame cabin along the shoreline. Gaze out at the tall pines through the cabin’s glass front, or sit out on the cabin’s two decks and enjoy relaxing outside. At night, curl up in a rustic wood-frame bed tucked into a nook in the apex. Before you book your room, ask about any add-on cleaning or hot tub charges so you’re not surprised at the end of your stay. This cabin, for instance, has $137 in cleaning fees.

Estimated/average price: $113

The classic mountain snow lodge known as the Columbine Inn was hand-crafted from timber with open beam ceilings and dramatic stone fireplaces. Soak in an outdoor hot tub sheltered from the wind with viewing panels rolling out 270-degree views. The 1.5-acre grounds provide plenty of space for snowball fights and snowmen and a shuttle whisks you away to a day on the slopes of Taos Mountain.

Estimated/average price: $119

Enjoy a host of winter activities at Mount Snow, ranging from snowshoeing and cross-country and alpine skiing to dog sledding, snowmobiling and sleigh rides. After a fun day in the great outdoors, spend your evening at Snow Lake Lodge, where you can warm up in a sauna or hot tub. Check out live evening entertainment at the nearby Snow Barn, cozy up next to a roaring fire or get your game on in the arcade.

Estimated/average price: $55

Take a little time off midweek in Michigan and stay in a cabin or room for just $55 nightly. The price is half of what you’ll pay on weekends, making it an ideal time to spend the extra cash on a snowy adventure. For example, you can rent a snowmobile on-site and head off on the Indian River trail, which runs right behind the property.

Estimated/average price: $188

Check into the Snow Cottage at The Lodge at Camden Hills, and warm up from the winter chill in an en-suite Jacuzzi tub. Your room comes equipped with cozy armchairs perfect for unwinding in front of the wood-burning fireplace and a covered porch where you can enjoy sweeping views of Penobscot Bay. The lodge is less than a half-mile from Camden Hills State Park, where you can snowshoe, ski or snowmobile along groomed trails while enjoying a stunning view of the ocean.

Estimated/average price: $111

Get in touch with Jackson Hole’s cowboy history when you choose to stay at the Grand View Lodge at the Snow King Resort. The earthy lodge delivers every modern convenience including WiFi and cable TV and rustic touches such as lodgepole beds. Enjoy the chalet ambience and soaring open-beam ceilings in the ample public spaces of the resort when you’re not partaking in outdoor winter activities.

Estimated/average price: $158

Tucked along the shore of Lake Placid at the base of the Adirondacks, Lake House at High Peaks Resort offers lodge-style rooms that feature balconies overlooking the lake. The retro decor has an upgraded 1960s ambience with pine ceilings and rustic furniture adding to its snow lodge feel. Discover Lake Placid’s Olympic history at the Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum less than a half-mile away, or create your own sports history by participating in local activities such as fat tire biking, hockey and ice climbing. The area is also a popular and affordable destination for newlyweds.

Estimated/average price: $250 (up to 45 people)

Take a woodsy getaway at the Redden State Forest Lodge, situated in 12,400 acres of loblolly pines, maples, oaks and gum trees. More than 40 miles of trails cut through the forest, beckoning winter visitors to explore on snowshoe or skis. Best of all, its historic hunting lodge lets you overnight with up to 44 of your friends, providing you bring your own bedding.

Estimated/average price: $169

Head out for a snowmobile getaway deep in the snowy forests of Utah’s Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. More than 200 miles of groomed trail are accessible directly from the Daniel Summit Lodge. It sits in the middle of a wintry wonderland, welcoming visitors into its warmth with stone fireplaces, beamed ceilings and rustic furnishings.

Estimated/average price: $159

Treat yourself to some snow play at Shore Lodge in McCall, Idaho. Head out into the forest on a snowmobile, snowshoe along a wooded trail, ice skate on a frozen pond or just relax in the hot tub. Once you check into your lake-view room or suite, snuggle up next to a toasty fireplace or head to The Cove, the lodge’s on-site spa, to pamper yourself with a massage or body treatment.

Estimated/average price: $109

Nestled on 260 wooded acres, Lied Lodge was designed around a mission of environmental stewardship by the Arbor Day Foundation. Swim in an Olympic-sized indoor pool, explore the trails or nestle next to a three-story fireplace beneath soaring timber ceilings. Check out the Winter Fun Exhibit in January and journey back in time to discover antique sleds, snowshoes and other playthings from winters past.

Estimated/average price: $126

Unplug and connect to the surrounding beauty of nature when you trek a snow-covered Mount Rainier on a ranger-guided snowshoe walk. Afterwards, relax by the fire in the historic National Park Inn, and warm up with a mug of hot cocoa or a favorite bottle of wine. The National Park Inn is located in the Longmire Historic District, which was the National Park headquarters as far back as 1899.

Estimated/average price: $109

Get away in a cabin in the woods beneath towering trees in the Mount Hood National Forest. This rustic cabin lets you enjoy seclusion in a winter wonderland with all the modern amenities, including a smart TV, fireplaces and fully equipped kitchen. Take to local trails with snowshoes or Nordic skis, or head to Mount Hood Meadows, 23 miles away, for alpine skiing and snowboarding.

Estimated/average price: $115

Let it snow when you slip away to a backcountry yurt in the Boise National Forest. Six yurts lie along various trails in the forest, strategically positioned in areas where you can enjoy private alpine or Nordic skiing, as well as access to miles of groomed trails.