The Top 5 U.S. Ski Towns to Live In
I recently moved full-time to the Sierra mountains for a healthier life, more time outdoors, and to lower our overall living expenses. In a recent conversation with a friend, she asked what other ski towns we considered moving to. We didn’t, but that got me thinking about all the great ski towns I’ve visited over the years, ones with great skiing and snowboarding nearby, plus other factors that lead to a high quality of life. And so, I did some research and ranked what, in my view, are the best ski towns in the United States to live in.
These days with remote work possibilities, a good internet connection, and soaring costs in coastal cities, living in the mountains is more attractive than ever. For this review, I considered multiple factors: Average Snowfall, Altitude, Population, Slopes Proximity, Average Home Price, and Cultural Activities. For me, these are the key factors that make a place great. But we all have unique preferences for what’s important to us, so here’s a link to the data where you can copy it and run your own analysis based on your preferences.
I limited this analysis to towns that had population under 30k, because anything over that amount is more like a small city. This condition takes out places like Spokane, WA and Boulder, CO, which are both great places to live, but don’t have the small town vibe I’m looking for. I also weighted factors like home price and culture options, because some places are amazing but way too expensive, or beautiful but too boring to live in! Feel free to copy the data and change the weighting to see how it affects your results.
And finally, if there are other towns I should consider, please let me know in the comments. I’m always looking for new places to visit. Now, without further ado, here’s my list of my Top 5 Skis Towns to live in:
- Truckee, CA
- Jackson, WY
- Sun Valley, ID
- Park City, UT / Taos, NM
- Whitefish, MT
Truckee, CA
Truckee tops the list for its size (16,500 population), access to world-class resorts, and the number of cultural activities all year round. Full disclosure, it’s also the town I live in so I am definitely biased! Truckee is a year-round destination with great skiing at resorts like Northstar, Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, multiple smaller ones, plus more near South Lake Tahoe. Summer is even more popular given access to lake swimming, hiking, rafting, fishing, camping and more...the list is endless. The only cons to consider are crowds on the weekends, particularly around holidays, due to its proximity to the Bay Area, and the risk of low snowfall, which we are experiencing this year.
Jackson, WY
Jackson comes in at #2 based on its population size, proximity to Jackson Hole Ski Resort, and culture options. Jackson is perfectly situated at 6,200 feet, only 20 mins to the slopes, and about an 80 miles drive to Yellowstone National Park, a true gem of the U.S. Parks system. However, one challenge to consider are home prices, which currently have a median value of $848K (eek! but not as high as Aspen, CO). One offset to consider in living and working in Jackson is its low tax burden (there is no state income tax). And it’s quickly becoming one of the most popular states for businesses to incorporate, due to its tax and corporate law structure.
Sun Valley, ID
Sun Valley is nestled in the Sawtooth National Forest and has been a hidden gem frequented by wealthy families from LA and Seattle for years. It sees its fair share of celebrities too, including Arnold Schwarzenegger. Sun Valley is at an ideal altitude (5,945 feet), not too high and not too low, and has one of the best mountain access options of all the towns ranked, being literally right next to the slopes. Home prices are a bit high (average of $755K) but that’s not as bad as Jackson, and the number of cultural activities available will keep you busy year-round. If you haven’t been before, I highly recommend a visit.
Park City, UT & Taos, NM
I had a tie for 4th place based on my ranking so will cover both.
Park City is well known for its incredible skiing and famous events like the Sundance Film Festival. Other perks are the number of mountain resorts in the area, incredible “champagne” snow, and easy access to the Salt Lake City metro area. Home prices are high (average of $871K) but other factors might make up for that downside.
Taos is another great option due to its affordable housing, altitude and proximity to the slopes, but does see less snow on average compared to towns further north. It’s also further off the beaten path so, like Sun Valley, feels less crowded.
Whitefish, MT
Whitefish isn’t as well known as other famous Montana destinations but if you’re into a cute town, low cost of living and access to another great national park (Glacier National Park), Whitefish is a great option to consider. The skiing may not be as challenging, but the beauty of the area and low cost of living make up for it.
No matter what town you pick, living in the mountains is a treat. You can follow my adventures in Truckee, and other mountain destinations around the world, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2x2tahoe/. As John Muir said, “The mountains are calling & I must go…”.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
