Best Mountain Resorts in the U.S.

The Four Seasons Resort and Residences at Jackson Hole is a luxury resort that caters to a discriminating crowd with its sweeping views of the Grand Tetons, luxuriously appointed rooms, and ski-in, ski-out location. It's situated in a tiny ski village about a 20-minute drive from downtown Jackson Hole. The ski lifts for the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort are next door, but beyond skiing, guests can also hike, fly fish, bike, or commission a helicopter ride to Yellowstone National Park. The 156 rooms, all with balconies, can have meadow or mountain views. There are three restaurants and a bar, a huge fitness center and yoga studio, a 16-room spa, and cozy lounges.

Viceroy Snowmass is easily the most luxurious resort in Snowmass Village, and is packed with top-notch amenities, including a 7,000-square-foot spa with stunning relaxation room, a solid fitness center with modern Technogym equipment, and a lovely pool area with heated saline pool, cabanas, and fire pit. It also offers phenomenal ski valet service (valets will take care of everything from scheduling lessons to putting your boots on for you) and a prime ski-in, ski-out location. There's a daily resort fee, and you'll have to pay for valet, but that's to be expected at a resort of this caliber.

Located on Cheyenne Lake at the foot of the Colorado Rockies, The Broadmoor is an iconic luxury property covering a vast estate of over 3,000 acres. Guests can choose to stay in one of the 779 rooms and 107 suites, rent one of the two brownstone villas, or choose “The Wilderness Experience” and stay in one of 10 rustic cabins at The Ranch at Emerald Valley. This lavish property offers a vast range of services and amenities, with eight on-site restaurants, three swimming pools, three hot tubs, three golf courses, multiple tennis courts, a full-service upscale spa, state-of-the-art fitness center, and 25 shops and boutiques. There’s also a wide variety of outdoor activities, including rock-climbing, fly-fishing, horseback riding, tennis, and cycling.

Big, luxurious, and loaded with activities, the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa is a family- and business-friendly hotel set in a secluded location in the Tucson Mountains west of the city. It’s surrounded by striking desert landscapes, with good views all around. There’s golf, tennis, numerous pools and water features, shopping, restaurants, a massive lobby, and the big Hashani Spa. Guests can also choose between hiking and mountain biking on local nature trails into the Tucson Mountains, and there's even a ski area among fir and pine trees atop Mt. Lemmon, which has an elevation of more than 9,000 feet.

The Waldorf Astoria is luxurious in every way, starting with the beautiful lobby -- crystal chandeliers hang from the high beamed ceilings, antlers protrude from the walls (a must in Park City), and leather and dark-wood accents give a dramatic but warm feel. The restaurant and rooms are similarly cozy and upscale, with all rooms featuring fireplaces and large marble-and-granite bathrooms. The pool area is gorgeous as well, boasting magnificent mountain views, but access to it isn't technically free -- it's included in the daily resort fee, as are other "freebies" such as Wi-Fi and parking.

The Four Seasons Vail opened in 2011, and is one of the area’s top hotels. All the rooms have warm colors, stone fireplaces, balconies, and huge marble bathrooms with standalone soaking tubs, and almost every amenity impresses, particularly the upscale spa (one of the best in Vail Valley) and lovely outdoor pool area. But it's not directly on the slopes -- guests face a 10-minute walk or a short hotel shuttle ride.

Set in Beaver Creek Village, the 190-room Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa is a luxury property with direct ski lift access and romantic family-friendly activities throughout the year. The resort has an ice-skating rink, a heated outdoor pool, five hot tubs, a mineral pool and fitness center in the spa, indoor camping for kids, and a game room. Fireside dining and cocktails are served indoors and outdoors, and the s'mores kits are a hit with guests. Lodge-style rooms include balconies with mountain views, and suites have fireplaces, kitchenettes, or both.

One Ski Hill Place is one of the most luxurious lodges in Breckenridge, with attractive condo-style units featuring gourmet kitchens, beautiful bathrooms (almost all with soaking tubs), and moss rock gas fireplaces. It also offers the most features of any resort in the area, including a two-lane bowling alley, two screening rooms, a billiards room, and an indoor pool area. It has a ski-in/ski-out location right on Peak 8, but getting to Main Street requires a trip on the Breck-Connect Gondola.

This rustic-luxe, chalet-inspired lodge is one of Vail's premier options, with a location in the heart of Vail Square, near the Eagle Bahn lift. The 62 luxurious rooms feature massive bathrooms, stone fireplaces, and scenic balconies. The apres-ski scene is thriving here, with a spacious outdoor patio and cozy tavern for snacks, cocktails, and full meals. The rooftop pool offers another scenic spot to relax, while the 10,000-square-foot spa complex has a long list of eco-conscious treatments.

This luxury boutique resort, opened in Vail in 2010, features beautiful, high-end mountain decor, particularly in the airy lobby and cozy library (no cabin kitsch here). There are two great restaurants, including the organic tapas bistro Leonora, plus a chic lounge, an outdoor pool with four hot tubs open year-round, and an upscale spa. The Luxury Plaza Rooms are on the small side, but updated decor includes beautiful wood furniture and luxurious fabrics in wintry colors. There are also roomier suites and residences with full kitchens and washer/dryers. The location right off I-70 could also be a little better: It's within walking distance of Vail Village, the slopes, and the hotel's own Base Camp (with ski rentals and a cafe), but it's not right in the heart of anything.

Built in the 1950s, the 69-room Garden of the Gods Club and Resort is a country club resort perched over landmark red rock formations. Stylish lodge-style rooms have fireplaces and balconies with Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak views, and one- and two-bedroom suites offer kitchens. Features include a 27-hole golf course across the street, indoor/outdoor tennis courts, two restaurants, and a bar lounge. A full-service spa has a year-round pool and a modern gym with red rock views. There are also a kids’ club, a family pool, and a splash pad. This romantic setting is ideal for weddings, but the frequent on-site events may bother some guests.

Not all Westins are created equal, and this chic ski resort is one of the brand's most luxurious offerings. Rooms feature the Westin's Heavenly Beds, fireplaces, and flat-screen TVs; suites also feature kitchenettes and seating areas. Bathrooms -- like the rooms themselves -- are big, and they have soaking tubs, separate showers, Bliss toiletries, and soft bathrobes (which, along with the showerheads, are also dubbed "Heavenly"). Top-notch features include the celebrated Spa Anjali, a gorgeous heated outdoor lap pool, delicious restaurant options, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. There is also ski access and plenty of year-round outdoor activities, including many for children. Throughout the property, guests can take in in stunning views of the mountains and Eagle River.

The four-pearl Highmark Steamboat Springs boutique hotel is nestled at the bottom of Mount Werner making it easy for guests to access the slopes. The nearest gondola is under a 10-minute walk, and the free shuttle service goes to other ski resorts and town. The hotel has an indoor/outdoor pool, a hot tub, and a modern fitness center, while the on-site gourmet grocery store makes it convenient for guests to prepare meals in the full-size kitchens in the 23 apartment-style units. The clientele is almost entirely families, though some couples stay here too, all drawn to the nearby mountain-related activities.

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe is the only five-pearl resort in North Lake Tahoe and the only large resort built in the area in the last decade (the hotel opened in 2009). The setting in the mountains above Northstar-at-Tahoe resort makes it possible to ski to the slopes and then return later in the day via a large gondola. To make the skiing even easier, a team of ski valets handles gear that is stored and cleaned before being delivered back to guests when they return to the slopes. Along with luxe rooms, a huge spa, and fine dining, the Ritz-Carlton offers multiple outdoor pools and Jacuzzis that are open year-round.

The Grand Lodge on Peak 7 is an upscale resort at the base of Breckenridge Ski Resort’s Independence SuperChair and a seven-minute drive from downtown. A true ski-in/ski-out property, the hotel has 114 modern condo-style rooms with kitchenettes or full kitchens, plus an on-site spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and a playground for families with kids. The hotel is geared towards those who want to stay close to the slopes with the convenience of a self-catered apartment alongside hotel-style features, though free housekeeping is only provided once per week.

Opened in 2005, Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid offers a luxurious escape a few miles from town. The 94 suites all have kitchens with stainless steel appliances, laundry, and free Wi-Fi. Activities for every season and every age include ice skating, snow shoeing, tennis, canoeing/kayaking, motorized boating, a movie theater, and bowling alley, to name a few (all are free). KANU restaurant and lounge, with fireplaces roaring, serves three meals -- breakfast is another freebie -- and adults can hit the spa while the kids participate in the free "Kamp Kanu" children's program. An underground tunnel connects to the indoor/outdoor pool and hot tubs during cold weather, otherwise it's a short walk across the beautiful grounds. Other extras include coffee, tea, and refreshments in the afternoon, and s’mores around the bonfire in the evening.

The five-pearl, 65-room Rancho Encantado sits in a secluded spot a few miles north of Santa Fe with great views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The cool summer hiking and skiing in winter offer great reasons to visit. On-site, big, luxurious rooms are decorated in a modern Southwestern style, featuring concrete and wood floors, Native American-style rugs, and a color scheme or warm browns and oranges, as well as high-end extras such as radiant floor heating, wood-burning fireplaces, and private patios. The fine dining at Terra restaurant is rated highly, and the resort also features an outdoor seasonal pool, Jacuzzi, luxury spa, and even free rentals of a Mercedes Benz for the day.

Stowe Mountain Lodge is one of the top luxury properties in Vermont, and offers rustic elegance throughout -- from the impressive lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows to the bright, contemporary rooms. This property has a lot in the way of amenities, particularly for the area: an inviting spa, big outdoor pool with mountain views, acclaimed restaurant, state-of-the-art fitness center, 18-hole golf course, and great children's program. The rooms aren't quite as luxurious as some might expect for a hotel of this category, but they're outfitted in simple, clean mountain decor and equipped with flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and balconies; most have working fireplaces.

The Montage in Deer Valley is a large, luxurious resort with a ski-in/ski-out location. The rooms feel like upscale apartments, with warm wood accents, chandeliers, high-end artwork, fireplaces, and marble bathrooms complete heated floors, soaking tubs, and separate showers. The hotel has a massive spa (with free access to its pool, steam rooms, and saunas) and several restaurants, one with fine dining and another with a bowling alley -- but pricey hotels have pricey extras, and everything from spa treatments to kids' club is expensive.

The 50-room Cable Mountain Lodge is a four-pearl property that offers classy and spacious lodge-style rooms and suites just a brief walk from Zion National Park’s entrance and shuttles. Rooms are upscale and attractively rustic in style; even Studios offer nice extras including coffeemakers, microwaves, and mini-fridges. Suites are especially spacious with roomy full kitchens plus living and dining space. All rooms have free Wi-Fi. The surrounding village has plenty of dining and entertainment options, including a brew pub, an outdoor pool with mountain views, and a movie theater. While restaurants surround the lodge, it offers no on-site breakfast option, and there are no elevators to second-floor units.