It’s nearly time to strap on ski boots, and this year’s top ski towns are offering more than just pristine powder. From world champion skiers to luxury travel pros, experts have identified the destinations defining the 2025-26 ski season — and this year, their favorite destinations tell a story of transformation. These iconic US mountain towns are being revitalized by a new generation of luxury developments that reimagine the alpine getaway.
Experts’ top picks are:
1. Telluride, Colorado In Telluride, the highly anticipated Four Seasons Resort and Residences Telluride is reshaping one of Colorado’s most scenic and sought-after ski towns into a world-class destination. The first new development in over 15 years is steps away from signature runs like Bushwacker and Gold Hill Chute 1. Ranked among the best ski towns in North America and known for its 300 inches of annual snowfall across 2,000 skiable acres, Telluride is once again capturing attention with a defining new chapter — one that reaffirms its place as one of the country’s premier alpine destinations.
2. Deer Valley, Utah Deer Valley is entering a bold new era with the debut of Deer Valley East Village, the largest public alpine resort expansion in North America in over four decades. Adding 3,700 skiable acres, a 10-passenger gondola, 16 new lifts and premium ski-accessible homesites, the village offers everything from kid-friendly lessons to fireside après, all with seamless slope access — and just 40 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport.
3. Aspen, Colorado In Aspen, one of the world’s most recognizable ski destinations, momentum is building once again at the base of Aspen Mountain with the forthcoming Chalet Alpina, a luxury resort and residential retreat steps from Lift One. The project will reimagine one of the most historic sites in American skiing, restoring two mid-century chalets into a signature restaurant and the Aspen Ski Museum, while adding a new high-speed lift and public park that reconnects the slopes to downtown.
