United States
It may be opening week for many ski resorts, but Vrbo reveals that the race for winter vacation homes is well underway. Half of the vacation rentals in top ski and snowboard destinations are already booked for peak season, and airlines have launched new routes to popular ski areas to meet the demand, according to Vrbo’s Ski Travel Report.
The new report highlights where vacation homes are booking up fastest, the unexpected spots skiers are choosing for budget-friendly slopes, and practical tips on saving for ski trips both within the U.S. and abroad, including Europe.
- Book 100 days in advance. Early birds have already claimed half of the vacation rentals near Aspen and Vail, and in New Hampshire’s White Mountains for January and February.
- Avoid winter break dates and major three-day weekends. Demand and occupancy rates in top ski destinations peak during Dec. 29–Jan. 11, and Martin Luther King and President’s Day Weekends.
- Explore an alternative ski resort. For Colorado skiers, Telluride still has high availability for homes. East Coast skiers should also look at ski areas in the Poconos.
- Use the Ski-in/ski-out search filter on Vrbo to stay slopeside. There are nearly 20,000 U.S. ski-in/ski-out private vacation rentals in the app. Park City and Breckenridge offer the most.
- Score discounts for weeklong bookings. Save an average of 10% on 7+ night stays on Vrbo. Use the “Weekly discount” search filter on Vrbo to find homes offering this discount.
- Start saving up for spring break. Earn OneKeyCash™, part of Vrbo’s free rewards program, from this ski trip and use it on a future eligible Vrbo booking.
Melanie Fish, Vrbo’s travel expert, says, “With the hottest ski destinations booking fast, travelers are embracing ‘slopenomics.’ The savviest skiers are booking early, sharing costs, and even heading overseas to score big on Euro ski deals.”
Trending ski destinations
Popular ski areas have been graced with early snowfall this year, and Park City takes the mountaintop spot on Vrbo’s list of most booked destinations this season:
- Park City, Utah
- Breckenridge, Colorado
- Steamboat Springs, Colorado
- Big Sky, Montana
- Mammoth Lakes, California
- Killington, Vermont
New Mexico’s Taos Ski Valley emerges as the fastest-growing spot for vacation rental demand this season. Denver skiers are driving the strongest demand to the area as Taos offers a quick five-hour getaway and an escape from Colorado’s tourist crowds.
Travelers are trading Euro Summer for Euro Winter
After seeing the benefits of traveling to Europe for cheaper tickets to sold-out summer concerts, travelers are now doing the same to dodge steep lift ticket prices in the U.S. This season, Vrbo reports a spike in demand among Americans booking vacation rentals in the French Alps, where ski passes and accommodations can be significantly lower than U.S. prices.
A search on Vrbo for rentals in the heart of the French Alps, in Hautes-Alpes, reveals nightly rates in the $100-$200 range in January. The same search for rentals in Breckenridge shows nightly rates in the $300-$400 range.
The most saved vacation homes for the season
Vrbo is also announcing the most saved vacation homes on its app for ski and snowboard season. From large mudrooms for sports equipment to cozy fireplaces and hot tubs, these homes are perfect for après-ski activities. With many travelers already eyeing these properties, be sure to lock in these homes before they sell out:
- Luxury 5-bedroom vacation rental (Aspen)
- Spacious cabin with shuttle service (Breckenridge)
- New modern cabin in Deer Valley (Park City)
- Historic Montana mountain home (Big Sky)
- Romantic traditional cabin (Stowe)
Based on analysis of Vrbo booking data for stays taking place December 1, 2024–March 31, 2025.
OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo.
