It’s that time of year in certain regions when the trees shed their leaves, the air turns frigid, and the backyard thermometer seems to be in a perpetual drop. Winter has firmly set in, and Jack Frost will be making his presence felt for the foreseeable weeks.
However, winter doesn't have to be a mere countdown to summer. It can be an adventure in itself or an embodiment of hygge, the Danish concept of finding comfort and joy in life's simpler moments. Here, we've rounded up five cabin getaways in picturesque locations to embrace winter with open arms.
- Huttopia White Mountains, Albany, New Hampshire
Situated just 2.5 hours from Boston, Huttopia's 10-cabin property on Iona Lake spans 50 acres, nestled in the rolling foothills of New Hampshire's White Mountains. The wood chalets, designed by a French outdoor firm, accommodate up to six guests each, making them an ideal winter base camp. Priced at approximately $330 per night, these chalets offer a downstairs layout with a bedroom, full bathroom, dining area, living room, and a fully equipped kitchen. Upstairs, a loft provides additional sleeping space. Guests can unwind by the outdoor firepit or on the covered terrace, enjoying the winter ambiance.
The White Mountains offer various winter activities, with three ski resorts within an hour's drive, providing slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. For those interested in snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, Jackson XC, with its extensive network of groomed trails, is just 20 miles away.
In nearby North Conway, you can indulge in artisan sweets at Bavarian Chocolate Haus and pick up a vacation read from White Birch Books.
- A-Frame Club, Winter Park, Colorado
Established in 2023 and inspired by 1970s ski culture, the A-Frame Club is a trendy, Instagram-worthy throwback to the heyday of skiing. Located less than a third of a mile from Winter Park Resort, this compound boasts 31 A-frame cabins with mid-century flair, starting at $199 per night. Each birchwood cabin accommodates four guests and includes a kitchenette, Malm fireplace, onsen-style soaking tub, desk, and vaulted ceilings with tall windows offering panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains.
The highlight of the retreat is The Saloon, an on-site bar and restaurant serving microbrews, craft cocktails, and mountainside fare. Winter Park, just 67 miles from Denver, provides a plethora of outdoor activities, including snowshoe and ski bike tours, ice skating, tubing, and extensive skiable terrain.
Venture to Rocky Mountain National Park, approximately 40 miles away, to explore diverse wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. For a break from the cold, the Cozens Ranch Museum, 4 miles away, offers insights into the region's history.
- Fireside Resort, Wilson, Wyoming
Nestled at the base of the Teton Range, Fireside Resort boasts 25 luxurious rustic cabins in snow-packed Jackson Hole. Developed by prefab home builder Wheelhaus, the property, situated 6 miles from Grand Teton National Park, offers two lodging options: the Wedge Cabin (starting at $200 per night, sleeping four) and the Caboose Cabin (starting at $300 per night, sleeping six).
Both cabin types feature a kitchen, private deck, flat-screen TV, fireplace, and outdoor fire pit. Guests can also enjoy the resort's community hot tub. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, just a 10-minute drive away, provides epic powder, terrain parks, and 131 trails for skiing enthusiasts.
Snow King Mountain, 15 minutes in the opposite direction, offers an additional 500 skiable acres in the charming Old West town of Jackson. Beyond skiing, visitors can explore the National Museum of Wildlife Art, indulge in local cuisine at the Mangy Moose, and unwind in the thermal soaking pools at Astoria Hot Springs, 20 minutes south of Jackson.
- Big Cedar Lodge, Ridgedale, Missouri
Despite Southwest Missouri's average daily temperatures in the 40s, Big Cedar Lodge, spread across 4,600 acres in the Ozark Mountains, offers a diverse collection of cabins and cottages for a quiet and off-the-radar winter escape. The lodge is located near Table Rock Lake, featuring outsize cabins with stunning lakeside views, such as the 840-square-foot one-room log cabin with a loft (starting at $199 per night with the Winter Rates Special).
Accommodating up to seven people, these cabins offer king- and queen-size beds, a sofa bed, a wooden deck, and a stone fireplace. While the region doesn't receive much snow, it provides plenty of entertainment for both day and night. Anglers can rejoice in Table Rock Lake's year-round fishing, and outdoor enthusiasts can explore hiking and wildlife viewing at Dogwood Canyon, a 10,000-acre expanse south of the lake.
For those seeking cultural experiences, the Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium and the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum offer fascinating exhibits. Additionally, guests can indulge in a spa treatment at the Cedar Creek Spa & Salon.
- FivePine Lodge & Cabins, Sisters, Oregon
Modeled after the storybook chalets of the French and Swiss Alps, FivePine Lodge & Cabins, located a half-hour's drive from Bend, Oregon, offers a picture-perfect retreat in the Ponderosa pines and Douglas fir trees of Deschutes National Forest. The Classic Cabin (starting at $208 per night) is designed for couples, featuring a king-size bed, gas fireplace, waterfall tub, and a private patio with Adirondack chairs facing the evergreen woods.
For larger groups, the Caboose Cabin (starting at $219 per night) provides extra space over a long weekend. The lodge's "campus" is home to a spa, a four-screen movie theater, and the Three Creeks Brewing brewery/restaurant, providing convenient amenities for guests.
Within a 45-minute drive, Hoodoo Ski Area offers 800 acres of ski terrain and a tubing park at the summit of Oregon's Santiam Pass. Nature enthusiasts can explore Smith Rock State Park, located 40 minutes northeast of the lodge, offering hiking and mountain biking trails with surreal views of the Crooked River Gorge and the surrounding Oregon High Desert. Just a 10-minute walk from the cabin, the town of Sisters provides opportunities to refuel at Sisters Coffee Co. before exploring its variety of shops, galleries, and restaurants.
