Best Ski Locations for Timeshares

So, we’re now past Labor Day. Anyone else ready for some cooler temperatures? This is the time of year ski buffs look ahead - anticipating the reopening of ski resorts and those first ski reports coming from the resorts. Because ski weeks are in such high demand at timeshare resorts, we’ve come up with a list of the best ski locations for timeshares so you can start looking ahead to book your favorite week.

Timeshares are renowned for amazing, award-winning resorts in popular ski destinations. While this may seem like a niche market to some, these locations have diversified over the year to cater to a broader clientele than just skiers.

More Than Just Skiing

Case in point – the Sundance Film Festival is held every year right in the middle of ski season, next year being held January 20-30, 2022 in Park City, Utah. Founded by actor Robert Redford in 1985, this renowned event brings filmmakers from around the world to showcase new films, short films, documentaries and emerging media.    

These towns offer so much in terms of the arts, culture, shopping, spas, bars and restaurants that they’ve become more than just places to hit the slopes. But for the millions of skiers and snowboarders in the U.S., it’s all about those slopes.

How Many People Really Ski?

There are an estimated 9 million skiers and snowboarders in the United States, nearly as many as timeshare owners (about 10 million). Funny enough, the top five states where skiers live are New York, Florida, Texas, California and Colorado – funny because Texas and Florida don’t have ski resorts. This highlights the demand for skiers traveling to destinations that can offer a quality experience.

Last year, the National Ski Areas Association reported that 470 ski areas were operating across the country, ranging from Maine to California.

Popular Ski Locations

While that’s a lot of choices, the timeshare industry has mainly focused on a select number of ski destinations to establish resorts.

Some of the areas with the highest concentration of resorts are located in places like:

• Avon/Beaver Creek, Colorado – the Beaver Creek Ski Resort is one of the most popular in the country with 149 trails and a vertical of 3,340 ft. Many of the timeshares are in Avon, less than a half-mile away.
• Breckenridge, Colorado – long known as a top timeshare destination, opening day for the ski season is November 12. Choose from Breckenridge Ski Resort’s 5 peaks, 187 trails, and the highest lift-served terrain in America.
• Lake Tahoe – whether from the California or Nevada side of Tahoe, you can’t go wrong with an impressive 15 ski resorts in the region. It’s tough to know where to start but try Heavenly Mountain with its Nevada AND California ski runs, plus spectacular views of the lake. Don’t forget to take the amazing Gondola ride up from South Lake Tahoe to the mountain.   
• Lincoln/North Conway, New Hampshire – located in the Mt Washington Valley in the dazzling White Mountains, there are 13 ski resorts from which to choose. Last November, North Conway was selected as the top ski town in North America by USA Today’s 10Best.com readers.
• Park City, Utah – Park City Ski Resort is the biggest in America with 348 trails and 41 lifts over a massive 7,300 acres. The area hosted ski and snowboarding events for the 2002 Winter Olympics and is the headquarters for the U.S. Ski Team. Ski season takes off starting November 19 so head out to the shops now for your new gear. 
• Steamboat Springs, Colorado – sometimes thought of as the little brother to Colorado’s more well-known destinations, there’s nothing second-rate about Steamboat Ski Resort. Just a three-hour drive from Denver, you’ll find 18 lifts and 165 trails over nearly 3,000 acres with average snowfall of 314 inches.
• Vail, Colorado – Vail is much more than a playground for the rich and famous, with the Vail Mountain Resort boasting 366 inches of annual snowfall, 31 lifts and 195 trails over nearly 5,300 acres. And there are over 90 restaurants in the area, so you can easily recover from those days on the slopes.
• Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin – a very popular timeshare destination in the north central part of the country, the three best known ski resorts in the area are Christmas Mountain Village, Cascade Mountain and Devil's Head Resort.

We understand that there are more ski areas with timeshares than those mentioned above, but those identified tend to have the highest number of timeshare resorts in their respective regions. Resorts in regions such as upstate New York are spread out over larger areas or, like Massanutten, are one large complex.

What About the Timeshares?

We’d be remiss if we told you about these locations without giving you a few timeshare resorts to check out. The resorts below are the most sought-after in each area based on offer information placed through our platform by prospective buyers:

Christie Lodge (Avon) – one of the first timeshare properties in the region, Christie Lodge has been welcoming owners and guests since 1980 and provides terrific access to both Beaver Creek Mountain and Vail Mountain. Timeshare accommodations come in one- and three-bedroom layouts with all the space and conveniences you need after a day on the slopes.  

Grand Lodge on Peak 7 (Breckenridge) – this amazing ski-in/ski-out property sits at the base of Peak 7 and the Independence SuperChair lift, with access to the BreckConnect Gondola and the trails on Peak 8. Units range from the 400 sq ft one-bedroom Suite Residences to the four-bedroom units at 2,400 sq ft. All units come with kitchen facilities, separate living space and Wi-Fi.

Diamond Resorts Lake Tahoe Vacation Resort (South Lake Tahoe) – just a stone’s throw from the banks of Lake Tahoe and a 3-minute drive to the Heavenly Gondola, you’ll have access to Heavenly Ski Resort’s 30 lifts and 97 runs. Choose from studio, one- and two-bedroom accommodation with everything you need either on-site or just down the street in downtown South Lake Tahoe.

Village of Loon Mountain (Lincoln, NH) – a fabulous property with the White Mountain National Forest as your backdrop, you’re at the base of the Loon Mountain Ski Resort and its three peaks with 61 trails. Cannon Mountain is also just up the road with the highest ski summit in the state at just over 4,000 ft. Timeshares come in one- and two-bedroom units as well as one- and two-bedroom townhouses for a true home-away-from-home experience.

Marriott's Mountainside (Park City) – a location close to downtown Park City, yet a ski-in/ski-out destination with access to the slopes of Park City Mountain, it’s no wonder why this property is so popular with timeshare owners. Soak in the hot tub or gather around the fire pit after a day on the mountain. You’ll have a choice of studio, one- or two-bedroom timeshare accommodation with quality amenities and the comfort and convenience you’d expect.

Wyndham Vacation Resorts Steamboat Springs – less than a mile from the Steamboat Ski Resort (with shuttle service provided during ski season), enjoy days of skiing and snowboarding before you return to your choice of three hot tubs, sauna or indoor swimming pool. For more pampering, head out to the Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs for a mineral bath or massage. All this and a choice of one-, two- or three-bedroom units makes for a fantastic vacation.  

Marriott's StreamSide Evergreen at Vail – just the mention of Vail brings images of luxury and rubbing elbows with the rich and famous. With Marriott's StreamSide Evergreen at Vail, you’ll be right around the corner from the township and the slopes of Vail Mountain, (shuttle bus available to Lionshead and Vail Village) yet secluded for a relaxing getaway. This tranquil setting offers two-bedroom timeshare units with fireplace and all of the superior furnishings and amenities of a Marriott resort.    

Bluegreen Resort's Christmas Mountain Village (Wisconsin Dells) – for those in the upper Midwest looking to get your skiing fix, this is a great option. Christmas Mountain is just outside of Wisconsin Dells and offers 16 downhill slopes with two, high speed chair lifts, with experience levels ranging from beginners to black and diamond slopes. It may not be as robust as the other locales, but the region offers a picturesque winter wonderland of options. Everything you need is on-site, from hot tub and indoor swimming pool to bars and restaurants – all accessible from your choice of multi-bedroom cottages, villas, cabins and townhomes.