Can you feel it? You know, that soft touch of colder air running up the back of your neck, making all the tiny hairs stand up. So, you wrap your scarf around your neck, cup your hands, breathe a little warm air into them, and smile. Because you know this feeling means that ski season is almost here. 

Ski towns across the United States are already prepped and ready for powderhounds and winter bunnies alike to descend on their mountains to carve down everything from easy breezy greens to challenging black diamonds. And this winter, you only deserve the best. Here are six of the best ski destinations to discover throughout the 2022/23 season and a boutique hotel to book in each spot that will surely leave you wishing for a few extra days in the snow.

Stowe, Vermont

Stowemay not be as big as the mountains out West, but it more than makes up for its size with enormous charm. The mountain has been delighting skiers (and later snowboarders) since its inaugural season in 1936 and is still home to one of the oldest continuously operatingski patrol teams in the nation. If you’re a beginner skier or rider Stowe is absolutely where you want to be, as it’s home to a fantastic ski school that will take things slow and steady and bring you over to the larger runs when you’re ready. Hit the greens like the ultra-chill Toll Road, or when you’re ready, cruise down the famed Front Four, aka Starr, Liftline, National, and Goat, four of the steepest trails you’ll find on the East Coast. 

Take a little time on your getaway to explore the town of Stowe too, including walking and shopping down Main Street, where you’ll find adorable coffee shops like Cafe on Main and cozy dining venues like Harrison’s. And for an apres scene you won’t forget, stop by the Matterhorn for a beer, live music, and dancing until the wee hours of the morning.  

Where to stay: Edson Hill 

Make yourself at home in Stowe with a stay at Edson Hill, a 22-room boutique hotel just down the hill from the mountain. Each room seamlessly blends timeless New England style with all the modern amenities one would need. Cozy up by its fireplaces, gaze upon its more than 30 acres of pristine landscape, and between laps at the mountain, take to its Nordic trails for a little cross-country skiing to keep the blood pumping.