Procuring a property in one of America’s many ski towns in a bid to live out your alpine dream comes—more often than not—with a hefty price tag.
Big-name resorts like Vail, CO, Park City, UT, or Big Sky, MT, boast an array of beautiful and incredibly expensive homes, with prices in these areas typically ascending into the millions, if not more.
However, it is possible to find a budget-friendly snowy oasis mere minutes from the slopes if you are willing to look at one of the lesser-known locations across the U.S.
By examining listing prices and slope quality at dozens of ski towns in the country, the Realtor.com® data team has compiled a list of the 12 most affordable areas where buying a ski home doesn’t have to break the bank.
“Winter sports are truly a national pastime, and all across the country there are opportunities to live near the slopes,” Realtor.com senior economist Joel Berner says. “Skiing is a notoriously expensive hobby, and homes near ski resorts often tend toward the luxury segment of the market.
“But there are pockets of affordable living with access to the mountain in all regions of the United States. All 12 of these markets had a median listing price under $500,000, and half of them were even below $250,000.”
Berner notes that finding a home in one of these less popular locales doesn’t mean sacrificing snow quality or amenities.
“These towns offer children, beginners, and those hoping to shred on a budget the opportunity to live in a home within minutes of the lifts,” he adds.
To compile the list, Realtor.com looked at more than 300 towns with ski resorts from On the Snow, an online tool that tracks snow and ski conditions across the U.S. Ski towns had to have at least 50 active listings to make the cut—and the quality of its slopes was also verified to ensure that it was worthy of a real estate investment.
1. Malone, NY
Median list price: $137,200
Only 10 miles from the Canadian border, Malone provides family-friendly skiing in the Adirondacks. Titus Mountain Family Ski Center offers day and night skiing and is a short drive from Lake Placid and Northern Vermont.
The city itself has a rich history, with more than 400 properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
“Local families enjoy the winter sliding, skiing, skating, snowshoeing, and snowboarding,” says Mary Scharf, president of the Malone Chamber of Commerce, who has lived in the city for 40 years.
“Our Malone area enjoys clean air, clean water, inexpensive housing, and a friendly environment. It’s beautiful, peaceful, safe, and a wonderful place to bring up your kids.”
2. Harrison, MI
Median list price: $164,500
Harrison, with a population of 2,150, is a peaceful small town in Central Michigan with an incredibly low cost of living. The town slogan is “Twenty lakes in twenty minutes,” as 20 different lakes are within a 20-minute drive.
But perhaps the biggest draw of the town is Harrison’s Snow Snake Mountain, which offers incredible skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and snow tubing.
A season pass costs only $250, with a special deal of just $15 for kids 6 and under, as well as for adults 70 and older.
3. Mansfield, OH
Median list price: $179,900
Mansfield ranked No. 23 on the Realtor.com list of the Hottest ZIP Codes of 2024. In the first half of the year, properties spent just 27 days on the market, which was 26 days less than the national average.
The skiing at Snow Trails is a major draw for locals, who enjoy beginner to advanced slopes that are lit up for night skiing. There’s also a snow tubing park that features colorful LED lighting for “glow tubing.”
4. Snowshoe, WV
Median list price: $189,900
Snowshoe is an idyllic ski town nestled in West Virginia’s Appalachian mountains. Its tight-knit community treasures its quiet and remote slice of paradise.
Snowshoe residents love the fact that the largest ski resort in the state, Snowshoe Mountain Resort, is practically right in their own backyard. It celebrated its 50th anniversary this year and is home to 60 trails and 257 acres of skiable terrain.
5. Scranton, PA
Median list price: $199,000
Scranton is famous for being the setting for the comedy classic “The Office,” but many people aren’t aware that another thing it’s famous for is its top-notch skiing.
Montage Mountain ski resort, just 8 miles from downtown Scranton, features 26 trails for all skill levels, a 1,000-foot vertical drop, and full mountain night skiing.
In October, Scranton ranked No. 5 on the Realtor.com list of the Cities With the Lowest Cost of Living. Plus, the town boasts a great school system—which is why more families are settling down there.
6. Wisconsin Dells, WI
Median list price: $221,900
Wisconsin Dells—known as the “Waterpark Capital of the World”—is an affordable city that offers a bevy of family-friendly activities.
One of the most popular is Christmas Mountain Ski Resort, which has a variety of beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain, as well as a terrain park.
Despite attracting millions of visitors annually, Wisconsin Dells has a year-round population of just over 3,200, giving it a small-town vibe with access to big-city amenities.
7. Vernon, NJ
Median list price: $264,400
Just 50 miles from New York City, Vernon feels like it’s worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple.
This peaceful town of 22,711 residents is home to the largest ski resort in New Jersey, Mountain Creek Resort—which has terrain parks, over 40 trails, and the region’s highest vertical.
8. Harrisonburg, VA
Median list price: $317,000
Often referred to as “The Friendly City,” Harrisonburg is a vibrant college town located near Shenandoah National Park. With James Madison University in the heart of the city, Harrisonburg is a popular home base for many young residents.
Skiing is a big draw for students and locals who love to hit the slopes. Nearby Massanutten Resort offers 14 runs for skiing and snowboarding, and it has 6,000 acres of Blue Ridge Mountain fun.
9. Anaconda, MT
Median list price: $327,000
Anaconda is a small town near the Rocky Mountains with a population of around 9,600. It’s popular with those seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle and access to outdoor activities.
Discovery Ski Area, located in what’s known as the “Anaconda-Philipsburg Area” of Montana, offers great snow conditions, uncrowded slopes, and steep terrain that keeps skiers coming back for more.
10. Brian Head, UT
Median list price: $339,250
Brian Head gets more snow than any other city on our top 12 list, with about 360 inches per year. Located in Southern Utah, Brian Head combines small-town living with world-class skiing.
Brian Head Resort delivered 174 days of skiing and snowboarding last season, which was a new record.
11. Albuquerque, NM
Median list price: $365,000
People move to Albuquerque for its mild weather, affordable cost of living, and abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Sandia Peak Ski Area is Albuquerque’s sole ski resort, offering 25 miles of slopes and 35 trails. The resort fosters a family-friendly environment, providing free skiing for children 12 and under.
12. Maggie Valley, NC
Median list price: $484,950
With a population of only 1,744, Maggie Valley is a charming small town with magnificent views of the Smoky Mountains.
The Cataloochee Ski Area gets 50 to 60 inches of snow per year, and it offers both beginner and intermediate runs.