L
iving in one of America's many ski towns can be a pricey dream, but there are affordable options available if you're willing to look beyond the big-name resorts. Places like Vail, CO, Park City, UT, or Big Sky, MT, boast beautiful homes with prices often reaching into the millions.
However, by examining listing prices and slope quality at dozens of ski towns across the country, Realtor.com's data team has identified 12 affordable areas where buying a ski home doesn't have to break the bank. These towns offer access to skiing and snowboarding without the hefty price tag.
According to Realtor.com senior economist Joel Berner, "Winter sports are truly a national pastime, and all across the country there are opportunities to live near the slopes." He notes that finding an affordable home in one of these lesser-known locales doesn't mean sacrificing snow quality or amenities. In fact, many of these towns offer beginner-friendly slopes, night skiing, and other family-friendly activities.
To compile the list, Realtor.com looked at over 300 ski towns with at least 50 active listings and verified the quality of their slopes to ensure they were worthy of a real estate investment. Here are the top 12 affordable ski towns in the US:
1. Malone, NY - Median list price: $137,200
Malone offers family-friendly skiing in the Adirondacks, with Titus Mountain Family Ski Center just a short drive from Lake Placid and Northern Vermont.
2. Harrison, MI - Median list price: $164,500
Harrison is a peaceful small town in Central Michigan with an incredibly low cost of living. It's home to Snow Snake Mountain, which offers skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and snow tubing at affordable prices.
3. Mansfield, OH - Median list price: $179,900
Mansfield ranked No. 23 on Realtor.com's list of the Hottest ZIP Codes of 2024. It's home to Snow Trails, which offers beginner to advanced slopes and a snow tubing park with colorful LED lighting.
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, with the largest ski resort in the state practically right in their backyard.
5. Scranton, PA - Median list price: $199,000
Scranton is famous for being the setting for "The Office," but it's also a top-notch skiing destination. Montage Mountain ski resort features 26 trails for all skill levels and full mountain night skiing.
6. Wisconsin Dells, WI - Median list price: $221,900
Wisconsin Dells is an affordable city that offers a bevy of family-friendly activities, including Christmas Mountain Ski Resort with various terrain and a terrain park.
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. It's home to the largest ski resort in New Jersey, Mountain Creek Resort, which has terrain parks and over 40 trails.
8. Harrisonburg, VA - Median list price: $317,000
Harrisonburg is a vibrant college town located near Shenandoah National Park. Skiing is a big draw for students and locals who love to hit the slopes at nearby Massanutten Resort.
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 like skiing at Discovery Ski Area.
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, it combines small-town living with world-class skiing at Brian Head Resort.
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 the city's sole ski resort, offering 25 miles of slopes and 35 trails.
12. Maggie Valley, NC - Median list price: $484,950
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 offers both beginner and intermediate runs.
