17 of our favorite ski-friendly resort hotels you can book using reward points

2 weeks ago 6

Ski season in the Northern Hemisphere is right around the corner — in fact, for some locales, it's already here. Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado are already welcoming skiers, as is Mt. Rose, the first of the legendary slopes at Lake Tahoe to open. Other storied slopes are slated to open throughout November; Park City in Utah and Bretton Woods in New Hampshire have announced a tentative opening date of Nov. 22.

Booking a hotel on or near the slopes can make your ski trip far more convenient, but lodging prices don't come cheap during peak ski season. Thankfully, there are plenty of points hotels to suit every travel style and budget. At these properties, you can skip laying down cold, hard cash for your stay and spend that money where it really counts — on gear rentals, ski passes or apres-ski cocktails to help you relax after a long day on the slopes.

Here are some of our favorite ski resorts that you can book with points, both within the U.S. and farther afield.

US ski resorts you can book with points

Everline Resort & Spa

Cost in cash: From $300 per night

Cost in points: Between 35,000 and 45,000 World of Hyatt points per night

This 405-room resort sits at the base of California's Palisades Tahoe (where the 1960 Squaw Valley Winter Olympics were held). It offers views of the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains and ski-in and ski-out access. Guests can also enjoy heated pools, hot tubs, a full gym, a spa and a complimentary ski valet for storing ski gear. If you happen to visit during the warmer months, kids and kids-at-heart will love the 150-foot waterslide.

As a Category 8 property, Everline Resort & Spa is at the upper end of World of Hyatt's award chart — but it will still only cost you 45,000 points per night on the most desirable dates in ski season.

Daily Newsletter

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe

Cost in cash: From $549 per night

Cost in points: From 78,400 Marriott Bonvoy points per night

Elegantly nestled midmountain in Northern California's Northstar California Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe is a luxurious home base that provides ski-in, ski-out access and proximity to the charming Northstar Village, the town of Truckee, California, and, of course, Lake Tahoe. Many of the warmly designed guest rooms feature fireplaces and Juliet balconies from which you can take in the gorgeous scenery. After a long day on the slopes, treat yourself to a massage at the spa or enjoy a cocktail at one of the resort's multiple bars and restaurants.

Marriott Bonvoy eliminated award categories and introduced dynamic pricing in 2022, meaning the cost of points depends on factors like dates, demand and cash rates. During ski season, the cost of points can be near the higher end.

Holiday Inn Club Vacations Tahoe Ridge Resort

Cost in cash: From $162 per night

Cost in points: From 35,000 IHG One Rewards points per night

The villas at Holiday Inn Club Vacations Tahoe Ridge Resort are a perfect getaway for the whole family, with amenities like laundry machines and kitchens or kitchenettes.

To make your ski trip more convenient, the resort offers a ski shop and a ski-in, ski-out gondola that will take you straight to Heavenly Mountain. It also has a communal game room and a whopping 15 hot tubs for maximum post-ski relaxation.

Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa

Cost in cash: From $529 per night

Cost in points: Between 35,000 and 45,000 World of Hyatt points per night

The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa lies at the base of Beaver Creek Resort near the iconic ski town of Vail, Colorado. This Category 8 hotel offers discerning skiers luxury accommodations from which to enjoy all the natural splendor that this part of Colorado offers.

In addition to all the trappings of a high-end ski resort — including true ski-in, ski-out access and two bars and restaurants — the property offers an Exhale spa, a heated outdoor pool and five hot tubs to help you wind down after a day of skiing and snowboarding.

W Aspen

Cost in cash: From $554 per night

Cost in points: From 60,800 Marriott Bonvoy points per night

If you thought you couldn't visit Aspen, Colorado, on a budget, this points hotel might change your mind. Award nights this ski season start at only 60,800 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, though they can reach up to 116,500 points per night on peak dates.

Still a relatively new property, the W Aspen leans into the livelier side of this ski town with its funky decor and trendy rooftop bar. Rooms are modern and loud, with some featuring up to four queen-size bunk beds in a single room. However, this hotel still takes its role as a ski resort seriously. It provides slope-side access to Aspen Mountain and is conveniently located near all the town of Aspen has to offer.

Hotel Alpenrock Breckenridge

Cost in cash: From $260 per night

Cost in points: From 70,000 Hilton Honors points per night

The newly rebranded Hotel Alpenrock Breckenridge, Curio Collection by Hilton (formerly DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Breckenridge) is reopening this month; rooms are currently bookable from Nov. 22 onward. Staying here will put you a five-minute walk from the ski lifts and a half-mile shuttle ride from the restaurants, boutiques and nightlife of downtown Breckenridge, Colorado. The hotel's amenities are pretty bare-bones (there's no pool or hot tub), but the restaurant, grab-and-go snack bar and ski shop will ensure your group has everything they need.

Although prices this winter can climb to around $1,000 per night, award rates stay steady at 70,000 Hilton Honors points per night. However, the hotel is slated to reopen as a member of Hilton's Curio Collection later in November, so prices (and amenities) may change.

The St. Regis Deer Valley

Cost in cash: From $637 per night

Cost in points: From 75,200 Marriott Bonvoy points per night

Just 45 minutes away from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), The St. Regis Deer Valley is a high-end ski-in, ski-out resort in one of America's best-known ski destinations. Treat yourself to gorgeous mountain views, and take advantage of the hotel's multilevel pool and hot tub complex that's located right next to the ski run that takes you into the hotel. For serious skiers, there's an on-site ski valet and an adjacent rental shop. Don't skip a treatment at the 14,000-square-foot spa, either.

Redemptions here start at 75,200 Marriott Bonvoy points per night this ski season and can go as high as 138,000 points per night. That's not a bad price considering cash rates can approach $4,000 per night on peak dates.

Waldorf Astoria Park City

Cost in cash: From $397 per night

Cost in points: From 110,000 Hilton Honors points per night

Equidistant to Deer Valley Ski Resort and downtown Park City, Utah, the Waldorf Astoria Park City is perfect for anyone who wants to do more than ski.

The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle to both areas, as well as a ski valet and a gondola that takes you to the base of Canyons Village just across the street. Each guest room has a gas fireplace for warming up after a day in the snow, and you can enjoy the heated outdoor pool, multiple hot tubs and full spa with 15 treatment rooms.

Standard room rewards cost 110,000 Hilton Honors points per night this ski season, making this a great place to maximize your free night certificate.

The Lodge at Spruce Peak

Cost in cash: From $282 per night

Cost in points: Between 35,000 and 45,000 World of Hyatt points per night

At the base of Mt. Mansfield (Vermont's tallest peak) in the popular ski town of Stowe, Vermont, sits the luxurious ski-in, ski-out Lodge at Spruce Peak.

In addition to some of the East Coast's best skiing opportunities, the property offers access to a full spa, a heated outdoor pool and multiple on-site restaurants and bars. It's also conveniently located near Spruce Peak Village, where you can try activities like ice skating, zip lining and gondola rides.

Killington Mountain Lodge

Cost in cash: From $153 per night

Cost in points: From 45,000 Hilton Honors points per night

Killington Mountain Lodge, Tapestry Collection by Hilton isn't located right on the ski hill — though it's only 2 miles away from Killington Ski Resort — and its prices reflect that. Even on peak ski dates, standard rooms cost under $600 or 60,000 Hilton Honors points per night. The rooms and amenities are fairly basic, but cozy touches like a communal fireplace and a 20-person hot tub will help you relax after a day on the slopes.

With easy access to the Killington Golf Course and various trails for hiking and biking, this lodge could make an ideal weekend getaway in the warmer months, too.

The Cloudveil

Cost in cash: From $330 per night

Cost in points: From 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night

Located just minutes from Wyoming's Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, The Cloudveil, Autograph Collection opened in 2021 and is ready for its fourth ski season this year. The 96-room hotel, which is the first of its kind in Jackson Hole's historic town center, is intended to seamlessly blend in with its surroundings. The lobby decor consists of birch, hand-stitched leather, granite and pictures of mountain landscapes.

After a day of skiing some of the best terrain in North America, guests can relax and enjoy cocktails at The Bistro or lounge around the outdoor pool, garden and rooftop terrace.

Canadian ski resorts you can book with points

Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa

Cost in cash: From $168 per night

Cost in points: From 55,000 Hilton Honors points per night

If you're hoping to enjoy some of Canada's finest skiing, the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa is a great option. It's located right in the middle of Whistler Village near the gondolas for Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, ensuring you won't be bored on your ski trip. The property offers everything you'd expect from a full-service ski resort, including free storage for your ski and snowboarding gear, a spa and a heated outdoor pool and hot tub.

Hilton doesn't maintain an award chart, but award stays are available this winter for as few as 55,000 Honors Honors points per night, making this an excellent option for those who want to stretch their points to the maximum. More popular ski dates cost 80,000 points for standard room rewards.

Le Westin Tremblant

Cost in cash: From $273 per night

Cost in points: From 52,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night

At the base of Quebec's Mont-Tremblant sits Le Westin Tremblant, a 122-room property offering proximity to both the slopes and the charming village of Mont-Tremblant. Many rooms offer fireplaces and even kitchenettes, which can help keep costs down once you've arrived. There's also a heated outdoor saltwater pool, a hot tub for post-ski dips and a spa for the ultimate relaxation.

You can get access to all of these perks at a reasonable price — rates top out at around $500 or 88,000 Marriott Bonvoy points on most dates this ski season.

Holiday Inn Express Golden-Kicking Horse

Cost in cash: From $84 per night

Cost in points: From 16,000 IHG One Rewards points per night

Just minutes away from Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (home to one of North America's highest vertical drops), the Holiday Inn Express Golden-Kicking Horse is a great option for budget-conscious travelers. Rooms are simple, but you'll still have access to a heated pool, a hot tub and plenty of mountain views.

You can also enjoy free breakfast before you head to the slopes, and many rooms have kitchenettes to help you save even more on dining.

European and Asian ski resorts you can book with points

W Verbier

Cost in cash: From $702 per night

Cost in points: From 88,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night

Situated high (almost 5,100 feet up) in the Swiss Alps, the W Verbier offers a very W take on Alpine luxury. The bright, airy rooms are cutting-edge, but you won't forget you're in the Alps thanks to touches like thick throw blankets and fireplaces, plus the magnificent views.

With six on-site restaurants and bars, this resort is a destination unto itself. The modern chalet vibes continue in the hotel's public spaces, which feature natural woods and rich, bold colors. Take advantage of the ski-in, ski-out access to Les 4 Vallees for some of the best skiing you'll ever experience.

Six Senses Residences Courchevel

Cost in cash: From $1,650 per night

Cost in points: From 334,000 IHG One Rewards points per night

With 28 apartments featuring up to five bedrooms each, the ultraluxe Six Senses Residences Courchevel is a prime spot for families hoping to ski the French Alps in style.

Stays here don't come cheap, and a minimum stay may apply during peak ski season dates — but you're guaranteed easy access to Courchevel 1850 (France's most exclusive ski resort), best-in-class dining, top-notch spa treatments and panoramic views from every apartment.

Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono

Cost in cash: From $603 per night

Cost in points: Between 35,000 and 45,000 World of Hyatt points per night

The Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono brings the brand's renowned minimalist luxury to the slopes of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. The hotel is set in Niseko United, roughly 70 miles from Sapporo, in the Annupuri ski area. In addition to ski-in, ski-out access, the property has 11 on-site restaurants, a health club, a swimming pool, an onsen (hot spring) and ski rental opportunities.

Even if a trip to Japan doesn't make sense this ski season, it's worth keeping this world-class ski destination in mind.

Best credit cards to book ski hotels

If you end up paying cash for some or all of your lodging or for hotel add-ons like dining and spa treatments, check out our list of the best credit cards for hotel purchases.

If you find yourself still gathering hotel points to redeem for your ski vacation, here are some great cards to consider:

And don't forget about cards that earn transferable points, which you can transfer to hotel partners (most at a 1:1 ratio). This is an easy way to boost your hotel points balance. Our favorites include:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, and IHG One Rewards.
The Platinum Card® from American Express and American Express® Gold Card: American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy and Choice Privileges.
Bilt Mastercard® (see rates and fees): Bilt Points transfer to World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and IHG One Rewards.

TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor.

Bottom line

It's no secret that ski trips aren't cheap. But you can slash your costs this season by booking your lodging with points, and there are plenty of points hotels to choose from around the globe.

For rates and fees of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.

For rewards and benefits of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Read Entire Article