10 U.S. Ski Hotels With Modern Decor

If you’re a skier whose design aesthetic favors clean lines and minimalist furniture, finding the right place to stay can be a challenge. Fortunately, a handful of American ski hotels have swapped the vintage skis and plaid for a more modern, streamlined appearance—replacing deer heads with ceramic antlers and trading in dark wood for a lighter, airy look. Without skimping on top-notch services and great access to the slopes, these 10 modern ski hotels are built with natural materials, such as slate, stone, and wood, to give skiers a simple, yet refined, haven from the slopes. But just in case you’re feeling nostalgic, you can still spot a few hints of plaid tucked away in these decidedly modern properties.— Christina Valhouli

WHERE: Park City, Utah

This Park City hotel is decidedly old-school cool. The Washington School House Hotel is housed in a historic 19th-century schoolhouse. It has only 12 rooms, which feature period details such as reclaimed-oak-barn-wood floors and antique furniture. But the décor is luxe modern, thanks to a backdrop of whitewashed walls, bold lighting, and contemporary art. Added bonus: guests can walk to a ski lift.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Park City and the Southern Wasatch Travel Guide

WHERE: Avon, Colorado

The design at this Vail Valley, Colorado, hotel is playful, thanks to cowhide-covered chairs, velvet sofas, and streamlined bathtubs, offset by traditional ski lodge elements such as stone fireplaces. The dining options at the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch are just as sleek. The in-house Spago, by Wolfgang Puck, serves classic American cuisine with Asian touches, using locally sourced food, such as baby kale salad and Colorado lamb chops served with cilantro-mint vinaigrette

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Vail Valley Travel Guide

WHERE: Park City, Utah

This Park City hotel offers one of the most luxurious experiences on and off the slopes. Guests of the St. Regis Deer Valley can relax apres-ski on a “beach,” or enjoy a meal at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s J&G Grill, which features quartz clad walls and a double-side wood burning fireplace. Top off a day on the slopes by sipping tea or hot chocolate in the wood-paneled library, or relax at the 14,000-square-foot spa.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Park City and the Southern Wasatch Travel Guide

WHERE: Stowe, Vermont

This Vermont resort recently underwent a $15 million renovation, which makes Topnotch Resort the most luxurious place to stay in Stowe. The public areas of Topnotch have streamlined furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Mt. Mansfield, while guest rooms have rustic touches such as painted beadboard walls. You can also take your pick from an indoor or outdoor heated pool.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Northern Vermont Travel Guide

WHERE: Aspen, Colorado

This boutique hotel has long been an Aspen favorite thanks to its stylish décor and luxe touches, such as a ski concierge, gourmet pet treats, and a complimentary Audi test drive. Added bonus: The Little Nell is the only ski-in, ski-out hotel with access to Aspen Mountain. The hotel just upped its style cred with a recent redesign of its six signature suites by interior designer Holly Hunt. The look is modern rustic, and the rooms were done in a neutral color palette of whites, grays, and blues.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley Travel Guide

WHERE: Jackson, Wyoming

Located in the Tetons near Jackson Hole, this cliff-top hotel offers mountain views as well as an Asian-inspired design. The Amangani is crafted from natural material such as wood and stone, and the design is meant to showcase the mountain landscape. The suites have clean lines and a subdued palette. Skiers can ease sore muscles in the spa, which offers massages as well as mud, salt, and seaweed body treatments.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Jackson Hole and Northwest Wyoming Vacation Travel Guide

WHERE: Lake Placid, New York

Recently renovated and sporting a 60s-inspired mod look, Lake House guests can enjoy stunning views of Mirror Lake by the lobby fireplace. The renovation left the former motor inn turned hotel with 44 guest rooms with an updated take on an Adirondack lodge.  Guestrooms have bright pops of color, wooden headboards, and lake views.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s The Adirondacks and Thousand Islands Travel Guide

Where: Aspen, Colorado

The 93-room Hotel Jerome recently underwent a complete redesign, and the new look is an elegant mash-up of pioneer spirit and luxury, and resembles a Ralph Lauren showroom. The public spaces have slim leather sofas, Native American textiles, and contemporary art. Guests can enjoy the in-house restaurant, Prospect, which features an organic, seasonal menu featuring dishes such as roasted beets with persimmon, as well as a pot roast of veal cheeks.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley Travel Guide

WHERE: Vail, Colorado

Opened in 2011, the Sebastian offers a modern spin on the traditional ski resort. The hotel has only 100 rooms, which are decorated in muted tones, and the atrium features hand-crafted woodwork offset by velvet upholstered furniture and a twig chandelier. The Sebastian has an impressive art collection to add to the simple design, featuring Mexican abstract artist Manuel Felguerez and artist and set designer Gunther Gerzso.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Vail Valley Travel Guide

WHERE: Snowmass Village, Colorado

As an LEED Gold-certified resort, Viceroy Snowmass has thoroughly modern and environmentally friendly décor. Interior designer Jean-Michel Gathy used plenty of natural materials and clean lines to put together the luxury mountain resort. The guest rooms are equally minimalist in design, but still feature top-notch amenities like deep-soaking tubs to help ease the day’s aches and pains from the slopes. Or try a massage at the 7,000-square-foot spa, which has sleek wooden lounge chairs clustered around a circular water-feature.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley Travel Guide