Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
The ski season in the Northern Hemisphere is about to begin in earnest.
Pandemic-related travel restrictions are largely in the rearview mirror around the world, and resorts are already gearing up for crowds. Ski resorts boomed amid the surge in domestic travel demand over the last few years, and they are expected to remain a hot commodity this winter.
Half the fun of a ski trip is staying at a top-notch ski resort — a place to relax after a day on the mountains, have an apres-ski cocktail next to a fire pit and soak in a heated pool or an even-hotter whirlpool. They are places to wind down with snow falling around you and mountains full of majestic evergreens in clear view.
Even better, many resorts in the country’s (and world’s) top ski destinations are points hotels, meaning 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 those end-of-the-day drinks. So, with winter on the way, let’s take a look at some of our favorite ski resorts that you can book with points — both within the U.S. and farther afield.
U.S. resorts
California
Just minutes from North Lake Tahoe, California, the Resort at Squaw Creek offers direct lift access to Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley) — where the 1960 Winter Olympics were held.
This 405-room resort has a beautiful location at the base of Palisades Tahoe with views of the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains and ski-in, ski-out access. Guests can also enjoy heated pools (kids will love the 150-foot waterslide if you happen to visit during warmer months), hot tubs, a full gym and a spa. There’s also a complimentary ski valet for storing ski gear.
The Resort at Squaw Creek is part of Hyatt’s Destination Hotels brand, meaning you can use World of Hyatt points for your stay. As a Category 6 property, you can book stays for 25,000 points per night, pending availability. Remember that World of Hyatt points transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards at a 1:1 ratio, making it incredibly easy to use points earned from cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card at Hyatt properties.
Elegantly nestled mid-mountain in northern California‘s Northstar 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 and, of course, Lake Tahoe. Many of the warmly and elegantly designed guest rooms feature fireplaces and Juliet balconies from which you can take in the gorgeous scenery. After a long day at the slopes, treat yourself to a massage at the spa or enjoy a cocktail at any one of the resort’s multiple bars and restaurants.
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Marriott did away with award categories earlier in 2022, but the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe is formerly a Category 8 property (the top of this former list) in Marriott’s Bonvoy award chart. These days, the wavering points redemption means a free night will cost you between 80,000 and 120,000 points per night (a hefty boost from the 70,000 to 100,000-point span in our last update).
Conveniently located adjacent to Heavenly Mountain Resort’s gondola, Marriott Vacation Club’s Timber Lodge is the perfect base for those who want to spend more time skiing and less time traveling to the mountain — and with its proximity to Lake Tahoe, a night on the town is never far away.
The hotel itself features both standard rooms and one, two- and three-bedroom villas complete with a fireplace, jetted tub and full kitchen. After a long day on the slopes, enjoy a Mongolian-style meal at the hotel’s Fire and Ice Grill and Bar or hit the outdoor pool and sauna. The Timber Lodge shows limited availability over the winter, with points redemptions ranging from 36,000 points to 63,000 points per night.
If you’re short on Marriott points, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card is offering a welcome bonus of 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.
Additionally, the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card is currently offering a welcome bonus of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $4,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership. (This offer ends Nov. 2.)
Colorado
The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek lies at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain, near the iconic Colorado ski town of Vail. This hotel offers discerning skiers a high-end spot to enjoy after frolicking in 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 a whopping five hot tubs for you to enjoy when you want to wind down after a day of skiing and snowboarding.
This property is a Category 7 hotel in the World of Hyatt award chart, meaning a free standard night will cost you 30,000 points (but can drop as low as 25,000 for off-peak and as high as 35,000 points on peak nights).
About a 20-minute drive from the town of Aspen sits the Viewline Resort Snowmass, Autograph Collection, a ski-in, ski-out resort with a prime spot right on Snowmass Mountain. Last year, the hotel (which was formerly the Westin Snowmass) underwent a $40 million renovation. Now, it’s a four-star resort with plenty of amenities including a ski concierge, a heated pool, a kids’ club, a spa, a fitness center and on-site dining options.
Marriott Bonvoy points redemptions for a night at Viewline range from 41,000 points per night to 63,000 points.
For a classically high-end ski stay, look no further than St. Regis Aspen, arguably the finest address in one of the most exclusive ski towns anywhere on Earth.
Situated at the base of Aspen Mountain, the St. Regis provides guests not only with a great location for skiing but also for taking advantage of Aspen’s high-end shopping, fantastic restaurants and lively nightlife. Back in your room, you’ll sink into the luxurious Frette linens and pamper yourself in the large, marble-clad bathrooms. After skiing, go for a dip in the heated outdoor pool with breathtaking views of the mountain and enjoy an apres-ski cocktail from the hotel bar.
This St. Regis is another former Category 8 property in Marriott’s since-expired Bonvoy award chart, but points redemptions for a free night now range from 68,000 points per night (on a highly limited basis) all the way up to 120,000 points per night.
Still a relatively new property, the W Aspen leans into the more lively 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 located in close proximity to all the town of Aspen has to offer.
The W Aspen’s points redemption now ranges from 64,000 points to 106,000 points per night.
Utah
Just about 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 complex with heated pools and a couple of hot tubs, 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.
This St. Regis points redemption starts (selectively) at 68,000 points per night and goes more frequently as high as 120,000 per night in the peak season.
Equidistant to Deer Valley Ski Resort and downtown Park City, the Waldorf Astoria Park City is perfect for anyone who wants to see and do it all in Park City.
The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle to both areas, and for those who plan to ski, there’s a ski valet; a gondola that takes you to the base of Canyons Mountain is 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 a full spa with 15 treatment rooms.
Hilton doesn’t maintain an award chart, but rooms can be had for as few as 95,000 Honors points per night during the low season and as high as a staggering 1.367 million points per night in the peak travel season. If your Honors account needs a boost, consider signing up for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, which is currently offering a welcome bonus of 150,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership.
Vermont
At the base of Mount Mansfield (Vermont’s tallest peak), in the popular ski town of Stowe, sits the Lodge at Spruce Peak — a luxurious ski-in, ski-out resort convenient for East Coasters looking for a ski getaway. In addition to some of the East Coast’s best skiing opoortunities, you’ll have access to a full spa, a heated outdoor pool and multiple on-site restaurants and bars. There’s also convenient access to great shops and Spruce Peak Village, where you can partake in activities like ice skating, ziplining and gondola rides.
The Lodge is part of Hyatt’s Destination Hotels brand. It’s a Category 7 property in the World of Hyatt award chart. A standard free night will cost you 30,000 points.
Wyoming
Located just minutes from the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the Cloudveil is ready for its second 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 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.
Cloudveil points redemption ranges from 67,000 points to as high as 106,000 points in the peak winter travel season.
Canadian resorts
British Columbia
Located right in the middle of Whistler Village, the Hilton Whistler is a great option for anyone looking to enjoy some of Canada’s finest skiing. The hotel is near the gondolas of both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, all but ensuring you won’t be bored at this hotel. The property, which features recently refreshed guest rooms, 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 rooms may cost as few as 45,000 Honors points per night during the low season; this makes the resort an excellent option for those who want to stretch their Hilton points to the maximum. Keep in mind: This can also get pretty extravagant (some might even say absurdly expensive) when it comes to the peak season. Nights go for as many as 721,000 points in December; on average, though, rates stay in the 80,000-point range for much of the peak season (save for a few nights here and there north of 200,000 points).
Related: Club Med will open its only ski resort in North America this winter — and it’s all-inclusive
Quebec
At the base of Quebec’s Mont-Tremblant is the Le Westin Resort and Spa, Tremblant, Quebec, a 122-room property offering proximity to both the slopes and all the attractions of the charming village of Mont-Tremblant. Many rooms at this property 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.
This hotel offers points redemption nights between 45,000 points in the fall and 74,000 points in the peak winter travel season.
European and Asian resorts
Switzerland
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 light woods and rich, bold colors. Take advantage of the ski-in, ski-out access to “Les 4 Vallées” for some of the best skiing you’ll ever experience.
The W Verbier offers points redemption nights beginning at 68,000 points per night; rates can increase to 120,000 points per night in the peak travel season.
Japan
The Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono brings the Park Hyatt brand’s renowned minimalist luxury to the slopes of Hokkaido in Japan. The hotel is set in Niseko United, roughly 70 miles from Sapporo in the Annupuri Mountains. 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.
This property is a Category 8 hotel in the World of Hyatt award chart, meaning a standard free night will cost you 40,000 points. Even if a trip to Japan doesn’t make sense this ski season, travelers who want to plan further into the future should keep this world-class ski destination in mind.
Additional reporting by Josh Laskin and Cameron Sperance.
