Add your ski cabin rental to this collection

Ski cabins, chalets and lodges: how to choose the right base for your days on the snow

A ski trip is only partly about the skiing. The rest happens in the place you come back to: where you pull off cold boots, dry your gloves and cook a big dinner. A good ski cabin makes all of that easy. A poorly chosen one means long walks in ski boots and wet gear every morning. The cabins, chalets and lodges on this page are independent places near the slopes, and this guide will help you work out which one fits your group.

Two hemispheres, two winters

One of the best things about skiing today is that somewhere in the world, there is almost always snow. In the Northern Hemisphere the main season runs roughly from December to April, with the exact dates depending on altitude and how much snow falls. This covers the big mountain ranges most people think of first:

• North America, with the Rocky Mountains running through Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana, the mountains of British Columbia and Alberta in Canada, and ski areas in Quebec and New England in the east.
• Japan, famous among skiers for its light, dry powder snow. The northern island of Hokkaido is especially well known for it, and the Japanese Alps around Nagano on the main island also get heavy snowfall.
• The Alps, shared by France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Germany, with traditional wooden chalets in villages that have welcomed skiers for generations.
• Scandinavia, where Norway, Sweden and Finland offer quieter slopes, excellent cross-country trails and cosy cabins, often with a sauna. Late in the season the days get long and bright.

In the Southern Hemisphere the calendar flips, and the ski season runs roughly from June to October. New Zealand has ski areas in the Southern Alps of the South Island, with towns like Queenstown and Wanaka as popular bases. Australia skis in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales and the Victorian Alps. In South America, the Andes of Chile and Argentina offer high-altitude skiing, often with big views and dry snow. For northern skiers, a trip south is a way to get a second winter in the same year.

Ski-in/ski-out or a short shuttle away?

The phrase ski-in/ski-out means you can ski from the door to a lift and ski back home at the end of the day. It is the most convenient setup there is, especially with small children, but owners do not all use the term in the same way. For some, it means a piste right past the front door. For others, it means a short walk or a gentle slope that only works when snow cover is good. Ask exactly how far it is and whether you need to take your skis off.

A cabin a little further away can be just as good if the transport works. Many resorts run free ski buses, and some cabins are within walking distance of a lift or a shuttle stop. A place in the valley is often quieter and more spacious. The trade off is a daily commute, so check bus times, especially the last bus back.

Self-catered or catered chalet?

Most ski cabins are self-catered: you get a kitchen and do your own cooking. This gives you freedom over when and what you eat, and a big pot of soup waiting after a cold day on the slopes is hard to beat. Stock up at a supermarket in the valley on the way in, because shops at the top of a resort are often small and expensive.

A catered chalet includes meals, usually breakfast, afternoon cake and a cooked dinner, prepared by a host or chef. This tradition is especially common in parts of the Alps. It suits groups who want a real holiday from the kitchen and like eating together around one big table. Check which days are included, because many catered chalets have one evening off per week when guests eat out.

The details that matter after a day on the mountain

Photos show the view and the fireplace. What they rarely show are the practical features that make a ski week comfortable:

Gear storage. Look for a boot room, a ski locker or at least a lockable space to keep skis and boards out of the living area. Some resorts also offer ski lockers right at the lift base.

Boot and glove dryers. Putting on warm, dry boots in the morning is a small luxury you will appreciate every single day. Ask whether there are boot dryers or a heated drying room.

Heating and hot water. A wood stove is lovely, but check that there is reliable heating as well, and enough hot water for a group of people who all want a shower at the same time.

Driving to the mountains in winter

Getting there is part of the plan. Mountain roads can be steep, narrow and icy, and conditions can change quickly. In many countries, winter tyres are required or strongly advised in the mountains during the snow season, and some roads require you to carry snow chains. Practise fitting chains at home rather than in a snowstorm on a dark roadside. If you rent a car, ask whether it comes with winter equipment. Also check the last part of the route to the cabin: some are on private tracks that need a four-wheel drive, or where you park below and walk up. Parking can be limited in resort villages, so ask whether a space is included.

Altitude and your first day

Some ski areas, particularly in the Rockies and the Andes, sit at high altitude, and many visitors feel it at first with headaches or poor sleep. Take it easy on day one, drink plenty of water and go easy on alcohol. A cabin in a lower village can help you sleep better.

Lift passes and equipment rental

Lift passes are usually not included in the price of a cabin, and they can be a big part of the cost of a ski trip. Buying online in advance is often cheaper than at the ticket office, and some resorts belong to multi-resort passes that cover several ski areas. Ask your host which pass makes sense for their area. School holiday weeks are the busiest in every ski country, so book both the cabin and your rental equipment early if you are tied to those dates.

Questions to ask before you book

• How far is it to the nearest lift, and can I ski back to the door?
• Is there a ski bus, and when does the last one run?
• Is there a boot room, ski storage and boot dryers?
• Is the cabin self-catered or catered, and which meals are included?
• Is the access road cleared of snow, and do I need chains or four-wheel drive?
• Is parking included, and is it close to the entrance?
• What is the changeover day, and are there minimum stays in peak weeks?
• Are firewood, bed linen, towels and final cleaning included?
• Where is the nearest supermarket, rental shop and ski school?

A mountain cabin in summer

Many ski cabins are just as good outside the winter. Once the snow melts, the same mountains are perfect for hiking, mountain biking and swimming in cool lakes, and some lifts keep running for walkers and bikers. Summer stays are often easier to book, and a great way to get to know an area before you come back to ski.

Finding your cabin on this page

The ski cabins, chalets and lodges on this page are grouped by continent, country and region, so you can browse the mountains you want to ski. Each link goes to the owner's own website, where you can check availability and book directly. Do you own or rent out a ski cabin, chalet or lodge? Add your link to the collection for free with the button above, and help skiers and snowboarders find their base in the mountains.