Procuring a property in one of America’s ski towns often comes with a hefty price tag. Renowned resorts like Vail, CO, Park City, UT, or Big Sky, MT, feature expensive homes with prices typically reaching into the millions. However, affordable options exist for those willing to explore lesser-known locations.
Realtor.com has identified 12 ski towns in the U.S. where buying a home is budget-friendly. The data team considered listing prices and slope quality at various ski towns to compile this list.
“Winter sports are truly a national pastime, and all across the country there are opportunities to live near the slopes,” said Realtor.com senior economist Joel Berner. “Skiing is a notoriously expensive hobby, and homes near ski resorts often tend toward the luxury segment of the market.”
Berner explained that affordable living near mountains is possible throughout different U.S. regions. He added that “all 12 of these markets had a median listing price under $500,000, and half of them were even below $250,000.”
He assured potential buyers that choosing less popular areas doesn’t mean compromising on snow quality or amenities. “These towns offer children, beginners, and those hoping to shred on a budget the opportunity to live in a home within minutes of the lifts,” Berner noted.
To compile their findings, Realtor.com examined over 300 towns with ski resorts from On the Snow—a tool tracking snow conditions nationwide. A minimum of 50 active listings was required for inclusion in this list.
Among the featured locales:
1. Malone, NY – Median list price: $137,200
Mary Scharf from Malone Chamber of Commerce highlighted family-friendly activities and inexpensive housing.
2. Harrison, MI – Median list price: $164,500
Known for its low cost of living and proximity to lakes; Snow Snake Mountain offers skiing opportunities.
3. Mansfield, OH – Median list price: $179,900
Ranked high on Realtor.com’s Hottest ZIP Codes due to its quick-moving real estate market.
4. Snowshoe, WV – Median list price: $189,900
Residents enjoy having West Virginia’s largest ski resort nearby.
5. Scranton PA – Median list price: $199 000
Famous for both “The Office” setting and quality skiing at Montage Mountain resort.
6-12 include Wisconsin Dells WI ($221K), Vernon NJ ($264K), Harrisonburg VA ($317K), Anaconda MT ($327K), Brian Head UT ($339K), Albuquerque NM ($365K), Maggie Valley NC ($484K).
Each town offers unique characteristics making them attractive alternatives for potential homeowners seeking proximity to winter sports without breaking their budget.
