There are skiers, and then there are ski travelers. Ski travelers are those among us who get giddy at the thought of shiny new ski hotels swinging open their doors, complete with amazing amenities like sprawling spas and fitness centers, guest rooms with high-thread-count bedding and fragrant lotions, and whatever else these new lodgings can think up to offer vacationers.

This particular list rounds up new outdoor-minded retreats at or near ski resorts—think sprawling winter wonderlands with snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, sledding, and more. In other words, pack your layers and your sense of adventure.

Montage Big Sky, Big Sky, Mont. A guest room with a view at the Montage Big Sky. Photo: Courtesy of Montage Big Sky

Ski country’s headline hotel opening for the 2021-’22 season is this sprawling luxury resort, the newest in the upscale Montage brand. If it’s anything like its sister property in Deer Valley, skiers can expect no detail left untouched. The Montage Big Sky is scheduled to open in December 2021 with 150 rooms and 39 residences, all with ski-in/ski-out access to Big Sky’s 5,800 skiable acres. In addition to the high-end finishes one would expect from a Montage, guests will also have access to a state-of-the-art, 10,000-square foot spa, a 3,000-square-foot fitness center, six dining options—including the Beartooth Pub & Rec with bowling, darts, and arcade games—and a tubing park complimentary to hotel guests. Just be sure to find time to ski.

On That Topic: When Is Ski-In/Ski-Out Lodging Worth the Money?

Urban Cowboy, Big Indian, N.Y. Copper soaking tubs and rustic decor set the vibe at Urban Cowboy Lodge in the Catskills. Photo: Courtesy of Urban Cowboy Lodge

A chic, fully renovated property set on a 68-acre sprawl in the Catskills, Urban Cowboy hits the mark for skiers looking for exciting new digs with a remote yet luxurious feel. Formerly the Alpine Inn, an 85-year-old family-owned property inside the 36,000-acre Big Indian Wilderness, Urban Cowboy is an entirely reimagined rustic retreat. Located about 30 minutes from Hunter Mountain and 45 from Windham Mountain, Urban Cowboy comprises five buildings with 28 rooms and suites outfitted with throwback potbelly stoves and clawfoot tubs and adorned with thick Pendleton robes and high-end bedding. Public spaces include the bar and restaurant Public House, where the vegetarian-forward menu features dishes such as beer-battered shiitakes and roasted beets with Ewe’s Blue Cheese, made in nearby Old Chatham. While Urban Cowboys offers much to do on-property, including snowshoeing, sledding, and taking a dip in the natural hot spring, don’t underestimate the restorative nature of just enjoying the ambiance and doing a whole lot of nothing.

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