10 Rustic Lodges Even Nonskiers Will Love

Tamarack Lodge, Mammoth Lakes, California

This 1924 lodge just outside of Northern California's Mammoth Mountain ski area is a delightful mix of modern and rustic design. On the shores of the Twin Lakes in the Eastern Sierra, Tamarack Lodge draws skiers to its on-site cross-country ski center and the 19-plus miles of groomed trails that surround it. Stay in one of the lodge's historical cabins, constructed with timber and stone in California craftsman style. Wood-burning stoves, antique beds, and patchwork quilts create a cozy ambiance. The lodge's new LEED-certified cabins have high-beam ceilings and a carved wood bar.

What to Do: Dine on-site at the Lakefront Restaurant, or hop the free six-minute shuttle to Mammoth ski area's base for restaurants, nightlife, snowshoeing, and the tube park. Ride the lift up and eat lunch at the Eleven53 Cafe, which has an interesting interpretive center on the geologic, volcanic, and natural history of the region. Mountain snowcat tours run daily and can transport you to Parallax Restaurant at McCoy Station.

Garnet Hill Lodge, North River, New York

Reminiscent of the grandiose Adirondacks Great Camp summer homes built by wealthy families in the early 1900s, the historic Garnet Hill Lodge beautifully combines American Craftsman style with Swiss chalet design. Three fireplaces blaze on winter evenings, the rustic log furniture is handmade by local craftsmen, and the on-site restaurant's menu consists of only from-scratch recipes. Book a balcony room in this Nordic ski lodge and take in the view of the Adirondack Mountains and the lake below. The skiers in your group can access 31 miles of surrounding trails, and downhill skiing at Gore Mountain is 10 miles away.

What to Do: Snowshoes are free to borrow, and there are a dozen short snowshoe hikes right from the lodge door. The nearby Hooper Mine trail leads to an old open-pit garnet mine. Watch artists cut garnets and make jewelry nearby at the Garnet Studio. Or stay cozy inside playing ping-pong, pool, or foosball in the log-house family room.

Selkirk Lodge at Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Sandpoint, Idaho

An uncrowded hidden gem that rises above Lake Pend Oreille, Schweitzer Mountain Resort in northern Idaho has yet to be discovered by the masses that descend on Sun Valley ski resort, 500 miles to the south. SKI Magazine recently voted the ski area "America's Best-Kept Secret in North America." It's the kind of place where lift operators and village shopkeepers remember the names of regular guests. It has an old-school appeal without feeling dated. At the ski-in/ski-out Selkirk Lodge, patchwork-style quilts cover the beds and rustic European charm reigns. Here, guests feel comfortable coming downstairs in their pajamas to eat the buffet breakfast or sip a latte by the lobby fireplace.

What to Do: Book a Solstice Spa treatment, a snowshoeing tour, or a snowmobiling tour. Other outdoor adventures include snow tubing at the mountain's tubing park, zip-lining, and fat-tire snow biking. Schweitzer's activity center organizes village campfires, treasure hunts, crafts, and free daily movies at the Selkirk Lodge's theater.

Ski Tip Lodge at Keystone Resort, Keystone, Colorado

At the top of the Continental Divide, Colorado's Summit County is home to some of the biggest names in U.S. ski resorts: Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, and Arapahoe Basin. But Ski Tip Lodge at Keystone Resort predates even some of these. Ski Tip, originally an 1800s stagecoach stop, was converted into a 10-room B&B ski lodge in 1946, the same year its owners, who would go on to open Keystone Resort in 1970, opened Arapahoe Basin. You'll see traces of the history in this charming property that still doesn't have TVs in its guest rooms. Part Swiss chalet and part Colorado log cabin, Ski Tip has two fireplaces, where guests gather for cocktails and free afternoon tea.

What to Do: Keystone Resort's sleigh rides, outdoor ice-skating, tubing, cross-country skiing, and snowcat tours are a free and quick shuttle ride away. Head to Lakeside Village for a treatment at Keystone Spa. Dine on-site, or take gondolas to the top of the mountain for a drink at the Summit House or a romantic dinner at Alpenglow Stube.

Timberline Lodge, Timberline Lodge, Oregon

In Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory, this National Historic Landmark is the only true ski-in/ski-out slope-side lodging in the state. You'll see interpretive panels, historical artwork and displays, and a video presentation that tells the story of the WPA-era Timberline Lodge, a 1930s public works project that is still being used for its original intent as a ski lodge. Marvel at the lodge's preservation, from the lobby's original 90-foot stone chimney with three fireplaces to the carved animal staircase posts that were made from old telephone poles (which cost $2.10 each at the time it was made!).

What to Do: Check out the architectural details, period furnishings, and displays. There is so much history and art here that the lodge has its own full-time curator and the U.S. Forest Service guides tours in summer. In winter, explore the snowshoe trail then return to the lodge for dinner in the dining room, a float in the outdoor heated pool, or a warm-up in the sauna.

Skoki Lodge, Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

About seven miles from the backside of Banff National Park's Lake Louise ski area, the secluded Skoki Lodge is a backcountry haven for hardcore adventurers. Expect a major trek to get there (unless you're Will and Kate, who flew in), but it's worth it. After checking in at the base of the Lake Louise ski area, you'll take a gondola up and a chairlift partway down to Temple Lodge then snowshoe or cross-country ski three to five hours along an alpine trail to the lodge. A National Historic Site, this log-cabin lodge is beautifully weathered and offers a wood-burning fireplace, glowing gaslights and candles, and the aroma of your well-deserved gourmet meal wafting from the kitchen.

What to Do: There's no electricity, no phone service, and no Wi-Fi, so you truly get to experience remoteness. The lodge's rustic accommodations draw like-minded people who don't mind outhouses and love to sit around the fireplace and play board games and enjoy lavish family-style meals. Read about Skoki in Leigh McAdam's Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures.

Edson Hill Manor, Stowe, Vermont

Once the secluded country estate of a Colorado mining prospector, Edson Hill Manor manages to hang onto its rustic charm in spite of its sophisticated new sheen. The renovated lodge, with 25 rooms in its manor and guesthouses, sits on 38 acres of rolling countryside and forest overlooking the Worcester range. Wood paneling and wood-burning fireplaces give each room a distinctively Vermont feel. In the restaurant, you can get your fill of New England classic comforts: venison stew, deconstructed turkey potpie, and apple-cheddar spice cake.

What to Do: Book a room with a freestanding fireside tub and soak in the warmth over a glass of wine and a book. The skiers in your family can go out on the manor's cross-country trails, the connecting Catamount Trails, or, 15 minutes away, to the downhill runs. Peruse the museums and galleries in town. Make a snowman with the carrots, pipes, and buttons from the manor's Snowman Bar. Or play a vintage board game in Edson Hill's main room by the fire.

River Rock Lodge at Big Sky Resort, Big Sky, Montana

Just outside Yellowstone National Park in the Rockies, Big Sky Resort spans four mountains with 5,800 skiable acres and 85 runs. It's massive, yet there are hardly ever lift lines. This place still has the vibe of a small, family-friendly resort without much glitz and pretense. Five miles from the charming village, the 29-room River Rock Lodge at Big Sky captures the rustic mountain-cabin experience with its hewn timbers, stone fireplaces, and classic frontier features. An antler chandelier hangs from the lobby's cathedral ceilings, and guest rooms are cozy, with white duvets and Navajo blankets.

What to Do: It's free to roast s'mores around a communal fire pit and watch avalanche dog demonstrations at the base. Try winter zip-lining, snowshoe tours, high ropes course, dogsledding, ice climbing, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. There's also a spa and wellness center in the village. Take a snowmobile or snow-coach tour of Yellowstone. Kids love Big Sky's bungee trampoline, climbing wall, giant swing, and tube park.

Teewinot Lodge at Grand Targhee Resort, Alta, Wyoming

On the west side of the Teton Range, about 42 miles northwest of the more renowned Jackson Hole, is this little privately owned ski area. Grand Targhee Resort ski area's rustic charm is found in its simplicity and smallness. The ski-in/ski-out Teewinot Lodge at the base of the mountain is a cozy log-cabin-style lodge where you can play games by the lobby's open hearth and relax in handcrafted hardwood furniture. Everything is within walking distance from the lodge. You can easily get to the slopes, shops, and restaurants without much effort, enjoying the Western feel of the village plaza en route.

What to Do: At the resort's nature center, take a guided snowshoe tour to learn about the local wildlife, geology, and history. Plan a date night: an authentic Western meal with a sleigh ride to a private yurt in the forest. Hit the heated outdoor saltwater pool and hot tub after experiencing the tubing park, fat-tire snow biking, snowcat tours, or avalanche dog demos.

Black Bear Lodge at Waterville Valley Resort, Waterville Valley, New Hampshire

This throwback New England ski resort in White Mountain National Forest takes you back to a time when no slope-side condos blocked your view and base-lodge cafeteria burgers were still reasonably priced. Built in 1966, Waterville Valley Resort ski area's day lodge is a classic that hasn't changed much over the years. You'll find the traditional high-peaked ceilings and lots of exposed timber, and you'll see people reading books by stone fireplaces or looking at the mountains while chatting over hot chocolate. The rustic Black Bear Lodge inn, across the road from the Town Square's shops and restaurants, also evokes that alpine feel, with wood everywhere and families hanging out.

What to Do: After enjoying the tubing hill, stop in at the base of the White Peaks lift, where the Waffle Cat serves up fresh waffles from a vintage 1960s snowcat. Go snowshoeing on 46 miles of trails in White Mountain National Forest. Dogsled rides, horse-drawn sleigh rides, an indoor pool and athletic center, and ice-skating are all in within the very walkable town.

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