California ranks among best states for a luxury winter vacation. Here’s why
Looking for some wintertime fun now that the snow is finally here?
California is one of the best locations in the nation for a luxury winter vacation, according to vacation rental marketplace Wander.
Wander went in search of the top 10 states where travelers can “enjoy winter in an unforgettable way,” based on ski resorts, snowfall, stargazing conditions and more.
“When planning a mountain vacation, the destination matters as much as the experience,” the company said in an Oct. 16 article. “The best trips aren’t just about finding snow — they’re about discovering places where skiing, stargazing, and adventure comes with privacy, exclusivity and ease of access.”
Here’s where California landed on the list:
.jpg "Burden_2301_ab_truckee_woods_86-Edit (1).jpg")
What is the No. 1 state for luxury winter vacations?
Colorado claimed the No. 1 spot on Wander’s list of top-rated winter getaways in the United States, the company said, thanks to the “calibre of the region’s winter infrastructure that allows for ultra-luxurious experiences.”
The state has 41 ski resorts — eight of which are rated four stars or higher on Forbes Travel Guide — along with 25 cross-country ski areas and nearly 500 snowshoeing trails, Wander said.
Colorado gets 67.3 inches of snowfall on average, according to the company.
“Colorado is the undisputed heart of American winter adventure,” Wander said.
What makes California one of the best winter destinations?
Wander called California the second-best spot in the nation for a luxurious cold-weather getaway, noting that the Golden State’s “snow-making infrastructure means you’ll always get the right conditions for your winter adventure.”
“For discerning travelers, it’s a lifestyle where mornings start on the slopes and afternoons end at a private Napa tasting room or a spa retreat in Big Sur,” Wander said.
According to Wander, California boasts 33 ski resorts ranging from “Lake Tahoe’s pristine runs to the celebrity-studded trails of Mammoth (Lakes), blending West Coast glamour with high-altitude indulgence.”
Three of those ski resorts enjoy four-star ratings or better, according to the company.
Wander added that California has 227 private aviation operators — the highest of any state in its Winder Adventure Index — making “arrival seamless whether you’re flying into Truckee for Tahoe or Burbank for Mammoth.”
Wander isn’t the only company to showcase California’s potential as a winter playground.
California came in second place on Hut to Hut Hiking Dolomites’ 2025 list of the best U.S. states for winter hiking — offering “mild temperatures, vast trail networks and strong trail review scores from hikers nationwide,” The Sacramento Bee previously reported.
Meanwhile, vacation rental marketplace Florida Rentals named California the best state in the nation for an adventure vacation in 2025, The Bee reported, based on its beaches, balmy climates and other factors.
What are the top 10 US states for luxurious winter getaways?
According to Wander, the best states of luxury winter vacations offer special perks such as starlit yoga sessions, champagne toasts and ski chalets reached by private jet.
“These destinations aren’t just for anyone who wants to ski — they’re for those who want winter tailored to them, with experiences steeped in privacy and indulgence,” the company said.
According to Wander, these were the top 10 destinations for exclusive cold-weather adventures in the United States:
- 1. Colorado
- 2. California
- 3. Utah
- 4. Vermont
- 5. Maine
- 6. Michigan
- 7. Idaho
- 8. Wyoming
- 9. New York
- 10. Montana
How did Wander rank destinations for cold-weather travel?
To determine the best U.S. states for luxury winter getaways, Wander said it measured each state “against the factors that define indulgent winter travel.”
They were:
- Number and quality of ski resorts
- Cross-country ski areas and snowshoeing trails
- Certified Dark Sky Places
- Average snowfall
- Private aviation access
- Average weekday adult ski pass cost
Wander gave each state a normalized score out of 10 and removed any states that don’t have ski resorts.
