Tucking into a cozy cabin with a pile of books, hot cocoa on the stove and no responsibilities other than tossing an extra log onto the fire feels like a perfect ending to the holiday season flurry. Put your feet up and join us for a bit of armchair travel, as we peek into seven cozy cabins, all of which offer ideas for maximizing space and making a home feel warm and inviting. Which one would you like to escape to most?
Lost Trail Lodge – Truckee, CA
Looking for an American frontier experience? Play pioneer at this backcountry escape in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. The lodge’s four cabins come equipped with antique cast-iron cookware, gas stoves, private Jacuzzis, stone hearths, and shelves stocked with books, board games and wilderness guides. But while it’s easy living day-to-day, getting to this rustic outpost is far from cushy. We’re talking about a four-mile hike, XC ski, or snowshoe journey through the woods. (They don’t call it Lost Trail Lodge for nothin.’)
Dunton Hot Springs – Dolores, CO
Set in a meticulously restored 1800s ghost town, Dunton Hot Springs is the place to live out your Butch Cassidy fantasies. Here, you can saddle up on rugged horses for high mountain rides, schuss through fresh snow, and throw back whisky shots in an old-fashioned saloon. When you’ve gotten your fill of fresh mountain air, settle in to the handsome cabins which come outfitted with period antiques, heated slate floors, and buffalo skin rugs. But the real draw at this glam Wild West retreat? The six on-site hot springs, which range in temperature from 85°F to 106°F.
Montana Treehouse Retreat – Columbia Falls, MT
Talk about breathtaking! This cabin-styled treehouse, called the Meadowlark Treehouse, is located just outside of Whitefish, Montana. While everything you could possibly want is provided for you at the cabin, you’ll also be right by Glacier National Park and can go skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort.
Jackson Hole is chock-full of luxe lodgings, but Rustic Inn stands out as being the ultimate winter retreat. Rise early to beat the crowds at Grand Teton or Yellowstone national parks, or stay closer to home and explore the hotel’s expansive grounds—dotted with communal firepits, teepees and creekside swinging benches. Back inside, unwind with a Hot Toddy in your cozy digs (think: log furnishings, cowboy prints, antler art, crackling fireplaces) or soak your tired muscles in the outdoor heated pool, Jacuzzi or sauna.
Lone Mountain Ranch – Big Sky, MT
A clear mountain stream runs through the middle of this luxury winter retreat, which is located just 20 miles from Yellowstone National Park. Popular among ranchers, horse riders and other outdoor enthusiasts, the property’s 13 cozy cabins have all the creature comforts necessary to offset the winter chill: patchwork quilt-topped featherbeds, wood burning stoves, rocking chairs, and deep soak tubs. Post-sledding, tuck into Chef Nick Steen’s haute-ranch cuisine (think: bison short rib with truffle potatoes and pork-belly risotto), or opt for a special prime rib dinner on a horse-drawn sleigh (with musical accompaniment from a cowboy musician, no less.)
The Pioneer Guest Cabins – Crested Butte, CO
Looking for a winter getaway the entire family will enjoy? The Pioneer Guest Cabins in the cozy ski town of Crested Butte is the perfect option! You can go skiing, snowshoeing, and even enjoy a day of sledding with the kids. Or, spend the day inside playing board games and sitting by the fire.
Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch – Stanley, ID
Poor Idaho. It’s one of the least visited states and yet has so much to offer for lovers of the outdoors. Hiking, fishing, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, all while being surrounded by the snow-capped Rockies. It’s a no-brainer to head to Idaho for your next winter retreat. For the perfect combination of daytime activities and nighttime coziness, check out Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch. Their historic log cabins give you a feel of the Old West with modern amenities. The beds are positioned in front of large stone fireplaces for ultimate warmth and comfort.
