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Historic Ski Lodges of America

Historic Hotels, Historical Location, Living the American Dream, Winter

Skiing doesn’t have to be your thing to enjoy these historic ski lodges of America. Whether you enjoy the thrill of rushing down a mountain at top speed, quiet back country skiing, or even just enjoy the snowy views while curled up by a roaring fire, this country has all kinds of wintery adventures just waiting for you. And if you like American history (and you probably do since you are here on this site), these historic ski lodges of America are just the ticket for your winter get away!

Now, when you first read these dates, you might not think they are very ‘historical’ because they are more or less all built in the last hundred years. Perfect for families or for getting to know the families that built and run these national treasures. But they ARE historical and wonderful examples of how people’s talents and interests converge to create great things. The folks that built these lived the American Dream and we’re really lucky that we can all visit them and live a little of that too.

READ 52 WAYS TO HAVE AN ALL AMERICAN WINTER

Garnet Hill Lodge

North River, NY

Historic Ski Lodges of America garnet hill lodge

In 1893, Frank Hooper opened a garnet mine in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains. In 1928 the mine closed operations but the Hoopers stayed and built an Adirondack Camp style log home big enough to house guests. Since that time it’s changed ownership a couple times and undergone renovations and expansion but it still retains that unique blend of its original American Craftsman and Swiss Chalet. The centerpiece is a great stone fireplace which is a perfect place to warm up after enjoying skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking. Hey! Guests can even borrow snowshoes for free! The original mine is long gone but there is a trail to an open garnet mine and plenty of local garnet jewelry making near by.

Plan It

The Stowehof

Stowe Mountain, VT

Historic Ski Lodges of America the stowehof

In 1921 Craig Burt, a local forester and landowner, helped organize a winter carnival to showcase the town. Ten years later the Civilian Conservation Corps cut the first alpine ski trails. Around that same time (1934) Austrian immigrant and alpine ski coach Sepp Ruschp founded the Mount Mansfield Ski Patrol inspiring the creation of the National Ski Patrol in 1938. All these people and their experience came together to turn Stowe into a winter ski destination. In 1940 they installed the longest and highest chairlift in the world at the time and it made headline everywhere when it broke down the first day of operation (with a bunch of reporters on it of course). One of Stowe’s oldest alpine style lodges is the Stowehof built by Larry Hess in 1950 and in 1980 the adjoining woods were deeded to the property for cross country skiing, hiking, and snoeshowing.

Plan It

Timberline Lodge and Ski Area

Mount Hood, OR

Historic Ski Lodges of America timberline lodge

Constructed in 1937 as a Works Progress Administration project on Mount Hood, Gilbert Stanley Underwood designed the building to blend in with the landscape and even imitated Mt Hood itself with a steep roof. Named a National Historic Landmark in 1977, it is still used as a ski lodge and mountain retreat. The centerpiece is the 90 foot stone chimney in the lobby that boasts 3 fireplaces. Personally I am a big fan of the animals carved into the staircase posts made from old telephone polls. It’s been family operated since 1955. Don’t you just love that?

Plan It

READ ABOUT FIVE GENERATIONS RUNNING A FAMILY INN

Granlibakkin Tahoe

Lake Tahoe, CA

Historic Ski Lodges of America granlibakken

Originally built as a summer resort in 1902, Lars Haugen (Norwegian National Ski Champion) was hired in the 1920’s to design a ski jump. The area was transformed into a winter enthusiasts paradise hosting US Ski Championships all through the 1930’s. Naturally, a lodge was needed and so another Norwegian ski jumper (Kjell Rustad) purchased 74 acres, cleared an area for a ski slope and built lodges. The name Granlibakken is Norwegian for ‘Hillside sheltered by fir trees’ As to be expected, the resort changed hands a couple times, at one time being the Four Seasons at Lake Tahoe. But since 1978 it’s been owned by The Parson Family and was recently certified green by the Sierra Business Council. (The only hotel in Tahoe to hold this).

Plan It

DISCOVER MORE GREAT PLACES TO VISIT IN AMERICA

Tamarack Lodge

Mammoth Lakes, CA

Historic Ski Lodges of America tamarack

Built in 1924, the Tamarack Lodge sits on the shores of Twin Lakes near Mammoth. Originally it was a fishing retreat for Vaudeville star Eddie Foy. Eddy built in the California Craftsman style, The Tamarack makes the list of historic ski lodges in America because it is one of the oldest continuously operated lodges in Mammoth Lakes. Cool right? In addition to the main lodge there are about 36 historical cabins for guests, each with its own wood burning stove. This lodge serves as a hub for the almost 20 miles of cross country skiing trails and is closely situated to Mammoth Ski area and ll their amenities.

Plan It

Ski Tip Lodge at Keystone Resort

Keystone, CO

Historic Ski Lodges of America ski tip lodge

In 1860 it was a stagecoach stop. Miners headed over the Rockies were the main clientele. Naturally the lodge fell into disrepair when the mining industry waned. In the 1930’s the Dercum family purchased the property and developed it as a family homestead with a ski area now known as the Arapahoe Basin Ski Area. The ski area was so popular it didn’t take long for the Dercums to figure out they needed to convert their little Swiss Chalet style into guest accommodations. The sweet little bed and breakfast was born and this 10 room gem still boasts its stone fireplace and antique furnishings.

Plan It

DISCOVER MORE HISTORIC HOTELS ACROSS AMERICA

Final Thoughts

History is everywhere if we just look around. The stories are there, just waiting to be discovered (or rediscovered) and shared. It’s what makes this country so unique. We have country stories and city stories. Immigrant stories and Native stories. Every walk of life you can imagine is probably here in the US somewhere. It’s what makes us a great big flawed family, but it does make us family none the less.

These historic ski lodges of America are a perfect example of the variety of personalities that shared a common interest in skiing and literally built on it. The result is some great places with great stories that we all can visit and enjoy.

HOW TO BUILD MORE ADVENTURE IN YOUR LIFE

Do you know of a historic ski lodges of America we forgot? Let us know and we will add it to the list!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. We’re not skiers, yet we had traveled to some of the most beautiful ski areas in the country. Such as Vermont, Vail and Aspen, Colorado, Big Bear CA, Montana, Western North Carolina and Carlottesville in Virginia to name a few!
    I just love the feel of ski resorts they’re so beautiful! We actually named our son after a big ski area in Vermont.

  4. This is a beautiful list of historic ski lodges in America. I haven’t been to any of them, but that needs to change this year! Thanks for sharing.

  5. I love the ambiance that these venues give off, but I don’t know that I could enjoy it in the cold. My husband is all about the woods and mountains, so maybe something like this when the weather isn’t frigid. LOL.

  8. Wow! These are beautiful! Such a great list to try and achieve. Now which one to start with? 🙂 Thanks for sharing.

  9. What a great list! So many great places on here, most I haven’t been to. I have been to mammoth once!

  10. I’m not much of a skier, but these lodges look perfect for a winter getaway. I’d love to stay in the one in Vermont. And the Oregon one looks like it’s from a fairytale or storybook. It’s stunning!

  12. I’m all about history so found this post very intereting…and the photos are beautiful! We used to live in Vermont so have been to Stowe many times. Buck Hill located five miles from my house in Burnsville, MN is not a fancy ski resort, but does have some fun history trivia. It’s where Olympian Lindsey Vonn learned how to downhill ski race (as well as several other Olympians and World Cup champions). And it’s a small place right along the interstate.

  14. I love history, and these lodges look so cozy! We haven’t had a proper snow this winter, so I’m a little jealous looking at your fabulous pictures. 😀 Mount Hood looks especially quaint!

  16. I’ve skied a few of these mountains and they are lovely. I do enjoy seeing old lodges at resorts. The memorabilia is great too.

  19. This is incredible! I love history and I love the cabin feel of a lodge. Next time I’m in the mood for some winter cozy vibes, I’ll check one of these out! 🙂

  21. I have never been skiing and am not sure if I ever will want to, but the lodges listed here look beautiful. Thanks for sharing. I will save for future reference!

  22. I can just imaging how relaxing and cozy it would be to be curled up in front of one of those lodge fireplaces!

  23. I should probably try this before I die 🤷🏾‍♂️. Baby steps I guess 🤦🏾‍♂️

  24. Such great ski lodge recommendations! I’m a cross country skier myself, but cozying up at a lodge like any of these sounds wonderful!

  25. I really can’t wait to snowboard in Lake Tahoe! I have been wanting to go there since I was a kid. Thank you for sharing!

  26. We have a bunch of Ski Resorts in the Western NY area – I don’t ski but people rave about them. Not sure if they are historic.
    Holiday Valley Ski Resort – Kissing Bridge Ski Resort – Ski Tamarack – Peek N Peak – Holimont.

  27. The lodges all look amazing! That’s where I’ll hang out while the rest of the family hits the slopes.

  28. These are all worth visiting! I haven’t been to all of these ski lodges, but I have been to each of these cities. I’ll need to visit these lodges next time I go!

  29. The photo of Mt. Hood is gorgeous! We don’t ski, but I have been to Stow in the summer for activities.

  31. These lodges look so relaxing and cozy. 😊 i’m not a skier but I would definitely still stay at many of these places.

  34. I don’t ski and I’m actually not a big fan of snow but these ski lodges all look so cozy.

  37. This looks amazing! I would love to do this but my husband hates the cold! I am going to show him this and see if he changes his mind!

    • hahaha well, remind him they all have excellent huge fireplaces in the lobby and a couple have little personal fireplaces or stoves in the rooms/cabins.

  42. All those lodges look heavenly. I have zero interest in any snow activity but I would love to spend a long weekend at any of these.

    • hahaha you are not alone. They are open year round but I think there is plenty to do in the warmth and coziness of each of these you wouldn’t have to enter out if you didn’t want to.

  43. This looks like a beautiful place. I think staying in historic places is a must whenever possible. It add so much culture and character to any vacation.

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