The Most Beautiful Small Towns in the U.S. for a Winter Getaway

When thinking about wintertime, it’s easy to conjure images of gray skies and slushy sidewalks. But, in actuality, there are places that shine brighter during the coldest season of the year. Under a fresh layer of snow and illuminated by twinkling lights, these stunning cities and quaint towns prove that winter wonderlands really do exist. From mountain towns to seaside retreats, the best US towns to visit during the winter are frosty destinations that look like they jumped right out of a Christmas snow globe.

Average annual snowfall: 300 inches
Nestled between snowcapped Rocky Mountain peaks, Breckenridge balances the role of quaint mountain town and bustling tourist haven pretty seamlessly. If all you do here is prowl the ski slopes, well, that's cool and all (we won't judge), but you'd be totally missing out on eye-catching winter attractions like the International Snow Sculpture Championships, the Norse-themed Ullr Fest, and the world’s highest distillery.

Average annual snowfall: 42.5 inches
Hudson is akin to an upstate, mini Brooklyn. And although it doesn’t tout an excessive snowfall rate, its time to shine is definitely still during the colder months of the year. Any trip is best started by bundling up and exploring the local art-covered, 625-acre Greenport Conservation or tour the historic mansion at Olana State Historic Site. If the cold weather drives you indoors, opt for antiquing and thrifting along Warren Street, which is known to attract celebs and big-time designers. Even better, every year the city hosts a Winter Walk, which features live music, festive window displays, and fireworks.

Average annual snowfall: 78 inches
Not to be confused with Jackson Hole, the chilly town of Jackson acts as a gateway for the millions of tourists who pass through on their way to Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park, or one of the many nearby ski resorts. A visit to Jackson is not complete without a winter sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge, which is home to bighorn sheep, bald eagles, trumpeter swans, coyotes, and—you guessed it—lots of elk. And the animal is so symbolic of Jackson that four elk antler gateway arches serve as entrances to the town square.

Average annual snowfall: 59 inches
Kennebunkport gained notoriety as a haven for the moneyed elite in the late-19th century, but this Northeastern seaside town takes on a new look once the warm weather crowds retreat. The colorful buildings of Dock Square contrast with the fresh powder that blankets the town each winter, and a drive down Ocean Avenue showcases many of the fabulously expensive homes peppering the coast. The idyllic Christmas Prelude is an annual event that has the town looking like a Hallmark movie, complete with a tree at the town center that utilizes lobster traps as ornaments.

Average annual snowfall: 112 inches
Buttressed by the neighboring resort town of Sun Valley, Ketchum sits comfortably beneath Bald Mountain in the Wood River Valley, and, as such, offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside that are only amplified in winter. You might also know it as the place where Ernest Hemingway was laid to rest, but while his house is still standing, it’s not open to the public—that is, unless you’re selected for its very exclusive Writer-in-Residence Program. Then you get to live there.

Average annual snowfall: 400 inches
California's reputation for sunshine and warm weather is a given, but with an elevation of 8,000 feet and an annual snowfall higher than in Vail, Colorado, Mammoth Lakes is basically the polar opposite of the cliche. Its natural beauty is not all pine trees and freshly fallen snow, though. There are also a bevy of hot springs between the towns of Mammoth Lakes and Bridgeport that make for an excellent respite from the blustery weather.

Average annual snowfall: 80 inches
Nestled in Heber Valley and bordered on its western side by the towering Wasatch Mountains, Midway's a looker from the jump. That said, its most striking wintertime feature is definitely the Ice Castles: massive artistic structures, hard-carved each year from nearly 20 million pounds of ice. You might also recognize Midway from its appearance in the series finale of Everwood (a deep cut, we realize).

Average annual snowfall: 94 inches
The smallest state capital in the entire country, Montpelier in mid-winter looks like the fairytale town scene you'd build for your model train set. Take in those snow-capped Green Mountains with a sledding adventure, or hit the slopes at nearby Bolton Valley Resort. And while you’re at it, don’t miss the Ice on Fire Winter Festival, which boasts dance, theater, music, winter games, and more.

Average annual snowfall: 314 inches
Between charming attractions like the Stowe Recreation Path and Cross Country Ski Trail, the frozen Bingham Falls, and the Trapp Family Lodge (yes, as in The Sound of Music’s Von Trapps), Stowe's pretty much got the "beautiful Vermont winter" thing locked down. It's the quintessential New England town (complete with a covered bridge), and it's also home to the original Ben and Jerry's factory—that alone should keep you busy.

Average annual snowfall: 219 inches
Tucked away into a box canyon and bordered on three sides by 14,000-foot peaks, this former mining camp's pretty much the platonic ideal of a mountain town. Telluride's renowned for the Victorian and Greek Revival architecture lining its historic district, and since the famous Telluride Film Festival is already over by the time winter rolls around, there's nothing to distract you from complementing the stunning buildings with an array of snow angels and snowmen. Once you’re done, make sure to hop on the spectacular 13-minute gondola ride up to the neighboring Telluride Ski Resort.

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