10 Vacation Rentals That’ll Keep The Adventure Alive During Winter

WASHINGTON

1. Cabin in the Woods

True to its name, this home is a classic A-frame in Central Washington’s picturesque Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest. Go just a few miles north and you’ll find Kachess Lake, home to fishing, boating, stand-up paddleboarding, and many more water-themed activities. Just a bit further up I-90 lies skiing and snowboarding at The Summit at Snowqualmie Resort. At only 70 miles east of Seattle, this home is also a great choice for urban dwellers looking to escape for an active weekend.

Appeals to: active Seattleites, skiiers and snowboarders, hikers, fly fishermen, watersports enthusiasts.

Local attractions: rafting and fly fishing on the Yakima River, skiing/snowboarding at The Summit at Snowqualmie, hiking on Easton Ridge, watersports at Kachess Lake.

2. Northshore Surrender

In-state vacationers to Lake Chelan have long known this lake to be a fabulous vacation destination, though it is relatively unknown outside of Washington. A pristine deep-water lake stretching 55 miles from the quaint towns of Chelan on the southern end to Stehekin in the north, Lake Chelan snakes through stunning high country landscape in North Central Washington. Take your friends to experience Lake Chelan’s breathtaking beauty and stay at this incredible vacation rental in the small town of Manson, just 7 miles up the road from Chelan. Rent a boat, a stand-up paddleboard, or a wave runner to explore the lake’s many coves and inlets. For further adventures, grab your ski gear and head about 7 miles north for short lift lines and challenging terrain at Echo Valley Ski Area. Come home to soothe any aching muscles in the outdoor hot tub, and check out that view from the terraced patio – it’s amazing!

Appeals to: lake lovers, boaters, fishermen, watersports enthusiasts, skiers/snowboarders.

Local attractions: helicopter tours of the lake, lake fishing charters, hiking, boating, waterskiing, kayaking, horseback riding, cross-country and downhill skiing/snowboarding at Echo Valley Ski Area.

OREGON

3. Ironwood Cabin

Another classic A-frame in the woods (are you noticing a pattern?), this rustic retreat offers quick access to a variety of activities on Mount Hood, Oregon’s tallest mountain at 11,250 feet. Ski and snowboard at Mt. Hood Skibowl (12 miles east), Timberline Lodge and Ski Area (about 20 miles east), or Mt. Hood Meadows (24 miles east). You can also hike, fly fish, or kayak in the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness (go 6 miles south for trailheads). Plus, this home’s location is only 45 miles from Portland, making it a great weekend getaway for active Portlanders.

Appeals to: skiers and snowboarders, hikers, kayakers, fly fishermen, general outdoor enthusiasts, Portlanders.

Local attractions: skiing and snowboarding on Mount Hood (ski resorts are all within 24 miles), hiking on the Salmon River Trail (5 miles south), golf on an 18-hole course at The Resort at the Mountain (less than a half-mile walk north).

4. Yurt on the Bay

Who doesn’t like a yurt? No one! Stay in this very cool yurt that has been updated with modern appliances and current technology including Wi-Fi. Explore the Northern Oregon Coast for great crabbing, clamming, ocean fishing, and hiking on scenic trails in Oregon’s Coastal Range. Come home after a full day of outdoor adventures for an evening soak in the home’s outdoor hot tub. Does it get any better than that?

Appeals to: coastal adventurers, fishermen, hikers, ocean lovers.

Local attractions: hiking trails at Kilchis Point Reserve (less than a half-mile walk northeast), crabbing and clamming in Tillamook Bay, more great hikes in Cape Meares State Park (about 16 miles southwest), ocean fishing charters in Garibaldi (6 miles north).

5. Agate Beach Oceanfront Suite A

Visiting the Oregon Coast should be on everyone’s “Things to do before I die” bucket list, and for good reason: some of the most dramatic mountain-meets-ocean scenery you’ll ever see resides along the 393 miles of coast stretching from Astoria down to Brookings. Stay in this oceanfront vacation rental in the charming Central Oregon Coast town of Newport and you’ll have access to miles of rugged coastline. Explore hiking trails at Beverly Beach State Park (about 4.5 miles north) and Yaquina Head Natural Area (a little over a mile north), or hunt for tasty razor clams on Agate Beach (a half-mile south). Come home in the evening for a relaxing soak in the outdoor hot tub, or warm your bones by the outdoor fireplace.

Appeals to: crabbers, clammers, hikers, surfers, ocean lovers.

Local attractions: charter fishing on the Pacific Ocean, crabbing in Yaquina Bay, surfing, hiking, clamming, South Beach State Park (6 miles south), Agate Beach State Recreation Site, Lost Creek State Park (9 miles south), and Beverly Beach State Park.

COLORADO

6. Village Square Suite #631

With towering mountains, seemingly endless wilderness, and plenty of fresh mountain air, it’s fair to say Colorado is a mecca for wildland adventures of all varieties. Stay in this spacious, mountain-themed condo for your next Rocky Mountain getaway and fill your days with skiing and snowboarding at Copper Mountain Resort (the ski lifts are within walking distance) as well as snowmobiling, dog sledding, ice skating, backcountry snowcat touring, and much more high elevation fun.

Appeals to: snowsports enthusiasts, hikers, kayakers.

Local attractions: skiing and snowboarding at Copper Mountain Resort, Breckenridge Ski Resort (20 miles southeast) or Arapahoe Basin Ski Area (24 miles northeast), kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Dillon (11 miles northeast).

UTAH

7. Wasatch Hilltop Chalet

Another mecca for mountain sports, Utah offers a whole lot of high elevation fun, often with smaller crowds than its Rocky Mountain neighbor to the east. This gorgeous hilltop chalet sits in a prime location for outdoor adventures. Go just 6 miles southwest and you’ll find some of the country’s best champagne powder slopes at Park City Mountain Resort or slightly further at Deer Valley Resort. There’s also no shortage of other outdoor activities in the area including mountain biking, horseback riding, fly fishing, hiking, and even small engine plane tours of the majestic Wasatch Mountain Range. The best part? You’ll be home in time for dinner and a soothing soak in the home’s hot tub.

Appeals to: snowsports enthusiasts, hikers, climbers, outdoor adventurers.

Local attractions: skiing and snowboarding at Park City Resort (6 miles southwest), skiing at Deer Valley Resort (about 7.5 miles southwest), rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and more in Wasatch Mountain State Park (about 17 miles southwest).

CALIFORNIA

8. Hill Cabin With Gorgeous Views

So far we’ve listed mostly mountainside vacation rentals, but this ranch-style home doesn’t fit into that category. Yet it still offers plenty of nearby outdoor adventures in its desert location. Hike or take a horseback tour amongst sagebrush, juniper, and pine tree landscapes 17 miles east in the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, then come home to watch the desert valley sunset while winding down your day in the home’s outdoor hot tub. Joshua Tree National Park is also just 23 miles southwest, and there you can find many more trails, exotic scenery, and even great rock climbing.

Appeals to: hikers, desert lovers, outdoor enthusiasts wanting quick access to Joshua Tree National Park.

Local attractions: Palm Springs (25 miles south), Joshua Tree National Park (23 miles southwest), skiing and snowboarding at Bear Mountain Resort (75 miles northwest).

9. Lakeview Tree House

Check this out – another A-frame with a twist: it has a tree growing right through the middle of its outdoor deck! Rent this one-of-a-kind vacation rental and you’ll be just minutes to myriad activities in the surrounding Sierra Nevada wilderness. A popular destination for skiing (Squaw Valley Resort is just 10.5 miles west), as well as boating, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and more. Lake Tahoe is just outside your door!

Appeals to: skiers and snowboarders, hikers, mountain bikers, kayakers, trail runners, general outdoor enthusiasts.

Local attractions: skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing, hiking on the Eagle Falls Trail (22 miles south), kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, boating, and fishing on Lake Tahoe, beaches at Commons Beach Park (about 3 miles south).

IDAHO

10. Lakeside Living on Lake Pend Oreille

Sandpoint, Idaho, is the kind of place that makes you want to move out to the country and never leave. You might just want to do that in this updated three-bedroom home. With uncrowded, powder-laden slopes at Schweitzer Mountain Resort only 14 miles north and the pristine blue waters of Lake Pend Oreille just beyond your backyard, this home is a rare year-round retreat for outdoor enthusiasts of all varieties.

Appeals to: general outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, fishermen, boaters, skiers, and snowboarders.

Local attractions: horseback riding, beaches, lake cruises, boat rentals, fishing, skiing, and snowboarding.

So there you have it – 10 fantastic options to keep the adventures going, no matter the time of the year. Wherever you might ramble this winter and beyond, book a vacation rental and keep exploring!

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