When many of us consider an ideal vacation, the mind drifts immediately into a dreamy coastal village or a cottage by the lake. But if you’re living life exclusively at sea level, you’re missing out on the surreal magic of mountain living — where life similarly slows down, but the world opens up into majestic vistas, dense forests, and mirror-like lakes.
People tend to associate mountain towns with ski trips, and they’re not wrong. But really, the best destinations are never not ideal. Whether they’re exploding with wildflowers amid springtime snowmelt; crawling with summertime hikers, campers, climbers, and boaters; or flaring up with vibrant colors in the fall; these villages complement their seasonally transformational views with perpetually great vibes, cool bars, and fantastic food.
These are 15 of our favorite towns in the shadows of giants.
