Love the Outdoors in Winter? These 4 Cities Might Be For You

This time of year makes some people curl up inside, burrow under blankets, or even flee to warmer locales. But for cold-weather enthusiasts in certain cities, winter presents abundant opportunity to explore mountains and venture down trails.

The latest RE/MAX National Housing Report shared key market insights of 52 metro areas around the U.S. – a few of which are wintertime hotspots.

Love the great outdoors, even when it’s chilly? Then bundle up – these four cities may be the perfect place for you.

1. Bozeman, Montana

Residents of the perpetually growing city of Bozeman live at the foot of some of the country’s most towering mountain ranges.

Between Big Sky Resort and Bridger Bowl Ski Area, downhill skiing is easy to come by – with plenty of cross-country skiing options near town, too. Plus, you can enjoy ice skating, ice climbing, snowshoeing, and even hidden-gem hot springs for a warm dip on a cold day. Driving a bit farther takes you to breath-taking destinations like Yellowstone National Park, which stays open in the winter.

Bozeman had a 5.4-month supply of inventory in December 2023 – the highest mark among the 52 metro areas surveyed in the RE/MAX National Housing Report. That means it would take 5.4 months, at the current rate of sales, to work through all the available homes for sale. Bozeman also saw a 75.6% year-over-year increase in new listings. What does this mean for buyers? Opportunity.

2. Burlington, Vermont

With just over 44,000 residents, Burlington is the largest city in Vermont. It boasts a laid-back environment and is a Northeast hotspot for outdoor recreation all year round, especially in the winter.

Burlington is an easy trek to some of the state’s classic ski areas, including Stowe Mountain, Killington Mountain, and Bolton Valley Resort. And, living among the Green Mountains, those in Burlington can also enjoy Camel’s Hump and summit the peak by foot or backcountry skis. When it freezes over, you can even ice skate on parts of Lake Champlain, where vivid pink sunsets are a common sight.

The same RE/MAX report found that in December, Burlington home sales increased 9.5% year-over-year. An outlier from the typical seasonal slowdown, the Burlington housing market saw steady activity – with homes selling above listing price, on average – that month.

3. Manchester, New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s largest city, Manchester, is nestled between two of the Granite State’s other big metro areas, Concord and Nashua. It’s also only an hour north of Boston, Massachusetts. This central location makes it an easy-to-access spot – as well as a hub near some of the state’s most popular winter activities in the White Mountains.

In under two hour’s drive from the city of around 115,000 people, you can explore the Franconia Notch, marvel at Mount Washington, and ski at classic New England resorts like Loon Mountain, Waterville Valley, and Cannon Mountain. The more extreme adventurists have plenty of opportunity for backcountry skiing (like up the rugged Tuckerman’s Ravine) and ice climbing, too.

Manchester was identified as a metro area with one of the lowest supplies of inventory in December, according to RE/MAX. This could be the sign of a currently competitive local real estate landscape – after all, Manchester was the surveyed metro with the biggest decrease in new listings, meaning buyers could be getting competitive over the selection of homes available.

4. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Nested in northern Idaho, Coeur d’Alene is a satellite city of Spokane, Washington. Lake Coeur d’Alene in the summertime may be the biggest draw of this quaint metropolis, but winter has many benefits, too.

Mt. Spokane, Silver Mountain Resort, and Lookout Pass offer scenic skiing relatively close by, with picturesque hiking trails scattered about. And with so many bodies of water in close range, ice fishing is popular winter pastime.

Coeur d’Alene saw home sales increase 9.5% year-over-year in December – another outlier market (like Burlington) for the typical seasonal trends. That said, the median sales price for Coeur d’Alene decreased 3.7% from December 2022, and homes stayed on the market a bit longer than the national average.

Each housing market across the U.S. experiences different conditions, so it’s best to consult with a trusted local professional for the latest insights.

Getting started on your homebuying journey this winter? Connect with a nearby RE/MAX agent today.

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