When I moved to the East Coast from California, I was shivering constantly. I spent the first year finding ways to enjoy myself indoors but the end result was eating, sleeping, and shopping far too much. Year two: I stopped avoiding winter and embraced it with a ski house.
Mike and I have been doing a seasonal rental in Killington, Vermont, since 2006, and I’ve loved winter ever since. There is just nothing like a day of skiing through trees, cooking dinner with friends, and relaxing in the hot tub under the stars. We’ve loved every house we’ve stayed in but with four rentals under our belt, we’ve learned a few things guaranteed to improve your stay.
What to look for when shopping for a group ski rental:
1. Single family home. You are in the mountains; it should feel like it. A freestanding house, tucked in the trees is the way to go (and generally not that much more expensive than the three-bedroom condos). Plus, the option to snow shoe or sled on your property is a great way to get adventure when the weather is too arctic to ski.
2. Flexible sleeping arrangements. A ski house should always have a more-the-merrier mentality so pullout couches, trundle beds, and bunk beds are a great option to keep the house guest-friendly and the mood spontaneous.
3. Fireplace. This is essential not only for gathering around with friends or a book but also for drying your ski gear.
4. Hot tub. We didn’t have one the first year but once we did, there was no turning back. Great for relaxing sore muscles, prompting gatherings and if for nothing else, I recommend it for the surreal experience of watching snow fall while swimming.
5. A kitchen for multiple chefs. Cooking with friends is half the enjoyment of the meal, but not if everyone is tripping over one another. A kitchen that can handle three or more chefs makes cooking social and efficient.
6. A big dining table. A table that can seat ten or more will keep the conversation and the group bond going strong.
7. Mud room. Between the ice, dirt, and mounds of gear, ski houses are bound to take a beating. Having a large mudroom where people can dump their wet stuff will be the best way to keep the rest of the house clean.
8. Nearby grocery store. This isn’t your house so you’re bound to be missing the spices or staples you think you have. Though it’s great to be in the wilderness, it’s worth sacrificing a bit of nature to have a few comforts easily accessible.
9. No steep hills. There are bound to be housemates or guests without four-wheel drive so you don’t want a house they can’t access. Take the steepness of the driveway and nearby streets into account before you rent.
10. Proximity to the mountain. The heart of any ski town is the area surrounding the slopes. Though cooking and relaxing at home is nice, nearby bars and restaurants offer some welcomed variety.
While it may be too late for a great seasonal rental, all of these tips apply to week-long rentals or even buying a ski house. Happy winter!
I’m a big museum fan but if given the choice to see the art in the climate-controlled rooms of the Met or the studio where art is being made, I’ll choose the latter. That said, the 
A whole town effort, each neighborhood’s coffee shops, restaurants, hair salons, churches, bars, hotels, community centers and condo lobbies offered up their walls to support their local artists. Here, the 
The Stockingette awarded artist 
As far as public spaces go, the 
Bunches of colored balloons tied to a facade signaled the presence of art and cheese. All participating artists provided wine and hors d’ oeuvres for anyone that came through their spaces. Photographer 
Beyond each artist’s prized pieces, I loved seeing their half-finished works and the tools the artists use to complete them.
Perhaps the most amazing part of the entire show was the pricing! 
Artist 
An invitation that involves a river, friends, and free lodging makes all the details about the accommodations seem irrelevant. So when my friend Kristen McClement invited me and ten friends to her cottage in 1,000 Islands, Canada, we didn’t ask questions; we said yes. This water-covered area along the New York border is so gorgeous we would have been happy staying in tents, but I have to say, her property made the trip that much more spectacular.
Located on Treemont Island, a 15-house neighborhood in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, the McClements’ 1903 home is pure storybook material. The original hardwoods, stone fireplaces, wraparound porch, blooming window boxes, and two gables had me swooning but the use of outdoor space and landscape design made me never want to leave.
Their home is surrounded by flowers and sprinkled with herbs and vegetables. Mrs. McClement is a big gardener and plants seedlings in her greenhouse for all the window boxes, patio pots, and hanging flowers. The neighbors always know when they’ve arrived for the summer when their new annuals are hanging from the porch.
When the McClement family purchased the property in 1990 it came with a front deck but nothing this conducive to lazing and entertaining in the sun. The circular configuration gives views to all sides of the river and the wraparound benches hug its formation. For a dining surface, limestone slabs from a local quarry (as the story goes, they nearly sunk the boat) were turned into two outdoor tables. Mr. McClement used a diamond-tipped drill to create a hole for the umbrellas and now the deck is a perfect balance of sun and shade.
To capitalize on their island location, the McClement’s built an inlet for easy entrance into the lake. It’s the only “beach” on the island and the hot spot for the island’s little swimmers.
The hot tub (like the whole property) has a view of the river but because it’s adjacent to the inlet and obscured by lush foliage, there is a bit more privacy.
The yard extends to another entertaining area, equipped with a barbecue, tire swing, fire pit, and Adirondack chairs.
And to complete the outdoor experience, there is the fire pit. Because after a day of swimming, boating, and barbecuing, there is really nothing better than friends around a fire.
Last weekend my sister, cousin, their significant others, and Mike and I rented a house in Santa Fe: the central location between our homes in L.A., Denver, and Hoboken for a little reunion. We could have checked into a hotel for our three-day getaway but to truly catch-up, we needed a place we could settle in. Rather than meeting each morning in a lobby for breakfast, we’d brew coffee and sit on the sofa in our pajamas. After exploring town all day, we’d return to our patio for wine and cheese. Under one roof, the constant coordinating between multiple hotel rooms went away and everyone could finally hang out like family again.
I loved the open plan of the house. The living room, dining room, and kitchen all had their own distinct spaces but with an easy flow between areas. The furniture choices were contemporary but the architecture was distinctly Santa Fe.
The dining area was set off from the living room with smart lighting choices. A chandelier hung above the table and the rice paper lanterns warmed the space.
Though we didn’t use this deluxe kitchen to its fullest potential, the get-together would have never been the same without the fridge, coffee maker, and wine opener.
The bathrooms may have been my favorite part of the house. The tile work in this powder room was decidedly uneven but in varying neutral colors, it gave the space great texture.
In the bedrooms, the owner spared guests the bad filler art and made strong decorative choices with architectural headboards and graphic rugs.