Top 5 U.S. Mountain Towns To Retire In

While most retirees flock to the warm weather, low-tax havens of the southern United States, such as Florida and Arizona, others choose to live out their golden years chasing powder and enjoying crisp mountain air. While retiring in a mountain town might sound appealing, there are some amenities most look for in their later years, like access to healthcare, proximity to a major airport in order to see family, decent year-round weather, and most importantly, a place where their pensions can go further. While affordable and mountain towns very rarely fit in the same sentence, there are a few places left in the U.S., where the adventurous retiree can still make a home.

#5 Carson City, NV

While most would associate Carson City with gambling or government, the capital of Nevada is an unknown jumping-off point to stunning Lake Tahoe and the surrounding ski areas. Located at the base of the Sierra Nevada, about 30 minutes from the shores of the lake, Carson City’s lower elevation and protection from the mountains provide a comfortable year-round climate. Carson City also sits less than an hour from Reno International Airport and has several modern hospitals. Nevada also has no state income tax, allowing one to stretch their income much further than in some neighboring states. Plus, when a retiree needs to call it a day from skiing, the slot machines are always waiting.

#4 Frisco, CO

High in the Colorado Rockies, Frisco sits within easy striking distance of all 5 ski resorts Summit County has to offer (Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin, Loveland). In addition to world-class skiing, Summit County also boasts the longest life expectancy of any place in the United States at 87 years old. Frisco has easy access to Denver and one of the largest airports in the country, as well as multiple world-class hospitals. A highly affluent area, high income, and high access to health care are thought to keep residents enjoying the mountains into their hundreds.

• Related: Top 5 Best Day Ski Trips from Denver

#3 St. George, UT

Located in the heart of stunning red rock country, St. George is truly a retiree’s dream come true. With a warm desert climate and surrounded by high mountain peaks, St. George easily has the most comfortable climate on this list. An easy drive to the affordable Brianhead Ski Area as well as Zion National Park, St. George has no shortage of adventure opportunities. A mid-sized city, St. George offers plenty of top-notch health care and is also an easy drive to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.

• Related: The Top 9 U.S. Ski Towns to Live in Year-Round 

#2 Leavenworth, WA

The picturesque Bavarian town of Leavenworth is a tucked-away gem at the base of the mighty Cascade Mountains. Located on the dry side of the Cascades, Leavenworth sees frequent sunny weather year-round. An easy drive to multiple ski areas, all with their own unique snowpacks, in addition to the water sports haven of Lake Chelan, Leavenworth truly has it all. At the heart of Washington’s wine country, the retiree can easily spend their days sipping a local glass of red and taking in stunning views of the surrounding snowcapped peaks and German architecture. With easy access to large hospitals in nearby Wenatchee, Leavenworth is also an easy drive to Seattle and its major West Coast Gateway airport of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

#1 Girdwood, AK

Alaska, the northernmost state in the country, might not immediately come as a first thought for a prime mountain location to retire. Girdwood has some pretty special things going for it, though, that mark it as an underrated retirement location. Girdwood sits in a unique climate zone, being one of the northernmost rainforests on the entire planet. This keeps lower elevations, where most people live, cool and temperate year-round, and the precipitation falls as abundant snow at higher elevations. The world-renowned Alyeska Ski Resort is located in the town, and the Chugach National Forest offers endless hiking and camping opportunities. Located less than an hour from Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, Girdwood offers easy access to major hospitals, Ted Stevens International Airport, and any other city amenities a retiree could look for.

• Related: Design for New Village at Aleyska Resort, AK, Reveals Modern 4-Season Global Destination in Girdwood

While all of these amazing destinations offer something that stands out above the rest, it all comes down to personal preference, which destination fits the best for the retiree’s lifestyle. Statistics show living in an alpine environment tends to lead to a longer lifespan, according to a study done by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in Seattle. Regardless of your choice in retirement destinations, if you’re near the mountains, it’s safe to say you’ve made a good choice.