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Winter access Drive the route in winter conditions, at the times you would use it, before you commit Ask who maintains and plows the road and driveway (town, association, private agreement) and what it costs Check whether any part of the route is a seasonal road, a gated private road or crosses a mountain pass with closures Look up the state DOT road information and the county or town road status for the route
Ski access and rights Get any ski-in, ski-out, trail or lift access claim in writing, with the recorded easement or agreement that grants it Ask whether the access transfers to a buyer, and whether it depends on a resort, club or association membership Walk (or ski) the actual route and note any road crossing, shuttle, gate or private land on the way Ask what happens to the access if the resort changes trails, ownership or operating season
Association, resort and club obligations Read the association documents, budget, reserve study and any special assessments List every fee (HOA, resort, club, amenity, transfer) and what each includes; note that a fee rarely includes lift tickets or a pass Ask about planned projects and assessments for roofs, decks, roads or shared systems
Renting the home Check town or county short-term rental rules, permits and taxes Read the deed, covenants and association rules for rental limits or minimum stays Do not rely on a listing or seller estimate of rental income; ask for documented history and verify it
Mountain-home systems Hire a home inspector familiar with snow loads, ice dams, roofs, decks and freeze protection Ask about heating source, fuel costs and backup heat; confirm freeze-protection and monitoring Confirm water supply, septic or sewer, and any septic inspection rules Ask about snow-shedding, roof snow removal and where plowed snow goes
Land and on-property skiing Confirm legal year-round access, buildable area, utilities, septic feasibility and zoning before buying land Treat any on-property ski trail, slope or tow as a feature to inspect, insure and permit, not a given right to operate Ask an insurer about liability for any trail or tow used by others
Questions for the showing How long does it take to reach the nearest lifts in a snowstorm, and by which road? Is the ski access in the description recorded, and can I see it? What did snow removal, heating and association fees cost last winter? Are there any rental, pet, parking or exterior rules I should know about?
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