The preferred choice for many second-home owners has long been the warm, sandy shores of a relaxed beach town. According to new home-buying research, however, that could all be changing.

Searches of homes in ski towns were up nearly 36 percent year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2020, according to a recent report from realtor.com®. Somewhat surprising, much of the increased demand is coming from residents of cold weather, Northern states—the so-called “Snowbirds”—as they search for homes with outdoor recreation options closer to home due to the pandemic.

"Historically, residents of the Midwest and Northeast have shown a preference for warmer cities, and contributed to much of the out-of-state demand in homes in sunny states, such as Florida," explains realtor.com® Chief Economist Danielle Hale. "This year, we found that Snowbirds' interest in ski towns increased more than interest from other areas across the country. Americans are increasingly searching for getaways that are within driving distance. Skiing is done outdoors and generally at a distance from others, making it a relatively safe sport during the pandemic. Many of these areas offer year-round outdoor activities, making them summer destinations as well."

The analysis examined the home searches of residents from 10 "Snowbird" markets to nearly 200 resort-linked ski towns. It found residents of eight of these markets—Boston; Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Indianapolis; New York; Philadelphia; Providence, R.I., and Minneapolis—were showing record interest in ski towns. The exceptions were Baltimore and Detroit, where searches for ski towns were still up year-over-year, but lower than the rest of the U.S. market overall.

Views to ski towns from residents of Snowbird metros were up 44.5 percent in the fourth quarter year-over-year, higher than the 35.7 percent increase recorded nationwide.

Ranked in order of percentage increase, the top 10 ski towns in the fourth quarter of 2020 were:

1. Union Dale, Pa.
Median list price: $185,000
Home to Elk Mountain Ski Resort, which offers 180 skiable acres and 27 trails, Union Dale is less than a three-hour drive from both Philadelphia and New York City and just over 30 minutes from Scranton, Pa.

2. Choteau, Mont.
Median list price: $174,500
On the path between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks at the foot of the Rocky Mountain Front, Choteau provides a small-town feel and a wide range of recreational activities.

3. North Creek, N.Y.
Median list price: $272,000
Home to the Gore Mt. Ski Center, North Creek is a mecca for outdoor activities. North Creek is located near Lake George and is a four-drive from New York City.

4. Eden, Utah
Median list price: $1,190,000
Situated along the Ogden River at an elevation of 4,941 feet, downtown Eden is just 30 minutes from Salt Lake City and three world-class ski resorts. Eden offers year-round outdoor activities, including golfing, hiking and biking trails.

5. Windham, N.Y.
Median list price: $692,000
Windham is located in the Catskill Mountains, just 2.5 hours north of New York City, making it a perfect weekend getaway. It's known for Windham Mountain Resort, with ski trails, terrain parks and a mountain bike park.

6. Boone, Iowa
Median list price: $165,000
Named for the youngest son of Daniel Boone, this Central Iowa town is located about 40 miles north of Des Moines. Boone's close proximity to the Des Moines River and abundant parks makes it a good destination for outdoor activities year-round. 

7. Otis, Mass.
Median list price: $402,000
Otis is located in the Berkshires in western Massachusetts. Known for outdoor activities like hiking and water sports, as well as cultural experiences, the Berkshires is a two-hour drive from Boston and only three hours from New York City.

8. Lakeside, Mont.
Median list price: $972,500
The cozy town of Lakeside lines the northwest shores of Flathead Lake at the base of Blacktail Mountain. It is just south of Kalispell and about two hours north of Missoula and offers four seasons and something for everyone.

9. Paoli, Ind.
Median list price: $135,000
Home to Paoli Peaks Mountain Resort, the town of Paoli is about 100 miles south of Indianapolis. Paoli is close to French Lick, which is known for its historic mineral springs.

10. Boyne Falls, Mich.
Median list price: $321,700
Named for the falls on the nearby Boyne River, this small northern Michigan community is nestled along Lake Charlevoix, which has been named by USA Today as one of the Best Lakes in America.