Architects, interior designers, builders and homeowners: This is your chance to publish a home that will astound our readers with its artistry, unique attributes and beauty. The winner will be featured in the November/December 2026 issue of Mountain Living.
Take a look at our 2025 Home of the Year.
- Contest Rules
- Entry Checklist
- Dates & Info
- Homeowner’s Release Form
- HOTY Entry Form
DEADLINE: Thursday, May 7, 2026 by 5 pm MST
CONTEST RULES:
- Homes entered in the contest must be completed, fully furnished and owner-occupied primary residences and/or second homes located in Alberta, British Columbia, California (Sierra Nevada region), Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada (Lake Tahoe region), Oregon, Washington, Wyoming or Utah. To be selected for HOTY, entries must be available for publication in ML magazine and may not be published in any competitive publication without written consent from ML magazine until after December 31, 2026.
- All styles and sizes of homes are accepted.
- Homes entered in the HOTY contest cannot be for sale.
- Entries may be submitted by homeowners, architects, builders, interior designers, landscape architects and photographers.
- Entries must include a completed entry form.
- Entries must include a 500-word description.
- Entries must include a signed homeowner’s release authorizing the publication of the home.
- Hardcopy photographs of the home’s exterior, living room, dining area, kitchen, master bedroom and bathroom are required. Photographs on thumb drives will not be accepted. Additional shots of special features are optional. Note: Judges will give additional consideration to exceptional photography and styling.
- Please do not mark photographs with your company name–you may keep the photographers’ names on the images, but there should not be any information identifying your company on the photos.
- Self-addressed, stamped envelopes are required if you would like your submission returned.
- Limit of one home submitted per firm or homeowner.
- Homes submitted for the contest must be available to an ML magazine photographer for one full day. Award-winning homeowners, architects, builders and/or designers must be available to be interviewed by an ML magazine writer or editor. (Homeowners may remain anonymous in the story, however, they must agree to an interview.)
- Employees of WIESNERMEDIA and their families are not eligible to enter.
- If you would like your entry returned, please send it to us in reusable packaging along with a label for USPS or UPS.
- Please make sure you have included all the required documents in one packet. Incomplete entries will not be considered.
ENTRY CHECKLIST:
- A completed HOTY Entry form
- Home Description: In 500 words, describe the home and homeowners; please include details about the architect, interior design, location and furnishings.
- A signed Homeowner’s Release form
- Color photographs in hard-copy format—exterior, kitchen, living area, dining area, master bedroom and bathroom. Please also include photos of other areas of interest (media room, library/study, guest rooms, etc.). The quality of photographs can make a difference in the judges’ decision. (Materials will be handled with care; however, ML magazine assumes no responsibility for lost or damaged materials. Please do not send original prints.) Professional photographs must have photo credits.
- SASE: Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your entry if you would like your entry returned.
- Mail to: Mountain Living, Attn: Home of the Year, 1780 South Bellaire Street, Suite 505, Denver, CO 80222.
- DEADLINE: May 7, 2026; entries must be received in our office by 5 PM MST. (Regrettably, we are unable to make exceptions or grant extensions).
IMPORTANT DATES & INFO:
- Mail to: Mountain Living, Attn: Home of the Year, 1780 South Bellaire Street, Suite 505, Denver, CO 80222
- DEADLINE: Entries must be received in the ML office no later than Thursday, May 7, 2026 by 5 pm MST.
- June 30, 2026: Winners are notified.
- October 7, 2026: Subscribers receive copies. (*Can be subject to change)
- October 16, 2026: Newsstand copies. (*Can be subject to change)
- For further information, please email awards@chlml.com
- DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM
- DOWNLOAD HOMEOWNER’S RELEASE FORM
