Want to own a home and live in winter wonderland.  Ski all day and walk in to a roaring fire and a cup of your favorite cider.  Or simply curl up by the window and read a good book and watch the snow fall.  Take a look at these Rocky Mountain and other ski properties.

Enjoy the tour below of luxury moutaintop estates taht MSNBC has put together for your viewing pleasure.

The new year is all about resolutions. And if you have been prudent with your money the past few years, you might find that, even in the current situation, you are in a position to be able to afford to buy a second home. If this is the case, it might be worth it to consider buying a ski resort vacation home as your main 2010 financial resolution.

If you decide to do this, though, it is important to note that accomplishing a big goal takes lots of little steps. Here are some of the small goals that you may need to meet before you can accomplish the big goal of buying a second home:

1. Run the numbers. Figure out what you need in order to make a ski resort vacation home work for you. Also, decide where you are at right now, and make a plan for getting to where you need to be.
2. Decide where you want to buy your second home. Figure out the market you prefer, and whether or not you feel that you will be happy returning there regularly. Also take into account the ski resort market conditions and the affordability of a vacation home.
3. Save up money. Hopefully, you have been doing this for years. You will need a significant down payment. So, decide how much you have left to save. If necessary, make a plan so that you can purchase in 2011 instead.
4. Improve your credit score. You will need a good credit score in order to buy a second home. Look at your credit report, and as you save up money for a down payment, consider what you can do to give your score a boost.
5. Consider the implications. If necessary, make a plan to be a landlord so you can rent out your ski resort vacation home when you are not using it. Also, consult with a tax professional to determine where you are at with regard to taxes.

One of the considerations that you should remember when negotiating a mortgage interest rate is the dance of the rate lock. You can lock in a rate now, and have it apply in the future. This can protect you from mortgage rate increases on your new home purchase, your second home purchase or your refinance. However, a bank will charge you for the rate lock, usually as follows, according to The Mortgage Reports:

• 15-day rate lock : 1/8 percent lower than the 30-day rate lock
• 30-day rate lock : The basis for all other pricing
• 45-day rate lock : 1/8 percent higher than the 30-day rate lock
• 60-day rate lock : 1/4 percent higher than the 30-day rate lock

This means that you need to plan your mortgage interest rate lock carefully. The Mortgage Reports recommends that if you plan to close at the end of January, you might actually be better off to move your closing a couple of days earlier so that you fall into the 45 day category, rather than being forced into the 60 day category.

Look carefully at your options, and consider a rate lock that will meet your needs, saving you money in interest and fees. Getting any mortgage loan can be more expensive than you bargained for, and a rate lock can help you manage the risk of increasing mortgage rates. Just be careful and think things out before you commit.