4 Best Destinations For The Ultimate Winter Experience
Usually when you think of vacationing, what comes to mind is somewhere warm, exotic, beachy… And definitely not snow. BUT we will have you know that a winter getaway and a snow-covered destination can make for an awesome, unique vacation experience. Especially if you live in California or any other warm, southern state, taking a break from a year-round summer and stepping into a winter wonderland can be an amazing, refreshing experience.
Winter getaways are special. Cue the hot chocolate, warm blankets, roaring fires, cozy nights, breathtaking snowfalls, sparkling snowflakes and snowfields, and endless ways to enjoy the outdoors— freezing cold and frozen flakes and all! Wintertime is a great time to get outside and explore Mother Nature in ways that you simply cannot in the warmer seasons.
Read on for a list of four beloved winter vacation ideas and snow-filled destinations in order to take advantage of this beautiful, underrated season!
Flagstaff, Arizona
Why it made this list:
Flagstaff makes our list of best winter getaways because first, Flagstaff is amazing to experience at any time of year, but during the winter, it takes on a special (if freezing) glow. Flagstaff’s old-school downtown is charmingly preserved and pedestrian-friendly, where you can easily step inside many corner coffee shops and eateries for a steaming drink or bowl of soup after wandering around the homey, cobblestone streets.
This part of Arizona is also stunningly beautiful with a multitude of outdoor activities to participate in! By far the snowiest city in Arizona, it receives 101.7 inches of snowfall a year. Mt. Humphrey dominates the landscape and offers premier winter sport opportunities.
Activities to do:
skiing and snowboarding at the Arizona Snowbowl
snow biking
ice-skating
Specific sights to see:
Mt Humphrey
Coconino National Forest
Flagstaff village downtown
Check out Flagstaff’s official town page for more fun winter activities and details and this page for winter events in Flagstaff to make your visit even more special!
Park City, Utah
Why it made this list:
Park City, Utah is an incredible, highly popular winter destination for all winter sport lovers. What is cool about Park City is that it is a city in and of itself, dedicated to outdoor recreation, and the wintertime is when it explodes with life (and snow!). It is a quick ride from Salt Lake City and neighbors Deer Valley Ski Resort.
Park City Mountain Resort is a highly ranked ski resort that brings back skiers and snowboarders year after year. It is a sprawling, expansive resort with numerous terrain parks and prides itself on “The Greatest Snow on Earth.” Bow down, everyone. It has got a bopping nightlife scene, vibrant ski bum vibes, and free public transportation around town and to the slopes.
On average, Park City receives 300 to 400 inches of snowfall a year. (Again, bow down.)
Activities to do:
sleigh rides
ice-skating
world-class skiing and snowboarding
snowmobiling
snow tubing
snowshoeing
cross-country skiing
dog sledding
snow biking & more!
Park City, Utah literally has it all.
Specific sights to see:
Historic Main Street
Town Ski Lift
Check out Park City’s official town page for more fun winter activities and details and this page for winter events in Park City to make your visit even more special!
Anchorage, Alaska
Why it made this list:
Head north for a real-a** winter. Alaska is no joke in the wintertime: the average temperature is 20 degrees and oftentimes slips to sub-20 degree weather, though more commonly in the northern part of the state. Average snowfall in Anchorage is 78 inches a year.
Anchorage is bursting with life, sport, events, and snow in the wintertime, and the most popular winter getaway in the state. There is no lack of things to do both inside and out, with a bustling downtown life and access to Alaska’s renowned, unparalleled wilderness. From snow-mobiling to skiing through town to catching sight of the Northern Lights to checking out old museums, Anchorage has so much to offer as a winter vacation getaway.
There are a ton of sightseeing and outdoors-oriented tours to participate in, the potential to take a day trip to Denali and coastal towns like Seward, and several winter festivals and competitions to keep the winter love and spirit alive! Moose, bear, and more wildlife viewing is possible. A winter vacation to Anchorage is normally half the expense of visiting in the summertime, too!
Activities to do:
The town offers museums, brewery tours, quaint shops, dining, music venues and nightlife, and access to premier outdoor winter recreation opportunities. At night, you can view the Aurora Borealis, the stunning natural light phenomenon. Winter sports include:
dog mushing
world-class Nordic skiing
snow biking
cross country skiing
skating on a natural frozen lake
snow-mobiling
Ice fishing and igloo building, anyone?
Specific sights to see:
Aurora Borealis
Alyeska Resort (including the Alyeska Tramway)
Check out Anchorage’s official town page for more fun winter activities and details and this page for winter events in Anchorage to make your visit even more special!
Vail, Colorado
Why it made this list:
Vail is a highlight of the glorious state of Colorado. It has an unearthly mountainous backdrop and is simply stunning in all aspects: the town, the mountains, the snow-capped peaks, everything! Average snowfall in Vail, Colorado is 189 inches a year, making it an ideal winter getaway and one of the best winter vacation destinations.
It is not possible to be bored here in the wintertime. It has every possibility for outdoor adventurers and every luxury for anyone seeking shelter in the warm indoors. Vail is known for its luxury shopping, stylish lodging accommodations, thriving ski life culture (including apres-ski celebrations), breweries, live music, and sport events.
For the winter sport enthusiasts, roll up your sleeves and get started on world-class, expansive terrain for every kind of winter sport your snow-covered heart desires. You can participate in a number of tours that take you into the great outdoors, and you can take classes if you need some coaching before hitting the trails. Vail is also ideally situated, being very close to Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, and Keystone Ski Resorts, all mountain resorts owned by Vail Resorts. If you want to explore - not that there is ANY lack of terrain at Vail- you can always strike out to these gorgeous alternatives.
Activities to do:
Explore Vail Resort first and foremost: 5,100 acres of developed terrain and 31 lifts, prime territory for skiing, snow-boarding, tubing, skating, ski-biking, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, and more. Festivals, music, and sporting events, ski bum breweries, freezing-cold star gazing, shopping, fine dining are a few things off the trails to dive into.
Specific sights to see:
The Arrabelle at Vail Square, the town gondola
Ice Castles in Dillon
Vail Village
neighboring mining town of Minturn
Check out Vail’s official town page for more fun winter activities and details and this page for winter events in Vail to make your visit even more special!
Most of these locations can be potentially hazardous to drive to in the winter. With all the snow, ice, and accompanying winter storms, the highways can quickly become treacherous. A heads up to you that snow tires are recommended, especially if you are driving through any mountain towns and passes.
Keep in mind that your winter vacation plans might have to be slightly flexible to account for fickle weather (fickle, but fun)!
If you have next year’s warmer months in mind already and would like to check out another seasonal guide to the best US destinations, check out our list of ideal places for fall foliage.