For some travelers, winter
is the season to escape the frigid temperatures, but for others, it’s an
invitation to bundle up and embrace the magic of colder weather.
Snow-dusted mountain towns, frozen lakes, frosty forests and
landscapes illuminated by the Northern Lights offer a myriad of reasons to
welcome the chill. Whether it’s skiing down powdery slopes, gliding across an
outdoor ice rink, exploring a snow-covered national park or warming up beside a
crackling fire in a cozy lodge, these destinations prove that winter isn’t just
a season to endure—it’s an experience well worth seeking out.
Beech Mountain, North Carolina
Perched at 5,506 feet, Beech Mountain, North Carolina
transforms into an idyllic winter escape, especially when its annual 65+ inches
of snowfall arrive. The highest ski
resort in Eastern America attracts visitors seeking both adventure and
relaxation and offers sweeping views of snow-capped peaks, quietly establishing
itself as one the East Coast’s premier cold-weather destinations.
Beech Mountain Resort features 17 trails across 98 skiable
acres accommodating skill levels from beginners to advanced skiers and
snowboarders. Sledding and winter hiking are also popular activities. After a
busy day, visitors can re-group by a warm crackling fire with hot cocoa or mulled
wine and recharge muscles in a bubbling hot tub.
Winter Skiing in Breckenridge (Photo Credit: Go Breck)
Breckenridge, Colorado
Though every season is special in this Rocky Mountain
village, winter becomes a wonderland where snow-covered peaks, a charming
historic downtown and a lively après-ski scene create a quintessential mountain
getaway.
Winter visitors come for the skiing and snowboarding, but
there’s much more to enjoy beyond the slopes, from snowy forest trails and
horse-drawn sleighs to boutique shopping and fireside dining. Other than
skiing, families can enjoy ice skating, hot tubs at practically every resort
and hotel, strolling Victorian Main Street, browsing art galleries and dining
on delectable mountain cuisine.
Dogsledding in Fairbanks, Alaska (Photo by Lauren Breedlove)
Fairbanks, Alaska
Travelers can embrace the Arctic side of winter at roughly
65 degrees north latitude, with dogsledding, snowmobiling, ice fishing and the
chance to witness the Northern Lights dancing across dark skies. The region’s
main winter season generally runs from mid-October through late March, with the
darkest months offering especially long nights for aurora viewing.
Few experiences feel more quintessentially Alaskan that
traveling by dogsled across a snowy white landscape. About 60 miles east of
Fairbanks, the renowned Chena Hot Springs Resort offers one of winter’s most
appealing contrasts: soaking in naturally heated mineral-rich water surrounded
by snowy scenery and frigid air.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
For travelers looking for a more rugged winter adventure,
Jackson Hole delivers with dramatic mountain scenery, world-class skiing and
opportunities to spot a myriad of wildlife. Nearby, Grand Teton National Park offers stunning
snow-covered landscapes, while the surrounding area is ideal for sleigh rides
and snowshoeing. Photographers will love the many chances to capture that
perfect winter scene.
The Sylvan Lodge at Snake River Sporting Club in Jackson Hole, Wyoming offers high mountain heli-skiing. (Photo Credit: Courtesy The Sylvan Lodge at Snake River Sporting Club)
Québec City, Canada
Winter enthusiasts that don’t necessarily want to spend
every day on the mountain slopes, will love the ambience that Québec City
offers with its charming European-inspired streets, historic architecture, cozy
bistros and snowy riverside views. Depending on the dates, visitors can also
enjoy winter festivals, outdoor skating and the famous Hôtel de Glace, a
seasonal ice hotel rebuilt every winter, and one of Canada’s most extraordinary
winter attractions.
Reindeer safari (Photo Credit: Collette)
Rovaniemi, Finland
This hamlet in the Finnish Lapland known as the official
hometown of Santa Claus provides a winter storybook experience where visitors
can meet reindeer, enjoy husky-led sled rides, stay in glass-roofed cabins and
visit Santa Claus Village.
The region’s snowy white forests and long winter nights also
create an ideal setting for Northern Lights viewing. More than a holiday-themed
destination, Rovaniemi is the gateway to the Arctic wilderness, where travelers
can experience the deep quiet of snowy landscapes, learn about northern Finnish
culture and enjoy outdoor adventures in some of Europe's most distinctive
winter scenery.
Shirakawa-go in winter (Photo Credit: Gifu Prefecture Tourism Federation)
Shirakawa-go, Japan
The historic mountain village in central Japan is known for
its traditional thatched-room farmhouses and spectacular winter scenery. The
villages steeply pitched traditional gassho-zukuri houses look
especially enchanting under heavy snowfall and the architecture gives the
village a distinctive storybook appearance.
Shirakawa-go is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and visitors
can admire its unique architecture, learn about rural Japanese
life and sample warming regional dishes in one amazingly photogenic town.
The Lodge at Stowe Mountain Resort, Vermont Courtesy of Stowe Mountain (Photo Credit: The Lodge at Stowe Mountain Resort, Vermont Courtesy of Stowe Mountain)
Stowe, Vermont
A quintessential winter wonderland, Stowe, Vermont offers one
of the few places to capture a classic New England winter. Nestled in the Green
Mountains, the picturesque destinations pairs snow-covered peaks and evergreen
forests with a charming village, cozy inns and a welcoming après-ski culture.
When winter arrives, Stowe becomes a playground for outdoor enthusiasts and a
peaceful retreat for travelers who simply want to enjoy the beauty of the
season.
What makes Stowe especially appealing is its variety of
activities – morning skiing, afternoon treks on snowy trails and evening
cuddling up beside a warm fireplace. The village is full of character with locally owned boutique shops, galleries and cozy cafes and restaurants.
Tromsø, Norway
Set above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø offers a dramatic,
enticing combination of Northern Lights excursions, fjord scenery, winter
wildlife tours and Norwegian culture. Located more than 200 miles north of the
Arctic Circle, the lively coastal city in the winter is like stepping into
another world. Mountains rise above icy fjords, colorful wooden buildings
brighten the waterfront, and the low winter sun creates beautiful shades of
blue and pink dancing across the landscape.
During the polar night, when the sun stays below the horizon
for an extended period, daylight gives way to a magical twilight glow. Far from
being a place that shuts down in winter, Tromsø embraces the season with
outdoor excursions, cultural attractions and cozy cafés. Other adventures
include exploring the local Sámi culture, reindeer herding and guided boat excursions to
view humpback whales and orcas following herring into the northern Norwegian
fjords.
PHOTO: Tromso, Norway, northern lights. (photo via Pixabay)
Yellowstone National Park
Winter transforms Yellowstone into a quieter, more peaceful world
of steaming geysers and hot springs, snow-covered forests and bison wandering
in the cold. Guided snowcoach rides and snowshoe excursions provide memorable
ways to experience the park.
Snow and ice also give the park’s dramatic canyon a
different personality in winter. The Lower Falls remain a powerful natural
spectacle, while mist from the rushing waters can freeze into intricate ice
formations along the canyon. Visitors should keep in mind that access
to certain areas of the park depends on road openings, so it’s wise to check
conditions in advance.
Aristotle once said, “To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake,
it is necessary to stand out in the cold.” Perhaps that is the true magic of
winter.
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