Equal Parts Adventure and Relaxation
Many people understandably save their vacation days for the summer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a relaxing vacation in the wintertime. With the prospect of shoveling snow or de-icing your car, winter provides the perfect excuse for spending a weekend away from home.
There are tons of places around the country where you can hide away for a few days, free from daily responsibilities, with only the prospect of fresh powder and cozy spaces to keep you occupied. If you’re looking for a place to enjoy the season to its fullest, look no further than these eight destinations for a charming winter weekend getaway.
The Ranch at Rock Creek, Philipsburg, MT
For a luxury, all-inclusive winter resort getaway, head to The Ranch at Rock Creek in Philipsburg, Montana. Aside from winter sports like downhill skiing, snowmobiling and ice skating, custom tailored itineraries may include ornament making, cookie decorating and sleigh rides with hot cocoa.
You have a choice of four types of accommodation at the family-friendly ranch — lodge, cabin, barn or luxury home — setting the mood for a cozy, rustic stay. Best of all, when you book three nights this winter, you’ll get a fourth night free in addition to free spa treatments and private wellness activities.
Lake Tahoe, CA
One of the premier ski destinations in the United States, Lake Tahoe offers a huge variety of options for your weekend getaway in winter. For the best resort experience, check out the Resort at Squaw Creek, where there’s ski-in/ski-out access to cross country ski and snowshoe trails, a private ice rink and dog sledding.
Even if you’re not a skier, there are plenty of things to do near the resorts. Heavenly Village offers ice skating, a spa and plenty of unique shops. If you prefer warming up with some nightlife, Lake Tahoe has a diverse offering of aprés ski options from dance clubs to dive bars to full scale casinos.
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Beaver Creek, Avon, CO
Colorado’s Beaver Creek Resort provides the perfect blend of winter activities and an intimate, village-style atmosphere. Learn to ski or snowshoe at what’s considered to be the Ivy League of ski schools, where you can do runs on World Cup terrain if you’re at the intermediate or advanced level.
Take a cookie break in the afternoon when dozens of signature chocolate chip cookies are served or dine at one of the many cafes and restaurants within the village. It’s truly one of the best luxury ski resorts around. As proof, check out the $50,000 White Glove Winter Package, which includes first class airfare, helicopter transport and a private chef at your disposal.
It’s also a great destination for a family ski vacation, as the newly opened Red Buffalo Park contains 13 family learning trails and other kid-friendly attractions.
Mt. Bachelor, Bend, OR
Where else can you go on a snowshoe tour with a forest ranger or enjoy a dog sledding experience with a company owned by professional dog sled racers? Mt. Bachelor has everything you could ever want for an active winter getaway whether traveling solo, with friends, as a couple or with your family.
As one of the largest single-mountain resorts in the US, it’s a prime location for avid skiers, hosting multiple ski contests and events throughout the winter season. However, if you’d rather have fun lying down, there’s also the Snowblast Tubing Park. At night, the city of Bend comes alive with aprés ski parties featuring live music and hipster vibes.
Branson, MO
A top family-friendly destination for a weekend trip, Branson, Missouri has lots of wintry things to do. Take a tour of the Talking Rocks Cavern or go for a skate at the Jordan Valley Ice Park.
Although it does get cold here, Table Rock Lake doesn’t typically freeze over, which makes it a great place to still take a guided fishing trip during the winter. Afterwards, you can enjoy a stop at one of Branson’s wineries, distilleries or breweries to warm you up from the inside out.
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Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, VT
Fans of The Sound of Music might be interested to know that the Von Trapp family settled in Stowe, Vermont after the war. Now they operate a full scale alpine resort with a variety of accommodations and amenities. In true European fashion, the Trapp Family Lodge even has an onsite brewery, serving craft beers and food pairings in their Austrian-style Bierhall.
Plus, enjoy group skiing lessons, sleigh rides and festive family film screenings at night. Guests of the lodge can also learn in depth information about the Von Trapp family and participate in special tours of the facilities, including their maple syrup making process.
Door County, WI
You’ll find a gem of a winter getaway amid the Lake Michigan peninsula of Door County, Wisconsin. The perfect winter vacation idea for couples, most local resorts offer romantic packages for two during the winter months, which include bonuses like herbal baths, breakfast in bed and bottles of complimentary wine.
Despite the chill in the air, winter is the perfect time to experience the Deer County Wine Trail via heated trolley or sleigh ride. You could spend a whole weekend imbibing, that is, when you’re not hitting the ski trails of the Peninsula State Park or enjoying one of the local winter markets.
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The Four Seasons Resort, Jackson Hole, WY
The Four Seasons Resort is the place to be in the wintertime. Pretty much every type of skiing imaginable can be arranged through the hotel’s exclusive ski concierge. Go heli-skiing in the Teton mountains or try Nordic skiing through Grand Teton National Park.
For a change of pace that the whole family will enjoy, there are also winter wildlife safaris into the park as well as the National Elk Refuge. Of course, as with any Four Seasons property, expect impeccable service and a refined sense of luxury extending to everything from gourmet dining experiences to specialized spa services for high altitudes and winter sports recovery.