Snowy Destinations

There’s something about snow that makes a really cold winter a little easier to bear. For everyone who craves a walk in a chilly winter wonderland and maybe even a good snowball fight, here are some frosty destinations to visit before springtime.

 

Telluride, Colorado – Best Skiing

Few places in the world can boast as much powder as Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, and the best place to experience it is scenic Telluride, a tiny town of just over 2,000 people. Visitors love the free gondola that takes skiers from the town to the mountain village and ski base, making transportation easy and car-free. And even at such a towering height (4,000 vertical feet), Telluride has a surprising number of beginner trails. Warm up at lunchtime in one of the town’s many gourmet restaurants known for their impressive wine selections (try Cosmopolitan for the best of the best) and end a fabulous day of skiing at the glamorous Spa Linnea.

Stowe, Vermont – Best for Families

While the Northeast can’t compare to the West in terms of skiing conditions, luxury resorts like Stowe are still hotspots for celebrities and everyday tourists alike. Stowe makes for the perfect winter family getaway thanks to its restaurants, shopping, and history—the von Trapp family of The Sound of Music owns the Trapp Family Lodge, the first commercial cross-country ski resort in the U.S. Stowe isn’t known for its party scene (you’ll have to drive 45 minutes to Burlington for that), but weary parents can relax at The Matterhorn, a 60 year old bar with daily live music and dancing.

The Berkshires, Massachusetts – Best for Non-Skiers

Thrill seekers may flock to the highest slopes, but those of us who are less adrenaline-inclined can enjoy snowy activities in unspoiled Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and making snow angels are just a few of the things offered in this expansive winter wonderland and alpine skiing (albeit on a much smaller scale) is also available and easy to find. The area has tons of luxury resorts, charming B&Bs, and budget hotels as well as workshops, concerts, and fine dining. We love the drop-dead gorgeous Blantyre Hotel, a fully restored Tudor style country estate and award winning Relais & Châteaux property. 

Antarctic Peninsula – Best Winter Cruise

Here’s the good news about traveling to Antarctica in the winter:  it’s summer there! The bad? It’s still around 20 degrees. Every November to March, cruises leave from Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world, and take travelers across the spectacular Drake Passage to Peterman Island on the Antarctic Peninsula. Weather permitting, you’ll be able to disembark and watch adorable seal pups play in the water! Some tours, like the National Geographic Explorer, even offer kayak trips around icebergs and treks along the beach where you’ll walk among thousands of Gentoo penguins.

Helsinki, Finland – Best for Culture Seekers

2012 may have been Helsinki’s best year—the city celebrated its 200^th anniversary as Finland’s capital and was chosen to be the World Design Capital—but that shouldn’t stop snow loving tourists from checking it out post-hype. In February the city gets almost double the amount of sunshine than during the holidays and almost 25 inches of snow! When you’re not ducking into a modern furniture store, snapping pictures of Alvar Aalto’s buildings or browsing a hot young designer’s boutique, you can nestle into a seat in a cozy café and try a Jallu hot chocolate, which mixes the classic winter beverage with Jaloviina, a type of brandy. If you’re in Finland on the first Sunday of March, make sure to follow the locals outside for Laskiainen, the day of sledding.