Snowy Places To Visit In February
Sherman Desrosiers
Whenever cold weather swings around, our travel daydreams tend to fluctuate between two very different types of winter vacation ideas: snowy wonderlands and tropical beaches. Some days, we envision a ski vacation or trip to a snow-covered European village, and other days we start planning our next beach trip while scorning the sub-zero temperatures. Repeat that cycle about 50 times, and that pretty much sums up what our lives look like from December through March every year.
No matter the season, Yellowstone is always a good idea. Famous sites at the oldest of all US national parks (established in 1872) include the Old Faithful geyser and the Grand Prismatic Spring, but truly, every single acre of the park is worth seeing in person. Visiting in the winter is a good way to avoid the summer crowds; you'll be greeting by landscapes filled with steam from the thermal features.
Classic Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, sits divided by the Salzach River: Its pedestrian Old City lines the left bank, and the (slightly) newer side is on the right. For a hotel stay involving gingerbread cookies, fluffy beds, and views of falling snow, look no further than Hotel Goldener Hirsch.
While often thought of as a side trip from Cancn, Isla Mujeres is a destination in its own right. The main beach of Playa Norte is made of crushed coral, has warm shallow waters, and is much quieter than the beaches across the bay. Scuba enthusiasts should take note: The island is home to the largest concentration of whale sharks on the planet.
To experience a winter wonderland on the Indian subcontinent, head to Srinagar, the most populous city in the Kashmir Valley. Thanks to cool new hotel openings and developing infrastructure in the region that make visiting much easier than ever before, Srinagar was on our international list of 23 Best Places to Go in 2023. To keep warm, indulge in a multicourse wazwan feast and wash it all down with piping hot cups of kahwa, Kashmiri saffron tea.
Not many cities can compare to New York City during the holidays. Already experienced those classic traditions like the lighting of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, ice skating in Central Park, or The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center? Follow our guide to make a few unexpected ones of your own.
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The coronavirus pandemic is still impacting travel, and destinations around the world have different COVID-19 restrictions in place. Always check and adhere to local government policies as you're planning future trips.
If you're the kind of person who wants to hit the slopes and go skiing but you also want the highest chance of encountering wildlife (think elk, wolves, mountain goats, etc.) then Montana is the state for you!
And if you plan your trip at just the right time, you can enjoy some of the many winter events Big Sky has to offer, like the annual Christmas Stroll (complete with Christmas movies and tree lighting), ice skating, hockey, or curling.
If you're looking for somewhere to stay on your trip to the biggest sky there is, consider one of the four hotels at Big Sky Resort. Prices vary by room and dates, but whichever hotel you choose, they're sure to give snowed-in mountain vibes.
You might notice a theme here...skiing and snowboarding are quintessential winter activities, so of course Jackson Hole offers some amazing slopes. But don't worry, if you're not the skiing type, there are plenty of other winter activities to enjoy in Jackson Hole like sleigh rides, winter bike tours, and snowshoeing.
If you prefer shopping over skiing, head to Burlington! Enjoy the small city decorated for the holidays, with warm glowing lights, fresh falling snow, and plenty of places to shop, snack, or grab a drink.
Burlington has a bunch of winter events and a winter festival each year to plan your trip around. Head to the Church Street Marketplace for everything from a Santa parade and tree lighting (hello free hot chocolate) to winter markets featuring local businesses.
For those on the east coast who are looking for a good ski spot, North Conway is among the best. There are more than a dozen different ski resorts in the area to choose from like the beautiful White Mountain Hotel and Resort or this luxurious ski-in/ski-out penthouse at Cranmore Mountain.
And when you're not on the slopes, you can try out snow tubing, ice skating, snowmobiling, dog sledding, or an old fashioned sleigh ride. Then, end the day with a fondue dinner and drinks at a local pub.
If you want some drinks paired with traditional Irish food, check out May Kelly's Cottage Bar and Restaurant. But if you have no clue what you want, you could always head to the highly rated Delaney's Hole In the Wall for American food, pizza, and an extensive sushi menu.
During the day you can go cross-country skiing, sledding, or snowmobiling, and when the sun goes down, you can keep those snow pants on for ski parties and snowball fights on the beach... or change into something a little less puffy and soak up the nightlife with live music and dancing. You can even spend the evening following Tahoe South's Beer Trail and enjoy some of the best craft brews along the lake.
But! You can also grab your skates for a day of ice skating or organize a game of ice hockey. If you want to get your adrenaline pumping, head out for some paragliding... or if you prefer to keep it low-key, head to one of the many spas like The Spa at Sun Valley Resort.
And if you want to get away from it all, take a quick hour-drive trip to the nearby mountain town of Stanley and soak in the hot springs or hit the trails. Prefer to stay closer to your hotel? In the fall and early winter you can visit Frenchman's Bend Hot Springs just 11 miles outside of town.
When in Jeffersonville, you can spend your days snow tubing at North Hill or spend the nights snow tubing at Sir Henry's Hill. Take a guided winter walk, warm up at the bonfire, or hit the snowshoe trails.
If you're looking for a winter vacation, Colorado is likely the first state that comes to mind. Between the Rocky Mountains and the river canyons, Colorado is a great destination for all things outdoors.
Vail (one of the more popular spots) is made up of three cute villages filled with shops and restaurants. It's easy to visit Lionshead Village, Cascade Village, and Vail Village on your trip as they're connected by pedestrian streets and a free bus system.
After a day of winter activities, you can visit museums, explore the art scene at their First Friday Art Stroll, or spend the night with friends at one of Ogden's many breweries or distilleries. Spend your night in the tap room of Roosters Brewing Co. or hang out at the Side Bar at Ogden's Own Distillery.
The city is also home to many coffee shop and to support those local shops, they started the Caffeine Crawl where you can collect stamps and win prizes. Visitors can grab a Caffeine Crawl Passport here and collect 10 stamps from any of the 14 participating coffee shops. Enjoy some coffee, support local businesses, and then bring you passport for the Visitor Center to collect your prize!
There are lots of places across the country to go skiing (see all of the above), but Estes Park is the perfect place for adventurers who want a challenge. Try out backcountry skiing, split boarding, snowshoeing, or ice climbing.
And if you want to be closer to nature, you can hit the roads and take in the beauty of Colorado from the safety (and warmth) of your on vehicle. Enjoy one of the many scenic winter drives in the area.
I have now taken two winter trips to Banff, the first being a 7-day Alberta winter road trip, and the second being a 4-day winter trip specifically to the Banff area. Both visits were absolutely incredible and have given me insight into what everyone needs to know when planning a trip to Banff in winter. So read on to find out when to visit, where to stay, how to get around, what to pack, where to eat, and the best things to do!
Our favorite place to stay in the town of Banff in winter is the Moose Hotel and Suites. This hotel is very modern, walking distance to everything in downtown, and the staff are super friendly. They also have some amazing rooftop hot tubs, fireplaces in all the rooms, and beautiful mountain views! Both times we have stayed at the Moose Hotel and Suites have been great experiences. I know we will be back again.
Both of our trips to Banff in winter have also involved staying a couple of nights in Lake Louise. This allows us to be closer to the Icefields Parkway, Yoho National Park, and beautiful Lake Louise. Our go-to option is the wonderful Post Hotel. We find their staff and service to be exceptional. The rooms are super cozy, and the location is central and convenient. Overall, we always love staying at The Post Hotel and always recommend it to our friends and family.
There is so much to see in Banff during winter! A good starting place is to explore the actual town of Banff and its main avenue with shops, restaurants, and bars. Banff is very pedestrian-friendly and you can spend hours strolling from one cute local store to the next (and eating way too much fudge!) There are also some short trails to take around town that provide scenic views, or you could try out tobogganing at some of the local hills (there is a fun spot at Spray Meadows Hill behind the Fairmont Banff Springs).
Another option close to town is the Banff Gondola, where you can access the summit of Sulphur Mountain and see some breathtaking views! You can walk along the Banff gondola skywalk and explore the rooftop deck. While there, check out the interpretive center, and you could even dine at the Sky Bistro. Tickets for the Banff Gondola start at $58 CAD per adult when purchased in advance. There are also options to ride the gondola at nighttime, and for lunch and dinner meals! There is also an option to hike up to the summit for free, but this can be kind of treacherous during the winter months.
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