Winter Vacation Getaways You Must Visit in the US

Jan 18, 2025

If you’d like to branch out from our neighboring sphere in the Midwest, we’ve found some wonderful places around the US to expand your horizons. Check out some of these resorts and mountains for truly top tier skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and more exhilarating winter sports. Here are three different resorts to explore this winter season for an extended vacation getaway:

Big Sky Resort in Montana is a truly magical winter wonderland getaway like none other. The resort is filled to the brim with snowy season fun, excitement and beauty. Wednesday through Sunday each week, the Enchanted Forest Trail is illuminated to guide you on a twinkling trek through the woods each evening from 5PM to 9:30PM; enjoy an hour-long stroll through the woods and be transported to a fairytale forest in real life. The resort also showcases world-classNordic Skiing trails for all ages and skill levels. For an extra challenge and fresh perspective on the slopes, try the headlamp night-skiing options from Wednesday to Sunday on select trails. Looking for something unique? Well, we bet that a little dog sledding or sno-go biking will fit the bill, or maybe a little snowshoeing through the local forests and mountains with an experienced guide. Take in the sites with a special tour via snowcoach or snowmobile. Perhaps you’re a little famished after so much excitement outdoors, and prefer to hop a snowcat or book a horse-drawn sleigh to take you over to the unique dining options on site. The possibilities for excitement and enjoyment are truly endless!

Park City Mountain in Utah offers more than 300 trails, 6 terrain parks, and 14 bowls over 7,300 skiable acres thanks to a merger of two resorts – Park City and Canyons – making it an incredibly diverse spot for all ages and skill levels of skiing and snowboarding experience, but the majority of trails will be geared towards intermediate and higher. As for terrain parks, you’ll enjoy beginner parks such as Little Kings Park and Pine Draw Park, intermediates will enjoy Pick Axe Park or Transitions Park, and those seeking the most challenging jumps and more should head over to 3 Kings. The park is also the future host of select events at the upcoming 2034 Winter Games at Salt Lake, hosting women’s and men’s snowboarding halfpipe, snowboarding slopestyle, freestyle skiing halfpipe, and freestyle skiing slopestyle! But if you’re not Olympic level yet, we recommend checking out High Meadow Park, so you can learn to ski and snowboard at your own pace with confidence. There’s also a stunning on-site spa designed to get you plenty of rest and rejuvenation in between winter sports excursions including signature natural treatment plans for body restoration, personalized massages, and more.

Waterville Valley Resort in New Hampshire is the area’s newest family friendly ski resort, nestled in the majestic White Mountains range in the quaint town of Waterville Valley, surrounded by stunning National Forest acreage. We love that this family-friendly resort offers free lift tickets for kids 5 and under, and free skiing for your kids aged 6 through 12 with the purchase of each adult season pass. The resort also hosts a majestic Nordic Trail System that’s available with a daily trail pass or your season pass, where you can explore expertly groomed trails for classic and skate skiing and snowshoeing, with options to book lessons to learn the ropes if need be. Missing your mountain bikes and the summer trails? No worries there, check out the Fat Tire Biking experience to get your kicks during the winter season. Kids who aren’t quite ready to try their hand at skiing or snowboarding will be delighted to find the Waterville Valley Clubhouse has multiple Snowtubing lanes and plenty of snacks. There’s also an indoor arcade, Legends Adventure, featuring state of the art games, excitement, and music. Or perhaps the indoor recreational heated pool, weight rooms and gym, game room, indoor ice arena, rock climbing facilities, and yoga studio may be more your speed. There’s so much to see and do, you’ll never want to go home.