Friday, August 1, 2025

10 Finest Chilly Winter Holidays For Households In The USA [For Snowy Magic]


The winter chill has arrived, and you’re keen on the snow, however you’ve determined there’s no level sitting at residence curled up by the fireplace – you’ve received to get out the home and take a winter trip.

However the place to go? There are a plethora of chilly winter locations within the USA the place you possibly can get pleasure from some snowy magic and pleasure this 12 months.

Whether or not you get pleasure from snowboarding, constructing snowmen, snowshoeing, or simply enjoying within the snow, a chilly winter doesn’t imply you must keep indoors.

On this information, we’ve complied a listing of a few of our favourite chilly winter holidays for households within the USA, based mostly on our personal experiences we’ve had in these locations.

And don’t fear, chilling out by the heat of the fireplace will all the time be an choice!

Chilly Winter Holidays In The USA For Households

1. Stowe, Vermont

  • Common winter temperature: 26°F – 30°F

The church steeples and colonial model homes dusted in snow makes Stowe appear like it sprung out from the pages of a kids’s Christmas story.

Surprisingly, winter is likely one of the quietest instances to go to this charming village close to Mt Mansfield in Vermont, which suggests you’ve gotten loads of area in top-of-the-line locations to ski within the US in your winter trip.

For the non-skiers, Stowe affords lots extra resembling dog-sledding, sleigh and carriage rides, cider mills, breweries and nice meals.

The place to Keep in Stowe, Vermont

exterior of smugglers in stowe in the snow
Photograph Credit score: smuggsinn.com

When visiting Vermont, you need to benefit from all of the previous, heritage inns and B&Bs.

Not solely do they provide an opportunity to remain in a bit of historical past, however they’re additionally extremely cozy with home-cooked breakfasts, dwelling areas with open fireplace locations, and plush furnishings that appear like they could swallow you entire.

If this sounds idyllic to you, then we advocate trying out Smugglers Notch Resort, which is positioned in a home in-built 1790 in Jefferson Historic District of Vermont.

Rooms are embellished in typical New England-style with plump duvets and a fire within the room. There’s additionally a candlelit eating room on the onsite restaurant, and it’s solely 4.5 miles away from Smugglers Notch Ski space.

High Tip for Visiting Stowe, Vermont

Spend time on the Stowe Recreation Path, a 5.3-mile bike path that winds by the valley crisscrosses the West Department of Little River.

It’s groomed within the winter and open to hikers, bikers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers!

There are eating places and breweries to cease off at alongside the way in which to heat up.

2. Lake Tahoe, California

Lake Tahoe covered in snow
  • Common winter temperature: 15°F – 40°F

Straddling the states of Nevada and California is Lake Tahoe, residence to over a dozen ski resorts.

Lake Tahoe receives greater than 300 inches of snow every winter, so for those who’re planning a ski trip and fearful you received’t get sufficient pow, there’s no fear about that right here.

You’ll be able to select whether or not to be near the motion on the South Shore, or a extra peaceable wilderness expertise on the West or North shores.

What makes this ski vacation spot so distinctive and winter-worthy is its attractive lake location.

No you received’t need to go swimming, however there are many unbelievable winter vistas ready to awe you. Traipse across the lake on snowshoes to search out them.

The place to Keep at Lake Tahoe, California

Northstar California Resort
Photograph Credit score: Northstar California Resort

Lodging in Lake Tahoe is all about cabins. Keep in a log cabin, an alpine chalet, or a contemporary resort with gabled roofs, stone chimneys, and big home windows providing enchanting views of the mountains.

Should you’re wanting to remain near the slopes, benefit from the cabin vibes, however not hand over any fashionable conveniences, then the Northstar California Resort is the right place for households in Lake Tahoe.

It has a recreation heart, a number of eating places, and free wifi all through. You’ll be able to keep in a lodge room, or go for a room with a fully-equipped kitchenette and a fire for a house away from residence feeling.

After a day on the slopes, hit the indoor pool, the spa, or health heart, whereas the youngsters relax on the video arcade.

There’s additionally an an adults-only clubhouse with leather-based couches, a fire and a library which might be the right spot for an evening cap after the youngsters have gone to mattress.

High Tip For Visiting Lake Tahoe In Winter

Snowboarding and snowboarding is the primary factor to do in Lake Tahoe within the winter, however you’re gonna need some warming up after an extended day on the slopes.

This space can be identified for its thermal waters, so get pleasure from scorching springs swim on the Grover Sizzling Springs State Park between snowboarding days.

It’s additionally an effective way to assuage aching limbs and sore muscle mass.

3. Yosemite Nationwide Park, California

Yosemite National Park in the snow
  • Common winter temperature: 28°F – 53°F

You thought Yosemite Nationwide Park sparkled in the summertime. You must see how she wows within the winter!

Think about frozen waterfalls, frazil ice, snowy reflections, frosted coated bushes and the valley blanketed in white.

Within the winter the Instances-Sq.-NYC-like crowds disappear, the wildlife comes out, and the costs drop.

Yosemite affords loads of out of doors adventures within the winter from snowboarding, and snowboarding to snowshoe walks underneath a fall moon, stargazing, and even, ziplining!

What a cool household winter trip thought!

The place to Keep at Yosemite Nationwide Park

pool area of tenaya
Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite was an awesome household lodging

There are just a few locations to remain really throughout the nationwide park, and also you pay a premium for this luxurious.

So we advocate staying simply outdoors the boundaries, the place you will get the identical stage of luxurious however with a 0 off the tip of your invoice.

We love staying on the Tenaya Lodge, Yosemite. We keep there each time we go, which has been about 3 times now.

It’s positioned simply outdoors the southern gates, and has an onsite spa, restaurant, health heart and retail shops.

It’s additionally pet-friendly and affords pet-sitting, so you possibly can convey your pooch on vacation with you!

Learn our evaluate of Tenaya Lodge right here.

High Tip For Visiting Yosemite Nationwide Park

Skate on the out of doors Ice Rink underneath Half Dome within the park or head to lined rinks close to the south and west entrances.

It’s one among our favourite actions to do within the winter with our youngsters.

Video of Yosemite Nationwide Park (features a hike within the snow)

4. Snowmass, Colorado

Snowmass ski fields
Snowmass Colorado is a superb ski vacation spot for households
  • Common winter temperature: 28°F – 46°F

Snowmass in Colorado is a really family-friendly ski vacation spot and one other place the place you possibly can all the time assure good snow.

Whereas Aspen is famend for glamour and glitz, neighboring Snowmass is the place households and people in search of a extra laid again and quieter ski trip come.

The terrain has runs to go well with newbies and the extra superior skiers and has an award-winning ski faculty.

Mother and father and youngsters will love the Treehouse Children’ Journey Heart, positioned within the Snowmass Base Village.

When the youngsters are off the slope, they’ve extraordinary indoor adventures to have whereas dad and mom can nonetheless benefit from the snow actions outdoors.

It’s positive to be a place within the US teenagers may also love.

The place to Keep in Snowmass, Colorado

Viceroy Hotel Snowmass Colorado
Photograph Credit score: Viceroy Resort Snowmass Colorado

When in search of a spot to remain in Snowmass, it’s vital to base your self close to the ski runs as you don’t need to be lugging your skies and ski boots for miles.

That’s why we just like the Viceroy Resort. You’ll be able to ski out and in out of your resort room door.

It additionally has a 7,000-square-foot spa, a restaurant, and every room has Egyptian cotton sheets.

High Tip For Visiting Snowmass

Benefit from the lovely pristine wilderness areas and excessive alpine meadows in snowshoes or the again of a canine sled.

It’s laborious to discover a extra beautiful setting than the Snowmass/Aspen space.

5. Yellowstone Nationwide Park, Wyoming

buffalo covered in snow eating in a snowy field in yellowstone
Buffaloes within the winter!!
  • Common winter temperature: 0°F – 20°F

Maybe the coldest place within the USA you possibly can go to in winter is Yellowstone Nationwide Park, which receives on common 150 inches of snow every winter. Temperatures also can plunge into the minuses too.

Winter in Yellowstone means fewer crowds, steaming geysers, and an opportunity to step again in time.

Snow transforms the park right into a winter wonderland, which closes many of the roads. Which suggests you get to leap on board a snowcoach or snowmobile to discover as an alternative!

Cross-country snowboarding trails and snowshoe alternatives are additionally accessible with nice trails from outdoors the lodge.

Though it’s cheaper to go to within the winter, you shoudl additionally word that a whole lot of amenities resembling submit workplaces, guests facilities, and common shops shut.

For that motive, we advocate making it a weekend go to.

The place to Keep at Yellowstone Nationwide Park

With solely two lodges being open within the winter, you don’t have a whole lot of selection to select from.

Yellowstone in winter is a extra intimate expertise.

Select between Previous Devoted Snow Lodge (open from December sixteenth – March 2nd, 2025) and Mammoth Sizzling Springs Resort (open from December fifteenth, 2024 – March third, 2025)

High Tip For Visiting Yellowstone Nationwide Park In Winter

Winter in Yellowstone is the right time to get to know and {photograph} the magnificent wildlife.

Assume bison, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and moose.

You may like this winter wolf tour 4 day/3 night time tour. 

6. New York Metropolis, NY

bridge over pond in central park with snow over it
Love NYC within the winter
  • Common winter temperature: 22°F – 50°F

A winter metropolis vacation spot doesn’t get a lot better than New York Metropolis.

Plan to go to round Christmas time so you possibly can wrap your self up within the festive spirit with the Christmas lights, vacation home windows, and the town decked out in Christmas bushes, the well-known being the Rockefeller Heart Christmas Tree.

It’s essentially the most magical time of the 12 months in New York and seeing Central Park lined in a recent coat of snow can be a reminiscence to treasure eternally.

You received’t be bored of a night both with loads of Broadway reveals, music venues, eating places and sporting matches.

Oh yeah, there’s procuring too for those who like that kinda winter sport.

Don’t see all of the NYC points of interest with out getting a Sightseeing move, which might prevent money and time.

The place To Keep In New York Metropolis

lady with suitcase outside The stylish INNSIDE New York Nomad hotel in NYC.
INNside New York Nomad

INNSIDE by Melia New York Nomad is the place we all the time keep once we go to New York Metropolis. It’s a central lodge within the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhatten

With spacious rooms (not often seen in New York) it’s excellent for households.

Try our evaluate of Innside New York right here.

High Tip For Visiting New York In Winter

The out of doors ice skating rink in Bryant Park oozes appeal and class with a sprinkling of magical Christmas spirit.

It’s a a lot quieter, cheaper, and extra pure expertise than ice skating at Rockefeller Plaza.

Keep away from Instances Sq. on New 12 months, it’s too busy and never pleasing.

Video: Central Park within the winter

7. Sedona, Arizona

Sedona Arizona Winter vacation
Sedona – a fantastic winter trip spot
  • Common winter temperature: 31°F – 60°F

Sedona has a fame for magic mud with a little bit Zen.

Within the winter time, you possibly can mix this with a dusting of snow on the rusty purple mountain tops. Simply one other colour so as to add to the desert tapestry.

Sedona does get snow within the winter as a result of it has a excessive elevation (4,500 ft above sea stage), however the snow tends to soften away by mid afternoon so it’s finest to rise up early to get pleasure from it!

Sedona is just not about snowboarding or constructing snow males although, it’s about connecting with nature with out the crowds.

Get pleasure from meandering drives by the canyons or mountain climbing trails shared with simply your self. And if it’s a little bit of winter spa pampering you’re after, Sedona has you lined.

It’s additionally the least crowded time of the 12 months to go to the Sedona area, which suggests decrease costs for you in your winter household trip.

The place to Keep in Sedona

Sky Ranch Lodge is all about location and beautiful views of Sedona and the well-known Pink Rocks.

It has free personal parking, a bar, a scorching tub, and most rooms have its personal balcony to admire the views from.

High Tip For Visiting Sedona In Winter

The Grand Canyon is simply a 100-mile drive from Sedona. Are you able to think about the great thing about the canyon dusted with snow?

Here’s a tour that leaves from Sedona for those who don’t have your personal automobile.

Video: Our Go to To Sedona

8. Alaska

northern lights in Alaska
Northern lights in Alaska
  • Common winter temperature: 5°F – 30°F

It might sound Alaska is just too chilly and forbidding to go to in winter and the whole lot can be closed.

It’s an thrilling time, and though some cities shut, a number of are nonetheless open, and there’s a lot for the out of doors adventurists and winter lovers to come back for.

You’ll additionally get a lot decrease costs than visiting Alaska at every other time.

Winter in Alaska brings festivals, ski races, canine sledding excursions, snowmobiles, ice skating, bonfires and Northern Lights.

A number of the hottest components of Alaska to go to in winter are Kenai Peninsula, which is thought for its winter sports activities and Seward, and Fairbanks, which is the perfect place to see the northern lights.

For snowboarding, the Alyeska Resort is the one ski resort in Alaska, positioned south of Anchorage, and the village of Valdez is nice for among the backcountry snowboarding.

The place to Keep in Alaska

We advocate you keep in Chena for some superb Northern Lights shows, since it is a phenomenom distinctive to the Artic Circle.

Keep on the Chena Sizzling Springs Resort, simply 90 minutes from Fairbanks, the place you possibly can loosen up in an out of doors scorching tub and benefit from the starry sky and northern lights.

High Tip For Visiting Alaska In Winter

Take into account an Alaska cruise if in case you have the finances for it. Most of Alaska is distant and inaccessible by highway, even the capital, Anchorage, is simply accessible by airplane or boat.

A cruise is one of the best ways to get round Alaska because it sails by the fjords, will get you near the glaciers, and permits you to spot whales within the waters and bears roaming the shores (although they are going to be hibernating within the winter).

9. Jackson Gap, Wyoming

main street Jackson Hole Wyoming

One other one among our favourite winter getaways in the US is Jackson Gap, Wyoming.

The world boasts world-class snowboarding from Jackson Gap Mountain Resort, which has among the most difficult terrain in North America.

Past the slopes, you possibly can take a scenic sleigh trip by the Nationwide Elk Refuge to look at majestic elk herds of their winter habitat, or go snowshoeing or cross-country snowboarding by the pristine wilderness of Grand Teton Nationwide Park.

The place to Keep in Jackson Gap, Wyoming

Keep near the slopes and the middle of Jackson Gap on the Elk Nation Inn.

It’s solely 4 blocks from the middle and gives a complimentary winter ski shuttle service to the ski resorts.

There’s additionally an indoor pool and scorching tub to heat up in after a day on the slopes, and a comfy dwelling area with stone partitions and open fireplaces.

High Tip For Visiting Jackson Gap, Wyoming In Winter

Jackson Gap is simply an hour’s drive from Yellowstone Nationwide Park’s south entrance, so knock two birds with one stone and make a day journey to Yellowstone from right here.

You can too go to Grand Teton NP as nicely.

10. Asheville, North Carolina

woman and child looking at the french broad river in asheville

Asheville is simply a 3 hour drive from the place we dwell, so we regularly make it a weekend getaway once we want respite from our day by day lives – we’ve been so typically, we really feel like locals!

Though it doesn’t have the snow issue these different locations have, it does have a extremely beautiful vibe within the winter which you can solely actually recognize when you go.

Within the winter, it receives fewer crowds, permitting you to get aquainted with the native Southern hospitality.

Downtown Asheville is stuffed with craft breweries and quirky espresso outlets, providing seasonal drinks the place you possibly can savor a scrumptious brew beside a crackling fireplace.

The place to Keep in Asheville, NC

overview of hotels with mountains in the background
Surrounded by mountains

We frequently keep on the Resort Indigo in downtown Asheville once we go to.

It’s completely positioned within the heart of downtown, and inside strolling distance of the historic district.

It has a stunning on-site restaurant and bar, and the rooms had been clear and comfy, with a lot of area to unfold out.

Learn our full evaluate of Resort Indigo Asheville Downtown right here.

High Tip For Visiting Asheville, NC In Winter

One of many highlights of visiting Asheville in winter is the chance to discover the beautiful mountain surroundings.

It’s the gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and so you must do the Blue Ridge Parkway scenic drive – that is magical within the winter!

Additionally, make sure to take a look at the Biltmore Property, America’s largest residence and a shocking instance of regal structure.

Extra USA Journey Ideas

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What’s your favourite winter trip on this checklist? Tell us within the feedback.

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