Make Your Winter Vacation a Winter Wonderland

What will you do on your winter vacation? If you’re like many Americans with a love of the outdoors, you’ll head out to the slopes for some downhill skiing. But, not just any slope will do. No, for a winter vacation, you want a top-notch resort that offers all the finest amenities and services, plus numerous other winter recreational activities for the days and times you’re not skiing. Of course, it helps if the resort is a winter vacation destination, too.

For couples, there’s the opportunity for a romantic getaway. Married or just romantically involved, you can’t match the coziness of snuggling next to a roaring fire with the snow blowing outside. Getting your exercise is easy with choices ranging from indoor sports to snowboarding, snowshoeing, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, sleigh rides, and, shopping, dining and nightlife. You may never want to go home!

Traveling with the kids poses interesting choices as well. You want a winter vacation destination that works for everyone. With the many world-class ski resorts across the U.S. and North America today, chances are you won’t be disappointed wherever you go. But, if you have young children, some have better kids’ programs and lessons than others. When you’re checking out a ski or winter vacation resort destination, be sure to look into all the kids’ activities available.

Sometimes you want an all-in-one winter vacation spot, a place where you can just go and not have to worry about renting a car or having to travel long distances to get to the slopes. Look for resorts and winter vacation destinations that offer free shuttle service to skiing and nearby attractions. Many world-class ski resorts are villages, complete with everything you’d want or need: outdoor recreational opportunities, equipment rentals, ski and snowboard lessons, snowmobile, snow cat and heli-ski tours, shopping, dining, and lots of entertainment and nightlife.

Don’t forget the special services to pamper yourself or your special someone. High-end resorts and winter vacation destinations have plenty of spas and massage venues, offering the latest in treatments to soothe your aching body and help you rejuvenate.

Naturally, the number and variety of things on your to-do list, as well as location, exclusivity and price-range, all come into play when you’re considering where to go for this winter vacation. If maximizing your budget is important, a vacation rental property may be the way to go. You’ll have the comforts of home, more space and privacy, and you can save money by preparing your own meals. Many properties are available with ski-in, ski-out access – making transportation less of a hassle.

Where to go? For luxury ski resorts, there’s the incomparable Whistler-Blackcomb in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, Colorado’s Beaver Creek Ritz-Carlton Resort & Spa,  the Hyatt Grand Aspen, Franz Klammer Lodge in Telluride and numerous world-class resorts in Vail. Also look into Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley and Sun Valley Lodge in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Looking for no crowds, but great skiing and a whole lot of ambience, creature comforts and laid-back leisure fun? Try Grand Targhee, Wyoming, Aspen Highlands, Silverton and Telluride in Colorado, Kirkwood, California, Big Sky, Montana, Taos, New Mexico and Snowbasin and Solitude in Utah.

How about some wicked, rad and gnarly terrain parks? You can’t miss with Mammoth Mountain and Northstar-at-Tahoe, California, Whistler-Blackcomb in British Columbia, Snowmass and Breckenridge in Colorado.

Winter vacation fun is all about the planning, but it’s so much more in the doing. Start now and get everything ready for your winter vacation this year.