The 10 Best Winter Destinations

Winter is one of those seasons that seems to be pretty polarizing (haha, see what I did there?), some people love the cold and snow while others are just itching to escape to warmer weather.

I personally am not a fan of the cold but I do love snowsports and sitting by a cozy fire when it’s snowing out. But when winter starts to last a little too long I start craving sunshine and warmth as well.

Today’s list of winter destinations is divided into two categories, for the snow lovers and the sun-seekers. So whatever your winter preference, I’ve got you covered.

Winter Wonderlands

Tahoe CA/NV

Tahoe is an obvious choice, and maybe I’m a little biased about it, but it’s beautiful and gets over 200 inches of average snowfall a year. With tons of ski resorts, cross country skiing areas, and sledding and tubing hills there is no shortage of fun outdoor activities to do.

Montana

If you are looking for some awesome snow activities Montana’s got them. Ski and snowboard at some of the coolest resorts like Big Sky and Whitefish, snowshoe through Glacier National Park, or just cozy in a cabin, it’s all a ton of fun. With an average of 300 inches of snow a year, there is plenty of powder to play in!

Whistler BC

Whistler is world renown for its skiing, I mean, they did host the 2010 Winter Olympics. Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort is also the largest ski resort in North America with over 8,000 acres of skiable terrain plus a glacier that you can ski down!

Leavenworth WA

Leavenworth Washington might be one of the cutest little villages ever. The whole town is Bavarian styled and is especially cutesy during the holidays. There are three ski areas easily accessible from Leavenworth including Stevens Pass. They also have cross country skiing, tubing, snowmobiling, and sled rides if you are looking for something a little different.

Banff AB

Banff National Park really is a winter wonderland with its dramatic snow-covered mountain peaks and lush pine forests. There are three ski resorts, Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Mount Norquay, within about 40 minutes of downtown Banff so you’ve got some options for your snow sports.

Escape The Cold

Palm Springs CA

If you are looking for a desert oasis, Palm Springs is your place. There are tons of beautiful resorts, perfect for spa days and golfing. Take a tour of all the awesome mid-century modern architecture, some of those homes are absolutely stunning. You can also find hot spring resorts out in the little town of Desert Hotsprings for a nice relaxing soak. But my favorite thing to do is just lounge around in the pool and enjoy the sunshine.

Tucson AZ

Tucson has so much more to offer than you’d expect, it’s not just a college town. Its mild climate allows for year-round outdoor activities including biking, hiking, rock climbing, and horseback riding. Make sure to visit Saguaro National Park for all the amazing cacti and beautiful desert landscape.

San Diego CA

San Diego is pretty much the land of the endless summer, it never seems to get colder than 60 degrees and has around 250 sunny days a year. If you are looking for a beach day in February, San Diego is a good spot to be.

San Luis Obispo CA

California’s central coast is all beautiful year-round, and it’s mild winters make it the perfect place to escape the cold. You can get outdoors and explore those rolling hills by biking or hiking and enjoy the local beverages. There are over 250 wineries in the area, so wine tasting is always a good option as well.

Jacksonville FL

This might seem like a weird one but hear me out, the winter temperatures are very pleasant, not too hot and not too cold. This makes it perfect for enjoying some of those awesome outdoor activities like stand up paddleboarding and kayaking. Jacksonville also has a ton of great restaurants and breweries to try and the nice weather is perfect for outdoor seating.

Don’t let winter get you down, get out and explore a little. Whether you are chasing winter storms hoping for fresh powder or you’re enjoying the sunshine out in the desert winter can be pretty rad.

Nattie on the Road

The 10 Best Winter Destinations

The 10 Best Winter Destinations