Creative winter travel ideas

Travelers have finally warmed up to winter-centric wilderness itineraries. Take Denali National Park & Preserve. It’s seen such an increase in demand that it’s implemented measures like plowing additional roads; grooming more trails; and installing a footbridge near Mountain Vista, the rest area known for its views of the 20,310-foot peak, to improve access to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing routes. Here are four ways to capitalize on cold-weather pursuits.

New York’s Finger Lakes aren’t typically top of mind this time of year, but the Inns of Aurora boasts a 15,000-square-foot spa with hydrotherapy circuits, pools and winter-themed activities, like tea-blending classes. Outside Montreal, the resort Spa Eastman roars to life in winter, with treatments in the Finnish sauna, hammam and outdoor whirlpools. 

Meanwhile, some innovators have started “snowga” classes that combine yoga and a wintry outdoor setting. “Practicing in these mountainscapes connects us to the elements and to spaciousness within,” says instructor Rebecca Black, a snowboarder who’s pioneering the practice with retreats in the Tarentaise Valley of the French Alps.

The northern lights are typically on view in Alaska through late April, according to Don Hampton of the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. “You need clear, dark skies since the aurora borealis is a very high-altitude phenomenon—clouds will block your view,” he says. It’s also smart to avoid weeks closest to the full moon, whose brightness can spoil the show. 

Fairbanks is a hub for aurora tourism, and operators include Borealis Basecamp and Northern Alaska Tour Co. Travelers can also spot the lights in central Canada and Scandinavia.

State parks in South Dakota are out to sell travelers on snowshoeing. Rangers at Custer and Good Earth, among others, will set visitors up with free rentals for hikes through snowy terrain. Many high-end resorts can outfit guests with snowshoes and other equipment, including Rabbit Hill Inn in Vermont. 

Also in Vermont, the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe is a great spot for cross-country skiing, with nearly 100 miles of groomed and backcountry trails. Those who prefer to power through powder will find more than 2,500 miles of snowmobiling trails in Wyoming. 

Germany is where many holiday traditions originated, and the country still holds the crown for the world’s most festive markets. They don’t get more storybook than the one held from late November to early January in the Bavarian town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Visitors can try Bavarian snacks, sweets and mulled wine while shopping the stalls for handmade gifts and ornaments. Stateside, the town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, earns the nickname of “Christmas City” with its Christkindlmarkt. It mimics European counterparts with more than 150 booths, plus live holiday music. In San José, California, the long-running Christmas in the Park festival dazzles with light sculptures and stunning holiday displays.