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Winter Vacation Travel

Embrace the snow

What’s winter without a little snow? We here at Cheapflights know that sometimes – more often than not – you want to escape the cold and sunbathe somewhere in the tropics. But there is so much winter has to offer – besides the opportunity to travel to somewhere warmer. Try your hand at vacationing in a real winter setting, and you may find that it’s just what you’ve been looking for. Grab your hat, gloves, scarf and skis and head to the ski resort of your choice. Don’t stress if your travel buddies have different interests – today’s ski resorts cater to non-skiers in the group, too.

Booking your ski or snowboard vacation

So this is the winter you’re finally going to take that ski or snowboarding trip. Now the big question is: where should you go? The options are endless when it comes to ski vacations, so before you book, take some time to think about the following:

  • Do you want to ski or snowboard in a particular region? Whether you choose to ski in the U.S. or explore Europe’s mountainous terrain, the options are endless.
  • Do you want your package to include airfare or do you have frequent flier miles to spend? Major airlines offer ski packages and resorts often provide all-inclusive deals with accommodations, meals, and lift tickets as part of the complete package.
  • Do you want additional activities – shopping, restaurants, bars – or a remote mountain lodge on the slopes?

Dare to be different

Trying to avoid crowds and long lift lines? Do something different and try lesser-known resorts in Schweitzer Mountain, Idaho or Solitude, Utah. The mountain ranges of British Columbia feature ski resorts for any level skier. Take your chances at Kicking Horse or Sun Peak Resorts (located in a region of national parks from Banff, Jasper, Glacier, Kootenay, Yoho and Mt. Revelstoke) and take your turn on a few of the best-kept skiing secrets in North America.

For the truly adventurous at heart, book a ski vacation in Gulmarg, Kashmir – home of the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering.

Family ski vacations

Learning to ski or snowboard at an early age can lead to a life-long affinity for the sport. The family ski trip is now easier and safer than ever, with resorts providing extensive ski school training for all ages. Consider a family-friendly mountain for your next ski vacation:

  • Smugglers Notch, Vermont – ranked the No. 1 family resort in the Northeast by FamilyFun Magazine.
  • Okemo, Vermont – features kids’ programs and discounts for child skiers
  • Aspen, Colorado – check out Snowmass which offers over 3,000 acres to explore
  • Salt Lake City, Utah – various different resorts including The Canyons, Soliltude, Brighton, Alta and Snowbird, which all cater to kids at every level.
  • Sugarloaf, Maine – ski the mountains or take a turn at tubing, trekking or one of the various outdoor activities in the Kidz’n’Snow Center.
  • Sun Valley, Idaho – offers lessons for kids and daycare for children ages four months and up.
  • Whistler, British Columbia – kids-only lifts, Kids Adventure Zones (a magic castle, secret forts, etc.), children’s learning center, and adventure camps for skiing and snowboarding.

European ski vacations

Traveling to Europe for your winter ski or snowboard trip can turn any ice queen into a snow lover. What better place to learn to ski or try out your skills than in the Alps? Away.com, in partnership with travel providers and a leading provider of outdoor lifestyle information, lists the following locations, among others, as ski resorts worth checking out in Europe:

 (Featured image: Jan Fidler)

About the author

Melisse HinkleA New England native but explorer at heart, Melisse has traveled throughout North America, biked through rice paddies in Bali, seen the Northern Lights in Iceland, walked alongside llamas in Machu Picchu and made her way around Europe while studying abroad in London. She is the Head of Content and Social Media for North America at Cheapflights.

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