Original article posted by wheretraveler.com
TOP WINTER GETAWAYS
Whether you enjoy restful or adventurous vacays, here are 10 winter getaways that will get you out of that cold weather slump.
Desert Cycling
Tuscon, Arizona has been voted the second most bike-friendly city in the U.S., and Escape Adventures makes it easy to see everything the Sonoran Desert has to offer. Their 5-day cycling retreat takes guests through the most scenic areas of the High Desert, Arizona wine country, Saguaro National Park, and Tucson Mountain Park. After a long day on the bike, relax in luxury accommodations including Hacienda Del Sol, a historic hotel that compliments the natural beauty of its surroundings. Escape Adventures takes care of everything from lodgings to meals, equipment to transportation with their all-inclusive package.
(Courtesy Escape Adventures)
Cowboy Retreat
Relax amidst the splendor of Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains at Red Reflet Ranch. This working cattle ranch offers luxury, all-inclusive dude ranch getaways that combine outdoor recreation with gourmet meals. There are more than 30,000 acres to explore by snowmobile, snowshoe, or on horseback. Enjoy gourmet meals paired with vintages from an extensive wine cellar or get messy with BBQ served chuck wagon-style. Each lavish chalet features fireplaces, private hot tubs, and breathtaking views of the natural surroundings.
Horseback riding at Red Reflet Ranch (Courtesy Red Reflet Ranch)
Ski Big Sky
The Wilson Hotel is the go-to winter fun destination in Big Sky, Montana. Ski the 11,000-foot slopes of Lone Peak, ice skate, snowshoe, or take a sleigh ride through a winter wonderland. The Wilson Hotel sits right on the border of Yellowstone and guests love to explore the park by dogsled and snowmobile. Escape the cold and visit the Lone Peak Brewery or pamper yourself in the Solace Spa and Salon.
National Parks by RV
Winter is the most underrated time to visit National Parks. The trails are tranquil and uncrowded, perfect for social distancing. Blacksford is a new RV rental company with locations in Montana, Las Vegas, and Denver that can help you see the splendors of Yellowstone, The Grand Canyon, Moab, and more. Their all-inclusive pricing model includes unlimited miles, 24-hour roadside assistance, and a free annual pass to National Parks. Use their GuidePost Pro service and your customized RV trip will be planned by a local guide intimately familiar with the best stops and sights. Their ready-to-rent RVs sleep 2-5 people making them perfect for family vacations or romantic getaways.
Tiny House Ski Retreat
When planning a big getaway to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, think small! Fireside Resort has 25 pint-sized, luxury cabins dripping with rustic charm. Every tiny house is equipped with a private deck and campfire. Nearby Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has 133 ski trails, well-maintained cross country and Nordic ski trails, and snowboard rentals. Snowmobile along the continental divide and take a dip in the nearby hot springs. Your cozy, tiny cabin will be ready and waiting after a long day of alpine adventures.
(Courtesy Fireside Resort)
Sunshine State Cycling Adventures
If your idea of a winter getaway involves leaving cold weather behind, check out Adventure Cycling Association‘s Florida Connector. The cycling loops circle the Sunshine State from coast to coast. Bike along Atlantic beaches and the Gulf of Mexico, past orange groves and Lake Okeechobee. The loops take cycling enthusiasts through Fort Lauderdale, around Orlando, and down to Key West. Adventure Cycling has interactive maps, route navigators, as well as a wealth of other resources to help make your Florida cycling getaway easy to plan and enjoy.
Cross-Country Skiing in Colorado
Devil’s Thumb Ranch, an award-winning resort and working ranch, has been ranked the #1 cross country ski resort in the United States by U.S.A. Today. There are 75 miles of skiing trails through expansive meadows and peaceful forests. After traversing the 6,500-acre property, indulge in a Wagyu steak (sustainably raised on the property) with a glass of wine from the award-winning wine cellar. Relax and take in the jaw-dropping views of the mountains and continental divide beside a crackling fire at the Ranch Creek Spa.
(Courtesy Devil’s Thumb Ranch)
Snowshoe Tours
Don’t let the name deter you because Purgatory Resort is the premier destination for guided snowshoe tours in the San Juan Mountains. The half-day tours are available in the morning and afternoon led by naturalist guides that enhance every tour with their knowledge of local geology, wildlife, and history. The resort also has snowmobile adventures, tubing, sleigh rides, and skiing. Kids under 10 ski for free! There are more than 35,000 acres of Colorado backcountry terrain to explore.
Diving at Flower Garden Banks
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is more than 100 miles off the Texas/Louisiana coast and Fling Charters has been helping adventure-seekers get there for over a decade. Venture out on the 100-foot vessel for 2 and 3-day charters to the sanctuary. Winter is an especially exciting time because large numbers of scalloped hammerheads seasonally school throughout the sanctuary. There are more than 500 species of animals and 21 varieties of coral that call Flower Garden home. Meals are served buffet-style throughout the day and the first night’s dinner is authentic Texas brisket.
Hot Springs in the Mountains
Dunton Hot Springs is a charming 1800’s ghost town turned luxury getaway just across the mountain from Telluride. The calcium bicarbonate springs are known to help promote circulation, energy, and skin rejuvenation. Dunton has 5 ways to enjoy the pools (which range in temperature from 85 to 106 degrees Farenheight) including a 19th-century bathhouse or at its source under the open sky. Between soaks, check out the cross country ski trails laid out by former Olympic Nordic skier Wendy Wegner.
