From the famous Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan to horse riding through magnificent alpine landscapes in Méribel, these nine destinations are perfect for a wintery wonderland escape even without the skis and snowboards.
Snowshoeing in Norikura Highlands, Japan
Norikura Highlands offer the perfect conditions for winter snowshoeing for every level of contender. In Nagano prefecture in the Japanese Alps, Norikura Highlands runs alongside the Three-star Road making it an easily accessible location for those looking for a picturesque but adventurous exploration. As one of the quieter ski areas, Norikura Kogen is remote but very popular amongst locals for its incredible snowfall and powder quality. Making way through the guided trail, visitors can enjoy the spectacular view of Zengorou waterfall, which is frozen in a halted image in the winter.
Sapporo Snow Festival, Japan
Drawing multitudes of visitors from all over the world, the annual Sapporo Snow Festival, taking place from 4-11 February 2024, is a spectacular showcase that is not to be missed. Making use of Sapporo’s most abundant natural resource – snow, the city comes to life with sculptures made from ice and snow, as well as illuminations and festive decorations. Primarily located in Odori Park, the festival also sees international snow-sculpting teams from about 20 nations around the world taking part in the snow-sculpting contest. Visitors can join in the fun with snow slides, snow rafts located around the area as well as epic snowball fights at Tsudome.
Snow play in Flagstaff, Arizona
Arizona might be desert and sand most of the time, but in the winter, the northern city of Flagstaff turns into a beautiful winter wonderland with an average of over 100 inches of snow each year. Flagstaff hosts an abundance of fun winter activities from snow-shoeing to snow tubing to ice skating and more throughout the winter season at various locations around the city. Travellers heading to Flagstaff in the winter can use their Winter Recreation Map to locate the designated Snow Play areas and winter attractions.
Horse riding at Ranch Nordique, Méribel
Walk, trot or gallop through Méribel’s incredible mountain scenery with a trip to Ranch Nordique. Open in both the summer and winter seasons, the family-run ranch offers a variety of different rides for all ability levels, ranging from one hour rides for beginners to full-day trips venturing along challenging mountain trails and traversing through dramatic alpine landscapes.
Snow cat dinners, Aspen Snowmass
Enjoy a magical moonlight private dining experience high in the Rocky Mountains at Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro, only accessible at night time by snow cat. Visitors will be whisked up Aspen Highlands with a warm beverage and blanket before arriving at Cloud Nine, known for its unique and authentic Alpine atmosphere and elegant cuisine. With panoramic views of the postcard-perfect Maroon Bells and a cosy wood burning fireplace, this is the perfect evening experience, and a great way to make the most of the incredible scenery and food.
Snowmobile at Steamboat
Experience magic through snowmobiling Colorado’s continental divide on the breath-taking Rabbit Ears Pass. This high mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains climbs around 10,000 feet and the extensive trail system is a snowmobiler’s dream. Located in the middle of the Routt National Forest, with views extending to Wyoming the ride will guide visitors through tree lined trails and to big open meadows. Enjoy hot chocolate breaks in between admiring the beautiful landscapes. Steamboat is available on the Ikon Pass, offering unlimited access along with 16 other North American ski resorts.
Hut-to-hut hiking across Aspen, Leadville and Vail, Colorado
Home to more huts than any other state in the USA, Colorado is the best place to participate in hut-to-hut hiking. During the 80s, members of the 10th Mountain Division of the US Army recreated huts they’d spotted whilst on duty in the Alps and so, the 10th Mountain Division Hut System was born. Spreading across a 350-mile route and located in a triangular area between Aspen, Leadville and Vail, the network of 36 huts are a unique way for travellers to connect with the outdoors. The experience is doable year-round; in winter, travellers can cross country ski from one hut to the next and in the summer, they can hike or mountain bike. For adventure seekers and wilderness lovers, the huts include a bare bed, basic cooking utensils and melted snow for water.
Pedal fat bikes in Washington State
Given their name because of the fat wheels that help them traverse snow, fat bikes are a great way for non-skiers to get out and enjoy the winter weather. Bikers can enjoy pedalling down snowy trails at Methow Trails resort which pioneered fat-biking and has 22 miles of fat bike dedicated trails for visitors to enjoy. Located close by Pearrygin Lake State Park visitors can enjoy a separate trail system with 20 miles for fat biking.
From ice skating to horse-drawn sleigh riding at Tenaya Lodge – Yosemite Mariposa County, California
Nestled among a forested mountain setting dusted with snow, Tenaya at Yosemite is a picture-perfect holiday getaway complete with all the makings for magical seasonal fun. This AAA Four-Diamond Yosemite winter wonder lodge delights visitors with festive décor and a range of activities from twirling around an outdoor ice rink next to sledding down the lodge’s hill to exploring the forest on a snowshoe hike or even touring the area on a horse-drawn sleigh ride.
