The Best Winter Adventures in North America

For some, winter is the season to do little other than curl up by the fireplace with a hot drink. And that might be just the right call this year with the covid-19 pandamic surging. But all that indoor time also must be met with some respite in the outdoors. 

When you do feel it's safe to get outside and do so responsibly wearming masks and social distancing, we can think of a few soul nourishing activities when old man winter and the first snowfall transforms the landscape. Whether you seek the turns of backcountry skiing, the simplicity of snowshoeing, or the challenge of cross-country skiing, there is a winter adventure worth bundling up for and getting out there. Whether you're in British Columbia or the District of Columbia, we have the winter adventure you're looking for. 

Spanning the continent and covering all skill levels in various sports, here is our mega-list of the top cold-weather hotspots for winter adventure.

East Coast

Making the climb up to Avalanche Lake. Photo by Nick Catania.

• Mount Beacon Fire Tiower (New York): Snowshoeing.
• Mills-Norrie State Park (New York): Snowshoeing.
• Bear Mountain + Perkins Tower (New York): Snowshoeing.
• Skytop Tower Trail (New York): Cross-country skiing.
• South Meadows to Avalanche Lake (New York): Cross-country skiing.
• Whiteface Landing (New York): Cross-country skiing.
• The MacIntyre Range (New York): Snowshoeing and XC skiing.
• Little Jay (Vermont): Backcountry skiing.
• Stowe Recreation Path (Vermont): Cross-country skiing.
• Bolton Valley Nordic Center (Vermont): Cross-country skiing.
• The Birthday Bowls (Vermont): Backcountry skiing and snowshoeing.
• Mount Washington Lion's Head Route (New Hampshire): Mountaineering.
• Table Rock Trail (Maine): Snowshoeing.
• Roan Mountain (North Carolina): Cross-country skiing.

Washington

Watching a skier from Artist Point. Photo by Anthony Kasner.

• Artist Point​: Snowshoe, cross-country ski.
• Cabin Creek Nordic Ski Area: Cross-country ski.
• Lake Elizabeth: Snowshoe, cross-country ski, hike.
• Lake Valhalla: Snowshoe, cross-country ski.
• Mount St. Helens Worm Flows Route: Snowshoe, backcountry ski.
• Paradise Snowplay Area, Mount Rainier National Park: Sledding.
• Reflection Lakes and Inspiration Point, Mount Rainier National Park: Snowshoe, cross-country ski.

Oregon

Winter is a beautiful season at Crater Lake. Photo by Jess Beauchemin.

• Abiqua Falls: Snowshoe, cross-country ski, hike.
• Black Butte: Snowshoe, cross-country ski, hike.
• Cloud Cap Road: Snowshoe, cross-country ski.
• Mount Bachelor: Sled, hike, snowshoe, cross-country ski, backcountry ski.
• Snow Bunny Play Area: Sledding.
• Tumalo Falls: Snowshoe, cross-country ski.
• The Watchman, Crater Lake National Park: Snowshoe, cross-country ski.

British Columbia

Enjoying the ride down Journeyman Peak. Photo by Adam Cowcill.

• Alexander Falls, Callaghan Country: Snowshoe, cross-country ski.
• Meadows + Solitude Loops: Snowshoe, cross-country ski, overnight stay.
• Journeyman Peak: Backcountry ski, overnight stay.

Idaho

Skinning in to the Pioneer Yurt. Photo by Calvin Perfall.

• Fishhook Yurt: Backcountry ski, overnight stay.
• Pioneer Yurt: Backcountry ski, overnight stay.

Northern Rockies/Midwest

Moose crossing the Snake River. Photo by Kyle Jenkins.

• Commissary Ridge Yurt (Wyoming): Backcountry ski, overnight stay.
• New World Gulch (Montana): Snowshoe, XC ski.
• Snake River via Jackson Lake Dam (Wyoming): Snowshoe, XC ski.
• North Country Trail (Minnesota): Snowshoe, XC ski.

Utah

The view from Catherine's Pass. Photo by Calvin Perfall.

• Catherine's Pass: Backcountry ski.
• Hidden Falls: Snowshoe, cross-country ski.
• Scott Hill: Snowshoe, backcountry ski.
• Bald Mountain: Snowshoe, backcountry ski.
• Guardsman Overlook: Snowshoe, XC ski.

Colorado

The valley section of the Mount Sanitas Hike. Photo by Rini Sugianto.

• 10th Mountain Division Ski Huts: Snowshoe, cross-country ski, overnight stay.
• Evergreen Lake House: Ice skating.
• Loch Vale, Rocky Mountain National Park: Snowshoe, cross-country ski.
• Mount Sanitas: Hike, snowshoe, cross-country ski.
• Ouray Ice Park: Ice climb.
• Thunderhead Peak: Backcountry ski.
• Upper Fish Creek Falls: Snowshoe, cross-country ski, hike.

California

• Andesite Peak: Snowshoe, cross-country ski.
• Big Bend Sledding Hill: Sledding.
• Castle Dome: Snowshoe, cross-country ski.
• Castle Peak: Backcountry ski.
• Donner Ridge: Snowshoe, cross-country ski, sledding.
• Glacier Point Road, Yosemite National Park: Snowshoe, cross-country ski.
• Mount Tallac: Snowshoe, cross-country ski.