Weekend Winter Vacation Ideas
Grab your ski mask and snowshoes, because winter has finally arrived. Planning a winter vacation can be stressful if you don’t know where to go or what to do. While some may think it’s safer to stay home and let their imaginations run wild, others like to venture into the winter wilderness. If you’re the adventurous type and looking for weekend winter vacation ideas, keep reading!
It’s that time of year where most of have a wonderful and long holiday weekend: perfect for everyone to get away in the snow and take one last winter vacation. However, so many people are stuck in their heads thinking about all the stuff they have to do to make it the best it could be. That’s why we decided to help you out with some ideas for your winter vacation that is not just any vacation, but a luxury vacation.
While summer vacations are nice, not every destination you can travel to is accessible during the long hot months of summer. That’s why winter vacation ideas can be so attractive, especially once the holidays are over and you’ve got relatively few obligations for a few weeks. Here are some good examples for when you’re looking for winter vacation topics that are still in alignment and relevant to your niche, but might not be as immediately obvious.
I have an idea. Instead of relaxing at home this weekend, why don’t you get out and see the world? No, I’m not talking about starting a travel blog (although that’s not a bad idea) — I’m talking about packing up your suitcase for a long weekend in the cold.
There’s a lot you can do if you plan on visiting Canada in the winter. You can experience the joy of skiing or snowboarding at some of Canada’s best winter resorts, experience the thrill and excitement of dog sledding through snow-covered trails, maybe discover that you really like the cold weather after all. Whatever your hobby, there will be something for you if you go to Canada.
Weekend Winter Vacation Ideas
When it comes to winter getaways, the season’s most devoted jetsetters generally tend to split into two camps. Snow or sun? Mink or linen? Skis or irons? A glass of whiskey by a roaring fire or tequila on ice with toes in the sand? Whatever it is you prefer, whether it’s to take a suitcase full of cashmere and set off in search of fresh powder and cozy cabin environs, or to simply sprawl out on a beach in tropical paradise with a great read and a never-ending stream of cocktails, T&C has dreamt up a few ideas to help cure the wintertime wanderlust.
Gstaad, Switzerland
GSTAAD PALACE
From Verbier to Courchevel, Europe certainly has no shortage of glamorous ski towns that attract an ultra-high-net-worth crowd. Old world and impossibly gorgeous, Gstaad has long been a favorite of Monegasque royals—in fact, Andrea Casiraghi and Tatiana Santo Domingo got married here back in 2014. For those without a standing invite to Valentino’s chalet, the only place to stay is at its grandest dame hotel: Gstaad Palace, which has been owned and meticulously operated by the same family since it opened in 1913.
Gstaad Palace
Los Cabos, Mexico
ZADUN, A RITZ-CARLTON RESERVE
There are so many stunning luxury hotels to choose from at this celebrity-adored Baja California destination. One of the newer kids on the block is Zadún, nestled within desert dunes along the dramatic coastline. As part of the exclusive Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio, whose resorts are known for their impeccable service, ultra-luxe digs, and celebration of (and seamless blend with) their natural, exotic surroundings, it’s just the kind of place for a winter getaway that is sun-soaked and focused on wellness.
Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
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The Berkshires
THE WHEATLEIGH
Originally built in 1893, the Wheatleigh, a stately Italianate mansion-turned-boutique hotel feels akin to a European chalet come winter. Picture crackling fireplaces, warm wood accents, and an intimate vibe—there are just 19 rooms on property—plus scenic views of the Berkshires. A number of nearby trails are great for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding.
The Wheatleigh
Raton, New Mexico
KIRK EDWARD GITTINGS
As the second largest private landowner in America, with 2 million acres of it, Ted Turner is basically a real-life John Dutton. Except unlike the Yellowstone patriarch, the media mogul doesn’t mind sharing. Located on 550,000 acres of pristine wildlife in Northern New Mexico/Southern Colorado is Vermejo, a Ted Turner Reserve, the largest property within his hospitality brand. There is a deep focus on conservation, especially in protecting the American bison and Rio Grande cutthroat trout, plus ample creature comforts: five-star accommodations, world-class spa, and incredible food.
Vermejo, a Ted Turner Reserve
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Lake Placid, New York
COURTESY THE WHITEFACE LODGE
If the nightly s’mores around a campfire aren’t enough to draw you to the picturesque Whiteface Lodge in the Adirondacks, the cozy ensuite fireplaces, warm homemade cookies at turndown, and 80+ trails at nearby Whiteface Mountain will do the trick. After a day in the snow, you can cuddle under a wool blanket and gaze at the stars, while enjoying whiskey flights and hors d’oeuvres by the fire.
Whiteface Lodge
Bahia Beach, Puerto Rico
ST. REGIS BAHIA BEACH
Puerto Rico is an easy hop, skip, and a jump away, especially for East Coasters. Located on more than 400 acres of a former coconut plantation, the St. Regis Bahia Beach is just 20 minutes from the verdant paradise that is El Yunque National Forest and has 2 miles of secluded beach, an ocean-front golf course, and private bird sanctuaries. It’s got art cred, too: the resort recently welcomed the arrival of four giant sculptures by the iconic Fernando Botero to add to its already impressive permanent collection.
The St. Regis Bahia Beach
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The Dolomites, Italy
GETTY IMAGES
So breathtakingly beautiful are the Dolomite mountains that in 2009, they were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In San Cassiano, one of the charming Alpine villages nestled underneath the region’s imposing peaks, is the Rosa Alpina, which became an Aman partner hotel just last year. That means you can expect all the sleek and ultra-zen-like trappings of the cult hotel brand, coupled with the home-away-from-home warmth that comes from being a family-run property since 1939.
Rosa Alpina, an Aman partner
Stowe, Vermont
COURTESY STOWE MOUNTAIN LODGE
Four words: ski-in/ski-out. That alone would be enough for The Lodge at Spruce Peak to win the hearts of many convenience-seeking skiers and snowboarders, but it also helps that the gondola to the slopes of Mount Mansfield is just steps from the full-service resort and spa. Also on the wintry agenda: dogsledding, ice climbing, and sleigh rides. Not a fan of the great outdoors? Take a dip in the heated outdoor pool, read by the stone fireplaces, or get pampered to the nines at the 21,000 square foot spa.
