The best vacations aren’t simply those that include lying on bleached sand, surrounded by the sparkling blue waters of the Caribbean. Winter vacations are among the most invigorating, and provide a much needed getaway for those who wish to escape the bleak alternative of being shut indoors for a few months out of each year – and there are some outstanding opportunities right here within the 48 contiguous states.

Wintergreen Dog Sledding Vacations – Ely, Minnesota

Those who love to spend time in the rugged outdoors will spring at the chance to enjoy a dog sledding vacation in the wilderness of Minnesota. Over the span of nearly three decades, a number of specialized vacation packages have been put into place, each of which includes both breathtaking scenery and the excitement of running with the dogs.

• Lodge-to-Lodge Dogsled Vacation – Anyone between the ages of 7 and 70 can participate in this outstanding experience in the wilds. With no prior experience or gear, visitors will have the opportunity to mush a team of Eskimo dogs through the trails at the direction of an experienced guide. At the end of the day, guests will be treated to a delicious hot meal and retire in cozy cabins in order to rest up for the next day’s leg of the trip.

Specialty packages include:

Star of the North – accommodations for four guests during a five-day, four-night trek

Deluxe Four Night – this five-day, four-night excursion is designed for six guests

Standard Four Night – the most popular of the three packages, this is a four-day, three-night vacation experience for individuals, pairs or families

• Wintergreen Classics – Designed specifically for the beginner, this six-day, five-night camping adventure will teach novices winter camping skills, skiing, snowshoeing and dogsledding. Immediately following this phase, guests will be taken on a four-day, three-night trip into the wilderness, capping it off with a final night at the lodge.

• Advanced Camping Trips – As a much more intense camping experience, these will require that campers possess significant skills in winter camping, since they’ll be led much further into the wilderness through the use of dogs, skis and snowshoes. With the choice of either a six- or eight-night expedition, guests should be prepared to exhibit the necessary skiing skills that will be required to safely make the trip.

Ely is located in the northeast corner of Minnesota, approximately 250 miles north of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and only twelve miles south of the Canadian border. Those who are planning to participate in a Wintergreen Dogsledding Vacation should plan to arrive at 4:00 p.m. – or as close to that time as possible – so that they can enjoy their first meal and attend the orientation, which begins at 7:00 p.m.

Yellowstone National Park – Montana

For as beautiful as Yellowstone National Park is during the summer months, you haven’t experienced the beauty and excitement of a Yellowstone vacation until you’ve planned to visit during the snowy season. Filled with lots of opportunities for unique sights and activities, those who love the great outdoors will have a particular appreciation for this vacation “hot spot.”

• Snowmobiling – For equipment and outfitting rental, as well as experienced trail guides, Yellowstone Snowmobiles offers snowmobile vacation packages for individuals or groups. Featuring standard and mountain-terrain equipped machines (outfitted with heated handlebars), this group is licensed to conduct guides in all three forests, including Beaverhead, the Gallatin and Targhee. Operating from both the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort and the Three Bear Lodge in West Yellowstone, winter vacation packages are available which include lodging, meals, snowmobiling and related equipment, as well as outstanding photo opportunities. Enjoy the unique experience of a winter picnic by Old Faithful.

• Snowcoaches – These are a wonderful alternative to skiing and snowmobiling, since they can accommodate an entirely family within the comfort of their heated cabins. Magnificent wildlife photo opportunities are available as you tour through various parts of Yellowstone, including routes which take you to Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Among the many members of the animal kingdom that you can expect to see are wolves, elk, bison and a variety of waterfowl. You’ll also have the opportunity to see erupting geysers and waterfalls, surrounded by glistening snow. Resembling a van with skis instead of tires, snowcoaches provide the ultimate in comfort and convenience when traveling through the snowy trails of Yellowstone National Park.

When you’re not enjoying the rugged outdoors, you’ll need a place to lodge that offers a bit of luxurious pampering to its guests. There are two primary resorts within Yellowstone National Park that offer exquisite accommodations and outstanding service. The Three Bear Lodge & Restaurant is ideal for vacationing families. Offering suites and specific family units, this rustic – yet cozy – lodge is beautifully appointed and comes complete with a heated swimming pool, indoor whirlpools, restaurant and lounge. In addition, guests can expect to find double size in-room jetted tubs, four indoor whirlpools and an impressive menu. The restaurant portion of the lodge, which features western cuisine, offers an expansive dining area and a fully-stocked salad bar.

The Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort will be appreciated by those who have a more sophisticated form of lodging in mind. In addition to spacious guest rooms which include amenities such as coffee makers, microwaves, mini-refrigerators, hair dryers, irons with ironing boards, voicemail and data ports for online access, there’s also an exercise room, heated indoor pool, sauna and whirlpool for the convenience of its visitors. Family suites, deluxe suites and king spa rooms are provided as options to the standard guest accommodations. The Iron Horse Saloon and the Oregon Shortline Restaurant are available for dining out, in addition to a gift shop and a variety of activities which are located on or near the property. Children’s games and activities are also included, making this a great lodging option for the entire family.

Stowe Winter Carnival – Stowe, Vermont

Stowe, Vermont – skiing Mecca of the northeast – provides an exciting enough vacation on its own, but when you make the trip during their Winter Carnival, you’re in for a real treat. Every year, since 1921, this exciting tourist community has pulled out all of the stops to host the best winter attraction on the east coast. Typically lasting for an incredible ten days, this makes an ideal vacation destination for those who prefer to go solo, couples who are looking for a romantic getaway and families who are looking for something that can add a bit of spice to the otherwise bleak winter months. Although the dates may change slightly from year to year, there are some basic activities that have withstood the test of time – as well as something new and exciting that’s added to the list from year to year.

The Basics

• Opening Night – Typically beginning at 9:00 p.m., the festivities are launched with a night of exceptional music and dancing. Folks have the opportunity to meet new people, relax and enjoy a hot winter drink while they prepare for the activities that are set to begin the following day – the first full day of the Winter Carnival.

• Snow Volleyball – This all-day event is a popular favorite among those who frequent the winter activities. Come along, and bring five of your friends or family members to enjoy a day of spiking, setting and digging in the glistening mountain snow. If you don’t have enough people for a team, you’re sure to make some new friends who will be more than happy to join you for a day of fun.

• Ice Carving Competition – As a nationally sanctioned event, ice masters come from all around to participate in this highly competitive display. Carnival-goers have the opportunity to watch as blocks of ordinary ice are turned into masterpieces right before their eyes. The results are always breathtaking and never fail to add to the overall ambiance of the occasion.

• Snow Golf Tournament – For those who like to get a little goofy and want to take the challenge of golfing in the snow, this wacky tournament will provide all of the fun and excitement of the carnival spirit while throwing in a bit of sport on the golf course. Participants are invited to dress up in crazy costumes and enjoy the day on the green.

• The World’s Coldest Parade – Kids just love a parade, and this one comes complete with all the fun of the summer as the Stowe Fire Department trudges through the fluffy stuff down Main Street, delighting the youngsters and adding a new twist to the parents’ old memories of the parades of their youth. Bundle up and enjoy the fun, music and attractions of this cold-weather adaptation to a conventional summer event.

These and dozens of other activities and events will keep you and your whole family laughing for a week and a half of the most exciting winter vacation you’ll ever have. This is a great photo opportunity for shutterbugs or those who simply want to have a photographic keepsake of a great New England winter adventure. For information regarding dates for the upcoming season, contact the Chamber of Commerce in Stowe.

The Home Ranch – Clark, Colorado

It’s hard to imagine a winter vacation without thinking of Colorado. Known for its outstanding winter sporting opportunities, this state has a lot to offer to those who are interested in a bit of snowy R&R. The Home Ranch – a dude ranch that offers comprehensive vacation packages for the entire family – brings all of the fun of winter right to your doorstep as you choose from a vast variety of exciting activities.

• Cross-Country Skiing – Offering some of the best snow conditions in Colorado, The Home Ranch makes lessons, back-country equipment and guided day trips available to guests who enjoy the freedom, fresh air and workout of cross-country skiing. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced skier, there are guides available to take you on a skiing excursion through the Colorado mountains. If you prefer to simply take a nature walk on your skis, that’s OK, too!

• Snowshoeing – Picture yourself hiking through a glistening aspen forest as you make your way along the river, with a stop at a cabin in the woods, and you’ll have a good idea of what it’s like to go snowshoeing at The Home Ranch. Guides will take guests through the trails on a beautifully scenic trip which parallels the Elk River. Prepare to stop off at the ranch’s rustic cabin, where you’ll visit the neighboring sheep camp before making your return trip.

• Sleigh Rides – Whisk across the snow in a glorious sleigh that brings you right into the middle of the feeding pastures where more than 100 Belgians enjoy their mid-day meal. You’ll be treated to a ride in a genuine feed sled which – until two decades ago – was used to bring food to the horses by ranchers and homesteaders. The mountain view along the way is one that begs for photos, and you may just hear a story or two about the old days at the ranch, as well.

• Tubing – Kids will especially enjoy this exciting activity, as they fly down one of two hills: one straight, which allows youngsters to go at top speed, and the other full of curves that emulate an authentic luge run. Adults and children alike will love the feeling of the snow spraying in their faces as they careen down one of these two outstanding tubing hills on a long sled or traditional inner tube.

• Ice Fishing – Steamboat Lake and Pearl Lake, both within three miles of the ranch, offer the type of ice fishing experience that can only be found in the Colorado mountains. Expert fishermen are available to accompany guests who want to try their hand at this cold weather sport. This is well worth the time, since it’s the type of excursion that doesn’t often present itself in most other resort vacation spots.

Also included at The Home Ranch are horseback riding, downhill skiing, dog sledding and snowmobiling, in addition to indoor amenities which include a library, functional fireplace, private in-cabin hot tub, sauna and in-room massages. For those who prefer to get in a bit of shopping before they leave, the ranch offers The Mustang Mercantile, and the nearby town of Steamboat has lots of opportunities for buying souvenirs of your winter getaway. In addition, there’s a wide variety of sights to be seen in the surrounding area, if you’d like to take a day to enjoy some of the more traditional vacation activities.

Icicle Inn Adventure Packages – Leavenworth, Washington

The great northwest is the place to go if you’re looking to enjoy a comprehensive winter vacation package. From Alpine skiing to snowboarding to horse-drawn sleigh rides that are topped off by a gourmet dinner, you won’t find a more exciting winter retreat than the Icicle Inn, with its variety of customized packages that are designed to offer the ultimate in outdoor excitement for all of its guests.

• Stevens & Mission Alpine Ski/Board Package – You and up to three other guests will be able to share lodging, as well as breakfast, at the Icicle Inn, followed by a day of skiing and snowboarding at either Stevens Pass or Mission Ridge. A shuttle is provided to transport guests to and from the skiing and snowboarding locations.

• Snowmobile Package – In addition to exquisite lodging and breakfast, snowmobile tours are offered for singles, couples and families. For those who prefer to take an optional snowmobile package, a gourmet dinner will also be included, hosted by the nearby Mountain Springs Lodge.

• Cross-Country Ski Package – Two complimentary guest passes will be provided for cross-country skiers to take to the beautifully groomed trails after a fine breakfast at the Icicle Inn. If you don’t have your own equipment, don’t worry – the inn has plenty of rental equipment available for a very reasonable price.

• Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride/Gourmet Dinner – Not everyone who goes to a lodge during the winter months is there to enjoy the skiing facilities. Some folks prefer something a bit less strenuous, such as a horse-drawn sleigh ride. This package is offered through Mountain Springs Lodge, in conjunction with the Icicle Inn, and takes guests on a delightful ride through the snowy trails, treating them to a hot gourmet meal at the end of the trip.

• Body Treatment/Therapeutic Massage Package – The snow may be invigorating, but everyone needs a little bit of R&R when they’re not on the slopes or whooshing by on their snowboard. The Icicle Inn offers day spa treatments, personal massages, and therapeutic massages which utilize the Swedish deep-tissue techniques, Reiki and Foot Reflexology.

• Alpine Back-Country Snowcat Ski Package – Lodging and breakfast at the Icicle Inn is followed by a day of adventurous snowcat skiing. Those who are staying at the Icicle Inn will even get a discount for joining their hosts, The Cascade Powder Cats. This is a great group activity that offers the ultimate in winter excitement. You’ll be ready to go back to the inn at the end of this high-energy day!

Other activities which are available to guests include ski jumping and downhill skiing at nearby Ski Hill. No special equipment beyond your skis, boots and helmet are required to enjoy a day of fun with the coaches that are on hand to make sure that everything runs smoothly.

Next winter, consider running wild on the slopes of Washington and relaxing afterward at the beautiful Icicle Inn. Packages can be customized to accommodate the specific number of guests in your party, and can include a number of different events and activities, depending upon your interests.