When considering taking a family vacation during the winter months, most people automatically start fantasizing about warm beach resort destinations such as Florida, Hawaii, or the Caribbean. Visions of splashing around on sun-kissed beaches and feeling your toes in the sand often come to mind.
Cold weather family vacation destinations are often overlooked, but they actually make incredible vacations. Picture your little ones squealing with glee while sledding, skiing, or even making snow angels in the fluffy snowfall. Winter vacations can be just as fun as summer ones if you follow our guide to cold weather winter family vacations!
Check out these family-friendly, fun-filled cold-weather family vacations!
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Lake Tahoe is an incredible vacation spot year-round. It offers beautiful lakes for swimming and water activities in the summer, but it’s the winter months that truly let the best of Lake Tahoe shine! Straddling the border of California and Nevada, this wintry destination’s ski resorts are legendary.
With Squaw Valley having the prestigious honor of hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics, it’s no surprise that this resort is considered one of the finest in the world. Squaw Valley is particularly child-friendly with many fun activities to enjoy off the ski slopes as well including the following:
1. Snow Tubing
There is snow-tubing at the SnoVentures Activity Zone which is conveniently located at the base area of Squaw Valley that will have your kids entertained for hours.
2. The Olympic Museum
Visit the Olympic Museum, and check out memorabilia from the 1960s Winter Olympics.
3. The Aerial Tram
Take advantage of the stunning views from the aerial tram ride – a 10-minute ride that climbs over 2000 vertical feet. Once you’ve reached the top, enjoy the dining options located at High Camp. There are endless activities to keep the whole family happy!
New York City, New York
Do not overlook NYC as a wintertime getaway as a family-friendly destination. However, New York City offers so many enticing activities for family members of all ages. A great time to visit is around Christmas. You can take in the sparkly city in all of its festive magical glory. There is so much to explore in New York City, but keep in mind that kids will be doing a lot of walking. Don’t forget to pack or rent a stroller from BabyQuip for the little ones!
1. Holiday Lights
Holiday lights and Christmas decor are perfect for little ones to gaze at in wonderment. Saks 5th Avenue has an epic holiday light extravaganza on display that is an event in and of itself!
2. Sledding
Kids will delight in sledding in Central Park at the popular Cedar Hill and Pilgrim Hill locations. With Cedar Hill being more suited for beginners and younger children it’s a great starting point.
3. Ice Skating
Take a spin on the ice at either of the two ice skating rink options in Central Park – Wollman Rink and Laser Rink. Bryant Park and Rockefeller Plaza are also options for a different experience outside of Central Park.
4. Empire State Building
Don’t forget to take the kids to the top of the world-famous Empire State Building. Get incredible 360-degree views of the whole city!
5. Broadway Show
Another iconic New York activity that will expose kids to the arts is to take in a Broadway show. With age-appropriate options such as Lion King, Harry Potter, and Frozen, your kids will love seeing their favorite stories come to life!
6. FAO Schwartz
For a no-brainer instant hit with the kids, check out NYC’s largest toy store, FAO Schwartz, with interactive and unique toys from all around the world!
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- Get Outside With These Family-Friendly Sleigh Rides
- BabyQuip Baby Gear Rentals: How to Get Started
Whistler, British Colombia
This Canadian city is a snow lover’s dream and the child-friendly activities are endless.
1. The Whistler Olympic Plaza
Visit the Whistler Olympic Plaza with a Snow Zone for kids to play and go sledding. Warm-up by the firepit after ice skating and enjoy hot cocoa at any of the numerous coffee shops. In the evenings walk around the Village and enjoy the beautiful holiday lighting displays.
2. The Whistler Conference Center
If you are looking for a reprieve from the cold, the Whistler Conference Centre transforms into a huge indoor playground during the holiday season. It offers child-friendly games, crafts, bouncy castles, and more, and the admission is free!
3. Whistler Blackcomb
Stay at Whistler Blackcomb and enjoy fun-filled ski days on the mountain, and plenty of winter activities in the Village!
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is a great place to put in some flat land snow activities. Although there are plenty of downhill skiing options, the other snow activities shouldn’t be overlooked.
Kincaid Park is considered the crown jewel of cross-country skiing in Anchorage. There are plenty of flat trails for beginners. It’s a great way for kids to get exercise in while experiencing the great outdoors. Snowshoeing is also a great outdoor activity for novices and little kiddos! With endless sightseeing tours, your days will be filled with all that winter in Alaska has to offer!
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is a great cold-weather family vacation destination for a multitude of reasons. There’s no better time to enjoy its stunning beauty along with its endless family activities than in the winter months.
1. Curry Village Ice Skating Rink
Curry Village Ice Skating Rink is located in the heart of the Yosemite Valley. This outdoor skating rink is a family-friendly crowd pleaser! It provides a great view of the Half Dome, and also features a fire pit to warm cold toes after enjoying time on the ice!
2. Badger Pass Ski Area
Badger Pass Ski Area offers downhill alpine skiing as well as snowboarding for skiers and riders of all levels. Check out the sun deck where parents get a birds-eye view of their kids skiing while they enjoy soaking up the sun. There is also a Badger Pups program offering snowboard and ski lessons to children ages 4-6, taught by a patient and sensitive instructor.
3. Badger Pass Ski Area Snow Tubing
The Badger Pass Ski Area Snow Tubing is geared toward family members of all ages. Bring the family together to enjoy an exhilarating slide down the mountain. Children must be 4 years old and 42” tall to snow tube alone.
Park City, Utah
Park City, Utah is a winter lover’s dream vacation destination, and it’s family-friendly too! There are plenty of activities for families both on and off the slopes.
1. Park City Sleigh Rides
There are many different companies offering a variety of sleigh rides for families to enjoy. Snowed Inn Sleigh Company offers a rustic western sleigh ride guided by a real cowboy in a horse-drawn sleigh. Rocky Mountain Outfitters offers a more traditional sleigh ride and also offers buggies, wagons, and sleighs to accommodate families and groups of all sizes!
2. Escape Room Park City
Kids of all ages are invited to enjoy the challenge and fun of the Escape Room Park City. It mixes together puzzle and mystery and adventure and a race against the clock! This is a really fun experience that gets the whole family involved!
3. Canyons Village
Canyons Village is the largest ski area in Utah and offers skiing and snowboarding for all ages and all skill levels. Kids 6 and under ski and snowboard for free. They also offer childcare through their version of a kids club called the Little Adventures Children’s Center. Parents can get in a few quick runs on the slope knowing that their little ones are in good hands. The Center welcomes kids ages 6 weeks to 6 years old.
Winter is an ideal time to create family vacation memories! What are some of your favorite cold-weather family vacations or destinations?
Jennifer O’Neill is an Independent Quality Provider with BabyQuip, helping families travel lighter and happier. She is a mother of two boys and enjoys working out, spending time with family and friends and of course, traveling.
GOOD POST
I live in Florida so we love to take cold weather vacations. I don’t think this appeals to the masses but we love it.
Where’s the place with the igloo restaurant? Is that on the list?
I was in Whistler last week and was great! My son (and I) loved tubbing!