Photo Credit: Stephanie Whatton (Yukon Charlie’s Trailblazer)
Are you looking for a winter weekend getaway that allows you to enjoy the outdoors? Why not plan a weekend snowshoe getaway?
Snowshoeing is a great way to get out and experience winter, and offers some great advantages over other winter outdoor activities. No special training is required, so it can be done immediately by just about anybody. Basically, if you know how to walk, you can snowshoe. It is healthy exercise, providing a good cardio workout. Best of all, snowshoeing doesn’t cost a lot. It offers a fun winter activity for families, couples and groups without breaking the bank.
We have gathered a list of ten great places across the US for weekend snowshoe getaways. So, strap on your snowshoes, and get out and experience winter!
1 – Pineland Farms, New Gloucester, ME
Just over a half hour out of Portland, Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, ME provides an experience you won’t find anywhere else. Pineland Farms is a 5,000 acre working farm with educational and recreational opportunities. Thirty kilometers of well-kept trails provide options for a leisurely trek around the farm or for longer snowshoe adventures. Go for the day or stay the weekend in one of the stunning guesthouses.
2 – Stowe, VT
Stowe offers a huge variety of trails to accommodate beginner through experienced snowshoe enthusiasts, making it the perfect destination for families or groups. The 200-year-old village offers the quaint character of a European mountain resort, and has plenty of unique dining and shopping options. Lodging choices include cozy B&Bs, boutique hotels, condos and motels.
3 – Wisp Resort, McHenry, MD
Just 3 hours from DC in McHenry, MD, Wisp Resort makes a great weekend snowshoe getaway. Snowshoeing is available at their Nordic Center located on the Fantasy Valley Golf Course. Great for beginners, an intro to snowshoeing package is available and includes an intro lesson, a Nordic Trails ticket and a 2 hour Nordic Snowshoe rental.
4 – Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Seven Springs, PA
Located in the scenic Laurel Highlands area of Pennsylvania, Seven Springs Mountain Resort is the winter adventure headquarters for Pittsburgh and the entire western Pennsylvania region. Seven Springs offers snowshoe tours on their many trails in the majestic Laurel Highlands. A variety of lodging packages are available for a family vacation or for a romantic getaway for two.
5 – Greater Chicago, IL
Get the best of both worlds with a trip to Chicago. By day, enjoy a winter outing to one of 5 places offering a great snowshoe experience, and by night, enjoy the city life. Choose from Northerly Island, the Palos Trail System, Morton Arboretum, Lincoln Marsh or Fox River Valley for a memorable winter snowshoe adventure.
6 – Whitewater State Park, Altura, MN
Looking for a romantic winter weekend for two? Whitewater State Park in Altura, MN stays open late so that the romantically-minded can snowshoe into the evening. Be sure to ask when the moonlight snowshoe tours are scheduled! Winterized cabins are available to complete your romantic weekend.
7 – Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, CO
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best places for beginners to snowshoe. You can see spectacular scenery without going far from your car. The park hosts free, ranger-led snowshoe ecology tours throughout the winter season. Lodging with breathtaking views can be found in the Estes Park area.
8 – Sandia Mountain Range, Albuquerque, NM
The Sandia Mountains are just a short drive from Albuquerque along the Sandia Crest Scenic Highway, the highest scenic drive in the southwest. With 14 trails ranging from a half-mile to 26.5 miles long, the Sandias provide just the right snow shoe experience for everyone, from beginner to advanced.
9 – Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Palm Springs, CA
A very special winter adventure awaits you in the San Jacinto Mountains of Palm Springs, CA. Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway 6,000 feet to the top of the Chino Canyon and enjoy the quiet winter forest as you snowshoe through Long Valley. Stay in one of the many Palm Springs hotels, inns and resorts and take in all that Palm Springs has to offer.
10 – Leavenworth, WA
Some of the most beautiful alpine scenery outside of German Bavaria can be found less than 2.5 hour east of Seattle. Modeled on a Bavarian village, the small mountain town of Leavenworth is nestled against the “alps of Washington.” With ample snowfall, most trails have snow covers several feet deep. Blue Sky Outfitters provides 3 hour snowshoe tours that are kid friendly and include hot beverages and snacks.
