Let's Escape to the Snow for Sports, Scenery, and Après-Ski
Being a native Floridian makes me appreciate and love cold weather. I love snow, the cold, and every activity that comes with it. Especially towards the end of Summer, experiencing the non stop hot days. As the kids are starting to go back to school, and look forward to cooling off in the fall, it is now time to start planning and booking a ski trip. I love to ski and Europe has great ski resorts (Zermatt in Switzerland, Courchevel, Chamonix, Val D’Isere in France, to name a few), but to many skiers the Western United States has the most and the best places to ski in the world.
In the Western United States, places like Vail, Aspen, Deer Valley, Park City, Jackson Hole, and Telluride are only a few of the many excellent places to go for a ski vacation. Each has its own personality. While I love skiing, some of my family has no interest in it. Not to worry, as there are many fun things to do while others are skiing. I have divided my suggestions into two parts. First, for those who like active, snow-filled fun, and second, for those who enjoy a slower-paced experience.
Active fun in the snow. First on the list is snowshoeing. It is true---if you can walk, you can snowshoe and the entire family can participate. However, do not be fooled, it takes leg strength and it is a great workout. The reward is great exercise and much like walking, you can see the scenery without it whizzing by. If you like skiing but do not like the heights involved with downhill skiing there is always cross country skiing. Like snowshoeing, it gives you the opportunity to slowly appreciate the scenery.
Ski biking is another active sport offered by some resorts. Ski bikers ride up the same lifts as everyone else but that ends the similarity. The rider’s boots are attached to two short skis that control speed and the bike also has a front and rear ski. The boot skis control speed and the bike skis control steering. This one is not for the faint of heart! Ice climbing is another sport offered by some resorts. Again, not for the faint of heart.
For those who want to be outside, but want to participate in an activity that requires no skill, tubing is the perfect sport. Most ski resorts offer tubing, which can be an incredibly fun activity for the whole family.
There are many ways to spend days in the snow country participating in slower-paced experiences. Some resorts offer dog sledding, snowcat tours, and sleigh rides, all of which permit you to sit back and enjoy the scenery while letting someone else “drive”.
While everyone has finished enjoying all the snow-fun activities of the day, everyone can come back and gather by the fire for a little après-ski. Fire pits, warm blankets, s'mores, cocktails. What is not to love? Don’t feel like getting cold for a day? Many resorts have amazing spas, and spending the day being pampered can always be fun and relaxing.
When you are thinking about how blistering hot it is outside here in Florida, just think about the amazing time you will have cooling off in the snow on your next ski or snow trip.
