{"id":31542,"date":"2020-12-08T17:00:41","date_gmt":"2020-12-08T17:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=31542"},"modified":"2021-10-28T17:32:35","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T17:32:35","slug":"best-places-to-experience-winter-outdoors-in-the-u-s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/best-places-to-experience-winter-outdoors-in-the-u-s\/","title":{"rendered":"Best places to experience winter outdoors in the U.S."},"content":{"rendered":"
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Remember when we told you that <\/span>getting outside was important for your mental health<\/a> during these rough times? Well, the arrival of winter does not change that.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Just because it\u2019s cold outside doesn\u2019t mean that it\u2019s any less important to get some fresh air and commune with nature. Even better, winter allows you to enjoy the great outdoors relatively secluded from other people.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If you\u2019re into winter sports (or think you might be) cross country skiing just happens to be a naturally \u201csocially distanced\u201d sport. If skiing or skating doesn\u2019t sound like your thing\u2014it\u2019s a surprisingly aerobic activity\u2014keep in mind that almost anywhere you can cross-country ski, you can also snowshoe. Snowshoeing is a great activity for all ages and fitness levels, it\u2019s an excellent way to experience winter outdoors, and it\u2019s another activity that makes perfect sense while were still experiencing a pandemic (but you\u2019ll want to do it every year once you start).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Here are ideas\u2013some we\u2019ve written about before and some that are new to our list\u2013for getting out in winter-y nature and getting some exercise in the process. If skiing or snowshoeing piques your interest, you\u2019re in luck; there is a lot of that below. But it\u2019s okay if you\u2019re idea of wintertime exercise is getting some gorgeous photos for Instagram, or making snow angels for TikTok, that\u2019s okay too. Just get out there!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Methow Valley, Washington<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Locals will tell you that some of the\u00a0best cross-skiing in the United States<\/a>\u00a0is tucked unassumingly into the eastern base of North Cascades National Park in Washington State. Despite offering over 125 miles of frequently groomed trails and lots of winter sunshine, the\u00a0Methow Valley<\/a> draws a relatively small number of (extremely devoted) skiers, so it is easy to find peace and solitude among the glacial valleys and breathtaking vistas. Also, the nearby town of Winthrop, Washington, will provide plenty of inspiration for your Insta.<\/p>\n

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Aspen, Colorado<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Aspen has a lot to boast about. With a 100 percent chance of snow on Christmas, you are certain to get a white Christmas. And that snow isn\u2019t just pretty, it creates some of the world\u2019s best skiing<\/a>. The downhill skiing in Aspen gets plenty of recognition\u2013there\u2019s a reason it\u2019s a luxury winter destination<\/a> for people all over the world\u2013but the cross-country skiing doesn\u2019t get quite the same amount of love. But it should. With about 60 miles of free cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails<\/a> between Aspen, Snowmass, and Basalt, you don\u2019t even have to be rich and famous to get in on the fun.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Royal Gorge, California<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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With claims of \u201cthe most annual snowfall in Tahoe\u201d and nearly 125 miles of groomed trails across eight separate trail systems, one of which winds through the resort town of\u00a0Sugar Bowl<\/a>, it\u2019s easy to understand why\u00a0Royal Gorge<\/a>\u00a0is so popular with cross-country skiers. The expansive trail system means that there are trails suited for every skill level, so this is a great place for expert cross-country skiers and novices alike.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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West Yellowstone, Montana<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Visitors to\u00a0West Yellowstone<\/a>\u00a0can enjoy\u00a0Rendezvous Ski Trails<\/a>, over 20 miles of \u201cgently rolling, beautifully groomed trails that wind through tall stands of lodgepole pine and open meadows.\u201d If that description isn\u2019t compelling enough, keep in mind that nearby\u00a0Yellowstone National Park is open to cross-country skiers in the winter,<\/a>\u00a0so you have the chance to see the park in a way that few visitors get to. That\u2019s going to make for some excellent photos.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Lake Placid, New York<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Lake Placid<\/a>\u00a0hosted the 1980 Winter Olympics, so it should come as little surprise that the\u00a0winter sports mecca has some world-class cross-country skiing<\/a>. What you may not know is that Lake Placid offers nearly 100 miles of groomed cross-country trails and an expansive network of snowshoe trails<\/a> that cut through the lovely wilderness of the Adirondacks.<\/p>\n

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Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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The Grand Canyon<\/a> is one of those places that you just have to see to believe. And people know it. That\u2019s what makes it the second most visited National Parks in the U.S. What a lot of people don\u2019t know is that the Grand Canyon is even more beautiful after a winter storm has dropped fresh snow across the canyon. Heck, many people would be surprised to learn that the Grand Canyon even gets snow. Those iconic reds, yellows, and browns that pop out in everyone\u2019s summer vacation photos? Those are even more dramatic when dusted with snow and set against a clear, blue sky. Plus, the park has significantly less visitors in the winter<\/a>, so it\u2019s the perfect time to go.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Grand Marais, Minnesota<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Minnesota is jam packed with cozy winter getaways, almost all of them on lakes (it\u2019s called the \u201cLand of 10,000 Lakes\u201d for a reason). \u00a0And while you\u2019re not going to find much downhill skiing, many resorts offer cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and other iconic winter activities, like ice fishing (think warming houses and holes in the ground!) and skating. Grand Marais, which is tucked up on the North Shore of Lake Superior, is an idyllic spot for a winter visit, even if you just make it the kicking off point to exploring the sprawling wilderness of the Boundary Waters.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Certainly, some of the locations on this list are too far away for your to safely travel to in the near-term. That\u2019s okay. No matter where you live, no matter how close you are to good skiing or snowshoeing\u2014heck, whether you live in a place that gets any snow at all\u2014you are probably not far from a beautiful winter escape. The<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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We urge you to protect yourself and play it close to home this year. Experience the winter-y goodness in your area this year and add the further afar locations to your list for next year.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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We know you have a list for next year.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are your favorite destinations to go for winter activities?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Remember when we told you that getting outside was important for your mental health during these rough times? 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