Travelin’ to a Winter Wonderland
Sing along:
Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the slopes will be delightful.
If you have time to go,
Embrace the snow! Embrace the snow! Embrace the snow!
Fuel prices don’t show signs of stopping,
and the housing market just keeps on dropping.
But Kayak flight options are low,
So let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go!
When you finally get on your flight
Best you pray with all your might
Lest you get stuck on the runway
Lord knows that’s no place to stay!
The fire is slowly dying
And the drinks you’re still a buying.
But as long as you love skiing so,
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
Winter’s no reason to hide indoors or hightail it to the Caribbean. Channel your inner adolescent and get away for some fun in the snow, if only for a weekend.
Lake Placid, NY flights | hotels | cars
Wanna ski where Olympic champions have schussed? Head to Whiteface, just outside Lake Placid, NY. The Winter Olympic Games were held here way back in 1980 — and even longer ago - in 1932! Home of the “greatest vertical drop this side of the Rockies”, it’s got some of the best alpine skiing and snowboarding in North America. The Cloudsplitter Gondola carries skiers and riders to the top of Little Whiteface in a mere 7-1/2 minutes. After a day on the slopes, head into town for a little R&R on the seven-days-a-week free shuttle. If you like to mix up your ski trip with other activities, the Whiteface / Lake Placid area is the country’s top resort for off-hill activities including bobsled and luge rides, ice skating, cross country skiing, ski jumping, World Cup events, hockey, figure skating, shows, concerts and more.
Park City, UT flights | hotels | cars
Yeehaw! Snowboarding enthusiasts intent on jibs, hits and slides can’t do much better than the five sculpted terrain venues at Park City Mountain Resort in Utah. Funboxes, rails and jumps vary among the sites, with the newest, King’s Crown, catering to those in the midrange of ability. Off the ‘boards, slip down the Alpine Slide (with over 3,000 feet of curls, swirls, dips and turns), board the Alpine Coaster to meander more than a mile along elevated tracks, or grab onto any of four ZipRider cables (which means you can race your friends!). Hollywood types just love this resort area, and usually find an evening to dine at Zoom, Robert Redford’s restaurant.
Canada flights | hotels | cars
We all know that Canada offers majestic peaks, astonishing terrain and fluffy powder basked in sunshine, but did you know that its funky alpine villages offer 5-star eateries, natural hot springs and a smoking hot nightlife? Ski the renowned resorts of Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia, and discover that winter vacations involve more than just snow and mountains. You haven’t skied, until you’ve skied Canada. Visit www.canada.travel/skinow or subscribe to their e-newsletter for ski updates.
Wenatchee, WA flights | hotels | cars
If you like the idea of skiing, but not so fond of the elevation, uncontrollable speed, looming death, etc, then perhaps you are better suited for cross-country skiing. In the summers, apple orchards are the draw for the beautiful valley around Wenatchee, Washington but in winter, the dry snow, sunny days and miles of groomed trails beckon cross country skiers from around the country. You can rent skis or snowshoes at Plain Hardware (not surprisingly located in the town of Plain) and head off to Lake Wenatchee State Park for well-marked trails. Since you’re not whizzing down a mountain with your eyes closed, you’ll actually get to enjoy the beautiful scenery that surrounds you. Next, explore the See & Ski Trail starting across the road from the Chiwawa Sno-Park and following the meandering course of the Wenatchee River. Accommodations won’t break the bank here. Stay in one of the areas many affordable hotels (under $100) or for romance, one of the charming B&Bs.
Edmonton, AB flights | hotels | cars
Nobody takes ice hockey as seriously as Canadians, eh hoser? No offense to the Carolina Hurricanes or Florida Panthers, but hockey is meant to be played in the frozen north, not the frozen drink south. Plan a visit to Edmonton around a couple of games (especially those pitting against the hometown Oilers archrival Calgary Flames) to get immersed in the local culture - and have a puck-slapping good time. The schedule runs through April, so there’s lots of opportunity. When you’ve witnessed one hockey fight too many, head to West Edmonton Mall for some retail therapy and a swim. Billed as the world’s largest entertainment and shopping center, this mall features the world’s largest indoor amusement park, the world’s largest indoor wave pool, real submarine voyages in the world’s largest indoor lake, an exact replica of the Santa Maria, an 18-hole miniature golf course and of course some shops, restaurants and bars as well.
Deals:
- Flights
Multi-carrier U.S. fare sale! Roundtrip from $103+ - Ski Country
Great deals to Ski Country! Flight + 4-nights from $409 - See the world
Roundtrip fares from $193+ - United Airlines
Flight + 3-nights from $379 to your favorite ski destinations! - Thanksgiving
Hotels from $45, Flight + 3 nights from $278
Win a Hilton Head Mansion Vacation
Dust off your yearbook, letterman jacket, and logoed shot glass because Kayak.com and Hilton Head Island are giving you and 13 of your friends an ocean-front mansion for a reunion week to remember. You’ll laugh over old times in the pool, tease one another over questionable hook-ups during a putt-putt game in the basement, and toast special friends on one of the many ocean-view balconies. Simply take our survey on reunion trip trends and you’re entered to win. Tell your friends and receive an additional entry for each email entered.
Waxing our skis,
Steve and Paul, Kayak founders