Lake Tahoe, California

The calendar may not say winter yet, but it is in fact winter in many destinations around the U.S. Some places have had several snowfalls already. This time of year often brings visions of skiing, snowboarding, and tubing down slopes, but that’s not the only winter sports. Today I highlight a few of the must-visit winter sports destinations in the U.S. and what you can do there.

Denver, Colorado: As a large metropolitan area that is centrally located in Colorado, if there’s a winter sport you want to do, you can likely do in the Denver area. While there’s certainly no shortage of ski slopes, Denver is a good place to book cheap flights and take part in other winter sports. There are several different ice skating rinks throughout the city for both novice and experienced ice skaters. If you want something further out of the city, consider a visit to Keystone, which offers many of the same great winter sports, but in a smaller city.

Jackson, Wyoming: If you want off the beaten path, then look no further than Jackson, Wyoming. Jackson is conveniently located near some of America’s best natural beauty in the Teton National Forest and just a short drive from Yellowstone National Park. My personal favorite winter activity in the Jackson area is renting snow mobiles.

Park City, Utah: With Colorado just to the east, Utah often gets overlooked, but make sure Park City is at the top of your list. It’s hard to believe that a town with so much charm is located so close to Salt Lake City. Park City’s ski slopes are some of the best in the U.S., but it’s the other unique winter activities that set it apart, such as heli-skiing and sleigh rides. If you’re not so much into winter sports, but want a unique experience, take a hot air balloon up over Park City.

Sun Valley, Idaho: Sun Valley is probably the most surprising destination on this list. Located due west of Jackson, Wyoming, Sun Valley lies at the edge of the Sawtooth National Forest. While Sun Valley offers plenty for the speedy skier, for a slower pace, strap on a pair of showshoes or go cross country skiing. Sun Valley also had an outdoor ice skating rink.

Lake Tahoe, California: Lake Tahoe is unique in how it is a beautiful destination both in the winter and the summer. Plan your trip carefully, as the ski slopes can get very crowded during peak seasons, since this is one of the most popular destinations in the U.S. However, there are a wide variety of ski slopes to choose from, some of which that overlook beautiful Lake Tahoe, which is the largest alpine lake in North America. For a break from the ski slopes, take a snow mobile out for the afternoon.

Photo: nixbc