#winter-getaways

#winter-getaways

"I truly believe travel in your 50s shifts in a meaningful way. It's often a decade of clarity-people are more intentional about how they spend their time, more focused on depth over volume, and increasingly interested in experiences that feel purposeful."

California's ski season was largely dry and warm, with only 18% of average snowpack by April 1, marking the second-lowest on record. Despite some quality skiing opportunities around Christmas and early January, the overall season remained disappointing.

Form-fitting coats, designer goggles, and sleek ski pants were the norm for women, while high-performance brands with a retro bent dominated for men-and that was just the ski gear. After skiing, the après looks were as functional as they were chic, and always with an effortlessly European touch. I grew to love having a wide-banded headband and insulated après-ski boots for drinks on the patio, and a statement puffer vest thrown over my thermals was an easy transition from skiing to sipping.

Vail Village is where it all started... The original vision of creating a ski village, similar to what our founders envisioned from their experiences in Europe-particularly while serving as 10th Mountain soldiers-formed the foundation of a car-free, walkable street base village. Here, you'll find chalet-style buildings with detailed wood carvings and flower-filled window boxes.

Enzo attempted a double front flip at Alaska's Hilltop Ski Area. He comes pretty close to landing it, nearly getting his skis all the way around, but he just didn't quite get it.

Both avid and casual skiers know that winter requires preparation. If you want to ski as many days as possible, you must have a game plan. After all, skiing is an expensive sport, so budget is typically one of the top considerations. But before you book flights, hotels, and lift tickets, or decide if you want to invest in an Epic Pass or Ikon Pass, you'll need to identify which ski resorts you want to explore over the course of a few months.

Thanks to the millions of baby boomers hitting retirement age, powder hounds in their 60s and 70s (and beyond) are an increasingly common sight on the slopes. In contrast to the popular stereotype of sun-seeking snowbirds, many older adults head straight to their favorite mountain each year when winter hits. But it turns out some ski resorts are better than others when it comes to catering to senior skiers' needs.

The 2025-26 winter saw extreme weather, with the eastern half experiencing consistent cold and heavy snowfall, while the western half endured record warmth and a lack of snowfall.

Winter is a season for romantic gestures. Not only does Valentine's Day arrive in the middle of February, but the colder temperatures also bring a cozy atmosphere that's conducive to spending quality time with your loved one. Think nights in front of the fire, holding hands, and cuddling up to stay warm. But after the holiday rush, winter at home can also become a bit monotonous-by late January, the shorter days lose their charm-so you may want to consider booking a trip to keep romance alive and spark a sense of adventure.

You won't find either on the Epic or Icon passes, which means fewer skiers and shorter lift lines. The proximity to Flathead Lake, even larger in surface area than Lake Tahoe, also means stunning views and a phenomenon called "snow ghosts" - when ice crystals form on the pines. Both resorts have long, lazy runs for multigenerational skiers and boarders but also challenging terrain for advanced skiers and riders.

If you grew up in a region that received snow, you're probably familiar with the multitude of skiing superstitions. Whether it was wearing your pajamas inside out or flushing ice cubes down the toilet, every kid had their preferred method of playing with fate to force a snow day. Skiers, however, have taken snow superstitions to the next level. A common superstition in the skiing world is the refusal to call the last run, as doing so can apparently heighten your risk of getting injured.

There are a lot of different types of crowds you can find on the mountain, but it's not as hard as it might seem to avoid packed areas if you know what you're doing. The video outlines 7 main factors that cause ski resort crowds. Lift infrastructure can create crowds through limited uphill capacity, poor line management, flashy lifts, and more. These can be avoided by staying on expert or less-popular lifts early or late and planning end-of-day routes ahead of time.