Guaranteed snow locations for Dec/Jan trip - YouLookFab Forum

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Guaranteed snow locations for Dec/Jan trip

abc

Veteran

If I could show this to old friends or family, they would seriously crack up laughing - hearing this question coming from ME, but alas, I want to ask.

I am considering a family vacation in December. Here, the beaches are packed because everyone has vacation at the same time. So I was thinking of doing something different. Not completely sure we will go anwhere, but if we do, I would like to know we can visit somewhere with snow. My kids have only seen it on TV

So - I throw out this question to the wise wisdom of my YLF friends - where in the world could we go that would guarantee us snow? Dates would be around Christmas and New Years.

We don't need ski resort per se - I envision us in a place that would allow us to hole up if wanted (with a cozy fire, total bonus) and that ideally would have some sort of a town to visit during the day for walking around and exploring (bc as much as we like to hole up, I KNOW us and we would need something to do). Parks, nature, a quaint town to explore on foot - all ideal. Kids will be 4 and 3 and are quite active.

Initially I was going to ask specifically about Canada, but realized the world is our oyster! I do have plenty of airline miles we could possibly use, so feel free to suggest anywhere. I am a dreamer and love to plan travel so nothing is off limits at this point.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

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28 replies

Latest reply was from biscuitsmom

catgirl

Veteran

Hmmm... Let me think....

abc

Veteran

LOL AG

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

My own experience with snow has been so bad, I don't ever want to know where it snows

I grew up surrounded by mountains as we lived in a valley. I was 8 when I father insisted me and my sister must see snow. We just had to drive out 45 minutes to the next town where it snowed. The quaint hilly roads looked scary to me that day.....I remember it like it happened just yesterday. Halfway there, the roads were lined with cars, soft snowflakes were falling and people were playing along the roads in the snow. At first, I refused to get out of the car. I remember the bitter cold, a chill that seeped in through my many layers and froze me to the very bones. I did get out of the car.....for about 5 minutes....my feet were frozen and I couldn't walk. We had to turn back and go home.

My next encounter was as an adult. I was newly married and my husband was posted in the Himalayas. We woke up one November morning and it was snowing. My husband urged me to brave it out and go out....and I did. My feet froze again and I didn't last more than 5 minutes. I started to go blue...and he needed to turn on 2 large room heaters in our 10'x10' room while I lay buried under thick quilts. I've never wanted to see snow again!

It gets really cold where I live - as low as 2-4 degrees, but it doesn't snow. And I'm thankful for it!

JAileen

Veteran

I was going to suggest Tahoe but, you know, drought. It is beautiful, though. I heard they got a lot of snow back east last winter.

Anonymous

Colorado. The mountains like Breckenridge, Winter Park, Apen, Vail are my top picks for snow and lots of fun.

Glory

Veteran

I would recommend Mont Tremblant in Quebec. Loads to to and absolutely stunning.http://www.tremblant.ca/

Jules

Veteran

I'm not sure there are *any* guaranteed snow places! Weather can be uncooperative. But, Banff is beautiful. Canmore is a nearby town which might have more playgrounds/parks for young kids since I think more young families live there.
With kids that young, I'd be looking for places where they can actually play in the snow, sled/tobaggan, and maybe a resort with an indoor/outdoor pool and hot tub. Some ski resorts are really only set up for skiing and don't offer much else that works for very young kids - there's snow and hills but nowhere to build a snowman or sled! Tubing is a popular no-skills-required option but your kids might be too young for most tubing places.

Tubing - maybe your kids will be old/tall enough when they time comes:

http://winter.banffnorquay.com/tubing/

abc

Veteran

Manny, I think you are wise to stay away from the snow forever!

JAileen, thanks. I've heard about Tahoe but have never been.

Lara, thanks, too!

Glory - going to check your link. Thanks!

Jules - I think you are onto something. I didn't express it, but you did -- we need just what you described. A way to just go play in the snow, to be honest I don't really want a ski resort. I want to be able to build a snowman, do snow angels, have a snowball fight, just BE in the snow. Maybe tubing but not sure. The older one did tube on a boat last summer so it's a possiblity. Going to check your link, too. Thanks!

I was actually on VRBO but got overwhelmed bc I didn't know the first place to look other than Canada, didn't know which areas to narrow it down to. Gonna keep looking, thanks again!

Liz

Veteran

For what you're looking for, I'd actually do a ski town like the Colorado towns Lara mentioned. Towns like Breckenridge, Winter Park, and Crested Butte are small and family friendly, with lots of condos for rent that aren't in an actual "resort." Plus, if you get near a ski area, you'll also have small shops and restaurants open (other mountain towns can shut down in the winter). And because lots of families have small kids looking for things to do, you'll find tubing runs, parks, etc.

L'Abeille

Veteran

Quebec city. That's the one place we can be sure of snow if we want to ski over Christmas. There is a big but fun ski resort nearby at Mont St Anne. But there are also several small family-oriented resorts that have a bit of everything--ice skating, tobogganing, dog sleds. There is Ile d'Orleans, an island in the St Lawrence near Quebec City; Saguenay; Stoneham; and many more. And Quebec City itself is beautiful; losts of art and history, has a European feel to it.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I love Quebec City. It is beautiful and has a lot to see and do. Montreal is a lovely city too. I like Banff but it sounds a bit too "busy" for what you want. My grandmother lived in a small town a few hours from Calgary/Banff called Radium Hot Springs. It is quite touristy but stunning and the kids would probably love the hot pools.

Anonymous

I was going to make a joke along the lines of my back yard etc...but I would recommend Banff, or Montreal, or Winnipeg Quebec City - Canada is pretty darn beautiful in the winter ...

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

What about Lapland / Finland. There might be reindeer there.

http://www.santaslapland.com/lapland/info/faq/

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I haven't been here, but it's a total bucket list place for me.

http://www.fairmont.com/lake-louise/

Yellowstone National Park is absolutely amazing in the winter. I lived near there for one year. Lots of great cross-country skiing. WAY less people. The animals come out of the hills and mountains. Seeing the steam from the geysers and hot springs turn straight into ice crystals is amazing. The bison hang out near the hot springs and frost up their fur. You don't have to go all hardcore and camp like we did, there are lodges.
http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyo.....winter.htm

ETA, I just saw you wanted a town, then Jackson Hole Wyoming. South of Yellowstone.

Or Cooke City, Montana. Access is interesting in the winter.

anne

Veteran

My kids would be so envious of yours. They have never seen snow either, and they'd so love to!
No advice here, of course.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Interesting that quite a few of the recommendations are within driving distance. I am pasting a google map here. You can see from it that Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, and radium Hot Springs are all within a fairly short drive. If you picked any one of them and rented a car, you could see all of them and make it really interesting.

https://www.google.ca/webhp?so.....#038;espv=...

I am not sure how old your children are but Drumheller was a thrill for my son when he was about 12. That was around the time the first Jurassic park movie came out.

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t.....rja&u...

ETA: Just re-read your original post and see the children are 4 and 3. I still think any of the options mentioned by everyone would be good choices.

Neelie

Veteran

Mont Tremblant, Quebec. You can rent a townhouse or condo, and there is tons to do.

Daria

I was going to suggest Mont Tremblant too. Although there are definitely years where they don't receive snow until January.

Glory

Veteran

They will make snow in Tremblant so ski hills are definitely open for business.
Quebec City is also a great suggestion with Mont St Anne nearby. Stunning.

Elly

Veteran

Of the places mentioned in CO I would recommend Crested Butte, Steamboat Springs, and Ouray over places like Breckinridge and Vail -- they are going to be much more affordable (but also smaller with fewer "options"). In Ouray, there is the ice park which is essentially a cliff face that the forest service floods to create a massive ice waterfall and professional climbers climb it-- which peaks in January and can be very fun to watch. Durango Mountain Resort might peak your interest as well-- tons of condos and cabins for rent, a 10 min drive to a town with an airport (and touristy stuff), within driving distance of Ouray, and with tubing and sledding activities for youngsters.

However, I can't guarantee snow. In the lower 48 you have to be in the high mountains for the guarantee for the week that you are here and the higher you go, the more inaccessible roads can be in the winter. We will have had snow by December, but that doesn't mean it will be on the ground the week that you are here except in the high mountains (resort communities and places like yellowstone). I can't speak for Canada, so I will let those ladies chime in.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

December/ January are a bit early in the season for guaranteed natural snow anywhere, weather being what it is. You just never know. February is more secure.

I love the idea of Mont St. Anne, though -- you want someplace where skiing is not the only thing. You really want kids' activities. Tobogganning, etc.

Banff etc. is great -- stunning, beautiful -- but roads might be closed.

elpgal

Veteran

Banff and Lake Louise are stunning but later in the year would be better for guaranteed snow.

Ginkgo

Veteran

Just think of the shopping available to you with Quebec City and Montreal.

Gaylene

Veteran

Around Christmas and New Year's, I'd recommend staying at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for a family holiday. Ask for a room with a view of the lake.

The Chateau is decorated to the hilt--and even Scroogiest heart sucumbs to skating on the lake under twinkling lights, followed by shortbread cookies and hot chocolate. Lots of families with kids make it an annual event to spend the holidays here, so the Chateau usually employs a Kid's Events Director to arrange cookie decorating, crafts, and storytimes if the weather gets stormy. As a family, you can go dog sledding, ice skating, tubing, and snow shoeing. Just down the hill is Lake Louse Ski Area where you can put the youngsters in a tots' ski camp for a couple of hours and rent skis for yourself. The bus from the Chateau drops you off and picks you up.

The Chateau has several dining options so you don't need to drive anywhere if you just want to relax and enjoy yourself. I've known families who fly into Calgary and use a driver to whisk them to and from the Chateau (an hour and a half trip) so they don't have to drive anywhere.

Can you tell I've some pretty fond memories of spending Christmas at Lake Louse. Oh, and snow at that elevation is pretty reliable (sometimes coming in fat, lazy flakes on Christmas Eve), and the exchange rate between the Canadian and American dollar these days means all this is available at 20-25% off.

Cerinda

Veteran

Was perusing weather predictions for ski season with DH today: forecasts for the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia are no better than last year. We're not going to plan on going anywhere until February. All we can do is hope Mother Nature is kinder to the PNW this year --it's been three years since we were able to ski Mt. Hood on Christmas break.

The North Northeastern region looks more likely for early snow. Tremblant? That's a good idea.

Alyeska? On my bucket list for sure but probably better for older children/experienced skiers.

How about Switzerland? Zermatt will have snow at elevation, but the village may still be dry and clear. The kids will see very pretty cows, discover fabulous chocolate and pastry shops, maybe ride a horse-drawn carriage (car-free village), and take the funicular or narrow gauge train up to snow level to play. The shopping is pretty dangerous (it's not Paris, Geneva, or Vienna), the scenery unbelievable, and the wine is cheap. And did I mention the chocolate? How about the pastries?

donnat

Veteran

Come to winnipeg! I guarantee snow! Plus, 4 fabbers live here.

However, I am sure Una was joking when she said she had no idea. What better place than Alaska?

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Mn , at least the upper 2/3 of the state is almost guaranteed snowy by that time. Plus you can visit mall of America if you want!

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Mn , at least the upper 2/3 of the state is almost guaranteed snowy by that time. Plus you can visit mall of America if you want! Plus it's supposed to be a mild winter, hopefully not too many brutal below zero temps. December is usually much better than January as far as air Temps go here