The ski season in the United States begins in the Southern states around mid-June and heads north. As the northernmost states start to see the first signs of snow, skiers and snowboarders head to the mountains to enjoy the last bits of snow before the summer heat takes over.
If you’re an enthusiast who either lives or travels in the northern part of the country, you’ll notice that the ski resorts north of the Mason-Dixon Line are generally quieter and smaller than those found further south. There are exceptions, of course, but for the most part, the farther north you go, the less people there are, and the more secluded the mountain landscape becomes.
Now, if you’re an adventurer who either lives or travels in the Southern part of the country, where the seasons are quite different, you might be wondering if there’s any point in heading north for your ski holiday. After all, you’ll have to wait a whole lot longer to hit the slopes as the temperatures aren’t as cooperative as further north, especially in the morning.
While it is definitely more civilized to wait for the weather to change and travel north during the season, this is certainly not always possible. If you’re looking for some fun in a smaller town during the off season, when the crowds have gone and the snow has settled, you have found a perfect alternative above the Mason-Dixon Line. In this article, we’ll tell you about three great adventures that you can take this winter to finally hit the slopes in style.
Table of Contents
Northern Lights Cruise On The Great Lakes
This winter, take a cruise aboard the elegant and luxurious MS Nordwald, which is one of the biggest and most luxurious sailboats on the Great Lakes. This magnificent vessel boasts impeccable service and has an onboard physician. This is your chance to see a vast array of northern lights and take in the breathtaking scenery. If you’re really an enthusiast, you can take a gondola ride to the top of one of the mountains for some spectacular views. Cruises depart from South Lake Tahoe, Bay Lake, and Port Colombo, and they run daily throughout the season. If you want to avoid the heat, arrive at the port of departure a little before the daily departure time and take a seat on one of the cruise ships. This will give you the advantage of hitting the waters a little earlier, when the temperature is still tolerable and the boats aren’t yet crowded. Book your cruise online and prepare to enjoy an unforgettable experience.
Las Vegas To Denver In Just Six Hours
If you have a weekend off this winter and you want to travel quickly but comfortably, you could try taking the I-15 west from Las Vegas to Denver in just six hours. This is an option if you don’t want to spend a lot of time in traffic and you have the time to spare. You can make the trip in about five and a half hours if you leave early in the morning. This will give you enough time to reach the Denver Airport and catch a flight to the mountains. On weekdays, this is also a great option as I-15 is a fairly busy road due to the amount of people traveling to and from Las Vegas for work. This is especially the case during the week, when people are trying to get to work on time and traffic is hectic. On Saturdays and Sundays, the road is almost empty, which means you’ll have the road to yourself. This is why it’s best to take this route on weekdays, so you can enjoy the solitude on your way up.
From Atlanta To Chattanooga Without Leaving The Country
If you have a longer break this winter and you want to travel throughout the country without having to change vehicles, you could try taking I-75 south through Georgia toward Chattanooga. At exit 182, you’ll find a sign that points you to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, where you’ll find some of the most magnificent views of the Appalachians. It’s definitely not a short trip, but since you won’t be changing vehicles along the way, it’s less stressful. Once you reach the Appalachian Mountains, you’ll notice that the temperatures are a lot cooler, and it feels like a relief even though you’re still in the country. After all, the farther south you go, the hotter it gets, and this park is definitely no exception. When you reach Tennessee, take a right at the fork in the road and then another right at the sign that points to Hiawassee. This is where you’ll find the Blue Ridge Parkway, a route that leads to the Great Smoky Mountains and the Biltmore Estate. From there, it’s only a 30-minute drive to the top of these magnificent mountains and the WNC Ski Resort. It’s amazing what a difference a few degrees can make!
Whatever your reasons for wanting to head north for the winter, whatever your budget and however long you have to spend there, there’s bound to be a winter sport that will satisfy your passion. If you want to discover more about winter sports, how to get started, or what gear to bring, check out the articles below. We’ll help you plan your trip and put those northern winter sports in your sight.