10 Best Cold Winter Vacations For Families In The USA [For Snowy Magic]

The winter chill has arrived, and you love the snow, but you’ve decided there’s no point sitting at home curled up by the fire – you’ve got to get out the house and take a winter vacation.

But where to go? There are a plethora of cold winter destinations in the USA where you can enjoy some snowy magic and excitement this year.

Whether you enjoy skiing, building snowmen, snowshoeing, or just playing in the snow, a cold winter doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors.

In this guide, we’ve complied a list of some of our favorite cold winter vacations for families in the USA, based on our own experiences we’ve had in these destinations.

And don’t worry, chilling out by the warmth of the fire will always be an option!

If you prefer warmer pastures, here’s a guide on warm winter destinations in the USA.

Cold Winter Vacations In The USA For Families

1. Stowe, Vermont

• Average winter temperature: 26°F – 30°F

The church steeples and colonial style houses dusted in snow makes Stowe look like it sprung out from the pages of a children’s Christmas story.

Surprisingly, winter is one of the quietest times to visit this charming village near Mt Mansfield in Vermont, which means you have plenty of space in one of the best places to ski in the US on your winter vacation.

For the non-skiers, Stowe offers plenty more such as dog-sledding, sleigh and carriage rides, cider mills, breweries and great food.

Where to Stay in Stowe, Vermont

When visiting Vermont, you want to take advantage of all the old, heritage inns and B&Bs.

Not only do they offer a chance to stay in a piece of history, but they are also incredibly cozy with home-cooked breakfasts, living areas with open fire places, and plush furnishings that look like they might swallow you whole.

If this sounds idyllic to you, then we recommend checking out Smugglers Notch Resort, which is located in a house built in 1790 in Jefferson Historic District of Vermont.

Rooms are decorated in typical New England-style with plump duvets and a fireplace in the room. There’s also a candlelit dining room at the onsite restaurant, and it’s only 4.5 miles away from Smugglers Notch Ski area.

See Prices & Availability Here

Top Tip for Visiting Stowe, Vermont

Spend time on the Stowe Recreation Path, a 5.3-mile bike path that winds through the valley crisscrosses the West Branch of Little River.

It is groomed in the winter and open to hikers, bikers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers!

There are restaurants and breweries to stop off at along the way to warm up.

2. Lake Tahoe, California

• Average winter temperature: 15°F – 40°F

Straddling the states of Nevada and California is Lake Tahoe, home to over a dozen ski resorts.

Lake Tahoe receives more than 300 inches of snow each winter, so if you’re planning a ski vacation and worried you won’t get enough pow, there’s no worry about that here.

You can choose whether to be close to the action on the South Shore, or a more peaceful wilderness experience on the West or North shores.

What makes this ski destination so unique and winter-worthy is its gorgeous lake location.

No you won’t want to go swimming, but there are plenty of incredible winter vistas waiting to awe you. Traipse around the lake on snowshoes to find them.

Where to Stay at Lake Tahoe, California

Accommodation in Lake Tahoe is all about cabins. Stay in a log cabin, an alpine chalet, or a modern resort with gabled roofs, stone chimneys, and huge windows offering enchanting views of the mountains.

If you’re wanting to stay close to the slopes, enjoy the cabin vibes, but not give up any modern conveniences, then the Northstar California Resort is the perfect place for families in Lake Tahoe.

It has a recreation center, several restaurants, and free wifi throughout. You can stay in a hotel room, or opt for a room with a fully-equipped kitchenette and a fireplace for a home away from home feeling.

After a day on the slopes, hit the indoor pool, the spa, or fitness center, while the kids kick back at the video arcade.

There’s also an an adults-only clubhouse with leather couches, a fireplace and a library which would be the perfect spot for a night cap after the kids have gone to bed.

See Prices & Availability Here

Top Tip For Visiting Lake Tahoe In Winter

Skiing and snowboarding is the number one thing to do in Lake Tahoe in the winter, but you’re gonna want some warming up after a long day on the slopes.

This area is also known for its thermal waters, so enjoy hot springs swim at the Grover Hot Springs State Park between skiing days.

It’s also a great way to soothe aching limbs and sore muscles.

3. Yosemite National Park, California

• Average winter temperature: 28°F – 53°F

You thought Yosemite National Park sparkled in the summer. You should see how she wows in the winter!

Imagine frozen waterfalls, frazil ice, snowy reflections, frosted coated trees and the valley blanketed in white.

In the winter the Times-Square-NYC-like crowds disappear, the wildlife comes out, and the prices drop.

Yosemite offers plenty of outdoor adventures in the winter from skiing, and snowboarding to snowshoe walks under a fall moon, stargazing, and even, ziplining!

What a cool family winter vacation idea!

Where to Stay at Yosemite National Park

There are only a few places to stay actually within the national park, and you pay a premium for this luxury.

So we recommend staying just outside the boundaries, where you can get the same level of luxury but with a 0 off the end of your bill.

We love staying at the Tenaya Lodge, Yosemite. We stay there every time we go, which has been about three times now.

It’s located just outside the southern gates, and has an onsite spa, restaurant, fitness center and retail stores.

It’s also pet-friendly and offers pet-sitting, so you can bring your pooch on holiday with you!

Read our review of Tenaya Lodge here.

See Prices & Availability Here

Top Tip For Visiting Yosemite National Park

Skate at the outdoor Ice Rink under Half Dome in the park or head to covered rinks near the south and west entrances.

It’s one of our favorite activities to do in the winter with our kids.

Read More

• Amazing things to do in Yosemite National Park
• 3 Day Yosemite National Park Itinerary: The Best Route For First Timers
• 5 Incredible California National Parks

Video of Yosemite National Park (includes a hike in the snow)

4. Snowmass, Colorado

• Average winter temperature: 28°F – 46°F

Snowmass in Colorado is a very family-friendly ski destination and another place where you can always guarantee good snow.

While Aspen is renowned for glamour and glitz, neighboring Snowmass is where families and those looking for a more laid back and quieter ski vacation come.

The terrain has runs to suit beginners and the more advanced skiers and has an award-winning ski school.

Parents and kids will love the Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center, located in the Snowmass Base Village.

When the kids are off the slope, they have extraordinary indoor adventures to have while parents can still enjoy the snow activities outside.

It’s sure to be a place in the US teens will also love.

Where to Stay in Snowmass, Colorado

When looking for a place to stay in Snowmass, it’s important to base yourself near the ski runs as you don’t want to be lugging your skies and ski boots for miles.

That’s why we like the Viceroy Hotel. You can ski in and out from your resort room door.

It also has a 7,000-square-foot spa, a restaurant, and each room has Egyptian cotton sheets.

See Prices & Availability Here

Top Tip For Visiting Snowmass

Enjoy the beautiful pristine wilderness areas and high alpine meadows in snowshoes or the back of a dog sled.

It’s hard to find a more stunning setting than the Snowmass/Aspen area.

5. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

• Average winter temperature: 0°F – 20°F

Perhaps the coldest place in the USA you can visit in winter is Yellowstone National Park, which receives on average 150 inches of snow each winter. Temperatures can also plunge into the minuses too.

Winter in Yellowstone means fewer crowds, steaming geysers, and a chance to step back in time.

Snow transforms the park into a winter wonderland, which closes most of the roads. Which means you get to jump on board a snowcoach or snowmobile to explore instead!

Cross-country skiing trails and snowshoe opportunities are also available with great trails from outside the lodge.

Although it’s cheaper to visit in the winter, you shoudl also note that a lot of facilities such as post offices, visitors centers, and general stores close.

For that reason, we recommend making it a weekend visit.

Where to Stay at Yellowstone National Park

With only two lodges being open in the winter, you don’t have a lot of choice to choose from.

Yellowstone in winter is a more intimate experience.

Choose between Old Faithful Snow Lodge (open from December 16th – March 2nd, 2025) and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel (open from December 15th, 2024 – March 3rd, 2025)

Top Tip For Visiting Yellowstone National Park In Winter

Winter in Yellowstone is the perfect time to get to know and photograph the magnificent wildlife.

Think bison, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and moose.

You might like this winter wolf tour 4 day/3 night tour. 

Read More:

• Incredible things to do in Yellowstone National Park
• How to spend one day in Grand Teton National Park

6. New York City, NY

• Average winter temperature: 22°F – 50°F

A winter city destination doesn’t get much better than New York City.

Plan to visit around Christmas time so you can wrap yourself up in the festive spirit with the Christmas lights, holiday windows, and the city decked out in Christmas trees, the famous being the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

It’s the most magical time of the year in New York and seeing Central Park covered in a fresh coat of snow will be a memory to treasure forever.

You won’t be bored of an evening either with plenty of Broadway shows, music venues, restaurants and sporting matches.

Oh yeah, there’s shopping too if you like that kinda winter sport.

Don’t see all the NYC attractions without getting a Sightseeing pass, which can save you time and money.

Where To Stay In New York City

INNSIDE by Melia New York Nomad is where we always stay when we visit New York City. It’s a central hotel in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhatten

With spacious rooms (rarely seen in New York) it’s perfect for families.

Check out our usa destinations north america usa travel tips usa winter