Table of Contents
(From Dog Sleds to Northern Lights)
Me and my partner are a really active couple — the kind who would rather wake up in the middle of the night and hike to watch the sunrise from a mountain peak than lounge on a beach. We’re always chasing new experiences and adventures. So, we put together a full list of amazing winter adventures you can try — some of them might even be a discovery for you!
Imagine dog sledding under the Northern Lights, staying in ice hotels, snowshoeing through frozen forests, and soaking in hot springs surrounded by snow — all without leaving the U.S.
If you and your partner crave more than matching sweaters and sipping hot cocoa in a coffee shop, here are 10 winter adventure destinations that combine adrenaline and intimacy — from Alaskan glaciers to Colorado hot springs.
1. Fairbanks, Alaska — Dog Sledding & Northern Lights
This is the ultimate bucket-list winter escape. Fairbanks has everything a snow-loving couple dreams of: Northern Lights, dog sledding, and natural hot springs.
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When we went dog sledding, I couldn’t resist trying to take the reins — let’s just say the guide wasn’t too happy with me! Handling a team of huskies is way harder than it looks, and I quickly learned why professionals do it. Afterward, soaking in Chena Hot Springs felt like a 5-star resort spa — pure bliss.
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Where to stay: Â Borealis Basecamp, Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge, Chena Hot Springs Resort (you can literally watch the lights from your bed).
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Quick housing tip: skip Aurora Villa. The photos are stunning and their advertising is impressive, but it’s one of those “expectation vs. reality” situations — hard to reach, not as luxurious as it seems, and no restaurants nearby. Not worth it.
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What to do: Dog sled, Snowmobiling, Chena Hot Springs, Reindeer walk — yes, an actual walk with reindeer.
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What to know: Aurora season runs August–April, with the best chances from December to March. Stay at least three nights for the highest odds of catching the lights.
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Personal tip: Go dog sledding at sunset — the snow turns gold, and it feels like a movie scene.
2. Jackson Hole, Wyoming — The Classic Winter Playground
Jackson Hole surprised us — it’s like the Alaskan wilderness met Aspen luxury. We booked a winter wildlife safari thinking it would be a quiet drive with some binoculars. Nope. Within minutes we were watching bison cross the road like they owned it, and spotting elk and bald eagles in the distance. It honestly reminded me of being on safari in Africa — except everyone is freezing their ass instead of sweating.
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It’s wild and elegant at the same time. You come back from the cold, cheeks red, and there’s a cozy cabin waiting with hot chocolate and a fireplace. Jackson Hole isn’t just a ski town — it’s where luxury meets raw nature, and somehow, it feels like it shouldn’t work… but it does.
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What to do:Â Ski, Snowshoe, Wildlife safari in Grand Teton National Park, Romantic sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge.
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What to know: It gets seriously cold and pricey around Christmas. Visit in early December or late January for fewer crowds and better rates.
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Where to stay:Â Amangani for luxury, Fireside Resort for chic cabins with fireplaces.
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Personal tip: Skip the town-center hotels — rent a cabin near Teton Village for quiet nights under the stars.
3. Stowe, Vermont — Sleigh Rides & Maple Trails
We spent a few days here last winter — my partner decided to take ski lessons (around $150 for a half-day group class), while I headed straight to the top to snowboard with the pro’s. The views? Unreal. The vibe? Cozy but competitive — in that “everyone looks like they know what they’re doing” kind of way.
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Stowe has that perfect mix of Vermont charm and adrenaline. After a few runs, you end up at a tiny café with snow still on your helmet, sipping hot cider and feeling like you’re in a winter movie set. It’s one of those places where both beginners and show-offers (me) can have a great time without getting bored.
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What to do:Â Ski, Ice skate, Horse-drawn sleigh rides through snow-covered woods.
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What to know: It’s charmingly small-town, so book restaurants early — tables disappear fast in December.
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Where to stay:Â The Lodge at Spruce Peak (luxury ski-in/out), a cozy Airbnb cabin with a wood-burning fireplace.
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Personal tip: Take a day trip to a maple sugarhouse — there’s nothing more romantic than hot syrup poured over fresh snow.
4. Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada — Blue Waters & White Peaks
Lake Tahoe gives you the best of both worlds — big mountain adventures and lakeside serenity. Skiing here honestly feels unreal. You’re carving down the slopes, and suddenly — there’s this massive blue lake right beneath you. It almost looks fake, like a green-screen background. And no, it’s not frozen — it’s so deep it rarely freezes, which makes the contrast with the snow-covered peaks even more breathtaking.
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We also wanted to take one of those romantic sleigh rides by the lake… until we saw the price tag — around $150–200 for just 30 minutes. So we decided our own walk by the shore, hot chocolate in hand, was just as magical (and much cheaper).
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Tahoe is that rare place where you can go from snowboarding to sipping wine by the water in the same day — and it somehow makes perfect sense.
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What to do: Ski, Snowboard, Snowshoe, a lakefront hot tub with a snowy view.
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What to know: The weather can swing from bluebird skies to blizzards. Keep flexible plans and check road conditions daily.
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Where to stay: Basecamp Tahoe South — boutique-style cabins with glamping flair.
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Personal tip: Go snowshoeing at sunset along the East Shore Trail — the light on the lake is unreal.
5. Whitefish, Montana (Glacier) — Underrated & Wildly Beautiful
Quiet, cozy, and adventurous — Whitefish is for couples who want true nature without Aspen prices.
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When we came here, I had no idea snowshoeing was even a thing. I thought it was some slow hike for retirees until we ended up doing it in Glacier National Park — and wow, it’s a full-on workout. But also… completely magical. You’re walking over these frozen trails surrounded by silence, except for the crunch of snow under your feet.
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And speaking of “Glacier,” I used to think it was just a name — turns out, it’s actually a frozen mass! Seeing those icy blues up close feels like dreaming.
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Whitefish has that perfect mix of small-town charm and wild Montana beauty — it’s the kind of place where you unplug without even trying.
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What to do: Dog sledding, Snowshoe in Glacier National Park, Ski at Whitefish Mountain Resort.
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What to know: It’s less crowded and more affordable than Jackson Hole, but just as stunning.
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Where to stay:  The Lodge at Whitefish Lake — lakeside cabins with fireplaces and steaming outdoor hot tubs.
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Personal tip: Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road (when open). It’s silent, surreal, and unbelievably romantic.
6. Anchorage, Alaska — Glacier Hikes & Ice Caves
Anchorage is one of those cities that doesn’t try to impress you — it just is. Wild, quirky, and full of surprises. You’ll see people walking out of seafood markets with giant coolers stuffed with fresh salmon or crab legs like it’s the most normal grocery run ever. And honestly… it kind of is here.
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We decided to explore beyond the city and rent a snowmobile — I imagined it’d be like grabbing a motorbike for the day and just heading off into the wild. Turns out, it’s not quite that simple. Most places only allow guided tours (ours was about $250 per person for 3 hours) for safety reasons — and trust me, after riding through frozen rivers and open tundra, I get why. It’s raw, beautiful, and a little intimidating in the best way.
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Anchorage has that rare mix of city life and wilderness right at your doorstep — where you can grab crabs for lunch and be surrounded by snow-covered peaks an hour later.
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What to do:Â Glacier hiking, Snowmobiling, Dog sledding, Ice cave tours at Matanuska Glacier.
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What to know: Rent a 4×4 vehicle — roads can get icy fast.
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Where to stay:Â Alyeska Resort, where you can ski all day and thaw in the spa all night.
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Personal tip: Don’t skip the ice cave tours — it’s like walking inside a sapphire. Bring gloves you can shoot photos in.
7. Ouray, Colorado — America’s Ice Climbing Capital
They call Ouray the “Switzerland of America,” and honestly, they’re not exaggerating. Surrounded by sharp peaks and frozen waterfalls, it looks like a scene straight out of a fantasy movie — until you’re actually climbing one of those walls of ice.
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I begged my boyfriend to try ice climbing here (seemed like a cool couples adventure, right?). Well… it was a lot more intense than Instagram makes it look. You’re basically hauling yourself up vertical ice, managing your gear, watching your ropes, and trying not to lose feeling in your hands — all while pretending you’re having fun. A few times I thought, okay, this is it, I’m going to freeze here, tell my story to future travelers.
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By the end, I had to admit — ice climbing is no joke. My boyfriend was right (ugh, hate saying it out loud). But honestly, the adrenaline and views made it one of the most unforgettable experiences we’ve ever had.
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What to do: Â Try ice climbing (if you dare..), Snowshoeing, Soak in the famous Ouray Hot Springs.
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What to know: Even beginners can try ice climbing with local guides at the Ouray Ice Park.
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Where to stay: Twin Peaks Lodge & Hot Springs — geothermal pools surrounded by snow-dusted peaks.
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Personal tip: Pack flip-flops for the hot springs. Walking barefoot in snow after a soak? Not the vibe.
8. Yellowstone National Park, Montana — Wildlife & Winter Silence
Few places feel as mystical in winter as Yellowstone. Ever since watching Yellowstone (yes, the Dutton family drama), I’ve been obsessed with the idea of riding a horse through those cinematic snowfields. Spoiler: turns out winter horseback riding inside the park doesn’t really exist — most trails are closed because of deep snow. So, my cowboy dreams had to wait.
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Instead, we signed up for a snowcoach tour, and honestly?It was worth it. It’s basically a massive, heated van on snow tracks that takes you deep into the park — where regular cars can’t go during winter. We joined from West Yellowstone, paid about $160 per person, and spent the entire day cruising through a white wilderness straight out of a National Geographic special.
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Every few miles, we stopped to step outside into this surreal, steamy landscape — geysers shooting out of the snow, frozen waterfalls, and herds of bison walking right past the vehicle like they owned the place. I had no idea how high the wildlife-spotting chances were here. It felt like a safari, but instead of dust and heat, we had mist and silence.
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What to do:Â Take snowcoach tours, Go snowshoeing, Photograph bison and wolves in the frosted landscape.
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What to know: Only certain entrances are open in winter — plan ahead and book guided tours early.
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Where to stay:Â Old Faithful Snow Lodge (inside the park), Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone in West Yellowstone.
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Personal tip: Set your alarm early — sunrise over steaming geysers is magic you’ll never forget.
9. Lake Placid, New York — Where Olympic Spirit Meets Romance
As a kid, I used to sit glued to the TV watching Olympic bobsledders fly down icy tracks at insane speeds, thinking, “Who are these fearless people?” Fast forward a few years — and there I was, standing at the top of that very same track in Lake Placid, helmet on, heartbeat racing, about to become one of those people (well… kind of).
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Lake Placid isn’t just another winter town — it’s where adventure meets history. This place hosted two Winter Olympics, and you can still feel that energy everywhere, from the skating rink on Mirror Lake to the Olympic Jumping Complex that towers over the valley. But the real adrenaline rush? The Bobsled Experience at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. For about $95 per person, you get to ride a real Olympic track — with a professional driver and brakeman, of course. It lasts under a minute, but it’s one of those bucket-list moments you’ll talk about for years.
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Would I do it again? Absolutely. It’s fast (about 50mph), it’s loud, and it’s over before your brain catches up — but that’s what makes it unforgettable. Just make sure to grab your “I survived the bobsled” pin afterward — trust me, you’ll earn it.
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What to do: Try bobsledding, Ice skating, Skiing — all with a cozy small-town backdrop.
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What to know: This is where the Winter Olympics happened — sports energy meets mountain calm.
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Where to stay:Â Mirror Lake Inn, Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, both with lakeside fireplaces.
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Personal tip: Go night skating under fairy lights on Mirror Lake. Magical and (almost) private.
10. Bend, Oregon — Winter Adventure Without the Crowds
We landed in Bend wanting something completely different: snowshoeing volcanic trails instead of just classic ski runs—and wow, it delivered. I still remember clipping into my snowshoes near Mt. Bachelor, stumbling over a lava ridge, then realizing we were literally walking over old volcanic flows covered in snow. The contrast of white powder against ancient black rock was surreal.Â
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After an afternoon of that, we decided to “take it easy” and hunt for one of the natural hot springs nearby. Turns out there’s a fantastic one: Paulina Lake Hot Springs (about 39 miles from Bend) — free access, a hike in, and you end up soaking in steaming pools right by a frozen lake.
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 Tip: it’s not super-luxury, it’s rugged nature — you’ll carry your stuff, maybe post up on a rock, but the view and vibe make it absolutely worth it.
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What to do: Ski Mt. Bachelor, Snowshoe volcanic trails, Hit the natural hot springs (Paulina Lake Hot Springs)
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What to know: The climate is milder but still gets snow. Bonus: tons of craft breweries for cozy evenings.
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Where to stay:Â Tetherow Lodge (mountain views), Juniper Preserve (desert-meets-snow vibes).
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Personal tip: End your day soaking at McMenamins Old St. Francis School — quirky, romantic, and very Bend.
How to Choose Your Perfect Winter Adventure?
đź“Ť Love animals? Go dog sledding in Alaska or Montana.
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📍 Need an adrenaline rush? Head for Ouray’s ice climbs or Anchorage glaciers.
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đź“Ť Want a cozy adventure? Choose Vermont, Tahoe, or Lake Placid.
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đź“Ť Dreaming of hot-spring bliss? Colorado and Alaska have you covered.
Conclusion
Winter travel isn’t just about cozy cabins and hot cocoa (though those are great). It’s about chasing those “did that really just happen?” moments — dog sledding under auroras, climbing frozen waterfalls, or floating in a hot spring while snowflakes melt on your skin.
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For me and my partner, every one of these adventures reminded us why we travel in the first place: to feel alive together. Some days we nailed it — other days, we got lost, fell on ice, or froze our fingers trying to take the perfect photo. But that’s what makes it real, right?
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So whether you’re planning a couples’ getaway or just dreaming up your next winter escape, pack curiosity, a sense of humor, and maybe an extra pair of wool socks. Because the best memories? They always start with a little chill in the air.
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So grab your boots, plan your route, and let Ready Set Wander inspire your next Swiss travel adventure.
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If you enjoyed this guide, check out our 1 Week Swiss Itinerary & Switzerland Hidden Gems articles for even more alpine inspiration!
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