Image via Complex Original
It might be frigid cold outside, but winter is no time to stay indoors. There’s plenty of adventures to be had, from ice climbing in California to dog sledding in the north woods of Maine. Grab a thermos, some Under Armour ColdGear, and experience the winter like you never thought you could.
Hut-to-Hut Trekking in the Rockies
City: Various
Website: huts.org
The 10th Mountain Division Hut Association manages a system of 34 backcountry huts in the Colorado Rockies. There are 350 miles of trails that you can use to downhill ski, cross country ski and snowshoe in the winter months, making it a unique opportunity to explore one of the most beautiful mountain regions the United States has to offer. The trails aren’t for beginners, so before you leave, make sure you’re in shape, familiar with your equipment, and most importantly, know how to use a map. And reserve the cabins early as they fill up fast.
Paddling in Cape Sable
City: Homestead, Fla.
Website: nps.gov
If snow and cold weather aren’t on your agenda this winter, skip the skis and down coats and head south to Florida’s Everglades National Park. Rent a canoe at the Flamingo Visitor Center and paddle around the Gulf of Mexico where you can camp on the backcountry beaches of Cape Sable. The paddling is a perfect way to get some sunshine (and muscles) when you’ve had enough of the snow. When the sun goes down, the no-see-ums come out, so don’t forget your bug spray.
Climbing Mount Washington
City: North Conway, N.H.
Website: mountwashington.org
If bragging rights are what you’re looking for, you’ll find them on a winter summit of New Hampshire’s Mount Washington. The highest peak in the White Mountains (6,288 feet) is also home to the some of the planet’s most severe weather and the surface wind speed record. But don’t let that deter you; the scenery and views are worth the extra effort. If you’re not experienced with winter mountaineering, don’t go out and do this one by yourself. Hire a guide or go with an outfitter like REI that has scheduled programs to get you to the top.
Heli Skiing in Colorado
City: Telluride, Colo.
Website: helitrax.com
Sure, there might be lots of places you can take a helicopter into the backcountry for a skiing adventure of a lifetime, but you have to think about the après-ski time too. Telluride is one of our favorite ski towns in the country, so why not hire Heli Trax—around since 1982—to take you into the beautiful San Juan mountains. When you’re done with a day in the powder, come back and have a whiskey at the New Sheridan Hotel. Because that is a winter adventure.
Snow Kiting on Lake Minnetonka
City: Minneapolis
Website: scubacenter.com
Snow kiting? Minneapolis? We know it’s not the first thought that comes to mind for winter adventure, but Lake Minnetonka, located just 15 miles west of the Twin Cities, is a kiter’s dream. Slip on your hockey skates, call up Scuba Center, and reach speeds of up to 60 mph when you attach yourself to a kite. Go Vikings.
Camping in the Chisos Mountains
City: Big Bend, Texas
Website: nps.gov
Edward Abbey called the Chisos Mountains an “emerald isle in a red sea.” You’ll instantly know what he meant as you ascend into the forest plateau in Texas’ Big Bend National Park. Getting to the park isn’t easy—it’s remote—but the rewards are worth the drive. Far West Texas isn’t warm in the winter months, but it’s not build-an-igloo cold either, so it’s a perfect compromise if you don’t want snow or a beach. Camp up in the South Rim of the Chisos and take in the view of the only U.S. mountain range completely contained within a national park.
Ice Climbing at Cascade Falls
City: Lake Tahoe, Calif.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced climber, Cascade Falls in Lake Tahoe will have something for you to scale. One of the best ice climbing destinations in the country, the falls boast an amazing view of Emerald Bay on the lake’s west side. Behind the Bayview Campground is a mile-long trail that leads to the falls, so grab your axes and crampons and start hacking away.
Dog Sledding in Maine
City: Various
Website: mainedogsledding.com
Visitors to Katahdin Country in the North Woods of Maine can hop on the back of a dog sled to learn the basics skills needed to go into the backcountry for a three-day adventure. You’ll have guides with you, of course, and they’ll be teaching you to shout commands and commandeer a team of Alaskan sled dogs. The Wilderness Lodge on Nahmakanta Lake runs the trips each winter from December through March.
Bobsled and Luge Rides in Lake Placid
City: Lake Placid, N.Y.
Website: whiteface.com
If you’ve ever wanted to fly down a track of ice after watching the Winter Olympics (or Cool Runnings), here’s your chance. At Lake Placid’s Olympic Sports Complex, you can pay $75 to hop on bobsled or luge and slide all the way down the track at ridiculous speeds. It sounds scary, but you’ll have a professional driver and brakeman in the vessel with you, so the chances of crashing are slim. And as an added bonus, you’ll be rewarded for your bravery by automatically becoming a member of the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation.
Winter Surfing in Alaska
City: Kodiak Island, Alaska
This might be extreme for most of the people on Earth, but we had to include it in our list for the sheer insanity. Alaska’s Kodiak Island, the second largest island in the United States, has recently been drawing in adrenaline junkies for the waves. Surfing here is not bikinis and fish tacos, but thick wet suits and potential hypothermia. If you do decide to go, charter a boat, and when it’s all said and done—which might be 15 minutes after getting in the water—you can always go back to Anchorage and try to see the Northern Lights. Or you can never leave Anchorage and stay warm by a fire in a cabin.
