While cooler days and grey skies make it tempting to escape to sunny beach destinations, there are plenty of sunny winter days ahead ideal for snowbound adventure.
Lake Chelan is proud of its 300 days of annual sunshine, while the Yakima Valley has its share of blue skies in the winter months. Even Mount Hood has its share of sun, and all three of these destinations offer incredible adventure opportunities for swooshing down slopes or enjoying the trails.
If your idea of a perfect winter getaway involves chasing the aurora borealis, bundling up for an Alaskan vacation may be on the family travel wish list.
Ready to plan your next adventure? Secure your mountain pass and consider these four family outdoor adventures in the Pacific Northwest.
Northern Lights Over Chena Lake, just outside Fairbanks, Alaska
Courtesy Explore Fairbanks/Photo by Andy WittemanAurora adventure in Fairbanks, Alaska
It’s Aurora Season in Fairbanks, which typically spans between late August and late April as the sky remains dark enough for viewing opportunities. Fairbanks has long been regarded as an outstanding viewing destination as it is under the Auroral Oval, a ring-shaped zone where aurora activity is concentrated.
For the best chance of seeing the impressive natural light show, guests will want to be outdoors in the late evening hours. Local guides offer aurora viewing tours, but visitors can also find their own way to popular viewing areas to catch the aurora. Just be sure to take flashlights or headlamps for dark evening hikes.
Find several short winter trails at Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, just two miles from downtown Fairbanks. If staying outside of town, Chena Lake Recreation Area also offers winter trails on and around the lake, ideal for aurora viewing at night.
In addition to chasing the aurora, winter visitors to Fairbanks will find outdoor recreation in nearby Denali National Park, Chena Hot Springs, North Pole and even downtown. Winter in Fairbanks is a prime time for wildlife viewing, snowy hikes, birdwatching, skiing and ice skating. When looking to try something new, guests can also try out ice sculpting, dog mushing or mingling with reindeer.
A sunny day of snowboarding
Daniel Milchev/Getty ImagesWinter activities in Yakima Valley, Washington
No matter your personal sense of adventure, you’ll find family fun in Yakima Valley this winter. From snowshoeing and cross-country skiing to wine tastings and farm-fresh dining, the valley region caters to a wide range of interests.
For outdoors enthusiasts, White Pass has new Nordic ski trails for the whole family to enjoy. Across from the White Pass Ski Area on Highway 12, the new Nordic Center offers cross-country ski adventures along more than 11 miles of groomed trails. Beginner-friendly options are available alongside expert trail options, with onsite rentals for cross-country skis, skates, snowshoes and fat bikes.
Within the Washington State Parks system, visitors will also find 112 miles of groomed snowmobile trails between Pyramid Creek and Little Naches. Chinook Pass is also a popular spot for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
If visiting through the holidays, Yakima Valley is home to numerous festive lighting events. Through Jan. 2, visit the Festival of Lights at City Park in Prosser for a full park of holiday lights and decorations. Then Dec. 7-18, Yakima Valley Museum is hosting a Holiday Lights Extravaganza where local charities decorate museum galleries with Christmas trees and festive decor.
When visiting the valley to sip and savor local flavor, Yakima’s taproom for Bale Breaker Brewing Company is offering mid-week Hoppy Hours this winter, Tuesday through Thursday. These Hoppy Hours offer $5 pints and feature limited releases including a winter IPA. For wine enthusiasts, the new teaching winery and tasting room at Yakima Valley Vintners is offering a grape-to-glass flight tasting alongside a selection of meats and cheeses to bring out flavors of featured wines.
Kids tubing in winter
FatCamera/Getty Images/iStockphotoFamily fun in Lake Chelan, Washington
Lake Chelan may be a favorite summertime destination, yet with an average of 300 days of sunshine each year this lakeside town offers plenty of clear days for outdoor adventure even during the winter months.
Just minutes from town, families can enjoy 25 miles of groomed and backcountry trails at Echo Ridge Nordic Ski Area, ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Day ski passes are $15 per person, though kids 17 and younger ski free. Trails are open 24 hours daily, and rentals are available nearby at downtown’s Lake Chelan Sports and at Lakeland Ski Rental.
For casual family fun, Echo Valley is the destination to be for snow tubing and snowboarding. Echo Valley Ski & Tubing Area is open weekends and holidays, and this is also a less populated resort for beginner skiers and boarders to test their footing while having fun with the family.
Prefer to stick to solid ground? Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Riverwalk Park loop trail for a mile-long outing with lakeside views. Or try the loop route at Little Bear Trail within Lake Chelan State Park for a lengthier hike.
For couples or friends enjoying a Lake Chelan adventure, adding in a wine tasting or two is a sure way to stay warm on cooler days. There are more than 30 wineries in the region with several tasting rooms offering free tastings. At some wineries, guests may even find festive hands-on classes, like holiday wreath making at Tipsy Canyon Winery.
For convenient and cozy accommodations, Campbell’s Resort — located right on the waterfront — offers easy access to downtown eateries and boutique shopping. Staying here provides immediate access to the Riverwalk Park loop trail, while area snow slopes and backcountry trails are just a short drive away.
Two kids race down a snowy hill at Mount Hood, Oregon.
thinair28/Getty ImagesWinter escape in Hood River, Oregon
Winter is an excellent time to visit Hood River, with powdery slopes at nearby Mount Hood offering days full of adrenaline, while staying closer to town offers brisk walks and hikes along the Columbia River.
The ski season will kick off soon, dependent on snow arrival, but it’s the perfect time to plan ahead for passes so you can head straight for the lifts when the time comes. Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Area has a limited-time sale on seasonal experiences with steep discounts offered until Dec. 12. Activities here range from downhill and Nordic skiing to snowshoeing and snowboarding.
Just southeast of Mount Hood is Teacup Nordic’s groomed cross-country ski trails with programs for all ages. Day passes are also available, and children ages 17 and under ski free.
For dedicated and frequent skiers, The Hood River Hotel has an unbeatable offer for the season. Guests may book a season pass at the hotel, inclusive of unlimited Sunday to Thursday stays now through March. For occasional adventurers, the hotel also offers a third-night free package through February.
The Hood River Hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places and is Hood River’s oldest hotel, though there are contemporary touches throughout ensuring a cozy stay in this vintage property. Breakfast and lunch is served all day onsite and Scandinavian dishes are the focal point here with Danish pancakes and Swedish meatballs.