These Incredible Outdoor Destinations Are Worth Bundling Up To Explore This Winter

In Oregon, the Timberline Lodge is known for its incredible views, intriguing history, and winsome charm. A legendary lodge in the Pacific Northwest, film buffs likely know Timberline Lodge from "The Shining." In the film, Jack Nicholson’s character met his demise here, and Director Stanley Kubrick chose the hotel’s exteriors as the face of Overlook Hotel in the horror film. There's indeed a gothic quality to the Timberline, especially when enrobed in snow. In fact, with its picture-perfect perch on Mt. Hood, Timberline Lodge offers one of the most thrilling and unique alpine mountain experiences in the country, and attracts skiers from all over. What's more, Timberline's unique location -- 6,000 feet in the mountains -- allows for stunning winter stargazing come nightfall.

While we certainly adore Jackson Hole for wintertime recreation in Wyoming, there's something undeniably enchanting about Casper, too. This mountain town has a story book-like downtown that, when framed by snow-covered peaks and scenery, is irresistibly charming. Within this postcard-perfect town, David Street Station, with its own outdoor skating rink complete with a tall, colorfully lit pine tree in the center, is one of the city’s top spots to visit during winter. Of course, visitors have a world of amazing winter recreation at their fingertips in Casper, too, from skiing and snowshoeing to snowmobiling and fat-tire biking.

For those wishing to enter a "Frozen" fantasy world, visit one of our country's five Ice Castles. A winter wonderland comprised of ice castles and sculptures totaling 25 million pounds, this experience is truly extraordinary. While this event now happens annually at five locations in the US, the Ice Castles originated in Alpine, Utah, in the backyard of ice artist Brent Christensen, who created a frozen playland for his kids during one particularly long winter. Christensen's ice caves and castles proved irresistible for the neighborhood kids, and he began to imagine bigger and better winter wonderlands -- which brings us to today's epic Ice Castle events. Opening dates always depend on the weather, but the attraction is typically up from early January through early March. Ice Castles is an awe-inspiring, must-see winter phenomenon that brings fairy tales to life, complete with dazzling LED-lit sculptures, frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels, slides, and fountains.

Touted as one of the top vacation destination in the world, New Mexico's state capital is a place of immense beauty and history. Winter in Santa Fe especially sublime, when snow often dusts the town's adobo buildings and stone statues. This town is breathtakingly beautiful in the quieter months, when visitors can explore the Santa Fe Plaza sans summer and holiday crowds. Of course, winter visitors can ski or snowshoe the imposing Sangre de Cristo Mountains or visit one of the area's acclaimed hot springs, while those who prefer the apres ski scene can get pampered at one of the town's numerous spas and resorts.

Minnesota knows a thing or two about harsh winters, and its residents don't shy away from a little cold and snow. Nowhere is this truer than Minneapolis, where, during the annual Luminary Loppet, the town and its prized lake shine to the tune of 1,200 glowing luminaries. The highlight of the event is the magical Luminary Loppet, when cross-country skiers traverse a frozen Lake of the Isles illuminated by torches, lanterns, and candles encased in blocks of ice, with the occasional fire dancer thrown in for good measure. In a city that sees over 50 inches of snowfall each year, Minnesotans embrace the season with an exuberance and joy that's truly heartwarming.

Scattered like jewels in the icy blue waters of Lake Superior are a collection of wild islands. Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands are a fairy tale fantasy filled with sea caves, emerald-green pools, deserted beaches, and lighthouses that still signal across waters littered with the wrecks of old schooners. For visitors, reaching this pure, remote beauty takes a bit of effort; but when you arrive at the islands, your hard work will be handsomely rewarded. In the summer, these undisturbed beaches and pools will feel like your very own private island escape; in the winter, however, you'll feel as though you've landed on the frozen Planet Hoth. Water suspended mid-air, massive icicles, cold blue waters, and glittering cavern walls make Apostle Islands a place of otherworldly beauty in the winter.

If January has you mourning the conspicuous absence of twinkle lights, bundle up and head to Grand Rapids, Michigan. While many wouldn't dare set foot in Michigan in the throes of winter, there's an annual festival here that might just change your mind. The largest winter festival in the Midwest, World of Winter is a two-month celebration of all things snowy and cold, with outdoor art installations, ice skating and games, giant luminaries, and fanciful displays sure to brighten even the darkest, coldest nights. Whether you’re enjoying pop-up musical events, admiring an outdoor dance performance, or gazing at gorgeous ice luminaries, you're sure to fall in love with this seasonal celebration.

Upstate New York is a dream, full of charming accommodations in the midst of lovely natural landscapes -- but it’s hard to top Lake Placid. Full of top-tier amenities and surrounded by spectacular views, it’s one of the best places in the Empire State to visit if you’re looking for a fun family vacation or a romantic weekend in the mountains. No matter when you visit, you'll be positively enchanted; but we're partial to wintertime in Lake Placid, as the whole area becomes a sublime snowy wonderland. For a bucket-list experience this winter, check into Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa. The epitome of luxurious mountain getaways, this resort features a private beach, complimentary boats, world-class spas, top-rated restaurants, and Insta-worthy accommodations, all in one of the most resplendent regions of the country. And with the snow falling softly outside your window? Pure magic.

Proving that Maine is a year-round destination, Carnaval ME is a winter festival in Portland that's a delightful reason to get out and embrace the cold-weather season. While relatively new to the scene, the Carnaval Maine Winter Festival is already an event that has people marking their calendars in eager anticipation. This festival is an extraordinary all-ages event with a robust schedule of events, from ice sculpture competitions and ski races to live music and an ice igloo full of food and drink vendors. Carnaval Maine is a delightful way to embrace winter with excitement and exuberance, and while it's the (ahem) polar opposite of a certain New Orleans carnival, it's no less magical.

America's very own winter wonderland, Alaska is positively sublime in the winter. Whether it's experiencing the Northern Lights or hiking Mendenhall Glacier, there's no winter destination in America more magical than Alaska. If you need another reason to bundle up and head to the Last Frontier, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is it. Known as The Last Great Race, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an annual race in Alaska that celebrates the state's longtime legacy of dog mushing (Alaska’s official state sport even before the start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race). Held the first Saturday in March each year, the Iditarod is a highly anticipated event that many Alaskans look forward to, and it's a tradition well worth a spot on your winter bucket list, too.