You probably woke up this morning thinking that spring was on your doorstep and it was time to start planning vacations accordingly (ah, spring break). Well, guess what, winter isn’t going anywhere.

Punxsutawney Phil, the world’s cutest weather forecaster, has seen his shadow and as such six weeks of winter has been added to the calendar. The famous groundhog lives in Punxsutawney, PA, and has been looking at shadows for years, so he knows what he’s talking about (squeaking?).

What are you going to do with more winter? Another ski trip? Ice fishing? Take the kids sledding? The possibilities are endless. Kind of like winter.

Enjoy.

Photo: Eddie~S via Flickr

Ausable Chasm in the Winter

This Christmas break my family hopped in our Toyota Prius and road-tripped to the Lake Champlain region of the Adirondacks.  Although the ski conditions near our home in Massachusetts were just awful due to the unseasonably warm weather we’ve been experiencing, the conditions were great in the Adirondacks.

To start, we traveled to Plattsburgh by way of Vermont, taking the Grand Isle to Plattsburgh ferry.  It was incredibly easy to take the ferry, which runs every few minutes twenty-four hours a day, and saved us lots of time.  Once we arrived in Plattsburgh, it was just a short drive to the Comfort Inn and Suites, where we were staying for our trip. Read More »

‘Tis the season!

No, I’m not talking about turkey – or even tinsel or mistletoe. It’s the season for embracing the cold and strapping on your skis (or snowboard, if you prefer) to hit the slopes. Grab the kids and head to one of these winter wonderlands.

Keystone, Colorado

Known as a slightly less glamorous (but just as powdery) version of Aspen, Keystone might provide a better bargain for family travelers.

Where to Ski: Keystone Ski Resort

Located within the White River National Forest, this ski haven has 3 peaks, 135 trails, and 20 lifts to transport snow bunnies of every age and ability.

Where to Stay: Inn at Keystone

This hotel provides a great value for families and easy access to the slopes for skiiers.

Stowe, Vermont

Get the views and the weather synonymous with New England winters in this idyllic Vermont town.

Where to Ski: Stowe Mountain Resort

There’s nearly 40 miles of snow-covered trails to be conquered between Spruce Peak and Mount Mansfield, including the 3.7 mile long Toll Road.

Where to Stay: Stowe Mountain Lodge

When you’re not becoming master of the elements, relax at the spa or warm up in a Jacuzzi tub. This is the perfect place for those who like a little luxury with their adrenaline.

Park City, Utah

Where to Ski: Deer Valley Resort

This resort limits the number of lift tickets sold daily and provides ski classes for kids and adults, making it ideal for families still building their confidence on the slopes.

Where to Stay: Arrowleaf at Empire Pass

Reserve two or three bedroom suites with ski-in/ski-out access to the mountains. You won’t find a full-service spa on site, but you can have a raging fire in your own condo.

Photo

Now that I live in California (again) I have big plans to make a dream a reality. I want to learn how to surf. I’m not sure why I haven’t done it in the past. A lot of my friends consider it to be the only thing that keeps them (relatively) sane.

There are surfing schools and day lessons available all along the coast, and I plan on visiting one of them — as soon as Living Social emails the right deal. A family coupon would be nice.

I’d love to get my boys up on some boards. We had thought that skiing might be our family activity, but it turns out that everyone hates the cold, so now we’re thinking surfing might be the answer. We shall see.

Destination surf vacations sound really awesome.

Do you surf? Do you have kids that surf?

This post is part of our Friday Family Series.

Photo: Luis Alves via Flickr