Joanna James
The best kind of family vacation takes you to the most unexpected places. Are you thinking of spending a winter vacation with your family? The weather may be cold, but some wintry places turn into heartwarming, cosy holiday spots with hot chocolate, fun in the snow and even fireworks. Let's take a look at five of the top-rated family winter wonderlands.
Nestled in a hilly top in Colorado, this town is called the last great Colorado ski town. It is an outdoor lovers haven all year round but in winter, these slopes come to life with vigour. It is full of winter things to do with family. They have 15 chairlifts and ski runs in green, blue, and black. You can buy day passes or up to six-day passes. The town itself provides plenty of family fun. There is a kid-friendly Winter Adventure Park. Buy your ticket at the Adventure Centre or the Evolution Bike Shop. Check out the park's bungee jumping trampoline and zero gravity bag jump. Their Kids Night Out offer dinner and games for the little ones, while you have some grown-up time. Enjoy sleigh rides, uphill skiing, biking in the snow and sipping hot chocolate at night to watch fireworks together. Incidentally, check out The Family Travel Blog to find out more winter family fun ideas.
Quebec Winter Carnival takes place annually during Christmas. And, if you miss the carnival, you can always go skiing and snowboarding. There are four ski resorts in town, and you won't have trouble figuring out your difficulty level. You can also go mega-sledging as a family on a giant innertube sledge in Valcartier Vacation Village. After a day of strenuous skiing and snowboarding, head towards Nordic spas for pampering. At the Parc de la Chute-Montmorency, try ice skating, ice climbing and even ice fishing. Outside the city, there are natural lakes and rivers to ice skate to your heart's content.
This is where the Christmas Carol 'Silent Night' first came into being. During the holiday season, you'll find plenty of lodging and adventures. The kids can take ski lessons at the Kogel-Mogel Kids Club. They will create magical winter memories going down the slopes and even taking part in races. In downtown, try some 'Lebkuchen', Austrian gingerbread cookies with hot chocolate or 'Glühwein' – mulled wine. You can head over to a spa or sauna to relax after a day of hard work. If you happen to be in Salzburg on New Year's Eve, go to the "Silvester," for waltzing, champagne, and fireworks. The grown-ups can watch the Perchtenlauf ceremony – an ancient pagan tradition with men dressing up as demons in a procession. The procession might be a tad bit scary for the kids.
Ottawa is full of some of the best skiing, ice skating and winter sports facilities in the entire continent. If you visit in February, you can go to the Winterlude festival. The kids will love the snowflake kingdom at Jacques-Cartier Park. They can go on the huge slides and witness the International Ice Carving Competition. The Gatineau Park is where all the cross-country skiing enthusiasts gather.
Warsaw may not spring to your mind as a winter wonderland, but it is pretty magical. The kids can go downhill on a sledge or innertube at the National Stadium. There are over 20 ice rinks in Warsaw. Stop over at Lazienki Park for museum hopping and immersing in Polish folklore. The Market Square in the Old Town will stay lit up at night until February. You can shop and try some good old Polish delicacies. Try some warm, filling zurek – soup filled with sausages, hard-boiled eggs, and pierogi (dumplings with spicy or sweet fillings). Don't forget to drink some Polis hot chocolate to warm up your insides.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
