7 Breathtaking Small Towns to Visit in Winter

Picture yourself spending your winter in a small town…

Even though it might be tempting to hole up and hide out during the coldest months of the year, there’s a lot to love about winter if you’re willing to embrace a few chilly temperatures.

There’s something special about the magic of a small town during winter that warms the soul.

Small towns can offer the perfect escape from the winter blues, whether you’re strolling along a snow-dusted main street beneath shimmering holiday lights or cozying up by a fireplace with hot chocolate after a fun day in the snow.

We searched and found the best small towns to see this winter to help you plan your next getaway. So bundle up and dig out your snowshoes. These 7 charming winter getaways will cure even the nastiest cases of seasonal affective disorder.

Stowe, Vermont

This small town beckons snow-seekers of all ages and skill levels with the stunning Green Mountains as a backdrop and Swiss-style chalets and snow-covered peaks.

Mount Mansfield lures intrepid skiers looking to take on the diamond trails while beginners head to Spruce Peak’s base at Stowe Mountain Resort.

Excellent skiing terrain aside, outdoorsy types will also love the festive seasonal events like the Stowe Winter Carnival in January and the Stowe Derby in February, along with vibrant apres-ski settings at cozy retreats like Topnotch Resort.

For a beautiful Vermont ski retreat, it’s hard to top Stowe with its alpine panorama, universal trails, and traditional lodges.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

According to critics, this small town is pretty much the Western capital of our country! The Teton-ringed valley is well-known for its 3,000 acres of open backcountry roads and some of the hardest skiing in all of North America.

We won’t even get into the scenery that’s just as exciting. And even if vertical slopes aren’t your cup of tea, both Teton Village and the town of Jackson offer tons of apres-ski recreations, with premier vintage shops and farm-to-table restaurants popping up alongside classic steakhouses and blanket-and-moccasin stores.

You should visit the Persephone Bakery for picture-worthy quinoa bowls or the Anvil Hotel’s mercantile for a pair of unique deerskin gloves.

North Conway, New Hampshire

Suppose your idea of a perfect winter escape involves gliding down snow-dusted peaks and lacing up your boots for cross-country trails.

In that case, we recommend heading to North Conway, a classic New England ski town on the east of the White Mountains in Mount Washington Valley.

In this small town, you can take your pick from nearby ski areas, including Cranmore, which is about 2 miles away from the town’s main village and boasts a ski school along with off-slope activities like snowshoeing and sleigh rides (Santa not included).

Then you should check out the Conway Scenic Railroad or brush up on your meteorology at Mount Washington Observatory’s Weather Discovery Center before grabbing a few snacks at Zeb’s General Store.

Banff, Canada

Located at the foot of Banff National Park, this picturesque small town offers unique surroundings, majestic mountains, and diverse ski areas that cater to all skill levels.

Snow lovers can choose from three easily accessible ski areas, like Sunshine Village, which has approximately 3,500 skiable acres. But we recommend trying the “Bye Bye Bowl” for some stunning views.

Off the slopes, marvel at the snowy landscapes on an ice walk with the well-known and respected “Discover Banff Tours.” Then, get your fill at Castello Ristorante or enjoy a nightcap in Banff’s charming small town.

For an enchanting lodging experience, try the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Banff National Park, which has sweeping views of Victoria Glacier.

Mammoth Lakes, California

Imagine cozying up in a log cabin, warming up your feet in front of a crackling fire, and sipping on some hot chocolate.

Well, Mammoth Lakes is a fantastic winter destination for those looking for snow-capped mountains, beautiful frozen lakes, and some of the most incredible skiing in the US!

This small town is most famous for its ski resort, which has this state’s highest chairlift-serviced peak. It’s known for having one of the longest ski seasons in the country, sometimes lasting into July or August!

But if skiing and snowboarding aren’t for you, don’t worry! There’s still plenty to do around this area! You can bundle up in some thermal clothes and find a hill to sled down or hop in your car and search for a frozen lake at sunset to enjoy the surroundings.

Do you want to enjoy winter but indoors? Check out the adorably quaint used bookstore downtown called Booky Joint. You can spend hours going through the genres to find a perfect book and curl up on the couch to read while it snows outside.

So whether you’re searching for a cozy winter escape or some adventurous fun in the snow, Mammoth Lakes offers everything you’re looking for!

Marquette, Michigan

Hidden away on the coast of Lake Superior is the small town of Marquette. Averaging around 150 inches of snow annually, it’s a true winter wonderland as one of the snowiest places east of the Rocky Mountains.

With miles of trails for snowmobiling, snow biking, and cross-country skiing, outdoor lovers visit Marquette all winter long for adventure in the Northwoods. But you don’t have to be a thrill-seeker to be able to enjoy a winter vacation if you visit this location.

Grab a pair of snowshoes and take a stroll around Presque Isle Park. You can also go for a spin downtown at the city’s ice-skating rink before warming up with a beer by the fire at one of the town’s local breweries.

For a genuinely unique Upper Peninsula experience, plan a long February weekend to see the UP 200 dog sledding race start. Hundreds of people come here yearly to see the racers and dogs kick off the big race on a snow-covered street in the downtown area.

Leavenworth, Washington

This small town’s idyllic Bavaria-inspired village may be located in the Pacific Northwest, but it looks like it was taken straight out of Germany.

You can enjoy all the seasonal joys like sleigh rides, a Christmas-tree lighting ceremony, snowmobile tours, Nordic skiing, and holiday shopping.

But for those who want more adrenaline-pumping activity, this small town has dog sledding, ice climbing, or backcountry skiing.

And when you feel like you need to take a break, chow down on Scandinavian specialties, including brats, schnitzel, and beer, at one of the charming dining areas in the Bavarian village.

You can enjoy a refreshing spa treatment at the Icicle Village Resort (don’t forget your bathing suit), or catch sight of some reindeer at the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm. And the best part? Leavenworth is just a two-and-a-half-hour drive east of Seattle.

Be sure to let us know what you think of these adorable small towns, and let us know if you’ve been there before.

But in the meantime, if you’re looking for some more ideas on where to spend your next vacation, we highly recommend you read: 8 Beautiful AND Low-Cost Holiday Destinations in the US