Travel

6 Cozy Winter Getaways with Sleigh Rides

Photo by Don Landwehrle at Shutterstock

Check out these cozy winter lodges for a perfect cold-weather getaway!

In the winter, we tend to seek comfort… to seek out hearty dishes, slow down, and find peace in a season that brings cold temperatures and snow.

It’s a time when ski boots replace hiking shoes, and a perfect day might be as simple as a cup of hot chocolate, a fireplace, and a good read. So, as the weather shifts, many people seek out places where they can enjoy the season’s wonders but from a place of comfort.

This is where Must See Places comes in to present you with cozy winter lodges to provide a luxurious sanctuary from the cold. But don’t think you’ll be bored just because you’re hunkered down in the mountains.

Besides providing a wintery escape, these comfy places boast sleigh rides, hot tubs, and easy access to winter activities.

So, whether you’re craving a genuinely remote few days in the mountains or an upscale resort experience, we’ve got you covered. Read on for some of the most cozy winter lodges in the US.

The Lodge at Spruce Peak: Stowe, Vermont

The charming town of Stowe, also known as the “Ski Capital of the East,” gets an average annual snowfall of an astounding 22 feet and happens to be the home of The Lodge at Spruce Peak, famous as New England’s most superior cozy winter lodges.

Establishing a new standard for luxury, it boasts a luxury spa, elegant guest rooms, and unforgettable mountain views. Snowboarding, skiing, and cross-country skiing are right outside your door when you stay here.

And this cozy winter lodge has its own performing arts center, operating year-round and featuring numerous events, including live music and concerts, comedy, films, theater, dance, and many other things.

Photo by Beeldtype at Shutterstock

Grouse Mountain Lodge: Whitefish, Montana

One of Montana’s most magnificent wilderness resorts, Grouse Mountain Lodge, is right next to the Winter Glacier Nordic Center and is known as one of Montana’s best cozy winter lodges.

While here, you can enjoy superior service and luxurious accommodations within a beautifully picturesque location mere minutes from Glacier National Park and the incredible slopes of Whitefish Mountain Resort.

That’s where fresh powder skiing is the top activity of the area. Private shuttle service is available to and from the ski lifts. And activities like snowmobiling, dog sledding, and horse-drawn sleigh rides await you.

But when you prefer to stay in, this cozy winter lodge also hosts one of Montana’s top-rated day spas, offering everything from facials to massage and rejuvenating body treatments.

You’ll also find well-appointed Western-style rooms with a beautiful rustic ambiance, an indoor pool, outdoor hot tubs, and a full-service restaurant onsite.

Photo by Russ Heinl at Shutterstock

Timberline Lodge: Mount Hood, Oregon

Situated halfway to the summit of gorgeous Mount Hood, the historic Timberline Lodge was proclaimed a National Historic Landmark in 1977 and is one of the area’s most popular tourist attractions.

The timber and stone structure goes all the way back to 1936 and was created entirely by hand by craftspeople that were hired as part of the Federal Works Progress Administration throughout the Great Depression.

Deemed an architectural wonder, the 1980 movie “The Shining” used aerial shots of the lodge in its opening scene and a few exterior footage. Nowadays, though, it’s still being used for its original purpose… as a mountain retreat and impressive ski lodge.

The rooms in this cozy winter lodge feature original artwork and handcrafted furnishings constructed by the same workers who built the facilities.

During the height of winter, the ground floor of this cozy winter lodge is typically buried in snow, and guests get access through a snow tunnel.

And even though it’s getting on in age, there are many modern amenities to enjoy, including a year-round heated outdoor swimming pool, sauna, hot tub, fitness room, and much more.

Photo by Ryan Tishken at Shutterstock

Stein Eriksen Lodge: Deer Valley, Utah

One of the best lodges in our nation to stay this season is this award-winning cozy winter lodge. It’s ideal for skiers looking for a luxurious escape.

It also happens to be the only Forbes five-star hotel and spa with mid-mountain access to ski-in/ski-out on the slopes of Deer Valley. Every suite has its own distinctive look and comes complete with a hot tub for soothing sore muscles after a long day outside.

And you’ll even have the option to soak in the beautiful view outside with an outdoor hot tub on the deck. This cozy winter lodge also features a full kitchen, a fireplace, and comfy terry cloth robes.

But if you want to take your relaxation even further, check out Stein’s world-class spa, which offers numerous treatments and massages along with access to a steam room, sauna, and hot and cold plunge pools.

While here, you should also check out the Champions Club. It’s an entertainment center with various high-tech to old-school games. And if that’s not enough, you can visit the Freestyle Theater for a movie night!

Photo by Fotopro_929 at Shutterstock

The Ahwahnee: Yosemite National Park, California

We all know that Yosemite National Park is one of the nation’s most famous and scenic national parks. But it’s also home to the historic Ahwahnee, situated among the cascading waterfalls and soaring cliffs of Yosemite Valley.

By staying at this cozy winter lodge, you’ll be in the heart of the park, and it’s especially gorgeous when covered with a blanket of snow. Winter is also the quietest time of year here, and it might feel as if you have it all to yourself.

Inside this cozy winter lodge, you can sit back and relax in the beautiful interior that combines Art Deco and Native American influences. And you can even lie your head down where Queen Elizabeth II once slept by selecting the Mary Curry Tresidder Suite for your stay.

As far as the outdoors goes, you can look forward to breathtaking strolls in the snow, passing beautiful frozen waterfalls, and watching for wildlife.

And the good news is that with the landscape deprived of its summer foliage, it’s easier to spot the animals who reside here in the winter months.

You can look for Yosemite’s resident foxes, bobcats, marmots, and other adorable furry creatures that scurry through the thinned-out forest.

Photo by VDB Photos at Shutterstock

Teton Mountain Lodge and Spa: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Enveloped by the magnificent Grand Teton Mountain Range, Jackson Hole offers fantastic wildlife viewing, snow-filled activities, and the Western spirit of romance blended with some of the most impressive scenery on the planet.

A stay at this cozy winter lodge will provide you with access to all that and much more. You’ll experience a rustic, laid-back vibe mixing Western flair with alpine luxury in a comfortable lodge.

Every suite boasts a kitchenette, a stone gas fireplace, and whirlpool tubs. By picking one of the two- or three-bedroom suites, you can enjoy a terrace for drinking your morning cup of Joe while enjoying incredible views of the slopes.

And after a day of playing in the snow or skiing, you can come back and sit by the fire to warm your feet in the lobby with stunning views of the mountains. Be sure to pack some binoculars to peep Wyoming’s incredible wildlife!

But if that’s not your vibe, you can also relax in the spa or head for the rooftop hot tub where you’ll get to take in even more spectacular sights of Jackson Hole.

Have you ever been to any of these cozy winter lodges? Be sure to share your experiences with us in the comments section below. And if you’re looking for some more ideas on how to spend this winter, Must See Places has got you covered.

For example, check out: 7 Breathtaking Small Towns to Visit in Winter

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R. C.

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