Top Places to Indulge in Winter Pastimes

Whether you love to get outdoors and let the crisp cool air invade your lungs as snowflakes dance around you or stay nice and cozy inside to pursue more relaxing pastimes, the winter offers enough fun seasonal activities to keep you busy throughout the cold months ahead. You could hit the slopes, go for a sleigh ride, indulge in your favorite comfort foods, or maybe even take a trip to the North Pole. To give you an idea of the possibilities, here are some winter activity ideas and recommendations for good places to try each.

Downhill skiing near Salt Lake City, Utah

When it comes to skiing, many enthusiasts return to their favorite resort haunts each year and book their ski vacation or season pass months in advance. However, if you're open to trying something new, consider visiting what may be the only major ski area where you can be zipping down the mountain the same day your plane lands. Salt Lake City has several resort options to choose from, and many offer perks for the motivated traveler who can hit the slopes after a morning flight. For instance, nearby Park City offers a free day of skiing at any of its three resorts for skiers with a valid same-day airline boarding pass.

(Photo: Richard Cheski/Salt lake Convention & Visitors Center)

Peruse Christmas Markets in Strasbourg

Beginning in November, towns all over Europe light up with the excitement of the approaching holiday by setting up stalls filled with handicrafts, home baked treats, and other handmade items. These outdoor markets capture the spirit of the season with festive decorations and a friendly atmosphere. Home to the oldest and one of the largest Christmas markets in France, Strasbourg knows a thing or two about what it takes to have a successful holiday market, offering a great way for visitors to get into the Christmas spirit.

(Photo: CRTA / Meyer)

Sleigh riding in Vermont

It's the inspiration behind one of the most popular holiday songs, and people today still love to hear the sleigh bells jingling as they ride along in a horse-drawn carriage. For the ultimate sleigh ride, Vermont's Adams Family Farm takes guests on an evening ride to a log cabin in the woods, where they warm up with mulled cider and piping hot chocolate fondue. The sleigh ride costs $18 per adult, plus $18 for the fondue. However, you can just do the sleigh ride in the snow.

(Photo: Andrzej Fryda/iStockphoto)

Ice skating in Rockefeller Center

Ice skating is winter's romantic pastime and just plain fun for adults and kids alike. You can skate on an area rink or frozen pond nearby, but it's hard to beat the atmosphere at the small rink set up in New York's Rockefeller Center. During the holiday season, the ice sparkles from the lights on the giant Christmas tree looming above, adding a festive ambience to this tiny rink in the heart of Manhattan. Skate rentals are $8, and admission costs $10 Monday through Thursday and $14 Friday through Sunday.

(Photo: Patrick Broderick/iStockphoto)

Indulging in comfort food in Savannah, Georgia

Nothing beats chicken pot pie or macaroni and cheese on a cold day, and one place to find great home-cooked, deep-fried comfort food is down South. With fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits, and sweet potato pie as staples, the South is the ideal place to satiate the familiar craving for warm winter foods. If you're looking for a meal the way mom used to cook, then you can do no better than the Lady and Sons in Savannah. Long before Paula Deen charmed her way into the hearts of TV audiences with her "y'alls," she was serving up the ultimate selection of southern comfort foods here.

(Photo: Karin Lau/iStockphoto)

Celebrate the season in Quebec City

From bright decorations to mid-afternoon parades, places all over the world celebrate winter in their own unique way. However, if you really want to party the cold away, nobody honors the season like Quebec City during its annual Carnaval de Quebec. For three weekends in a row, the historic town of Quebec City is transformed into a winter wonderland of events, including dog sledding races, snow sculptures, and dance parties. The event even has its own mascot, Bonhomme. Many of the nearby hotels offer special packages during the festivities.

(Photo: Carnaval de Quebec)

Dogsledding in Anchorage

The winter is the best possible time to spend a day working with a furry team of four-legged friends, mushing through snow-covered mountain terrain. Places all over North America offer dogsledding, but Anchorage, Alaska might be the country's dogsledding capital, hosting the most important dogsled race in the world, the Iditarod. At Anchorage's Dream a Dream Dog Farm, you can learn all about the famous race, cuddle with sled dog puppies, and even learn to command your own team of dogs.

(Photo: Alpine Air)

Riding to the North Pole

Almost every child dreams of getting to meet Santa Claus, not in a mall, but in Santa's hometown in the North Pole. Thanks to the popularity of the book and movie, The Polar Express, trains all over the country leave their stations to travel up north to find the man in red. For a truly unique ride, hop aboard the "Polar Express" at the historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. On your way to the "North Pole," you'll drink hot chocolate and eat nougat, while listening to the original story. And Santa will be waiting for your arrival, with sleigh bells for each child. Tickets cost $26 per adult and $18 for kids ages two to 11.

(Photo:Yvonne Lashmett/ Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad)

Sipping hot chocolate in Brugge, Belgium

On a cold winter day, a steaming cup of hot cocoa warms the heart as well as the hands. There's no better place to find this chocolaty elixir than in the small town of Brugge, Belgium. Known for its chocolate productions, Brugge can send chills down a chocoholic's spine with its fecundity of sweet shops. For a truly decadent cup of Belgian cocoa, the hot chocolate at De Proeverie can't be beat, where its served with whipped cream and more chocolates on the side.

(Photo: Marcus Clackson/iStockphoto)

Escape the cold in the Bahamas

Sometimes the dark days of winter can be overwhelming, and you just need an escape. There are plenty of warm destinations to choose from, but the islands of the Bahamas lay within easy reach of much of the country, making them a good choice for a quick getaway. You can start your day by slaving away at your desk, and be sipping umbrella drinks on a white sandy beach by nightfall. Many airlines such as Spirit offer deals to the Bahamas.

(Photo: Hisham F. Ibrahim)