Hi I had my 2017 vacation trip planned for Europe on October but it was cancelled due to Hurricane Maria damage to Puerto Rico.
Now we are just thinking on a winter trip to US or Canada for 2017 and plan the Europe trip for later. We have never experienced snow.
Recommendations please !!!!
Winter Carnival in Quebec City is lots of fun. It is two weeks in February and would push your vacation to early 2018. Dress warmly.
Salt Lake City, Utah. "Greatest Snow on Earth" is the slogan here. Dozens of ski resorts. Hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002, so we KNOW how to do snow. Take a free tour around Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City to learn about the Mormons who settled and built up this area. National Parks galore in Utah. Think of just about any outdoor sport and you can do it in Utah.
In Quebec City there is an ice toboggan ride down to the boardwalk at Chateau Frontenac. It overlooks the St. Lawrence and has operated for many decades, a genuinely vintage thrill. The city is vibrant both indoors and out. But yes, make serious plans for how to dress in the dead of winter.
Both Montreal and Quebec City offer access to ski resorts. The tourist village at Mont Tremblant will have snow, even if it is manufactured, and some diversions other than risking your life skidding down a steep hill on barrel staves (I mean skiing.)
I am biased to the high country of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado as I live here. Easy access from Denver. You can get a mix of Denver and Boulder city activities and then drive up to small mountain communities for festivals or early western history and of course lots of snow to ski on or snowshoe. More winter sunshine than the northeast and less humidity so it feels not as cold (I grew up in New England). Lots of breweries and good food in Denver and the resorts also.
If you have never experienced snow, are you comfortable driving in it and all that entails (snow chains, etc)? Or how do you plan on getting around? It takes some experience to navigate safely in snow conditions. On the upside, the national parks are much less crowded in the winter, which is a major plus (but some roads are usually closed due to snow). As previously mentioned, CO and UT are great for winter sports, and Quebec City has a wonderful snow festival.
For early 2018, consider: http://whitefishwintercarnival.com/events/
Jackson Hole, WY with nearby Tetons and further is Yellowstone which both have tours on snow mobiles to see wildlife. COLD!!! We watch the weather to head south to Zion, Snow Canyon and St George. Cycling and hiking. Las Vegas's westside has hiking or cycling in a red canyon. There is Lake Mead with a cycle path and Hoover Dam. Las Vegas has interior venues for entertainment and excellent food options.
While it's not snowy, my vote is San Francisco. The city, the food, the culture, the water...it's unlike anywhere else you'll ever go.
If you've never "experienced snow", you should not rent a car. Go to Quebec City and enjoy the winter carnival plus all that beautiful city has to offer. You won't need a car and you can experience how especially beautiful QC is winter as it sits above the frozen St Lawrence.
