The snowiest destinations to visit this winter, according to weather reports
Each year, the time comes when thoughts shift to winter vacation.
For some, this means escaping the frigid temperatures and seeking out warm weather and palm trees in Southern California or Florida.
Others welcome the season with open arms, dreaming up vacations filled with powder skiing or quiet snowshoeing walks through conifer forests.
Those who prefer to bundle up and head for the snow are in luck. According to AccuWeather’s annual winter forecast, a weak La Nina weather system could allow colder weather to settle in as early as Dec. 1, or even November in some destinations. And with snow already falling in some mountain towns west of the Mississippi, it could be right on point.
For those who prefer to chase winter, here are a few of your best bets and what to expect this season.
New England
This year, some New England destinations are expected to experience an early blast of winter. The first waves in New England could make an appearance in November, with slightly colder-than-average temperatures and notable snowfall events.
Staying inland will likely afford visitors a snowier experience than coastal destinations like Boston and Portland, Maine. Meteorologists expect January to be one of the best months to visit, as the annual “January thaw” may not occur until February.
For your best chances of catching powder turns this season, turn your attention to destinations such as Stowe, Vermont, or North Conway, New Hampshire — both of which have a number of ski resorts within a one-hour radius. Head there in January, or after the anticipated “February thaw” for the best shot at notable conditions.
Northern Plains and Great Lakes
Similar to the Northeast, the Northern Plains and Great Lakes regions are expecting an earlier, colder and snowier-than-average winter.
Destinations closer to the lakes will receive even higher amounts of snow, with lake-effect snowstorms expected to fuel the winter season. While there will likely be some snow events in late November and December, the most consistent snowfall could occur starting in January, once the water temperature in the lakes drops.
While January temperatures could be up to 10 degrees lower than last year’s temperatures, the lakes will probably be late to freeze due to the abnormally warm water. So, if your trip revolves around ice skating, snowmobiling on the lakes or anything requiring solid ice, you may want to wait until January or even February to visit.
For a true winter adventure, check out Voyageurs National Park, which is located in northern Minnesota and a third of which is made up entirely of water. Once these waterways freeze, the park’s pristine 218,000 acres become accessible by snowmobile, snowshoe and cross-country ski. And as one of the nation’s most remote parks, social distancing won’t be an issue.
The Northern Rockies
While there will be enough snow in the northern Rocky Mountains for a memorable ski season, snowfall in the Denver area is anticipated to be closer to normal this year — a letdown compared to last season, which was the snowiest the city experienced in 37 years.
Luckily, many people heading to Colorado during the winter have their eyes set on skiing in the mountains. Denver’s forecast reflects that of the mountains, with a sufficient but not record-breaking snowpack expected during the upcoming ski season.
Even if the snowfall totals don’t meet or exceed last year, Colorado is already off to a great start, with Wolf Creek opening on Oct. 16 after a 14-inch snowstorm and Arapahoe Basin opening on Oct. 17. Keystone and Loveland may be two of the next to open, but neither has confirmed an opening date yet.
Pacific Northwest
Higher elevations in the Pacific Northwest never really have a shortage of snow (from an East Coast snowboarder’s perspective), but snowfall averages during the upcoming season might not compare to last season’s totals.
Like the rest of the northern U.S., winter is expected early in the Pacific Northwest this year. This could have a positive impact on the region, which has been experiencing severe droughts and wildfires. But the effect largely depends on how the winter season ends, considering the expected below-average precipitation.
While skiers and travelers looking for all-time snow conditions may want to head elsewhere this season, those who do head to the Pacific Northwest — specifically, the mountains — will still find a landscape blanketed in white.
For skiing, Mount Bachelor and Mount Hood Meadows in Oregon and Sun Valley, Idaho, are three surefire options, while visitors who simply want a relaxing stay in a winter wonderland (which also happens to be near a ski mountain) should head to Bellingham, which has no shortage of shops, restaurants, breweries and cafes to explore.
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Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.