Hate or Love Winter: Where to Go This Season

Families looking to travel in the winter do it for two main reasons: to celebrate the cold weather with outdoor sports or to get as far away from it as possible. Here are two choices for each:

Embracing the Season

Scheduled this year for Feb. 6–15, Québec’s Winter Carnival celebrates and revels in everything snow, ice and winter. A giant ice palace decks the city center and a bobsled run descends beside the city’s icon, The Holel Frontenac. A vast park overlooking the St. Lawrence River is filled with dazzling ice sculptures; skating rinks; maple sugar shacks; ski trails; and an array of winer experiences that can include dog sledding, ski lessons and even igloos. Elsewhere are block parties, parades, entertainment and a boat race across the partially frozen river.

Bring the white world celebrated in Frozen with a family trip to northern Norway. A six-day Frozen Fairytale Journey brings the fairytale world to life and opens a window into the real-life culture of the Sami people who were the inspiration for Northuldra in Frozen. You’ll see the landscapes, from dramatic fjords to snow-covered mountains, and meet Sami people. Stay in a cozy mountain hideaway, savor local foods cooked on a campfire and hope for a Northern Lights display. Meet reindeer and sled dogs, go skiing and tobogganing, and even learn to carve your own ice sculptures.

Escaping the Season

Warm sunshine defines a family vacation at Ko Olina Resort on O‘ahu’s west coast. Watch humpback whales return to Hawaiian waters on a small boat cruise From Ko Olina Marina, getting close to see breaching whales, tail slaps and spouts, along with spinner dolphins and Hawaiian green sea turtles. Take advantage of the calm, kid-friendly waters of the lagoon for swimming, paddleboarding, swimming, snorkeling and paddling a traditional Hawaiian canoe.

Head south to the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico, where Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit recently launched its new Suite Stars Camp Experience. The terrace of the luxurious Family Residence Suite has been transformed into a magical starlit campsite where families can enjoy stargazing with a high-quality telescope for an unforgettable night under the stars. A professional astronomer guides guests to discover constellations, and the in-suite stargazing experience includes teepees adorned with fairy lights and galaxy-themed cookies.