So many destinations to visit, so little time. The world is wide and your bucket list is long—which is why there’s no time like the present to plan a trip. You might be tempted to save up all of your PTO for summer, but winter can be equally as magical, with smaller crowds, more affordable accommodations and experiences ranging from adventurous to cozy. Here’s where to go this winter.
Get a Lesson in Skiing History in Sun Valley, Idaho
Take a trip back in time to the early, glamorous days of skiing—without sacrificing modern creature comforts. Founded in 1936, Sun Valley was the first destination ski resort in America and the birthplace of the chairlift. In the early years—and thanks to a sophisticated advertising campaign—it became a favorite destination of the rich and famous, from Clark Gable and Errol Flynn to Lucille Ball and Marilyn Monroe. Later, several members of the Kennedy family skied at Sun Valley, and writer Ernest Hemingway loved the region so much he bought a house here.
These days, Sun Valley is still just as chic and luxurious, but with a mellow, laid-back vibe that appeals to skiers and snowboarders from all backgrounds—not just the rich and famous. After hopping on a nonstop flight to nearby Hailey, Idaho, check into Limelight Ketchum, a sister property to the Limelights in Snowmass and Aspen (and the one that’s currently under construction on The Hill in Boulder). Skiing is the main attraction, but there’s plenty to do off the slopes—from soaking in natural hot springs to stargazing to admiring masterpieces at the Sun Valley Museum of Art. limelighthotels.com/ketchum and visitsunvalley.com
Reconnect With What Matters in French Polynesia
After the frenzy of the holidays, you deserve a break—and there’s no better place to recharge (or rekindle your romance) than French Polynesia, the unbelievably beautiful group of islands and atolls in the South Pacific Ocean.
For a swoon-worthy sway, snag an overwater bungalow at InterContinental Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa. You’ll wake up to views of bright turquoise waters, then spend the day swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking or just lounging by the pool or on the beach. Each evening, watch the sun retreat behind Mount Otemanu as you sip a Mai Tai under twinkle lights.
Afterward, splurge on a few days at The Brando, the eco-friendly, private island resort owned by the estate of late actor Marlon Brando. From your secluded villa tucked among the coconut trees, you’ll be able to walk right down to the beach of the protected lagoon without seeing a soul—except for a few soaring seabirds and maybe a hermit crab or two. Snorkel, swim with whales, go birding, learn about Polynesian culture, kayak, explore archaeological sites or just relax—all while enjoying unparalleled hospitality and fine-dining cuisine.
Aside from being absolutely dreamy, the Brando is a model of sustainability, with features like a seawater air conditioning system that uses water from the cold, dark depths of the ocean to cool down its accommodations. Scientists are also conducting cutting-edge research here, on everything from seabird populations to rat eradication and more. thalasso.intercontinental.com and thebrando.com
Pretend You’re in a Wintry Fairytale in Gstaad, Switzerland
You’ll feel like you’re inside a snow globe in Gstaad, a fairy tale-esque mountain town in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland. Here, you can live out all of your Swiss Alps ski vacation dreams, with more than 120 miles of ski runs dotted with picturesque traditional chalets.
Break up all the shredding by renting a “fondue backpack” and snowshoeing to a giant, human-sized fondue pot with views of the mountains to enjoy a cheesy feast. (For even more cheese, book a guided, candlelight tasting tour of Molkerei Gstaad’s subterranean cheese grotto—aka the “cheese cathedral”—where more than 3,000 wheels of cheese are aging to perfection.)
For a truly unique experience, head to Glacier 3000, where you can ski on a glacier, walk across the world’s only suspension bridge that connects two peaks, take a dog sled ride and more.
After a day of adventuring, retreat to your room at the Alpina Gstaad, an absolutely exquisite 5-star hotel nestled above town. Book a massage at the Six Senses Spa, admire the extensive art collection, dine at the Michelin-starred restaurant Sommet by Martin Göschel or just sit on your expansive balcony and take in the mountain views. gstaad.ch
Check Off an Item on Your Bucket List in Antarctica
Waddling penguins. Hulking icebergs. Towering mountains. Graceful whales. Impressive whales. You can see all this and more in Antarctica, an otherworldly, bucket-list destination that’s easiest to reach during the winter (which corresponds with summer in the Southern Hemisphere). Dozens of cruise lines can take you there. But for a mellow, upscale experience, I recommend booking with Viking, which has two brand new ships sailing to the White Continent: Viking Polaris and Viking Octantis.
After an overnight stay in Buenos Aires, Argentina, you’ll hop on a Viking-chartered flight to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Here, you’ll board the ship, get comfortable and set off across the famed Drake Passage. Once you reach the Antarctic Peninsula, you’ll climb aboard a Zodiac boat to reach land, where you can hike around with guides. You can also kayak, take a speedboat ride or board a bright yellow submarine to explore the depths of the Southern Ocean. Back onboard, feast on gourmet meals, look for whales out the window, unwind in the spa, attend science lectures and more. vikingcruises.com
Experience the Majesty of Nature Central Nebraska
Hop in the car and make the 6-hour drive east to central Nebraska—yes, you read that right, Nebraska. But why? In February, March and April, hundreds of thousands of sandhill cranes congregate along the Platte River between Grand Island and North Platte. These tall gray birds use corn kernels left over from the previous year’s harvest to fatten up as they migrate north to their breeding grounds in Alaska, Canada and eastern Siberia.
Even if you don’t consider yourself much of a birder, these winged creatures are worth the road trip. Watching thousands of birds take flight at the same time is truly awe-inspiring, and their loud, rattling bugle calls will forever be etched in your memory. But don’t just take my word for it: Jane Goodall, the world-renowned primatologist, makes a point of visiting during the sandhill crane migration whenever she can. visitnebraska.com/sandhill-crane-migration
