In the Meadow We Can Build a Snowman! Winter Fun at Independent Hotels

If tearing up the best Black Diamond trails, snapping idyllic snowy photos you captured on your 8-mile cross-country ski trek, and easing your aching muscles by the fire after a long ice-climb are all part of your picture-perfect winter vacation—this one’s for you! Whether you’re planning a snowmobile trip with some buddies or a family ski vacation for the holidays, we’ve got you covered with four ultimate winter sports hotels.

pumpkin-sleigh_739x493

Sun Mountain Lodge, Winthrop WA.

If you’re a winter sports enthusiast but prefer the more leisurely pace of cross country skiing or snowshoeing, look no further than Sun Mountain Lodge, Washington’s premier destination resort. Nestled at the base of the Cascade Mountains, Sun Mountain Lodge provides travelers with a year-round outdoor experience. Winter transforms horseback riding and hiking terrain into over 200 kilometers of freshly-groomed, world-class trails for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and horse-drawn sleigh rides.

Sun-Mountain-Exterior_739x493After a long day taking in sights of the Methow Valley, wind-down with a glass of wine from Sun Mountain’s award winning wine cellar. Or keep the winter delight going with a traditional horse-drawn sleigh ride, with a farm-to-table dining experience included.

Sun-Mountain-Cross-Country_739x493


Cranwell Resort, Spa, and Golf Club, Lenox MA

Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club is a premier year-round resort built on 380-acres in the heart of the Berkshire Mountains. During the fair-weather months, guests enjoy an historic 18-hole golf course, Har-Tru tennis courts, and miles of nearby biking trails. Once the snow falls, Cranwell is magically transformed into a winter wonderland – perfect for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.

cranwell-resort-spa-and-golf-club-ski_hpg
The Cranwell Ski Center sets guests up with everything they need to enjoy an adventure on the onsite groomed cross-country trails, or practice their twirls on the outdoor ice skating rink overlooking the mountains. Book the Berkshire Ski Package and enjoy unlimited cross-country skiing at Cranwell, one adult lift ticket to nearby ski areas Jiminy Peak or Butternut, and full use of the Spa at Cranwell.

cranwell-snow-shoes_500x333


Bear Creek Mountain Resort, Macungie PA

Bear Creek is not just a great independent hotel, it’s also a full-blown ski resort. Situated on 330 acres of land, Bear Creek provides skiers of all levels with the perfect winter riding experience. Guests enjoy 21 freshly groomed trails, ranging from Beginner to Advanced, three terrain parks with a variety of freestyle features, and Sasquatch, the most challenging Black Diamond trail on the mountain.

Bear-Creek-mountain_739x493 Bear Creek also offers group and private ski and snowboard lessons, snow tubing trails, and a dedicated skiing play area for the kids (for those days when Mom and Dad want to stay out a bit longer). Loft suites are the perfect option for family trips as they include multiple guest rooms, separate living areas and giant fireplaces to curl up next to after a long day on the slopes.

Bear-creek-fireplace_739x493


Tailwater Lodge, Altmar NY

On the banks of the Salmon River, Tailwater Lodge is known for world-class fishing right outside the doors. However, it’s not just the Chinook that brings guests to the area. After the fishing season winds down, Tailwater is perfectly situated for experiencing all that New York’s great outdoors has to offer—including ice-climbing, great snowshoeing, and the ever popular C5A snowmobile trail with over 200 miles of groomed runs.

snow-mobile_739x493 Trail access is just a short distance from the property and overnight guests will appreciate the parking lot designed to accommodate sleds, trailers, and trucks of all sizes. Forgot something at home? The on-site Pro-Shop is equipped with just about everything you’ll need for a day of exploring the Tug Hill area. After the temperatures drop and the sun sets, riders can relax and enjoy a well-deserved steak dinner at Tailwater Bar and Restaurant.

tailwater-lodge-dining-room_hpg_1


Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. Log Out /  Change )

Connecting to %s