If Arizona is your winter vacation destination, consider a trip to Sedona. Renown for natural beauty, a large population of artists, sunny weather and impressive red rock formations, this southern Arizona town is about a 120-mile drive from Phoenix. Expect dry weather and temperatures ranging from the mid- to high-50s from November through March. The area around Sedona offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy to technical. The Great Sedona Hikes website recommends hiking Boynton Canyon, a moderately-challenging, three-mile trail with red rock views. Stay at the Sky Ranch Lodge, located on top of a mesa in the center of town. Stroll through the resort's landscaped grounds, swim in the pool or relax with a spa treatment. Room amenities can include mountain views, fireplaces and kitchenettes.
Sky Ranch Lodge
1105 Airport Road
Sedona, AZ 86336
888-708-6400
skyranchlodge.com
Skiers and snowboarders will enjoy a mini-vacation in Park City, Utah. Hit the slopes at the Park City Resort, featuring 3,300 skiable acres, 114 trails, three terrain parks, a superpipe and an average annual snowfall of 360 inches. The town of Park City, perhaps best known for hosting the annual Sundance Film Festival, offers a variety of restaurants, shopping and nightlife options. Stay at the Stein Erikson Lodge. The lodge's 180 rooms feature such amenities as stone fireplaces, jetted tubs, premium linens and bathrobes, gourmet kitchens and satellite televisions. Dine at the lodge's two restaurants or explore the 10,000-bottle wine cellar. A full-service spa and fitness center round out the amenities.
Stein Erikson Lodge
7700 Stein Way
Park City, UT 84060
435-649-3700
steinlodge.com
If your destination is the East Coast, head to upstate New York to Rocking Horse Ranch. This four-season resort offers a variety of winter activities in its Winter Fun Park, including ice skating, skiing, sledding, snow tubing, horse-drawn sleigh rides and bonfires complete with hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows. Relax in the sauna, receive a massage or facial treatement, or watch live entertainment on the ranch stage. If you want to explore the culture and history of the area, drive 10 miles to Hyde Park where you can tour the Vanderbilt Mansion, a preserved country estate from the post-Civil War era. The National Park Service operates almost-daily tours of the house and the grounds are open to the public.
Rocking Horse Ranch Resort
600 Route 44/55
Highland, NY 12528
800-647-2624
rockinghorseranch.com/
Vanderbilt Mansion
4097 Albany Post Road
Hyde Park NY 12538
845-229-9115
nps.gov
