Where to go for snow?
 

We live in Florida, and my 8th/9th grade boys want to see/play in snow. The only time available to travel is Christmas week--maybe for four nights. We don't ski, but they would like to sled/toboggan and a carriage ride might be fun, ..Suggestions?

Colorado in January or Feb. You can sled and tube. Go ice skating.

But, wait until January just in case we don't get snow until December. Usually (the last few years) we have had snow poured on us by Thanksgiving. It's hard to predict.

We usually have lots of snow here in Michigan, especially northern Michigan, by Christmas. How about the Traverse City area? There's a place up there called the Great Wolf Lodge with an indoor slide and pool too.

With just four days I'd go somewhere that you can get to quickly with a direct flight.

Maybe fly to Salt Lake City then drive to Park City, Snowbird, Alta or fly to Denver then drive to Winter Park, Steamboat or Summit County (Keystone & Breckenridge are cute towns).

Pick one of amwosu's suggestions. Chance of snow in New England around Christmas is very iffy.

treble said the only available travel week is Christmas so January and Feb probably won't cut it.

What about Canada? Whistler or Braniff.

Wow.. I haven't seen the word "Braniff" in more years than I care to mention. I think GoT meant Banff.

LOL! I'm such a dork.

If you want to see snow inside the airplane, fly Braniff!

We get a little here in Minnesota.
:S-

The great Northwest Montana usually has snow by then.

Peek n Peak in Western New York is a wonderful area to play in the snow - you would fly to Buffalo and drive south about one hour. I guess the easiest place, though, would be to fly to Salt Lake City and you can be in the ski areas within 1/2 hour.

I don't think you can guarantee snow at Xmas - but you could get some statistics and hedge your bet a bit.

Go to the Homestead in Utah, in the mts. above Salt Lake...wondeful area, blue skies, sleigh rides, great pool, close to Park City (fun even if you don't ski), and nice accomodations. And SLC is a ver historic place, you can visit it on the way to/from the airport. Book Early~~~~!

Whistler is faaaar away for a four day adventure and I don't want to step on toes but can be a mud bowl and rainy...

We went to Montreal last winter over the Christmas Break and there was plenty of snow. There was sledding and snowtubing.
On top of the snow, the city is beautiful. There is a lot to do!

I don't remember a Christmas without snow in the Wasatch mountains. SLC is close to the ski resorts. The Homestead is a great suggestion.

Don't go to Whistler- too far away for 4 nights. It took us 10 hours travel time to get from the Atlanta airport to our hotel in Whistler by the time you factor in the flight time and the drive to Whistler time.

Mountains increase your chance of avoiding freak snow droughts (although I can remember a Christmas eve in Alaska when there was no snow in Anchorage and the paper actually had a shot of a clear golf course .... A huge dump came Christmas Day).

Salt Lake City is a great idea.

Plus, the boys could have great fun just taking as beginning ski/snowboard lesson. It's always good to try new things.

I have lived in CO since 1979. If skiing is not your interest, then in Colorado try Estes Park. No crowds, beautiful scenery, snow fun guaranteed. Easy drive from DIA.

Actually my husband and I lived in Boulder while in grad school, so we visited Estes Park several times. I am liking the Montreal or Salt Lake suggestions, though I was hoping for something closer--like maybe the Smoky mountains?

You'd have to go farther north than the Smokeys to get guaranteed snow for xmas week. Even New England may not have it, although the ski resorts in the mountains will at least be making artificial snow.