Winter makes the familiar look brand-new. Everyday streets and buildings become winter wonderlands full of surprises. Just being out in it all can be one of the most rewarding activities you do all year.

But if you really want to experience snow… in all its majesty, beauty, and fun… make sure to visit one of these cities during the winter. Make a trip of it. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.

• Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Jackson Hole is known worldwide as one of the most gorgeous spots on planet earth. It’s a valley cozily nestled between the Teton and Gros Ventre mountain ranges. It features top-tier ski slopes and restaurants serving fresh fish and game meats from the surrounding area.

It’s also home to hundreds of world-class hiking trails and snowshoeing paths. Whether you’re in town at the local saloon, kicking it with all the other tourists… or cozying up in a cabin by the fire… or exploring the great outdoors, you can’t go wrong with Jackson Hole!

• Park City, Utah

Park City is most famous as the home of the Sundance Film Festival. During this festival, A-list celebrities, actors, and directors fly in from all around the world. They screen films… and hit the bars and slopes.

Park City is about 40 minutes away from the capital of Utah, Salt Lake City. It is a high-end resort town featuring 5-star dining and lodging experiences. There are several major ski resorts located right in town.

Utahns famously state that Utah has the greatest snow on Earth. Why? Because of the climate, the powder is able to stay dry without packing too much. This gives the powder an incredible feeling that must be experienced to be believed.

• Ouray, Colorado

Picture this scene. You’re out in the mountains. Looking forward, you see a frozen waterfall towering 45 feet in the air. Across the waterfall are people with icepicks, climbing to the top. To the right, you look and see the entrance to an abandoned mine. Welcome to Ouray, Colorado.

Ouray is a small town in the sprawling Rockies. It’s the perfect set-up for any outdoors activity in the snow. It’s most popular among climbers, who spend the day climbing and the night soaking away the soreness in hot tubs. But if you’re the kind of person who loves winter beauty… it’s for you.

• Stowe, Vermont

Everyone who has watched a Hollywood movie knows what a Vermont winter looks like. With picturesque covered bridges lining small country roads, Vermont is the ski capital of the East Coast.

The city of Stowe is covered in heavy snow, giving it a “snowed in” charm. Choose from dozens of different activities while in town, from skiing, to horseback riding, and even dog sledding.

• Santa Fe, New Mexico

When you think of New Mexico, snow is proably not the first thing that comes to your mind. And that’s part of why it’s such a great location for it. Although it doesn’t get the huge snowfalls of places like Colorado or New York, it gets enough to cover the red desert rock faces with a powder sugar like coat.

Long known as an oasis of spiritual energy, people visit from all over to feel the calming, healing vibes of this amazing city. Perfect for when you are looking to nature for a hard reset.

The locals who live in Santa Fe love Christmas, and have their own unique way of celebrating it. If you’re in the area during the holidays… it’s absolutely worth checking out.

• Minneapolis, Minnesota

This one is not for winter beginners. Minneapolis gets one of the heaviest snowfalls in the US. And there are few states that get even close to as cold, and stay that way for as long.

That being said, the people of Minnesota thrive in it. And if you want to visit a city that transforms in the winter… and skiing and ice skating become more of a way of life than a recreational activity… you will love this city.

• Anchorage, Alaska

Plane tickets to Anchorage are dirt cheap in the winter. This is because most people believe the capital of Alaska is way too cold to visit in the winter. But is it really? Actually, the lowest average temperature is 11 degrees Fahrenheit. Which is very cold… but, most of the other cities on this list are just as cold, if not colder.

Anchorage is home to some of the most gorgeous, awe-inspiring nature in the whole world. But that’s not all. During the winter, you can actually see the Northern Lights. It’s the only state in the USA where that’s possible!

People who live in Anchorage know how to survive and thrive in the winter. So, if you feel the call of the wild… take the trip and see for yourself.