Looking to escape the crowds this holiday season? While big cities tend to boast the most holiday fun with Christmas markets, New Year's Eve parties, and shopping opportunities galore, these states ranked by The Family Vacation Guide are true winter wonderlands and offer great opportunities to unwind away from the hustle and bustle. By looking at average snowfall, number of ice skating rinks, number of festive events, and festive hashtags used on social media, The Family Vacation Guide ranked the most "Christmassy" states to visit. Maine Camden by the Sea, Maine - courtesy of wdayradionow.com Maine ranked first overall in the rankings, with an impressive 1.68 festive events available per 100,000 people—the second most of any state—and 23 festive events in total. Visitors can go and admire the lights at Boothbay Harbor, experience Christmas by the Sea in Camden, or watch the Christmas parade in Wells. The state also gets 61.8 inches of snow per year, with abundant wildlife including moose and black bear—a truly magical outdoor winter experience. Maine also has a high number of skating rinks, with 0.73 ice skating rinks per 100,000 people. The holidays are on everyone's mind, too, as Maine has 25,490 Google searches for the term “Christmas trees” and 8,335 festive hashtags on Instagram. Vermont Snow in Vermont - courtesy of newenglandwithlove.com Vermont is also a great option for those hoping to experience a white Christmas. The state receives an average of 81.2 inches of snow per year spanning over a total of 54.4 days out of the year, the third highest in the US. It also has 0.77 ice skating rinks and 0.93 festive events (4th most) available per 100,000 people. Vermont also has 10,930 Google searches for the term “Christmas trees” and 5,072 festive hashtags on Instagram. It ranked just behind Maine for overall most "Christmassy." Alaska Aurora over Alaska - courtesy of Alyeska Resort Alaska is probably the closest you're going to get to the North Pole in the US, and its no surprise the state receives 74.5 inches of snow throughout the year. Despite its vast wilderness and many remote outposts, Alaska has the third most holiday season events per capita with 1.49 per 100,000 people. Colony Christmas is a great place to take the whole family. There is also the Gingerbread House Contest, Cornhole Tournament, and Arctic Olympics. The state has the second highest number of ice rinks per capita, with 1.9 skating rinks available per 100,000 people and 14 rinks in total. Anchorage, the state’s largest city, has six ice skating rinks alone. Alaska also received 9,240 searches for the term “Christmas trees” on Google and features in 2,049 festive hashtags on Instagram. Wyoming Jackson Hole in the snow - courtesy of jacksonholewy.com The Cowboy state ranked first for number of festive events per capita—1.73 festive events available per 100,000 people, with 10 events in total. Visitors can attend the Holiday Craft Fair in Lander on December 10 or for those who are big Western fans, you can visit the Cowboy Christmas Market. Wyoming is also a great place to visit for snow lovers during the holiday season, with the second highest average snowfall. The state gets an average of 91.4 inches of snowfall within 36.7 days during the year. It also has the fourth most ice skating rinks per capita. North Dakota Downtown outdoor ice rink in Fargo - courtesy of wdayradionow.com The best state to visit with your family if you’re a fan of ice skating is North Dakota. The state has 2.62 skating rinks per 100,000 people—the most of any state—with 21 rinks in total. One of the best rinks, which is perfect for families, is the seasonal ice skating rinks located in Fargo. This chilly midwestern region is also home to several festive events, ranking 7th in holiday events per capita, and has the 10th highest average snowfall at 51.2 inches. — To see more rankings from The Family Vacation Guide, click here.
Where are the best ski resorts in North America? From Park City to Panorama, HomeToGo has researched the price of skiing across the continent, taking into account the latest prices and search trends for the upcoming 2022-23 season. Their Ski Report compares the price of skiing in Colorado, Utah, British Columbia, Vermont, New York, and more! They’ve included 50 of the ultimate ski havens from 15 states across the USA and Canada, so that you can carve out your winter travel plans without getting buried by debt. Scaling mountains of data and research, this year's report compares the affordability of lift tickets* and overnight accommodations, as well as the search trends of skiers planning their vacations. Ski resorts provided their latest pricing data for lift tickets during peak season periods and HomeToGo data was used to find the average price per person to stay in a 6-person vacation rental. See the top 3 most affordable resorts this winter.#3 Kicking Horse Mountain Resort Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 2021.22 Season - Courtesy of kickinghorseresort.com Located in Golden, British Columbia, Kicking Horse can be both a fun, family excursion or a challenging endeavor. With 120 trails across nearly 3,500 acres of terrain, there are opportunities to shred gnarly powder or glide along gentle slopes. In fact, it is known as the Champagne Powder Capital of Canada due to its ridges and bowls which are constantly stashed with deep snow. For thrill seekers, Kicking Horse is home to a 1,300-meter vertical drop, the sixth largest vertical drop of any North American ski resort. Meanwhile, beginners are welcome to explore the gentle glades for an incredible on-snow experience and lovely mountain views. Adult Lift Ticket Price: $105.82 Median Accommodation Price: $23.77/person Total: $129.59#2 Kimberley Alpine Resort Kimberly Ski Resort - Courtesy of skikimberley.com Kimberley, British Columbia prides itself on its small-town charm and real mountain experiences. The region receives an average of 13 feet of snowfall each season. It features 80 named runs, 1,800 acres of terrain and a variety of ski-in or ski-out accommodations. The Purcell Range of the Canadian Rockies offers stunning scenery and a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy the powdery snow, regardless of experience level. Skiing is not Kimberley’s only activity either, guests are welcome to try dog sledding, snowshoeing and snowboarding. Adult Lift Ticket Price: $84.00 Median Accommodation Price: $40.61/person Total: $124.61#1 Mission Ridge Ski Area Mission Ridge - Courtesy of missionridge.com Sitting 12 miles from Wenatchee, Washington, this ski area is built into a 2,000-acre basin on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains. With 300 days annually of sunshine, it sits higher and drier than other mountains in the area. It’s known for its light, dry powder, which provides a smooth ride for the whole family. Mission Ridge has more than 36 designated runs with trails, chutes, screamers, bowls and even a 2,250-foot vertical drop. Whether you shred the slopes or explore the backcountry, Mission Ridge provides family fun and amazing mountain views. Adult Lift Ticket Price: $97.00 Median Accommodation Price: $18.13/person Total: $115.13 To see the full report and methodology click here.