 |
| Photo by Sean Beckett |
It’s time to strap on those boots and gloves. We’ve got a list of winter adventures that you need to experience this snowy season. There’s something for the nature lover, the aspirational hiker and the cruiser.
Have an active traveler who hasn’t sampled America’s very own wild, wild west? We hear that Wildlife Expeditions of Teton Science Schools out of Jackson Hole is now offering guided “snow-coach safaris.” Consider this: You can see Yellowstone National Park as a frozen wilderness when partaking in the “Old Faithful Winter Expedition,” a full-day, off-road adventure that begins in Jackson Hole. First step includes getting picked up from your hotel and transported to Flagg Ranch at the south entrance of Yellowstone, to board Mercedes-Benz Sprinter snow coaches (window seat guaranteed); it holds up to seven passengers.
 |
| Photo by Jay Goodrich |
Hint: For larger groups, book multiple snow coaches — there are a total of four available. On this jaunt, expect to see Old Faithful geyser, Upper Geyser Basin and West Thumb Geyser Basin, all in their winter glory. Don’t forget the camera; in the snow, bison, foxes, coyotes and, possibly, wolves abound.
There is no better place to see winter in its full glory than in Alaska. Guests aboard the Crystal Serenity with Crystal Cruises will have a variety of outdoor adventures to choose from in 2016.
The Heli-Hike and White Pass Railway option takes guests high above the Sawtooth Mountains, through the wilderness via train, and on a four- to five-mile hike along the Skagway River to the Laughton Glacier (pack sturdy shoes). Bears, moose and mountain goat sightings are an added perk (from Skagway, Alaska).
Another land excursion option is the ATV adventure through the Tongass National Forest. This trip allows travelers the opportunity to see Alaskan Brown Bears and Sitka Black Tail Deer in their natural habitat as they cruise along the rough terrain via 4x4, stopping for sea views of whale spouts and sea otters in the distance (from Sitka).
 |
| The Pulpit Rock -- Photo by Andreas Gruhle/visitnorway.com |
And for those travelers that want a challenge, we heard that a new bus and ferry route in Norway lets you hike the Preikestolen and Trolltunga mountains in just a few days. Note: this ferry and bus route run during the peak hiking season, which is summer, and this is when you will be able to hike the mountains. So, you won’t be experiencing this trip in the dead of winter, but you will still see snow caps, freezing rivers filled with salmon and famous sites like Pulpit Rock. Booking for the 2016 season will begin soon, and Meabh Ritchie from The Daily Telegraph tells a personal experience here.