Winter Travel Planner for Boomers

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Are you planning a winter trip? If you’re a boomer traveler who enjoys an invigorating cold weather activity like snowshoeing or cross country skiing, followed by an evening by the fire in a luxury lodge, this is the Winter Travel Planner for you. Just because you’re a boomer doesn’t mean your winter fun is done, although you do have to exercise a bit more caution…no broken hips allowed!

Is a tropical getaway your idea of a winter trip? If so, you’re on the wrong page. You probably want to check out our Hawaii Travel Planner or my South Pacific travel tips.

Although spring and summer are the most popular seasons to travel, don’t overlook wintertime trips. It’s one of my favorite seasons to explore. And you don’t have to be a downhill skier to have fun. Enjoy sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or a winter photography trip to capture snow-covered landscapes combined with beautiful memories.

If you’re planning a cold-weather adventure, use our winter travel planner to discover the travel resources that will help make your next wintertime travel an amazing experience. Keep reading for the best online resources, my first-hand winter travel tips, the cold weather gear you’ll need plus a few suggestions for the best winter destinations for boomers.

What you'll learn in our winter travel planner

  • Winter travel resources
  • Our best winter travel tips
  • Cold weather gear for boomers
  • Where to stay for snowy fun
  • Winter travel destinations

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Online resources for winter travel

woman cross country skiing in the snow

Online resources are invaluable for up-to-date information. Check the weather, confirm road conditions, check to see if your flight is delayed.

The National Weather Service is my choice for accurate weather forecasts, especially in mountainous regions where the weather changes quickly and is very unpredictable. The NWS also offers valuable safety tips for dealing with hypothermia as well as traveling in snowy weather.

If you’re driving on a winter road trip in the U.S., knowing the status of road conditions is a must. Check with the Department of Transportation for the states you’ll be traveling through. Most of these sites have color-coded maps showing road conditions and closures plus video cams so that you can see the conditions in real time. And some have apps, which you should download before starting out on your trip.

Will you be flying to your ski vacation? FlightAware is a live tracking system that uses the satellites logistic system, Aireon. Check for cancellations and delays, a live feed for each airport, or check the misery map, which displays a color-coded map of airport delays.

While not an online resource, we would never leave on a cold weather trip without confirming that our AAA membership is up-to-date. When the car battery won’t start or you’re stuck in a snowbank, you’ll be happy that you joined.

Winter travel tips

Alan and I are big winter enthusiasts who believe in preparing ahead of time. Alan’s tips for a winter driving kit are good if you’re planning a road trip or if you live and drive in a winter location. When we started taking long trips in December, January, and February, I researched  everything we would need to do in order to leave our house with peace of mind. Alan and I use these 17 tips before every long trip. And, yes, I’ve curated apps for winter travel, too.

Lolo Pass

Alan’s Tips for Making a Do It Yourself Winter Driving Kit

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Cummins originally sponsored this look at how to prepare your home before a vacation. It’s the day we leave for that month-long South Pacific cruise. Alan waits in the car as I lock the front door after checking everything in the house one more time. Then I try the lock, again—and again. Confession time: I […]

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Top Five Apps for Winter Travel

Although many travelers take off the winter months to rest and rejuvenate, real adventurers in the know seek out cold weather travel opportunities. In fact, traveling during wintertime is a great idea for anyone looking for great deals to destinations that offer breathtaking landscapes, endless outdoor adventures and quite often, few crowds. Of course, traveling in […]

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Cold weather gear

Staying warm and comfortable is the key to a successful winter trip. But that doesn’t mean purchasing cold weather gear that’s uber expensive or designed for hard core skiiers or backpackers. Do what I do: dress in layers. Over the years, I’ve written several guides to winter packing that’s lightweight as well as easy on your budget. After all, many of you are interested in a fairly short, annual trip to enjoy the snow that doesn’t require pricey winter clothing. My recommendations are perfect for you.

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The Best Cold Weather Gear for Women That Packs Light

Packing for trips isn’t easy these days, especially when it comes to winter travel. Cold weather gear for women that packs light is a must to avoid overweight bag charges from the airlines. And who wants to lug heavy bags around, even on a road trip? I look for the best cold weather gear for […]

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Cold Weather Gear for Men That Packs Light

  Updated 11.01.2019: Are you planning to take advantage of the last few months of winter to do some cold-weather traveling? Packing for cold destinations can take on a whole new level in terms of packing appropriate clothing and accessories, which may mean more bulk for your suitcase. The trick to winter travel preparation is […]

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Cold Weather Gear That’s Easy on the Budget

Cold weather gear doesn’t have to be expensive. Check out my favorites!

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Our favorite places to stay for snowy fun

For a snowy trip, Alan and I enjoy staying at guest ranches, lodges and cozy inns. Our preference is a lodge or ranch that includes all meals and activities where most of the fun is on property. Of course we read reviews before choosing a place to stay. Renting a cozy cabin is another great choice. If possible, we avoid busy ski resorts.

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Horses pull the sleigh at The Resort at Paws Up

Luxurious Winter Fun at The Resort at Paws Up

A river laced with ice and snow winds through rolling hills studded with a thick forest of evergreens. Mountain ranges provide the snowy backdrop. On a frosty hike along the banks of the Blackfoot River, Alan and I stop to inspect bobcat tracks before looking up to see a bald eagle sitting majestically in the […]

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Cool thoughts about Hannagan Meadow Lodge

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Best winter trips for boomers

Looking for a winter destination? From off-the-beaten-path areas in the U.S. to iconic international trips, we have plenty of ideas for you. Check out our experiences and those of guest writers who share tips on how you can make the most of your trip.

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Visiting Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley in the Winter

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Exploring Montreal in Winter

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A Snowy Walking Tour in Amsterdam

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Iceland Travel Tips for Winter Travelers

Need Iceland travel tips for a winter trip? We’ve got adventure-filled tips that will make any active boomer traveler smile with anticipation. Years back, traveling to Iceland may have seemed like traveling to another world. But in today’s ultra-connected world, Iceland is becoming one of the planet’s hottest cold-weather travel destinations and worthy of your […]

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In Search of the Northern Lights in Tromso, Norway

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