12 Cities for Winter Landscapes in the US for Snow, Scenery, and All the Cozy Vibes

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America’s picturesque landscapes, vibrant snow-covered towns, vibrant cities, winter sports destinations, and Christmas-themed events make it one of the world’s best places for a winter getaway. As such, finding the best place to spend a winter vacation in the United States isn’t easy.

However, some places stand out from the crowds, offering visitors winter landscapes we’ve only seen in the movies. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of 12 of the best cities for winter landscapes in the United States.

We’ve got everything from snow-covered mountains and ski resorts to the snowy streets of New York and German-inspired Christmas destinations. Stick around if you want to plan a dream American winter escape.

Leavenworth, Washington

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The first city on our list is Leavenworth, one of the most intriguing, fascinating, and magical winter destinations in the United States. Reminiscent of the German Alps, Leavenworth offers travelers a European winter escape in the heart of Washington State. This small yet magical city is home to the snow-capped Cascade Mountains, Bavarian architecture, and festive events.

When you’re not exploring the vast snow-covered surroundings by sleigh or snowmobile, participate in festive events in the city and admire the beautiful Bavarian-style architecture. Around Christmas, many winter-themed events occur in Leavenworth, such as the Village of Lights and Christmas Market. As expected, the city comes to life with bright lights and Christmas decorations.

Park City, Utah

Park City’s proximity to Heber Valley and the Wasatch Mountain Range makes it one of the United States’ dreamiest winter destinations. Covered in snow, the city itself looks spectacular. However, its surrounding landscapes offer travelers the most magical winter wonderland jam-packed with winter sports, including ice skating, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing.

You can participate in exhilarating winter sports at Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain Resort. Like Leavenworth, Park City is also a beautiful place to spend Christmas. One day, spend time exploring the great outdoors. Next, sip mulled wine at a Christmas market, watch the Christmas tree lights switch on, and participate in festive-themed events and parades.

Salt Lake City, Utah

US Destinations for an Unforgettable Ski Trip Snowbird, Utah — © NG-Spacetime / Adobe Stock

Salt Lake City is another delightful winter destination in Utah. In winter, this picturesque city offers frosty mornings covered in a fresh coating of heavy snow, bright lights, and countless outdoor activities. The city is only five hours from Yellowstone National Park, which looks even more impressive when covered in snow and ice.

Home to famous ski resorts like Solitude Mountain, Snowbird, and Alta Ski Resort, Salt Lake City is a popular winter base camp. You’ll have easy access to thousands of acres of scenic skiable land. As such, skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling are popular. Meanwhile, the city hosts many winter-themed activities and events, including the Salt Lake City Downtown Winter Farmers Market, theater productions, and Christmas light switch-on.

Whitefish, Montana

U.S. Destinations for a Magical Winter Getaway Whitefish — © ronniechua / Adobe Stock

Found approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Glacier National Park, a wilderness area in Montana’s Rocky Mountains, Whitefish is an excellent winter destination if you love places with fewer crowds, picturesque scenery, and plenty of snow. In winter, the snow falls fast and hard in Whitefish. Therefore, you can expect snowy lakes, snow-capped mountains, and many winter activities.

At Whitefish Mountain Resort, you can turn your hand to skiing and admire the vast snow-covered landscape. Other noteworthy winter activities in Whitefish include snowshoeing, dog sledding, and snowmobiling. Alternatively, enjoy the charming atmosphere and delightful views in the city without getting your blood pumping. It’s also worth noting that Glacier National Park is much quieter in winter.

North Pole, Alaska

With a name like North Pole, you can imagine what the next city on our list will offer. You’re precisely correct if you pictured vast landscapes covered in snow, lush snow-covered forests, and year-long festive cheer. Despite being 1,700 miles (2,736 kilometers) south of the geographical North Pole, this Alaskan city is famed for its winter landscapes.

It’s also recognized worldwide for celebrating Christmas year-round. No matter when you visit the North Pole, you’ll witness Christmas cheer, festive events, and family-friendly activities. The city’s main draw is Santa Claus House, the “official” home of St. Nicholas, better known as Father Christmas. You don’t want to miss the annual tree-lighting ceremony during your winter visit, either.

Fairbanks, Alaska

Another winter wonderland destination in Alaska is Fairbanks, the largest city in interior Alaska and the second largest in the entire state. Fairbanks is one of the best places in the world to spend winter if you want to participate in winter sports, spot wildlife, and admire the bright lights of the Aurora Borealis.

In Fairbanks, winter is guaranteed. You’ll experience heavy snow, picturesque snow-covered forests, winter activities, and more. In winter, popular things to do in the city include dog mushing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and curling. Tubing, ice hockey, and snowmobiling are also popular. To top things off, stunning ice sculptures can be seen across the city throughout winter.

Burlington, Vermont

Vermont is one of those states that looks magical year-round. It doesn’t matter when you visit; you’ll be treated to breathtaking natural scenery begging to be explored. However, winter is many people’s favorite time to visit the state, especially Burlington. On Lake Champlain’s Eastern shore, winter sees the city turn into a snowy wonderland.

Expect snowy forests, frozen waters, snow-capped mountains, and a wide variety of winter activities, such as skiing and snowboarding. The fun doesn’t stop there because the city has many exciting things to see and do, especially around Christmas. You can expect festive shows, Christmas lights, markets, and more. The Downtown area is particularly lively in winter.

New York City, New York

New York City might seem like a strange addition because it’s better known for its towering skyscrapers and iconic landmarks than picturesque natural landscapes. However, in winter, certain places in New York City come to life with snowy scenes, bright lights, and winter events. One of the best is Central Park.

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The iconic Central Park offers travelers an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city’s busy streets and the opportunity to enjoy nature in the Big Apple. If you time your visit, the park is blanketed in snow and a festive atmosphere. The famous Central Park lake freezes over, and people race across on ice skates. Meanwhile, a Christmas tree lights up the park. Just don’t get caught out by Elf throwing snowballs.

Bayfield, Wisconsin

Bayfield is a small city in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, best known for its natural beauty. Located on the shore of Lake Superior, many people travel to the city for impressive views, good vibes, and outdoor activity. While the city looks magnificent year-round, it looks extraordinary when Lake Superior begins to freeze over in winter.

When the lake freezes, along with its sea caves, visitors are treated to one-of-a-kind ice formations, thick snow, and various winter sports. When you’re not taking epic photographs of the lake, turn your hand to winter skiing, snowmobiling, biking, and snowshoeing. You can even ride a dog sled if you want a more unique experience.

Silverton, Oregon

If you’re looking for somewhere cozy to snuggle up this winter, look no further than Silverton, a small city in Oregon famed for its pristine gardens, art galleries, antique boutiques, and shops. Silverton itself is a charming city with a fantastic atmosphere and many winter-themed events and activities.

However, the main draw to the city in winter is Silver Falls State Park, an 18-minute drive away. Here, you’ll find many beautiful places to explore, as well as a winter scene featuring snow-covered ground, tall snow-capped trees, and icy waterfalls. Once you’ve explored the park, head into Silverton to discover the Christmas Market, listen to music, and meet Santa Claus. Then, tuck into a romantic creekside dinner or relax in a hot tub with a magical view.

Stowe, Vermont

We love Vermont in winter so much that we’ve also decided to include another destination on our list. This time, we have Stowe. Situated in Northern Vermont and overlooked by Mount Mansfield, Stowe has a postcard-perfect landscape that looks straight out of a Christmas movie or snow globe.

As a result, you won’t likely be surprised to hear that it is home to some of the best snowboarding, skiing, and snowshoeing in the United States. At 4,393 feet (1,339 meters), Mount Mansfield is the tallest mountain in Vermont. As such, it offers a spectacular snowy scene in winter. Like Burlington, Stowe has many winter-themed events, such as the Winter Rendezvous LGBTQ Winter Pride Festival.

Rockford, Illinois

Rockford, Illinois, is the final city on our list of cities for winter landscapes in the United States. This city’s small-town charm, picturesque natural surroundings, and winter-themed activities make it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a magical winter break in America. The city is home to over 10,000 acres (4,046 hectares) of recreational land.

Therefore, you can expect impressive views and snowy scenes at every corner of the city. Across this vast outdoor space, you’ll find many postcard-worthy backdrops and various winter sports events, such as ice fishing, ice skating, snowshoeing, and skiing. Meanwhile, the city center hosts many events, such as light displays and Christmas markets.