Road Tripping to the Canadian Slopes

As I waited for the streetcar in the cold the other day I couldn’t help daydreaming about feeling the rays from the sun piercing through me, the sound of waves clashing against the sand, the smell of salt in the air, and gorgeous vacationers and locals tanning on the beach. Yum.

But you know what?  Dressing head-to-toe in huge multicoloured snowsuits and hitting the Canadian Rockies during the day, and snuggling up to the fire, sipping a hot cocoa at night, is just as yummy.  

I think most of us underestimate how much fun and beautiful Canadian winter destinations are.  I know I do.  Last year I visited Mont Tremblant with my family and we had an amazing time. There were so many quaint shops, restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops on the cobble-stoned road that winded through the village. It reminded me of a little European town, it was so adorable! I skied all day with my brother, dominating most of the slopes. The second day I became more adventurous and took a beginner snowboarding class with this really cute Australian instructor. Even though I left with quite a few bruises and a couple pounds extra from a tummy full of beaver tails, it was so much fun.

According to CAA, if you are on a tight budget, road tripping is a great way to save money. Some breathtaking places to drive to are Muskoka, Ontario, Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Whistler, British Columbia and Banff, Alberta. If you’re able to splurge, some more expensive popular snowy destinations are Lake Tahoe, Alaska and Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, where you can stay in an ice hotel (how cool is that!?!).

— Sarah DiVito