6 Winter Retreats For Families That Will Make You Wish the Snow Lasted All Year

Winter is fun (sledding, hot chocolate, cozy movie nights by the fire), but it's also hard as hell, especially if you're a mom. You age about 10 years when trying to get your kids dressed in the 30 layers of clothing they need to go outside in, you're constantly running around in slushy and dirty snow, and you're trying your best to recover from the hectic and expensive holidays. If you need to restore your mind and body with a vacation but can't get a nanny (or just want to include your kids in the fun), there are ways to make it happen! From snow-covered hikes to fine dining, these wintry East Coast destinations will be sure to rejuvenate you and have your kids covered, too.

01
Immerse Yourself at Emerson Resort and Spa
Emerson Resort and Spa

Immerse Yourself at Emerson Resort and Spa

This rustic luxury boutique hotel stands on 20 acres in the Catskills in New York and is named after the poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson. If you and your family are looking to "adopt the pace of nature," as Emerson did, this is the spot for you (and your pets, too!). The 53-room hotel is close to Belleayre and Hunter Mountains, and offers ski, spa, and stay midweek and weekend packages. In addition to its breathtaking landscape, the property serves locally-sourced food and cocktails from its Woodnotes Grille.

02
Enjoy an Island of Ice at The Sagamore
The Sagamore

Enjoy an Island of Ice at The Sagamore

Open on weekends throughout the Winter, The Sagamore stands on an island in the middle of Lake George in upstate New York, and is an ideal home base for a family adventure in the Adirondacks. With surrounding views of the frozen waters, Winter at this 135-year-old luxury hotel will replenish you with roaring bonfires (and s'mores), movie nights, decadent Italian fare, and an award-winning spa. Looking to book your Winter retreat for next year? Make sure to check out Glacier Ice Bar to sip a cocktail among 18,000 pounds of exquisitely carved ice — they book up fast!

03
Soak Up Vermont’s History at This Woodstock Inn
The Woodstock Inn and Resort

Soak Up Vermont’s History at This Woodstock Inn

The Woodstock Inn and Resort in the little village of Woodstock, VT, prides itself on its New England culture and history. The inn began as a tavern with lodging accommodations in 1793, and has since evolved into a 142-room resort experience with wood beam bed frames, hand-dyed blankets, and a transformative spa with a wood-burning fireplace. The chefs at the inn's four restaurants work with an in-house master gardener to harvest and prepare creative Northeastern cuisine. Woodstock itself has a main street with farm-to-table restaurants, art galleries, general stores, and boutiques if you feel like exploring outside the resort's historic walls.

04
Venture to Mohonk Mountain House 90 Miles North of NYC
Mohonk Mountain House

Venture to Mohonk Mountain House 90 Miles North of NYC

In between icy cliffs, 85 miles of hiking trails, and Lake Mohonk sits this majestic Victorian castle in New Paltz, NY. The all-inclusive resort offers activities to meet everyone's needs, from cozy and luxurious indoor accommodations to outdoor adventures and a well-structured kids club. Can't swing a whole weekend away? Mohonk Mountain House offers guest packages for the day, such as "Brunch with a View" and the "Spa and Carriage Lounge Package."

05
Climb Mount Washington
Omni Resorts

Climb Mount Washington

Omni Mount Washington's 2,000-acre property in Bretton Woods, NH, is a wonderland of Winter recreation sitting high in the sky. It offers an array of ski packages, sleigh rides, tubing, skating, boasts New England's longest canopy zip line tour, and recently opened a new warming cabin — a cozy log cabin with couches, heat, hot beverages, and snacks snuggled in along its Ammonoosuc Nordic Trail System. Unwind in the heated indoor pool and the 25,000-square-foot spa with mountain views.

06
Snow, Ski, and Scrubs at Stowe Mountain Lodge
Stowe Mountain Lodge

Snow, Ski, and Scrubs at Stowe Mountain Lodge

Located in the snow-tipped peaks of Stowe, VT, this sprawling ski resort has farm-to-table dining, family activities galore, and an ecofriendly spa offering Kundalini massages, euphoric Stowe Cider scrubs, and local Native American-inspired soaking rituals. Take a break from the slopes at the Cliff House overlooking miles of mountains, warm up with a wine tasting and coffee-rubbed elk at Solstice, or snuggle up with some hot chocolate by the fire. The lodge is also pet-friendly and provides in-house daycare.