Winter Fun on America's Byways

Snowmobiling in New Mexico (NM) [1]

When the last of the vibrant fall leaves flutter to the ground and the temperatures dip down, many of America's Byways become winter wonderlands, where you can experience an array of winter activities. You and your family can have fun snowmobiling, sledding, and snowshoeing on most of the snow-covered byways in the wintertime, but here are a few byways that have something special to offer.

A Winter Celebration

Snow-capped Hills Encircle Lake Tahoe (NV) [2]

Winter is a time to celebrate on the Lake Tahoe-Eastshore Drive in Nevada! Local residents and winter visitors to this byway in the High Sierras go all out with several special events all winter long. Each March, join in the fun at the North Lake Tahoe Snowfest, a unique experience packed with events such as ice carving competitions, snow sculpture contests, parades, a "polar bear" swim in the frigid Lake Tahoe, and an Opening Night Ceremony with a torchlight parade of skiers, fireworks display, a bonfire, and music. If there doesn't happen to be a formal event going on, you will always find ice skating, sleigh riding, and sledding nearby.

Ice Climbing, Mushing and Skijoring

Alaska's Matanuska Glacier (AK) [3]

In Alaska, where winter occupies much of the year, winter recreation has been perfected. While traveling the Glenn Highway, experience a breath-taking sight and an unforgettable adventure when you visit the Matanuska Glacier. If you'd like to get up close and personal with the glacier, try ice climbing, one of Alaska's most exciting pastimes. For a different type of adventure, you may want to try dog sledding, or mushing, Alaska's premier wintertime sport. There are many locations along the byway where you can hop a ride on the sled, or where you can learn to handle your own sled and do the mushing yourself. If you enjoy cross-country skiing as well as dog sledding, you may want to try skijoring (ski-jur-ing). Skijoring is a fast-growing sport in which a skier is tethered to a dog and must work hard to keep a steady pace with the animal. So, if you're looking for some real adventure, and don't mind a vigorous workout, the Glenn Highway is the place to be.

Tubing in the East

Tubing has been a favorite pastime of youngsters for decades and may not seem all that unique. But tubing has been taken to new heights, literally, in areas along many of the byways in the eastern part of the country. Flying down a snowy incline on a plump inner tube is a great activity for families. Several resorts along the Blue Ridge Parkway have created parks and runs just for tubing. You will also find great tubing areas in the high eastern mountains surrounding the Washington Heritage Trail in West Virginia. So, young and not so young alike, grab a tube and head for the hills for an exciting snow tubing adventure.

Whether you prefer traditional winter activities, or are looking for something a little unusual or extreme, you're sure to have a great time during the winter on one of America's Byways.