Five Tips for Winter Travelers

You might think I’m crazy, but I just love winter!  Especially now that I live in Houston, I really appreciate the beauty and unique opportunities that winter vacations offer.  After living my entire adult life in cold climates – first in New York and then Alaska – I have a few tips to make your winter vacation easy and safe.

Packing

Making sure you have all the right gear, and making sure that gear fits your planned activities, is important in winter vacation packing.  Consider carefully the activities that you want to participate in: are you skiing, snowboarding, or snowmobiling?  If so you will want to pack at least one – preferably two – sets of appropriate undergarments.  For outdoor activities, skip cotton long underwear in favor of polypropelyne; natural fibers will get wet from your persperation and stay wet.  A wet insulation layer is not only uncomfortable, it can be dangerous.  Polys are affordable and comfortable options for outdoor sports enthusiasts.  If you are staying in a cabin or if you are easily chilled, add a set of silk long underwear to your bag to wear under your clothes when you are inside.  Silk long johns are extremely comfortable, and even at heavier weights wear easily under jeans and sweaters.  Unless your winter destination is so far north that sunlight isn’t an issue, bring sunscreen as well; sunlight reflecting off of snow can result in a very painful sunburn.  Consider bringing a couple of pairs of those little, stretchy cotton/Lycra gloves (they usually cost $1-$2 dollars) to layer under ski or snowboarding gloves, or to change into after you are off the slopes or trails.  There is nothing worse than the inside of a cold, soggy glove when you are trying to stay warm outside.

Pack right but pack light.

Transportation

If you are road-tripping, make sure you have emergency supplies in your car.  Jumper cables, flashlights, extra fuel, a spare tire, fluids (windshield wiper, oil, water) for your car, an ice scraper/snow brush, and a couple of road flares can all come in handy.  I also recommend packing an emergency kit for occupants: snacks, drinking water, first aid kit, and blankets.  Are you taking your own car?  Take it to a mechanic for a checkup.  Are you renting? Ask about the most recent maintenance on the vehicle the rental company is offering you.  Even if you know the area you are traveling well, invest in a map (or maps, if you are crossing state lines), research routes to and from your destination, and be prepared for weather-related changes in your planned route.  As much as I rely on my smartphone for its GPS capability, I continue to use maps for directions; GPS is pretty reliable, but it only took me one “turn left” when I should have been directed to “turn right” before I learned that lesson and began investing in road maps and using my GPS as backup.

Insurance

When it comes to travel insurance, the question is always “To buy, nor not to buy?”  For winter vacations, I always go with “buy”.  So much can go wrong that I think it is well worth the added expense to protect against weather cancellations, baggage loss, and other unexpected interruptions.  If you plan on getting out and enjoying the snow, consider additional insurance coverage for winter sports.  Ski insurance protects skiers (and snowboarders, snowmobilers, and other winter sport athletes) against other risks such as equipment and rescue costs.

The author's first attempt at cross-country skiing. Now that's entertainment.

Entertainment

Winter destinations can sometimes mean that the outdoor fun is interrupted by inclement weather.  Cold snaps, blizzards, and even an avalanche can interfere with your enjoyment of your trip so think about alternate ways to entertain yourself – and especially the kids, if you are traveling as a family.  A deck of cards, books, DVDs, CDs, and games can turn initial disappointment into plenty of fun.  Many winter resorts have indoor pools and spas, so pack swimsuits!  If there is a spa, schedule a massage or a facial.  If you are stuck inside you can also try playing amateur photographer.  Playing with your camera and learning how to use it better is a fun way to prevent feeling cooped up; not only will you end up with good vacation pictures, but all of your pictures going forward are sure to look even better!

Unsure? Ask an expert

If you want to plan a winter vacation but you truly do not know where to start, consult with an expert.  A travel agent can help you organize your expectations and considerations (cost, length of trip, family vs. romantic getaway) and advise you on the kind of trip that most closely fits your needs.  If you can’t afford to book through a travel agent, consulting one can help point you in the right direction to continue research of your own at your local library and online.

Photo credits: Skiier (SXC); luggage (SXC); photo 3 from the author’s personal collection.

This post was sponsored by Insure and Go; the opinions expressed are solely those of the author.