Women’s winter escapes are the perfect remedy for the winter blues. Not only do you get to travel to fun destinations, try new adventures, and possibly learn new skills, you get a chance to bond with fellow women travelers in a way that’s not always possible when traveling solo or with a romantic partner.
Wellness and adventure are often top themes of women’s retreats. If it’s adventure you seek, there’s something for every skill level, whether you want to snowshoe, tackle cross country skiing, or go glamping off-grid. Or if a luxury weekend is more your style, there are relaxing retreats to indulge in some pampering and perhaps experience a Zen moment in Hawaii or Lake Tahoe.
With organized tours, the guide takes care of all the planning beforehand. You choose the destination, and the tour guide does the work of booking lodging, organizing activities, food planning, and arranging for other amenities. If you’re wanting to get away, but prefer a group environment where you can try something new — without all the work of travel planning — a women’s winter escape may be for you.
From rugged to relaxing, here, in no particular order, are four fabulous women’s winter escapes in the U.S.
1. Women’s Canaan Valley Winter Weekend
Canaan Valley, West Virginia
Explorer Chick creates small group tours designed to offer challenging adventures and uncommon experiences combined with the magic that comes from traveling with like-minded women.
The Women’s Canaan Valley WV Winter Weekend is an invigorating journey to the Canaan Valley with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and visits to nearby towns for live music and microbreweries.
It starts with snowshoeing in Canaan Valley Resort State Park where you’ll get up close to winter nature and view the ice curtains, frozen waterfalls, and rivers. Then you’ll learn to cross-country ski to travel a nearly 40-mile cross-country ski trail.
In the evenings, you’ll have a chance to bond with your fellow travelers. Visit the nearby towns of Thomas and Davis to eat like a local, listen to live music, and sample some microbreweries. This long weekend is filled with rugged outdoor adventures mixed with relaxing evenings in town.
You’ll sleep in a lodge at Blackwater Falls State Park with views of Blackwater Gorge and enjoy hiking in the park, an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a restaurant. Rooms are double occupancy.
The trips include 4 days and 3 nights plus a travel guide, lodging, meals, transportation, a commemorative shirt, tipping, ski instruction, equipment rentals, and snowshoe rentals. The group is intimate and limited to 12 women. Items not included: airfare, airport transportation, alcoholic beverages, tour guide tips, and travel insurance.
Pro Tip: This adventure is rated moderate and includes physical, outdoor activities. The facilitator recommends training your body in advance to be outside for hours at a time and having the physical endurance for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Inspired by the Canaan Valley getaway? Consider
- 10 West Virginia Towns That Feel Like You’re In A Hallmark Movie
- 7 Things To Do In West Virginia With The Whole Family
- Why This Winter Is A Great Time To Try Snowshoeing
- The Best Snowshoes Review 2020
2. Lake Tahoe Winter Wellness And Adventure Retreat
Lake Tahoe, California
Vanessa Rivers says her passion for travel and sustainability led her to create an eco-bikini line and to cofound the We Are Travel Girls travel community along with Becky van Dijk. What started as a global travel community designed to empower female travelers led to the creation of Travel Girls Getaways and a variety of trips for women.
Their Lake Tahoe Winter Wellness and Adventure Retreat is a chance for eight women and two female hosts to spend 5-7 nights on a luxury, wellness, adventure in Lake Tahoe.
You’ll spend your nights in a newly remodeled six-bedroom, six-bathroom cabin in North Lake Tahoe, California. Each bedroom has its own bathroom and views of the lake. The cabin includes a sauna, bar, movie theatre room, and a lake view hot tub.
Days are spent skiing and snowboarding at two world-class ski resorts, Olympic Valley and Northstar. There’ll be a snowshoe wilderness walk, daily private yoga at the cabin, movie nights, chef-prepared dinners, journaling and growth sessions, plus plenty of opportunities to relax at the cabin.
Heather Mitchell joined a We Are Travel Girls Austria trip in 2019 and says, “I can honestly say it was one of the best trips I have ever been on (and after 83 countries, I’ve been on a lot!). Vanessa thinks of everything and manages to make each guest feel like a good friend. From the most beautiful setting and accommodation, from the amazing food to the best itinerary maximizing ski time, downtime, and fun time, it was the perfect getaway. I can’t wait to go on another trip with her!”
View Vanesa and Becky’s other trips or follow @LakeTahoeCabin to get booking announcements for the Lake Tahoe trip.
If Lake Tahoe is calling your name, consider
- 5 Best Things To Do In Lake Tahoe In The Winter
- The Best Bike Path In Lake Tahoe
- 9 Things To Know About The North Lake Tahoe Ale Trail
- Best Hikes In Lake Tahoe
- Scenic California Road Trip: San Francisco To Lake Tahoe
3. ROAM Beyond Glamping, Winter In Montana
Whitefish, Montana
ROAM Beyond isn’t an organized trip, but it’s still a great destination for a group of women wanting to explore Montana in the winter. They recently opened two new secluded glamping destinations, Whitefish and Glacier National Park.
ROAM Beyond provides fully equipped roaming cabins to use as your basecamp in various locations, making it a unique, sustainable, and secluded way to explore in comfort.
At the new Glacier County location, you’ll stay near Glacier National Park in one of the furnished cabins. The Dinette sleeps from 1 to 3 people, or choose The Bunk, which sleeps from 1 to 4 people with a queen-size bed and bunk beds. Each cabin has everything you’ll need for a winter getaway including down pillows and comforters, a kitchenette with cookware and a two-burner induction stove, and private bathrooms with hot showers.
Outdoors, play in the snow, head to Whitefish for skiing, huddle around the fire pits, or hit the trails for hiking. The new location opens in early 2021 and will be open year-round.
For more Whitefish, Montana, and Glacier National Park inspiration, consider
- Whitefish, Montana: The Best Things To See And Do
- Michigan’s Best Food And Drink: What To Try And Where To Find It
- Why We Can’t Stop Dreaming About Montana
- East Glacier Vs. West Glacier: 6 Key Things To Know
- Stunning Hikes In The North Fork Area Of Glacier National Park
- All the rest of our Glacier National Park content here
4. Women’s Hawaii Relaxation And Yoga Retreat
Big Island, Hawaii
Women’s Quest’s vision is to provide rejuvenating adventures to “renew the spirit and strengthen the body.” The programs are appropriate for any age or athletic ability and revolve around creating vibrant health and personal empowerment. During one of the “quests,” you’ll learn methods to challenge yourself and explore self-discovery while spending time at play.
The Women’s Hawaii Relaxation and Yoga Retreat is hosted on the Big Island, Hawaii, and is a swimming, SUP (stand-up paddleboard), hiking, yoga, journaling, and adventure retreat. During this retreat, you’ll escape the cold of winter and relax in the tranquility of Hawaii. You’ll spend a full week investing in fun, adventure, and a chance for restoration and reflection.
You’ll stay at Hale Kai, a yoga retreat center located on the secluded waters of Hookena Bay. The bungalows are hand-built and set in a garden of tropical fruits and flowers. When you’re not swimming with dolphins or taking a yoga class, sit in the yoga pavilion and watch for whales.
The retreat center reflects sustainable practices, is located off-grid, and utilizes solar energy. It’s an immersive retreat to connect not only within but with the rhythm of nature.
The food is fresh and prepared from local fruit, fish, and vegetables. The chef-prepared meals are even tastier eaten on the veranda with a view of the ocean.
Each day includes yoga practice, guided journaling, and creative exercises using Women’s Quest’s trademarked Heart’s Desire process, created to help you visualize your dreams and unlock your true potential. And what better setting than Hawaii to get in touch with your deepest desires?
Some of the activities include snorkeling the coral reefs, swimming with dolphins, whales, and turtles, hiking to sacred sites, hula dance lessons, art classes, and exploring Volcano National Park.
Start your day with a jog, hike, or morning swim followed by breakfast. Then there’s time for group outings, exploring the ancient site of City of Refuge, the undersea Honaunau, hiking to a hidden beach, or kayaking to the Captain Cook Monument. After lunch on the terrace, relax with a book in a hammock or take a nap. Before dinner is a yoga class, then sunset dinner that includes an inspirational talk by one of the staff. After dinner, quest participants have time to circle up for connection and sharing.
Want to experience the Big Island? Read up on
