Don’t Get Away From Winter

It's Winter in North America. Maybe your groups live life basking in the warmth of the sun and clear blue skies year-round, but are looking to be enamored by snow. Maybe your groups live in a snowy North American tundra, but want to get away from the shovels and slush in favor of fresh powder. If your groups love the snow, don't get away from winter ... Consider a wintry getaway.

Alberta, Canada

Albertans know snow—and there are plenty of exhilarating outdoor activities on an Alberta itinerary to prove it.

Mush a dogsled team across the frozen landscape, hike through a canyon shimmering with frozen waterfalls, and cut across the fresh powder of the Canadian Rockies while skiing or snowboarding.

Beat the snowdrifts and hit the trails snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Need some lessons? Learn to ski at Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park, the home of Canada's national cross-country and biathlon ski teams.

Enjoy Banff and Lake Louise's SnowDays Festival, a monthlong celebration held during January and February that features events, shows and activities—such as the Big Bear, where professional skiiers and snowboarders flip their tricks at the Train Station.

Visit www.travelaberta.com for more information.

Chicago, Illinois

The Windy City will blow groups away during winter.

Along with Chicago's permanent activities and attractions, the city offers plenty of activities to celebrate winter. Ice skate at McCormick Tribune Ice Skating Rink in Millennium Park or at the Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park. Try sledding, snowshoeing or tapping maple trees to make maple syrup.

Hit the 606, an all-seasons elevated walking trail. Head to FROZEMONT at MB Financial park at Rosemont to enjoy tubing, hockey games and more.

Groups could always warm up indoors at any of Chicago's renowned museums and attractions, or enjoy the winter landscape with frozen views of Lake Michigan from 360 CHICAGO and Skydeck Chicago.

Learn more at www.ChooseChicacgo.com.

Québec City, Canada

With more than 13 feet of snowfall each year, Québec City is the perfect winter playground.

Attend the world's largest winter carnival, ice skate at Place d'Youville or careen down a 100-year-old toboggan run at Dufferin Terrace. Spectacular winter landscapes only minutes from the city are perfect for snowmobiling, ice climbing, ice canyoning and embarking on a dog sledding adventure. Three mountains within driving distance make Québec City an excellent downhill skiing destination—or groups could enjoy the serenity of ice fishing at Station Touristique Duchesnay and snowshoeing at Parc de la Chute-Montmorency.

Spend the night in Hôtel de Glace, North America's only ice hotel with huge snow vaults and dazzling ice sculptures, or spend the night in a yurt at Desjardins Yurt Village.

For more information, visit www.quebecregion.com.

Written by Cassie Westrate, staff writer for Groups Today.

Photo courtesy of Luc Rousseau, quebecregion.com.