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12 Places to Embrace the Cold This Winter

By U.S. News & World Report

Let’s face it: Winter isn’t going away any time soon. While many travelers are fleeing to sunny seaside locales, there’s something to be said for a cold-weather escape with exhilarating days hitting the trails, tackling the slopes and warming up in cozy lodges by a crackling fire. If you’re ready to embrace the cold, here are a few ideas on where to go for winter fun.

[See: 10 Top National Parks to Visit This Winter.]

Bryce, Utah

Bryce Canyon National Park, with its orange, red and yellow towering rock formations are a site worth seeing at any time of year, but in winter, you can enjoy a fresh perspective of the park’s iconic natural attractions blanketed in snow. Plus, you won’t find big crowds at this time of year. During your visit, take advantage of 30 miles of cross-country ski trails, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, sleigh rides and ice skating.

Montreal

This year marks Montreal’s 375th anniversary, so get ready for plenty of entertainment this winter. During Montréal en Lumière , from Feb. 22 to Mar. 11, there are live music performances and special food events at the city’s top restaurants. And Nuit Blanche, which takes place on Mar. 5, is the annual art-driven all-nighter, when art galleries, bars and venues open their doors for an evening extravaganza. What’s more, you’ll find plenty of excellent cuisine options in Montreal, along with a variety of hotel chains and boutique hotels offering discounted winter rates. Best of all, given the strength of the U.S. dollar, it’s easy to plan a budget-friendly trip.

Vail, Colorado

Set in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Vail offers an action-packed cold-weather locale. From skiing and snowshoeing to dog sledding to snow tubing to ice skating, there’s plenty of adventurous pursuits to be had in Vail, and it’s not limited to the outdoors. Vail is also well known for its shops, spas, cuisine and nightlife. Even better, accommodations include bed-and-breakfasts, condos, hotels and private homes, catering to luxury-seekers and budget-minded powder hounds alike.

New York City

During winter, New York City hotel rates and attraction lines tend to dip, making it an enticing time to plan a trip. In the city that never sleeps, there’s plenty to entertain you from snowy strolls in Central Park to warming up at the Great Northern Food Hall at Grand Central. As for accommodations, consider Conrad New York. Set in the heart of Battery Park, the property offers museum-worthy art and a critically acclaimed chef at their restaurant ATRIO. The Maritime Hotel in the trendy Chelsea neighborhood is another crowd-pleasing option, with its inviting lobby and fireplace.

Bozeman, Montana

The Lark, a modern hotel in downtown Bozeman, is an ideal home base for a Montana adventure. There are a variety of packages, where you snowshoe or hike on trails, and warm up with a 30-minute snowga experience (yoga in the snow) amid all the natural winter beauty. Or check out the Toasty Tour de Foam, where you can taste your way through Bozeman’s best breweries with the help of a professional guide.

[See: 8 Winter Events Worth Planning a Trip Around.]

Sun Valley, Idaho

If you’re itching for a snow adventure, head to Knob Hill Inn Inn Sun Valley. Explore the Ketchum area on skis, skates, fat tire bikes or snowshoes. The view of the Smoky and Boulder Mountain ranges merits a trip on its own. Knob Hill’s Best of Baldy package includes a day on the mountain and a meal at The Grill, which dishes out northwestern cuisine. And the “Off-Roaders’ Escape” package will take you in Idaho’s backcountry for a half-day unguided adventure on hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile trails.

Cape Neddick, Maine

If you’re looking for quiet and solitude this winter, you’re in luck. The Spa at Cliff House Maine just opened its 9,000 square feet spa that channels “wild and free” elements of coastal Maine, incorporating water, stone, sky and sand into its treatments. Partnering with celebrated amenity partners, The Spa features exceptional products within its treatments and retail space. Best of all, the Spa is accessible to guests of the resort, as well as visitors and locals.

Minneapolis

Le Méridien Chambers Minneapolis aims to up the winter cool factor with its snow-filled activities (think: ice-fishing), included in its “Hooked on Winter” package. Enjoy winter cycling with new bikes that are made to ride smoothly in the snow or check out the city’s snow-filled landscape, filled with parks, lakes and scenic bike trails. Even better, the hotel is also close to art galleries, museums, theaters and concert halls.

North Conway, New Hampshire

You may not have heard of North Conway, but it’s been recognized by National Geographic as one of the top 25 ski towns in the world. Another plus: It’s budget-friendly, with nightly rates at hotels starting at around $100 a night. If you love to shop, you can take your pick from more than 200 name-brand outlets offering up discounts. Plus, New Hampshire is one of only two states in the country that’s tax -free. And if you’d rather spend your time outdoors, North Conway is at the center of Mt. Washington Valley, home to 13 ski resorts, all roughly 30 to 45minutes from town. Within the Mt. Washington Valley region and inside North Conway, you can enjoy sleigh rides, dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice skating, sledding, fat biking, snowshoeing, hiking, ice climbing and more.

Yosemite National Park, California

The Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite is 2 miles from the south entrance of Yosemite National Park. Here, you can enjoy everything from snowshoeing to ice skating to sledding to archery. And if you want to explore the winter wonderland that is Yosemite National Park at this time of year, speak to the concierge. After a day of exploring the park, head to the Sierra Restaurant for a cozy meal, filled with seasonally inspired dishes such as butternut squash soup and calamari salad.

Cle Elum, Washington

Just a 90-minute drive from Seattle, Cle Elum offers a convenient escape from the city. The Suncadia Resort is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Ski, snowboard, ice skate or enjoy a guided fly fishing trip, among other activities. Or, enjoy a guided snowshoe tour around historic Roslyn. When hunger strikes, several on-site restaurants at the resort await you.

[See: 10 Bucket List Winter Family Vacation Experiences.]

Lake Tahoe, California

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, a renowned mountain resort in North Lake Tahoe, spans over 6,000 skiable acres and offers an ideal base for wintry pastimes. The resort features slopeside lodging at The Village at Squaw Valley, which has nearly 60 bars, restaurants and boutiques. For an experience to remember, check out the Moonlit Snowshoe + Dinner. After the mountain closes, you can enjoy a snowshoe tour to the mid-mountain Chalet at Alpine Meadows, where you can savor an intimate dinner, complete with an Alps-inspired menu.

More from U.S. News

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9 Underrated Winter Vacation Ideas Under $1,000

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12 Places to Embrace the Cold This Winter originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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