TOP 5 winter landscapes in the Western United States
Winter is far from uniform in the western United States.
This makes for panoramas that are quite distinct and sometimes even surprising.
Here are my Top 5 most beautiful winter landscapes to discover on your road trip to the west coast of the USA during the cold months of winter!
#5. Crater Lake
Crater Lake National Park is interesting year-round, but in the colder months, it's transformed into a winter wonderland!
Snowfall in the area is abundant, averaging 42 feet, or 13 metres, per year in the mountains.
This means there's plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy, including guided snowshoe walks with a ranger.
There's also skiing and snowboarding, sledding, snowmobiling and, for the more adventurous, backcountry camping!
For photography buffs, the ultimate shot is of course Crater Lake, with the surrounding mountains covered in a great blanket of white.
#4. Monument Valley
Snow... in the desert?
You heard right, it does sometimes snow in Monument Valley. Although the average winter temperature is around 6 degrees Celsius, it can sometimes drop below zero.
While the snow doesn't stay more than a few days, you can't help but be fascinated by the snow-covered desert landscape.
It's this anomalous quality that makes it so beautiful. The contrast between the white dusting of snow and the red sandstone cliffs is striking.
Winter is the ideal time for solitude, without the summer crowds, and lower prices.
What's more, ice formation is extremely rare, making it possible to drive any type of vehicle without worrying about winter driving conditions.
That's great news if you're renting a car in the USA!
#3. Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park receives its fair share of snow, with an average of 5 metres each winter.
To get around in the park, you'll have to resort to more... wintry means, like the snowcoach or snowmobile, as most roads are closed.
While this may not please everyone, it definitely adds to the experience!
A visit to Yellowstone in winter is all about contrasts: the bright, colourful hot springs stand out against the pristine white snow, and geysers bubble in the cold of winter.
What's more, wildlife is more present and visible in winter. If you want to see animals in the wild, now is the best time.
It's a truly unique sight.
#2. Grand Teton
You can't talk about winter scenery without including Grand Teton National Park.
It's everything you'd imagine a winter wonderland to be: high peaks providing a backdrop for snow-covered meadows and thousands of pine trees.
When the land is draped in a blanket of white, a peace settles over the landscape. It's a far cry from the busy summer season!
The park then becomes a popular destination for cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and photographers who wish to capture the beauty of the winter scenery.
Guided tours are available on snowshoes or cross-country skis, and off-piste skiing is permitted.
If you're more interested in observing wildlife, you'll enjoy a snowmobile adventure.
There's certainly no lack of things to do!
#1. Bryce Canyon
With its pristine white snow, reddish hoodoos, blue skies and evergreen trees, some say that Bryce Canyon National Park is even more beautiful in winter!
If you dream of having the trails of Bryce Canyon all to yourself, winter is surely the ideal time for your USA road trip.
When the snow is fresh, you'll need snowshoes, but after a few days of melt, it's better to hike the trails in hiking boots. Wear a traction device on steep or icy trails.
Cross-country skiing is also a great way to explore the park in winter. Please note that it is illegal to ski off of the rim into the canyon, but there are a variety of routes above the rim.
These include sections of the Rim Trail along the edge of the Main Amphitheater, the Bristlecone Loop Trail; Paria Ski Loop; and the unplowed Paria View and Fairyland Point roads.
Full-moon hikes are offered year-round in Bryce Canyon, but the long winter nights are especially good for astronomy.
You'll have the chance to see thousands of stars and the spectacular Milky Way.
Location of the 5 most beautiful winter landscapes
Now you're ready to see the best that winter has to offer in the American West!
Do you have a beautiful winter landscape to suggest? Share it with us in the comments below!
An enthusiast of both our vibrant cities & great oudoors, my life revolves around travel & adventure. It's a no brainer that I have to share the wonders & secrets of my neck of the woods with other travelling souls. Enjoy the journey!
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