We all know that as winter comes into full effect across the country, countless vacationers make the move, understandably, to warm and tropical destinations. Many who dash to the beaches for a nice tan and a fruity drink see the warmth as a welcoming escape from the current conditions and a way to make winter seem shorter. While I certainly don’t criticize those who make this choice, I’m here to help you consider another option—head for the mountains!

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There are loads of benefits in taking a real winter vacation, even for those who do not ski or snowboard. There are lots of mountain destinations that offer a wide variety of activities that include tubing, ice-skating, snowshoeing and many more. The concept of burning calories on vacation may seem odd, but you’ll be too busy enjoying yourself to even notice. Whether you stay at a hotel, an Airbnb, or simply with family or friends, you won’t spend your day enjoying the tropical weather, but heat can always be found around a fire and with some hot chocolate.

If you are worried about travel access to your destination, many airlines either increase their route frequency to these winter hot spots or run new seasonal routes altogether. For instance, last week on our Global Traveler website, we posted about how JetBlue now offers a seasonal service to skiers headed to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. My advice is to check out some destinations based on your winter interests and reconnect with nature during your hard-earned PTO.

— Chris Sager, account executive