Where to Travel Next: Destination Inspiration for Winter 2026

When it comes to winter travel, you’ve got two tempting options: Embrace the chill with snowy adventures and cozy retreats or escape to warm-weather bliss with pools, spas and beaches. 

Both paths certainly have their appeal. To help you decide which route to take, here are our picks for standout destinations that are perfect for a winter getaway.

Prince Edward Island

For an unexpected winter vacation, head to Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province. Located off the east coast in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, this destination is best-known for lobster and lighthouses in the summer—but winter brings a different kind of escape. Try ice fishing for oysters with Tranquility Cove Adventures, then shuck and enjoy the fresh, briny bivalves on a snowy bank by a crackling fire. For a cozy retreat, stay at Mysa Nordic Spa & Resort on St. Peters Bay, where you can slink into heated pools and relax in saunas, all surrounded by serene wintry views. Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling round out wintertime itineraries.

Oahu, Hawaii

On Oahu, travelers can ride the waves with surf lessons at iconic Waikiki Beach, which was once a favorite retreat for Hawaiian royalty, or hike up the picturesque Diamond Head crater at sunrise (reservations required).

For an iconic stay, book a room at Halekulani, a beachfront hotel steeped in tradition. Savor the legendary coconut cake at House Without a Key, an indoor-outdoor restaurant shaded by a 130-plus-year-old kiawe tree. Later, unwind at Lewers Lounge, where live music and Jazz Age-inspired cocktails set the mood. The on-property spa also offers zero-gravity pedicures and sound therapies that use acoustic and vibrational frequencies designed to lull you into a dream-like state or restore your energy.

Jackson, Wyoming

Surprisingly, winter is Jackson’s off-season. But don’t mistake quiet for boring. Bundle up for a sleigh ride through the 25,000-acre National Elk Refuge, then belly up at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, where saddles double as barstools. For skiers, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort delivers with more than 450 inches of snow each year.

Hang your hat at the Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa, which is a short walk to the art galleries, shops, and restaurants in downtown Jackson. The 40-room boutique hotel has plenty of places to unwind and warm up, including a spacious hot tub and a second-floor library where fresh-baked cookies are set out each afternoon. Warm up by the fire in the Wild Sage Restaurant & Bar. 

Banff and Lake Louise, Alberta

Nestled among the snow-capped Canadian Rockies, Banff and Lake Louise shine in the winter. Glide across Lake Louise on ice skates, hike to frozen waterfalls at Johnson Canyon Upper Falls, and keep your eyes peeled for the aurora borealis. New for this winter, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is debuting a brand new thermal wellness spa, BASIN, which offers self-guided circuits that include saunas, steam rooms, hot stone massage rooms, Himalayan salt lounges and more.

Punta Mita, Mexico

For a sun-soaked escape with plenty of luxury, Punta Mita is a standout option. Located just north of Puerto Vallarta, this exclusive enclave is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on three sides, offering a sense of seclusion and serenity. Golf lovers can tee off at the renowned Pacifico Golf Course, home to the iconic Tale of the Whale, a one-of-a-kind, bucket-list hole set on a natural island. (You’ll need to time your tee time with low tide to play it!)

For a five-star stay, check into the St. Regis Punta Mita, where you’ll find breezy Mexican-Mediterranean design, a beachfront sushi bar, quiet pools and nightly sunset rituals. And you won’t be the only one chasing the warmer weather here: Humpback whales pass through from December through March. Keep an eye on the horizon to spot their dramatic breaches and misty blows.

Cancun, Mexico

With nonstop flights from Denver, it’s easy to enjoy a long weekend in Cancun when you need a winter warmup. For a luxury vacation, slip away to Rosewood Mayakoba, which is surrounded by an emerald-green jungle and set on the shores of Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Unwind at the spa, located on its own island, with signature treatments like a traditional temazcal ceremony. Led by a local shaman, this ancient ritual uses steam, heat, and sacred intention to cleanse the mind, body, and spirit.

For an all-inclusive experience, Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe is a must. The resort’s spa is gorgeous, with an outdoor hydrotherapy circuit that’s based on Mayan healing practices. Upgrade to a Hilton Enclave room for a hotel-within-a-hotel experience. You’ll be able to hear the waves crashing out your window and take in the views of the ombre blue waters below. Upgraded guests also have access to Chala, an exclusive rooftop bar with cocktails and regional ceviches.

Maui, Hawaii

On Maui, you can scuba dive in a submerged volcanic crater or tackle the legendary Road to Hana, a winding drive with 620 curves and countless roadside stops for waterfall swims, garden strolls, banana bread, and scenic vistas. From November through April, it’s also koholā season, when humpback whales migrate through the surrounding waters.

For luxury, stay at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea (which you might recognize from the debut season of “The White Lotus”). Dine at KOMO, a sushi spot with a 14-seat interactive bar, and join educational experiences like the Bee Wonders tour, where you’ll learn about local pollinators and sample honey in the Chef’s Garden. Or, set sail on a Wayfinder’s Journey—a cultural, culinary and celestial voyage led by a traditional navigator who shares the techniques ancient Polynesians used to cross open oceans.

This story originally appeared in Travel Boulder’s winter/spring 2025-26 print issue. Read the full magazine online.