New York Named Top Spot in America for Winter Travel

From skiing at Lake Placid to ice skating in Central Park, New York has it all.
Ice skating at Central Park in New York
Ice skating at Central Park in New York / Anadolu/GettyImages
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A new travel survey conducted by the Danish travel agency LA Travel sought to find the best state in America for winter travel – especially for those who enjoy getting outdoors during the snowy months. LA Travel used numerous metrics to come up with their rankings, including average yearly snowfall, average winter temps, number of ski resorts (and their ratings), number of ice rinks, and more. 

The result may be surprising, with many Americans probably assuming Colorado would take the top spot. However, Colorado actually placed #4, being beaten out by two midwestern states, with Wisconsin earning #3 and Michigan snagging the #2 spot. So, who took on the honors of being America’s best state for winter adventure? That would be New York.

2010 Freestyle Skiing World Cup Ski Cross
2010 Freestyle Skiing World Cup Ski Cross / Streeter Lecka/GettyImages

New York Is America’s Best State for Winter Travel

While Colorado ranks high for its ski towns, New York offers something for everyone, which ultimately helped it take the crown. Hardcore winter sportsmen will love Lake Placid and the Adirondacks. The region hosted the 1980 Winter Olympics for a reason, it’s gorgeous and loaded with the perfect terrain for winter sports. Visitors can go hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, ice skating, dog sledding, and even tobogganing.  To warm up afterward, travelers can check out the Lake Placid Olympic Museum to see memorabilia and learn more about the 1980 Olympics, including the epic “Miracle on Ice” hockey game that took place between the US and the Soviet Union.

Those who enjoy big cities can also find lots to love about New York in the winter. From ice skating in Central Park to horse-drawn carriage rides through the snow, and all the glittering holiday lights on Fifth Ave., New York City is an absolute must-visit during the winter. Other spots in New York that are perfect for winter travel include the Finger Lakes, Lake Ontario, and the Catskills.

Rounding out the top 10 were:

#5 New Hampshire
#6 Massachusetts
#7 Pennsylvania
#8 Vermont
#9 Minnesota
#10 Maine