Parents with children should consider taking a special family vacation this year. While there are many different places around the world to choose from when planning a memorable trip, spending time in the outdoors at Big Bear Lake in San Bernardino County, California, is sure to provide an experience that no one in the family will ever forget.

There are a great number of things to do in this picturesque West Coast town, such as Big Bear Lake fishing, for example. While there are a plethora of different species inhabiting the depths of this crystal clear body of water, individuals may wish to take their fishing rod out of the pond for a little while when spending time on Big Bear Lake in order to engage in some of the other fantastic activities.

A trip on the Miss Liberty Paddlewheel Tour Boat is an example of a fun lakeside adventure that the whole family is sure to love. This exciting aquatic experience allows groups of individuals to spend the day together on the water, allowing them to take in the gorgeous views of the surrounding forests and mountains. The boat can hold up to 125 passengers, which makes this an ideal activity for visitors on a family reunion or other large-scale vacation.

The Snow Summit Scenic Sky Chair is another wonderful Big Bear Lake attraction that is perfect for a warm and sunny day. This incredible chair lift takes passengers up the the top of Big Bear Mountain where they will be able to see the beautiful scenery for miles around.

The Moonridge Animal Park and the Big Bear Discovery Center are two additional attractions that visitors to this area may want to consider checking out. Both are very educational sites that will allow children and adults alike to learn about nature and animals while enjoying the great outdoors.

While Big Bear Lake is an ideal vacation spot in any season, winter may just be the best time to visit. Big Bear Lake skiing is incredible, which may be a huge attraction for individuals who enjoy phenomenal ski/snowboard conditions. Visitors who are staying in the area during the colder months should certainly consider booking their accommodations at the Snow Lake Lodge, which offers beautiful guest suites with cozy fireplaces. In addition, it is very close to many local attractions, such as the numerous Bear Mountain Ski Resorts.

Another Big Bear Lake Resort that individuals on vacation should check out is the Lagonita Lodge Resort.

With winter coming up, individuals may have already started to think about their next ski/snowboard vacation. Whether traveling alone or with family, Arnold, California is the ideal place to enjoy the outdoors and take advantage of the many fun experiences one can have in the snow.

When it comes to choosing a place to stay during an Arnold ski vacation, individuals are faced with many different options. Travelers should certainly consider investing in Bear Valley vacation rentals, as they provide a number of unique and fantastic amenities. A particular accommodation in the area that may be ideal for skiers and snowboarders is the Mountain Retreat Resort, an extensive condominium complex located in the heart of a beautiful Sierra pine forest. The lodgings provided by this resort are very private and roomy, which may be appreciated by couples taking a romantic getaway or families with young and rowdy children.

These Arnold, California, vacation rentals are also equipped with numerous amenities that visitors are sure to love. For instance, there is a hot tub, indoor pool, basketball court, sauna and jacuzzi on the property, as well as golf course, ski mountain, rock climbing facility and shopping mall all located very close by. The Mountain Retreat Resort even offers a children’s program, which may come in handy for parents who wish to spend one of their evenings away on their own.

After travelers have settled into their Arnold vacation rentals, they must decide which of the area’s fun and exciting activities and adventures they will embark upon. Skiers and snowboarders should be sure to head directly to the Bear Valley Mountain Resort, where they will have more than 65 different trails to choose from. Regardless of whether visitors consider themselves beginner, intermediate or advanced athletes, the mountain’s 9 chairlifts will be able to take them to a course that is perfect for their skill level. And, with over 1,000 skiable acres to explore, travelers can spend days on the mountain without crossing the same terrain twice.

For non-snow bunnies, Calavera Big Trees State Park may be the best place to go. In particular, the South Grove Trail, one of the many hiking paths within the forest, is a fantastic destination for outdoorsy types, as it provides picturesque views of the surrounding area. Just like the Sierra Logging Museum, this state park can be accessed during in all seasons, making Arnold, California, an ideal vacation spot regardless of the weather.

The 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver may be over, but people with Whistler vacation rentals can still enjoy visiting attractions left over from the games.

During a trip to Whistler Blackcomb, travelers can ski on the same runs that hosted the Olympics’ alpine events. People who don’t know how to ski can still enjoy the mountain resort thanks to the stunning views from the peak’s lodges and the many cross-country snowshoe trails at the nearby Whistler Olympic Park in Callaghan Valley.

Another resort with Olympic history is Cypress Mountain. Located just half an hour from the center of Vancouver, the peak hosted the freeskiing and snowboard events during the 2010 games.

Whistler was also home to Olympic bobsleigh, luge and skeleton competitions. At the Whistler Sliding Center, visitors can go on a self-guided walking tour and may soon be able to ride the track themselves thanks to a public sliding experience currently in development.

No journey to Whistler is complete without taking a day trip to Vancouver to see the Olympic Cauldron, a glass-and-steel icon situated in Canada Place.

Make your next winter travel destination a Whistler mountain resort.

New England is home to some of the best skiing on the East Coast, and people with Lincoln vacation rentals are able to enjoy winter sports at the nearby Loon Mountain Resort.

Loon Mountain is one of the ten highest peaks in New England when measured by vertical drop, and the resort is ideal for intermediate skiers. The mountain features 12 lifts and 56 trails, more than half of which are given a blue square intermediate rating.

For the 2010-2011 ski season, Loon Mountain has introduced a number of new innovations aimed at improving the winter sports experience. The resort more than doubled the number of snowmakers it operates and obtained a Prinoth BEAST grooming machine, which offers 40 percent more grooming area than is standard.

People who would rather not ski or snowboard can find a range of other activities at Loon Mountain, including tubing, showshoeing, ice skating, ziplining and climbing on indoor and outdoor walls.

Additionally, Loon Mountain is very conveniently located just two hours from Boston, three hours from Montreal and five away from New York, making it easily accessible to skiers from throughout the region.

When looking for Ski resorts in New England, consider Loon Mountain.

North Lake Tahoe Itinerary

Winter in North Lake Tahoe means skiing and snowboarding at some of the premier resorts in the country. Home to twelve nationally acclaimed alpine ski resorts, skiers and boarders will want to look into Ski Tahoe North Interchangeable Lift Ticket, which allows them to ski at seven of the twelve ski areas including North Lake Tahoe’s premier ski resorts Diamond Peak, Homewood, Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort and Squaw Valley.

Read about the interchangeable lift ticket at Go Tahoe North. 

In the A.M.

Grab breakfast at the Blue Onion Restaurant. Take transportation from the resort to one of the area’s world-class ski resorts. North Lake Tahoe is home to twelve nationally acclaimed alpine ski resorts. Use your Ski Tahoe North Interchangeable Lift Ticket to access seven of the twelve ski areas whenever they like. North Lake Tahoe’s premier resorts include Alpine Meadows, Diamond Peak, Homewood, Mt. Rose , Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, Squaw Valley and the Sugar Bowl.

Noon

Eat at the ski resort. Continue alpine skiing or try another Lake Tahoe winter activity, including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, ice skating and more. For cross-country ski and snowshoeing trails, visit Go Tahoe North for more information. Wilderness Adventures offers daily, husky driven dogsled tours at the Resort at Squaw Creek and the Sugar Bowl resort. Several ice skating rinks are available in North Tahoe, including the Olympic Ice Pavilion atop Squaw Valley, the Truckee Ice Skating Rink in Truckee and the rink at the Village at Northstar.

In the P.M.

Head to Lake Tahoe’s Nevada side for dinner at one of the casinos. The Crystal Bay Club and Casino, the Biltmore Tahoe Lodge & Casino, the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort Spa and the Cal-Neva Resort all have regular entertainment and great dining venues.

South Lake Tahoe Itinerary

The cool mountain air and emerald green conifers of the South Lake Tahoe area beckon outdoor explorers of all abilities for this season. Skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing are some of the most popular winter sports to do in the Lake Tahoe-area, and the places to do these activities are nearly endless. Find great snow adventures at premier ski resorts including Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort in Lake Tahoe and Kirkwood Mountain Resort in Kirkwood – both offer family fun, difficult terrain, and plenty of other winter activities, including cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Check out Heavenly Mountain Resort, one of the premier ski resorts of Lake Tahoe, and the only ski resort in the country that straddles two states.

In the A.M.

Start with Sunday Brunch at the Riva Grill on the Lake featuring astounding South Lake Tahoe views. Then grab the skis, snowboard and winter gear and head to one of the premier slopes around town. To rent or purchase equipment, stop at Rainbow Mountain Ski and Board Rentals, the area’s premier ski and snowboard rental and service shop, or The Ski Renter at South Lake Tahoe for all your ski or snowboard needs.

Noon

Grab cocoa and sandwiches at the lodge, then head back out to the slopes. If you’re skiing Heavenly, be sure to bring your camera for the aerial tram ride up. The awe-inspiring mile-long flight affords beautiful views of Lake Tahoe and Stateline Village.

In the P.M.

After a long day on the slopes, you’ll want to grab dinner at The Cantina Bar and Grill on Emerald Bay Road, voted the best Mexican restaurant in the area for ten years. Then hit the casinos! Visitors at any of ResorTime.com’s resorts are only a short walk away from Harrah’s, Harvey’s and the Horizon Casino Resort, nightclubs, bars and lounges populate the town and live music can often be found at these venues.

Also Read: What To Do In Winter

Skating By The Sea

Coronado Ice Skating

Coronado Ice Skating at Hotel Del

The ice-rink is next door to the Hotel Del and one block from the Coronado Beach Resort. 3-hour ice skating sessions cost $20 for adults and $15 for kids (10 & under). For more details, visit the Hotel Del’s holiday events page http://www.hoteldel.com/holidays.aspx

If Coronado is just a bit too far away for you, San Diego County has 6 other options. Visit SignOnSanDiego and read their “San Diego, On The Rocks” article for details on the closest ice skating rink near you.

Photo Sources

Top Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/concep007/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Below Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sonnyandsandy/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

RED ROCK FANTASY XIX

Red Rock Fantasy XIX 2009

Sedona, Arizona: Celebrate with hundreds of locals and visitors at the annual Red Rock Fantasy in Sedona. Nestled within the world-renowned red rocks surrounding the beautiful area, Red Rock Fantasy is an exciting festival of more than a million lights highlighting the scenic sights of Sedona. In its nineteenth year and boasting nearly two dozen light displays created by the families from the Southwest, guests will experience never-before-seen marvels of light that will leave children and adults alike in amazement.

Red Rock Fantasy XIX Sedona, AZ

LOCATION:

Los Abrigados Resort & Spa
160 North Portal Lane
Sedona, AZ 86336

Red Rock Fantasy Lights Sedona

WHEN:

“Lights On” for the 19^th annual Red Rock Fantasy will take place 5:00 PM on Thursday, November 19, 2009 lasting through the New Year, ending with “Lights Out” on Saturday, January 2, 2010. The festival is open each evening from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.

Red Rock Fantasy Los Abrigados

ADMISSION:

Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children aged 5-12 and is FREE for children 4 and under. Blocks of 20 tickets or more are sold at a discounted rate of $4 per person. Parking is limited at the resort. For more information, call 928-282-1777 or toll free 800-521-3131. http://www.redrockfantasy.com/

Are you starting to get cold at night? Is the winter creeping up on you? There is still time to take a warm weather vacation in the U.S. Start heading south! Southern California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida are all warm enough for shorts and flip flops.

Not sure where to go? Take my advice by heading south to one of these four warm weather vacation destinations:

1. Orlando, Florida: It is not too late to hit the beach and Disneyworld. An average temparature of about 73 degrees in December will help you defrost and take in some last minute sunshine. Airfare is cheap and there are plenty of places to stay such as Sheraton Vistana Resort or Bahama BayResort… both 5 star quality for amazing prices.
   

   Sheraton Vistana Resort Pool in Orlando Florida

2. San Diego, California: America’s Finest City… for a reason. There isn’t a single month of the year where the average high for the day is lower than 66 degrees. Every day is a beach day and if the sun is shining you can be sunbathing for your Christmas vacation. Don’t miss the unique beach towns of Coronado , Carlsbad, and Del Mar.
   

   View of San Diego Bay from Coronado Island

3. San Antonio, Texas: The most visited city in Texas has great temperatures for travelling there between October through April. Plenty of fun activities such as Sea World, the Alamo, the River Walk, and more all make San Antonio a great warm winter vacation destination. I recommend staying at the the Wyndham Riverside Suites.
   

   San Antonio, Texas

   http://www.flickr.com/photos/wattsbw2004/
4. Scottsdale, Arizona: Right now is the best time of the year to visit Scottsdale. Be sure to pack accordingly because you won’t need three layers to walk around in 68 degrees this winter. Stroll through art galleries, visit museums, or hone in on your golf skills, Scottsdale has something for everyone during the winter. There are many great places to stay, here are two of my favorites: Sheraton Desert Oasis and Westin Kierland Villas
   

   Scottsdale Golf at Westin Kierland Villas

Winter Wonderland at ResorTime.com is here and it is that time of the year again to bundle up and make some hot cocoa. Now you need to know what to do in winter. Sure, a Thanksgiving meal and Christmas with the family and friends is a given and maybe even making your home made eggnog is part of the tradition. While most of us have to put aside surfing, sunbathing, bike riding, and other fun summer activities, that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun because it’s cold outside. Here are my top 10 things to do in winter…

1. Skiing / Snowboarding – Try and get in at least one trip up the mountain this year to keep your legs fresh. A little extreme sports will make you feel young again (maybe skip the dangerous back flips and half pipes).
   

   What to do in Winter - Skiing

2. Ice Skating – In places like Southern California, we have to find an indoor ice-skating rink. But for you who live in the cold, ice skating on a lake could be a lot of fun. I hear in eastern Russia you can ice skate on the ocean for several miles out to sea!
3. Snowman – Challenge your friends to a snowman building competition and win the contest by painting your Frosty with water that is colored with food coloring. Be careful trying to make your snowman too big, I couldn’t lift his middle section last time so I had to make a laying down snowman.
4. Roast Marshmallows – Classic but just as fun as ever. Throw your winter coat on and start a fire with some friends then roast some marshmallows, add chocolate and graham crackers, and enjoy! Don’t be that guy that flings around a flaming mellow.
5. Sledding (Tobogganing) – Take a day trip up the mountain with the kids and some sleds, find a patch of snow on a hill, and you have your own amusement park with a free entrance.
   

   What to do in Winter - Sledding

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kptyson/
6. Snowmobiling – You might not be James Bond, but snowmobiling can be a lot of fun in the mountains. There are numerous tours you can join so you don’t get lost in the woods.
7. Dog Sled Rides – Although I haven’t personally done this yet, it is now on my bucket list. Almost every ski mountain has someone giving dog sled rides, jump on board and pretend you are in the movie “Iron Will“
8. Hot Springs – Are you sick of all the cold stuff to do? Well find yourself a hot springs that is bubbling and relax as if it were a warm summer night. Just watch out, it will be colder when you get out.
9. Learn to Knit – Knitting is a great past-time but that is not why you should do it this winter. You should learn to knit your own beanie to keep those ears warm in the snow and cold nights. It is so easy a caveman can do it (sorry for the Geico joke).
10. Snowball Fight - I saved the best for last. Either surprise an unsuspecting friend or gather your neighborhood around for a giant snowball fight. Either way, this is a great way to pass the time this winter. Please, do not through frozen snowballs… that is called ice and will hurt someone.
    

    What to do in Winter - Snowball Fight

http://www.flickr.com/photos/odalaigh/

So what are you waiting for? Now you know what to do this winter and since it hasn’t officially started, you have plenty of time to do all 10. Have fun, be safe and be sure to let me know if you are organizing any Guinness book of world record snow ball fights, I’m in.

PS. Oh and if you don’t live in the cold, ResorTime.com can help you plan your winter vacation so you can experience what the fuss is all about.