Top snowbird destinations for anti-snowbirds

When you think of snowbirds, you probably think of people who travel south during the winter to get away from the cold to enjoy the season in warmer destinations such as Florida, Texas, Arizona and even Mexico.

However, there is a group of travellers who consider themselves to be “anti-snowbirds.” No, these are not people who have a vendetta against snowbirds; they are people who also relocate during the winter – but not to warm destinations.

Not all snowbirds want to travel south, or even too far away from home, during the winter. For many, it is just about getting away to a new place and experiencing a new destination, and there is a growing contingent who are doing it in cold-weather destinations.

The Globe and Mail wrote about this recently and published a list of the top locations for anti-snowbirds:

1. Victoria, British Columbia: A potentially warmer weather destination in Canada with opportunities for skiing and other winter activities.
2. Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada: Perfect for skiing.
3. Palm Springs, California: Great for skiing, hiking and winter sports.
4. Taos, New Mexico: A great art scene and popular for skiing.
5. Yellowknife, Northwest Territories: A unique winter travel experience. Great cross-country skiing, hunting and exploring.
6. Northern and central Ontario: Spend the winter in a cozy cottage or in a large city, and experience everything the province has to offer.
7. Ottawa, Ontario: The nation’s capital offers skating on the Rideau Canal, snowshoe trails, national museums and great restaurants.
8. Montreal, Quebec: Get the old-world European charm, go skiing and spend your days at local cafes and markets.
9. Laurentians and eastern Quebec: Great resort areas, skiing and attractions.

Why are anti-snowbirds increasing in number?

There are a few reasons why the trend of snowbirds choosing to visit cold-weather destinations is growing:

• The loonie: A low Canadian dollar could keep many snowbirds north of the border this year and make their travel dollar go further.
• Age and health: Many aging snowbirds are not in good enough health to fly south. As an alternative, many are staying closer to home and opting for a road trip to world-class travel destinations within the country or their home province.
• Stricter snowbird rules: With the US tightening up the regulations for snowbirds, many could have a change of heart about heading south, at least for the short term.
• New experiences: While travelling south each year is great, some snowbirds may grow tired of doing the same thing each year. Some are opting for a cold-weather travel destination to experience something new.