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A Guide To Badger Pass Ski Area, the Ski Resort Inside Yosemite National Park

Home to Half Dome and the site of the Oscar-winning film Free Solo, Yosemite National Park sees millions of visitors every year. It’s one of the most famous national parks in the world and, because it’s just a four-hour drive from San Francisco, gets extremely busy during hiking season.

Photo: Min C. Chiu/Shutterstock

When visitors head to Yosemite, they typically explore the park’s famed trails, take tours of the valley, and camp in designated areas brimming with like-minded outdoorsy folks. But what many don’t know is that within Yosemite’s boundaries is the oldest ski resort in California: Badger Pass Ski Area.

You may have wanted to visit Yosemite for the abundant summertime hiking trails and thundering waterfalls, but after reading this guide on Badger Pass Ski Area, you might decide that a winter visit is for you. It’s one of the most unique winter experiences in any of America’s 63 national parks.

The History of Badger Pass Ski Area

Skiers at badger Pass circa 1936. Photo: Yosemite NPS/Public Domain

One of only three lift-serviced ski resorts in a US national park, Badger Pass Ski Area opened in 1935. Snowsport development had actually begun in Yosemite years prior, with staff leading snow excursions for guests. There was already a small ski hill and jump being constructed near Tanya Creek Bridge by 1928, and it actually made a bid for the 1932 Winter Olympics.

Almost 100 years later, after surviving the Great Depression and a legal dispute over the name (it was temporarily known as “Yosemite Ski and Snow Area,” Badger Pass Ski Area is still open to the public for downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and family-friendly tubing.

What to expect on the hill

Photo: Leonardo59/Shutterstock

Even folks who have visited Yosemite for years may not know that a ski resort exists within its borders. Though hiking and sightseeing are still possible during the winter, Badger Pass Ski Area offers the perfect location and scenario for visitors to try skiing. Extremely affordable lift tickets (starting around $62 a day; less than a third of the price for many resorts in the US) and gear rental facilities at the base make it an easy place to spend an afternoon.

Not only can you try your hand at skiing without paying an arm and a leg, but if you aren’t in love with downhill skiing or riding (or just won’t want to spend an entire vacation skiing), Badger Pass Ski Area does have the unique trait of being located inside a world-renowned national park. You’re able to spend a day or two at the resort and the rest of your time exploring the park. The mix of skiing near winter sightseeing also provides a rare experience when traveling with friends or family: everyone can find the perfect winter wonderland, whether they’re skiers or not. No one gets the short end of the stick.

Badger Pass isn’t huge, with five chairlifts servicing 10 ski runs. A third of the resort is for beginners, and another 50 percent is for intermediate skiers and riders — meaning Badger Pass has ample terrain for folks who don’t necessarily live and breathe skiing. The Badger Pups program also creates a safe space for kiddos aged four to six to learn skiing and snowboarding with patient instructors while adults hit the slopes. That said, even experts will want to spend a few hours at Badger Pass Ski Area, because how often do you get to ski inside a national park?

Badger Pass has a small cafeteria, but it may be easier to just pack a lunch or bring snacks.

Other winter activities

Photo: Matthew Connolly/shutterstock

Cross-country skiing: Downhill skiing and snowboarding aren’t the only activities Badger Pass offers. A cross-country skiing trail network offers some of the most breathtaking views of Yosemite landmarks in winter, and with 90 miles of marked trails and 25 miles of groomed track, you’ll be able to get in a solid workout.A 21-mile, cross-country ski route can even take you from Badger Pass Ski Area to the famous Glacier Point. It’s easy to say anyone would have an amazing time on the trails.Tubing: Ideal for families or travelers new to playing in the snow is the snow tubing area at Badger Pass, worth a visit even if you don’t visit the downhill skiing area at all. Note that the tubing area does not have a conveyor belt, so all adventurers are responsible for getting their tube to the top of the hill. That means you’ll be walking uphill in the snow.Yosemite fire fall: One of the most famous Yosemite events, the Horsetail Fire Fall occurs every February and is something to see at least once in your life. During a short window each February, Horsetail Falls in Yosemite appears to glow orange, causing it to look like fire instead of water as it falls to the valley floor. Reservations are now required for entry on specific dates through February to help quell parking issues and impacts on the park. Pair this event with a trip to Badger Pass Ski Area, and you’ve got a heck of a winter trip.Ice skating: Other notable mentions of Yosemite National Park winter activities include ice skating at the Curry Village Ice Rink, snowshoeing at Crane Flat, and backcountry skiing. As with all adventures, be properly prepared by having extra food, water, and layers to ensure a safe trip and successful return. Don’t even think about backcountry skiing around Tioga Pass unless you’re an expert skier with the full suite of avalanche safety equipment.Where to stay

Hotels and rustic camping options are available within Yosemite National Park, and though staying in the park is a memorable experience, you’ll pay for convenience. The hotels can get expensive.

No overnight lodging is available at Badger Pass Ski Area, but Yosemite West is just a snowball’s throw from the resort, where you’ll find plenty of home rental and lodging options. Nearby towns like El Portal also have rental homes and hotels that vary in both price and size, and a little further out are cool options like the Airstream trailers and glamping tents at Autocamp Yosemite.

Getting to Badger Pass Ski Area

Photo: Kelly VanDellen/Shutterstock

To help protect the park, it’s always better to minimize the number of cars on the road. You can catch a free (yes, free) shuttle bus to the Badger Pass Ski Area from multiple stops in Yosemite Valley, which is highly advisable if you don’t feel like looking for parking or driving through snow.

If you are driving, Badger Pass Ski Area is on Glacier Point Road, about five miles past the turn. Make sure your car is safe for winter driving (which may mean having AWD and snow chains), and check local winter road regulations.

Getting to Yosemite National Park

When traveling to Yosemite from out of state, most fly into either San Francisco (a four-hour drive to the park) or Los Angeles (a five-and-a-half-hour drive to the park). However, the lesser-known Fresno Yosemite International Airport is also an option. It’s the closest airport to Yosemite and is less crowded and stressful than flying into SFO or LAX. The fact that it’s only two hours from the park also leaves more time to spend in the park.

All airports have car rentals, or you can take Amtrak to the Merced Train station, then switch to a free Amtrak bus to the park.

Note that Tioga Pass Road into the park is closed during the winter, so you cannot access Yosemite from areas to the east (like Lake Tahoe or Bridgeport).

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This Amtrak Trip Is the Perfect Winter Getaway for People Who Don’t Want To Go Outside

In large parts of the world, especially in Europe and Asia, trains are the most accessible, fastest, and most efficient mode of transportation. Here in the United States, on the other hand, the chronically underfunded Amtrak will get you nowhere in a hurry and is tragically going out of style. But Amtrak’s reputation as antiquated is unfair. Trains might be slower than planes, but they are undeniably the most romantic way to travel. A picturesque, leisurely journey through Upstate New York all the way to Vermont might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if it sounds appealing to you, the Amtrak Ethan Allen Express should be part of your travel plans next time you’re in this part of the country

Things to know about riding the Amtrak Ethan Allen Express

When I recently took the Amtrak Ethan Allen Express, my journey started at Moynihan Train Hall (part of Penn Station). I recommend getting to Moynihan Train Hall at least an hour in advance (if not more). Moynihan Train Hall has a full bar and food court, with options like ramen, fried chicken, and Italian sandwiches. I settled down at the bar with a beer and a bowl of spicy miso ramen, and ate at an unhurried pace.

Photo: HEakin/Shutterstock

Amtrak food options are limited on the Ethan Allen Express, however the cafe car is fully stocked with muffins, sandwiches, chips, pretzels, beer, wine, and other snacks. Just be aware that the options are pre-packaged and reheated. While totally edible, there were more appetizing options to be found inside the train station’s food court. By getting to Moynihan Train Hall early, I could eat fresh food, and still have time to grab a sandwich and snacks (including a banana pudding and a chocolate cupcake from the Magnolia Bakery inside the train station) for the ride. The trip is over seven hours, so you want to make sure your bag is well stocked with snacks.

Besides packing some food with you, one other key factor about Amtrak to keep in mind for such a long journey is that the passenger cars are cold. I kept my winter coat on the whole time, but you might want to think about bringing your own blanket if you want to get cozy in your seat — you won’t get a blanket from anyone on Amtrak.

Speaking of your seat, this is one thing Amtrak certainly does better than a plane. The seats are wide and cushioned, and there is plenty of room to stretch your legs and stash your bags. Of course, sitting anywhere for over seven hours will get uncomfortable, but you can walk to the length of the open train cars to get your body moving.

The scenery on the Ethan Allen Express is the best part of the ride

People who are used to flying to the other side of the country and getting there in a flash might balk at such a long trip, especially since the drive is about five hours, i.e. two hours fewer than the train ride. However, in return for their patience, passengers on the Ethan Allen Express get unobscured views of the Hudson River, and the farmland of Upstate New York and Vermont. This has to be one of the most scenic Amtrak routes.

The scenery, in winter in particular, is spectacular. The train passes through the Hudson River Valley and runs parallel to the majestic Hudson River. Groups of ducks float by on the gentle waters, and it’s fun to spot the grand mansions and sometimes even castles (watch out for the eerie sight of Bannerman’s Castle, which burned down in 1969 and is now in ruins) that have been erected along the banks of river — and even on some of the islands and narrow peninsulas.

Once you get to Vermont, the landscape changes to snow-covered farms, frozen ponds, and spindly, leafless trees, making for a serene, pastoral picture of this region. Coursing dark rivers cut through desolate-looking farms, and hills covered in snow-dusted beech, birch, and maple trees, rise up in the distance. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be snapping photos and marveling at the pristine winter wonderland outside your window.

Enjoy the tranquility that comes with riding an Amtrak train

Once the train gets underway, there really isn’t much to do. I read for a while, and tried to get some work done on my computer, but Amtrak WiFi is unreliable so I had no internet connection from my seat. This didn’t bother me though. A long trip on Amtrak delivers you from the modern obligation of completing tasks, and instead encourages you to simply sit and take in your surroundings — there aren’t many spaces and moments left that allow people to do nothing, so enjoy it as much as you can.

There is an unspoken contract between passengers that allows these moments of peaceful reflection to happen — nobody talks loudly, watches television, or listens to music without headphones. (At least this was the case in my car; on one of my jaunts through the train, I came across a group of teenagers watching the World Cup who were most definitely violating this unwritten rule).

Eventually, I wandered over to the cafe car, where I bought a half-bottle of wine and a bag of pretzels. Passengers can only sit in the train car if they’re eating or drinking (and there are no laptops allowed) so I found a seat in one of the booths and mostly just stared out the window. It was an experience straight out of classic Christmas movie White Christmas, in which the plot hinges on a train ride to Vermont.

My mind got still and quiet. I enjoyed gazing out at nature, bundled up in my coat with my plastic cup of cheap wine. It was actually a relief to not have to be outside, trekking through the snow, my hair whipping around my face in the winter wind. It was a new — and more comfortable and warm — way to experience the outdoors.

Where to stay in Burlington

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Photo: Hotel Vermont

Once you get to Burlington, there are hotels within walking distance of the train station (people who have a lot of luggage beware, it’s an uphill walk). I opted for the Hotel Vermont. This charming hotel has a little more character than the hotel chains that are next door. The sitting room was decorated with two Christmas trees and there was a fireplace, and a stack of firewood in the corner, adding to the cozy, wintry atmosphere. The rooms themselves have charming unfinished wood accents, and plush comforters to snuggle into after the long train ride.

In the morning, I highly recommend having breakfast at the hotel — the hot sauce served with the two eggs and toast breakfast is exceptional. There’s also a self-serve Bloody Mary bar.

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How to visit Iceland's Blue Lagoon

Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is an 8700-square meter man-made geothermal spa. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland, bathers flock to lagoons to soak in the milky blue water and rub (supposedly) medicinal clay at the bottom of the pools on their skin. Clouds of steam rise up from the waters, giving the Blue Lagoon a dreamy, serene atmosphere.

The Lagoon is located in a lava field, and is surrounded by a landscape of jagged black rocks. Silica in the water reflects off sunlight, giving the Blue Lagoon its signature sky blue hue. Thanks to the beauty of these hot springs, the Blue Lagoon has become one of the top destinations for tourists in Iceland.

How to get to Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is 25 miles from Reykjavik, and there are tour companies that will shuttle groups to the hot springs, and then back to the city, some of which will pick you up at your hotel. Often, these day trip tours will include multiple stops, like Thingvellir National Park and Gullfoss Waterfall, ending with a stop at the spa. If you’re staying in Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon would be an easy day trip.

There are also shuttle buses that transfer guests from bus stops throughout Reykjavik, and directly from the airport. If you’re coming to the spa from the airport, you can rent a locker for luggage once you get there. This is a great option for people who want to experience the Blue Lagoon during a layover.

What to do at the Blue Lagoon

All you need is your bathing suit and a towel (although you can rent them when you get there). Tickets range from $60-$100 and should be booked in advance, because the lagoon tends to sell out quickly. While the entrance fee includes access to the hot springs, saunas, and steam rooms, some of the spa packages include a free drink ticket and a lunch reservation.

Guests can book additional spa treatments, like massages and float therapy. There are also three restaurant options inside the spa complex, and there’s a swim up bar within the thermal pools.

Of course, there are public, free hot springs throughout Iceland (some of which require only a short hike to find) like Reykjadalur hot spring. The Sky Lagoon is another, newer geothermal pool in Iceland, that is less expensive and less crowded. However, given the Blue Lagoon’s popularity, you wouldn’t be blamed for wanting to see it for yourself. 

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These Swiss Hot Springs Will Help You Unwind Like Nowhere Else

Switzerland is packed with natural hot springs that have been attracting visitors for their healing properties for a very long time, starting with Roman soldiers two thousand years ago. These mineral springs were so well known that entire spa complexes, and even whole towns, have been built around hot springs in Switzerland. St. Moritz, now best known as a posh ski town, was sought out in earlier times for its many hot springs.

Today, Switzerland’s mineral springs rarely have the organic shapes of natural bodies of water, having been transformed into attractive pools alongside well-organized spas. But most still offer stunning mountain views and, often, luxurious amenities. Here are the best hot springs in Switzerland.

Hot springs in Switzerland: Hürlimann Bad & Spa Zürich

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Hürlimann Bad & Spa are the most urban hot springs on this list, being located in the center of Zurich. The Hürlimann Spa has vaults below that date back centuries, where you can enjoy ancient Roman bath rituals, reminiscent of those used by soldiers to relax their tired muscles long ago. Or you can head to the roof, where you can soak in mineral-rich waters while taking in views of the city and the Alps.

While you can book spa treatments like massages ahead of time, the mineral springs are not available for advanced reservations. They are open every day from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and the best thing to do is to check the “Current Occupancy” link on the official website’s home page to see how crowded the pools below or the rooftops thermal baths are. Admission to the baths is CHF 39 ($42), with additional fees for spa treatments.

Address: Brandschenkestrasse 150, 8002 Zurich

Hot springs in Switzerland: FORTYSEVEN Thermal Spa, Baden

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Baden, Switzerland, was one of the places those Roman soldiers first went — since it has the most mineral-rich springs in the country, and a whopping 18 of them at that. The waters at Baden are rich in sulfur, which is said to heal skin conditions and relieve sore muscles. Today, you can choose from several locations in Baden to experience these waters for yourself.

One of the newer places in Baden is FORTYSEVEN, an architecturally appealing spa perched over the Limmat River. Here the natural hot springs are a tingly 117 degrees Fahrenheit — or 47 degrees Celsius, the source of the spa’s name. You can enjoy these hot waters in both indoor and outdoor pools, followed by some time in the sauna.

It’s at this point that we need to warn you that, while you wear swimsuits to enter the hot spring pools, saunas and steam rooms in Switzerland are generally entered in the buff. In fact, entering a sauna with naked people while you’re wearing a swimsuit is considered impolite (voyeuristic, even). If this is a problem for you, FORTYSEVEN offers saunas with swimsuits or no swimsuits, as well as a ladies-only saunas. Admission is CHF 39 ($42) weekdays and CHF 42 ($45) on weekends.

Address: Grosse Bäder 1, 5400 Baden

Hot springs in Switzerland: Leukerbad-Therme, Leukerbad

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If you’re traveling to Switzerland with kids, Leukerbad-Therme is the place to turn them on to the virtues of mineral springs, since Leukerbad has slides, as well as a children’s pool and a kiddie pool. But Leukerbad-Therme has a lot more than elaborate pool slides. It has ten differently styled thermal pools in all, varying in temperature from almost cool to quite hot. Adults will appreciate places like its stone grotto with very minerally water and warm temperatures that will really make you sweat. Many of the pools have jets to massage muscles.

You’ll also find an assortment of saunas and steam rooms that you must enter naked. At Leukerbad, that is the rule. If you aren’t comfortable with that, stick to the pools, where you can wear your bathing suit. If you only want to experience the thermal baths, it’s CHF 28 ($30) for three hours, or CHF 35 ($38) for the entire day. The steam and sauna rooms, which are normally included at other places, are an additional CHF 10 ($11). You could also opt just for the saunas for CHF 28 ($20) — but why would you pass on these baths?

Address: Zentrum 1, 6356 Rigi Kaltbad

Hot springs in Switzerland: Walliser Alpentherme & Spa, Leukerbad

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Also in Leukerbad, you’ll find the Walliser Alpentherme, which is right in the mountains. The indoor and outdoor pools are all fed by thermal springs. If you aren’t traveling with kids, the pools here may be more your speed — there are no colorful slides. Instead, you’ll just have jaw dropping views of mountain peaks. Prices start at CHF 33 ($36).

Address: Dorfplatz 1, 3954 Leukerbad

Hot springs in Switzerland: Mineralbad & Spa, Samedan

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As we noted above, St. Moritz was a destination for its hot springs long before it was a ski resort. Samedan is a town just outside of St. Moritz, and its spa is a coveted destination both in summer and in winter, when skiers come to rest their weary legs in the mineral waters. And the waters here are perfect for that, seeing as they are high in sulfur and come up from the ground 115 feet below.

Operated by the same group that runs Zurich’s Hürlimann spa, the Samedan Mineral pools and spa are also located in the heart of town. You can wander through the different indoor pools, in rooms decorated with different tile patterns, and then finish up at the rooftop pool with its Alpine vistas. A day pass here is CHF 39 ($45).

Address: San Bastiaun 3, 7503 Samedan

Hot springs in Switzerland: Mineralbad & Spa, Rigi Kaltbad, Lucerne

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For some of the best views from any mineral springs, come to Rigi Kaltbad — located on Mount Rigi, offering vistas of the Alps and of Lake Lucerne, a serpentine body of water that is one of the most photogenic lakes in a country full of them. You’ll enjoy views through the windows of indoor pools and from outdoor pools as well.

The term “Kaltbad” in the name means “cold pool,” as the waters at Rigi were long known to be mineral-rich, but not very hot. Today, though, the water is heated by burning locally sourced wood. There are also steam rooms, an herbal spa, and indoor and outdoor relaxation areas. A pass to all of these steam baths and pools is CHF 38 ($41).
Address: Zentrum 1, 6356 Rigi Kaltbad

Hot springs in Switzerland: Termali Salini & Spa, Locarno

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If some of Switzerland’s springs are rich in sulfur, the ones here are naturally high in salt — fed by the rock salt deposits that seep down from within the mountains. In addition to several indoor and outdoor pools, all at different temperatures, the Termali Salini & Spa also features Turkish baths and the option to indulge in massages or other treatments. There is even a regular swimming pool where you can get your exercise in before spending the next few hours just luxuriating.

Besides the chance to enjoy a natural saltwater pool nowhere near the ocean, two other things make this spa special. One is the breathtaking views of the Lago Maggiore on which the town of Locarno is located, and the other is being in the only Italian region of Switzerland, where the vibe is just a little more chill. A pass for the day is about CHF 35 ($38).

Address: Via G. Respini 7, 6600 Locarno

Hot springs in Switzerland: Tamina Therme, Bad Ragaz

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The Tamina Therme spa warms visitors with 98-degree waters from the Pfäfers spring, whose healing properties were first documented almost 800 years ago. Today, the Tamina Therme public spa has a beautiful outdoor pool, as well as indoor spaces within its stunningly designed building — with massive ceilings and huge ovate windows. Lush greenery presents itself in summer, as does plenty of snow in winter, while beyond the garden lie the mountains. You’ll also find a series of attractive saunas, some made from marble, others from special Nordic wood. Spa treatments are also available, as are infusions with aromatherapy, meditative music, or other relaxation methods. A two-hour pass during the week is CHF 32 ($34.50), and CHF 39 ($42) on weekends.

Address: Hans Albrecht-Strasse, 7310 Bad Ragaz

Hot springs in Switzerland: Bogn Engiadina, Scuol

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The Scuol area is packed with mineral springs that have been drawing visitors for centuries. The outdoor mineral pool provides you with views of jagged mountain peaks while inside you can enjoy a brine pool, an indoor jacuzzi pool, and grottos that provide cold and hot water plunges. You can also visit the solarium, steam rooms, dry saunas, and even a sauna where you are allowed to wear your swimsuit.

The name Bogn Engiadina means Engadine Pools, referring to the Engadine area where they are located, in Romansh. Romansh is a Romance language that is Switzerland’s fourth official language (along with German, French, and Italian) and which is the main tongue of this region. Scuol is a stunning area right next to Switzerland’s only national park. So, after all of these soothing soaks, you can keep the relaxed state of mind going with some forest bathing in the Swiss National Park in the Engadine. A three-hour pass is about CHF34 ($37) and a day pass is CHF48 ($52).

Address: Via dals Bogns 323, 7550 Scuol

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A Full Breakdown of Lake Tahoe’s 13 Ski Resorts

For most, the area split between California and Nevada collectively known as Lake Tahoe is known for, well, Lake Tahoe. But this region isn’t just a one-season paradise. The mountains surrounding the Lake Tahoe basin are home to a handful of ski resorts offering an incredible range of terrain and experiences for snow-lovers. So many, in fact, it might be hard to choose where would be best for you to hit the slopes.

To help point you in the right direction, check out this breakdown of the 13 major ski resorts around Lake Tahoe and how to choose which is the best fit for shredding safely all winter long.

North Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts

North Lake Tahoe should probably be called “northern Lake Tahoe” as it’s a collective term for all the small towns on the north shore of the lake –unlike the southern shore of the lake, which has a town officially called “South Lake Tahoe.”

Palisades Tahoe

Photo: Suzie Dundas

Closest town: Truckee, CASkiable acres: 6,000Known for: The famous KT-22 lift, large base village, upper mountain learning area, extremely long season

The most well-known resort in the area, Palisades Tahoe was home to the 1960 Winter Olympics and boasts the classic base village many visitors look for in a Lake Tahoe ski resort. It’s been known by several nicknames over the years in homage to the pros and amateurs who love to show off on the famous slopes, Palisades is home to not just a slew of Olympians, but the notorious KT-22 lift (which many, including the late pro skier Shane McConkey, title “the greatest lift in America.”)

Experts aren’t the only ones who will love Palisades, though. The upper mountain has beginner terrain, meaning that after a tram ride, new skiers get the opportunity to experience learning how to ski with breathtaking, high mountain views. Palisades is less about defined groomers and more about big bowls and ridgelines so you can sort of choose your own route down. Of course, it grooms plenty of terrain for skiers who aren’t comfortable off-piste.

On any average snow year, Palisades Tahoe will always be open into June on weekends, though in recent years, it’s gone into July. Granted, it’s not epic skiing when it’s slushy and 65, but skiing in a T-shirt and slapping high-fives with folks who come down behind you is a pretty fun way to spend a June morning.

Alpine MeadowsClosest town: Tahoe City, CASkiable acres: 2,400Known for: Relaxed and fun vibe, hike-to terrain, Ice Bar

With the opening of a new base-to-base gondola in December of 2022, Alpine Meadows is now physically connected to Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort. With no base area to speak of, save for a cafeteria and a ski shop/old-school ski bar, Alpine Meadows retains an old, soulful-ski feel and has a more relaxed atmosphere than Palisades. Alpine Meadows is home to all levels of terrain, including hike-to and side-country skiing, and on pow days, fresh snow can still be found later in the day. Even better, the backside of Alpine is home to Ice Bar, the perfect spot to hang out with friends and have a drink with some epic views. Alpine Meadows also has a high-speed, top-to-bottom chair (Summit Chair), perfect for doing some hot laps if you’re limited on time.

Diamond Peak

Photo: Diamond Peak /Chris Bartkowski

Closest town: Incline Village, NVSkiable acres: 665Known for: Great progression areas, epic view of Lake Tahoe, ‘Last Tracks’

Diamond Peak is known for its sweeping views of Lake Tahoe, making it a favorite for visitors and locals alike. A dedicated learning area for kids and the fact that they offer some of the most affordable lessons in the area make Diamond Peak an especially great choice for families and beginners. And it’s known for good progression terrain: easy blues and easy blacks to help skiers and riders just starting to get to the next level. That said, it does have some steep terrain if you take a left off the top life.

One of the best draws is Diamond Peak’s “Last Tracks” event, where skiers and riders ski to the renowned (and lakeview) Snowflake Lodge Deck at for a wine or craft beer tasting and appetizers, then make a last run down some freshly groomed corduroy at sunset. You’ll need to buy your ticket in advance.

Northstar CaliforniaClosest town: Truckee, CASkiable acres: 3,170Known for: Family-oriented, great groomers, a bit bougie, s’mores at 4 PM

Northstar is a large, family-friendly resort that offers some of the best-groomed slopes in Tahoe, along with a picturesque base area. Home to events year-round, Northstar is a great vacation spot for families looking to stay at their Lake Tahoe ski resort of choice as Northstar has ample hotels, restaurants, spas, an ice-skating rink in the village, and complimentary s’mores at 4 PM.

Northstar is known locally as being for wealthier visitors, especially as the Ritz-Carlton adding a bit of bougie flair to the area. The resort’s grooming is well-known by everyone for being quite good, from older skiers to park rippers, and Northstar is currently home to one of the only half pipes in the Tahoe area. To Northstar’s credit, it does have some excellent expert and tree runs off the backside, plus two sections of sometimes-open backcountry terrain for some side-piste action.

Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe

Photo: Dominic Gentilcore PhD/Shutterstock

Closest town: Incline Village, NVSkiable acres: 1,200Known for: Close to Reno, mom-and-pop vibes, early season-opening, highest base elevation

With a base at 8,260 feet, Mt. Rose is the highest-elevation Lake Tahoe ski resort. That means colder temps and more snow early season, allowing Mt. Rose usually to open a bit earlier than other nearby resorts. It’s been open on Halloween multiple years.

A mere 28-minute drive from Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Mt. Rose is easily accessible to Reno residents with the mom-and-pop resort feeling many love. The Mt. Rose Chutes offer some of the longest vertical terrain in a North American resort, with a vertical drop of more than 1,000 feet over a steep 40-to-45 degrees; the chutes are certainly for experienced skiers only. Overall, Mt. Rose is a great option for locals in Reno or visiting tourists looking for a fun, mom-and-pop ski resort experience close to the city. It’s also close to Diamond Peak, if you want to visit two Lake Tahoe ski resorts in one trip.

Sugar Bowl ResortClosest town: Norden, CA (or Truckee)Skiable acres: 1,650Known for: Historical hotel at the base, wide range of terrain, lingering pow, historic gondola

For many, Sugar Bowl is a magical unicorn. With terrain for beginners and advanced riders alike, it’s one mountain where skiers and riders of every level will be stoked after a day on the hill. The base may not have a ski village, but the special Tahoe terrain many come looking for is abundant. Mellow greens and plenty of groomed blues make on-piste riding a hoot. And since the challenging and technical riding gets tracked out slower (Sugar Bowl isn’t as accessible as other Tahoe resorts), and you can’t see the entire resort in one look, it’s usually possible to still find untouched pow a few days after storms.

The resort isn’t the only compelling reason to visit Sugar Bowl, though. A newly renovated hotel at the base means you can wake up slopeside, and you’ll get there via the historic Sugar Bowl Gondola – the West Coast’s first ski gondola, dating to 1939 (don’t worry: it’s had some updates). And for more icing on the cake, Sugar Rush Tubing and the Royal Gorge Cross-country Ski Area are just a few minutes away, in case you have folks in your group looking for non-ski winter recreation.

Boreal Mountain

Photo: Boreal/Woodwrd Tahoe

Closest town: Norden, CA (or Truckee)Skiable acres: 380Known for: Easy access, home to Woodward Tahoe, big tubbing area, park skiing/riding

Just off Interstate 80 (seriously, you can see it from the road) and only 10-15 minutes from Truckee, Boreal Mountain is extremely accessible and well-known for being home to Woodward. Woodward is essentially a park and camp, so if you’re looking to hit jumps or rails, this is where you want to learn. They also have trampolines, foam pits, and an indoor skate park.

Boreal is great for skiing and playing around on the slopes, but it’s also home to the well-known Tahoe Tubing hill. It also has cheaper lift tickets, some good midweek deals, and is about 30 minutes closer to Sacramento than every other resort in town (save for Sugar Bowl, which probably only adds another 15 minutes or so). It’s small, but if you just want an affordable Lake Tahoe ski resort for playing around for a day, it’s a good choice.

Tahoe DonnerClosest town: Truckee, CASkiable acres: 120Known for: being the best place to learn to ski or ride

Tahoe Donner takes the phrase “the place to begin” to heart. As the smallest of the Lake Tahoe ski resorts, Tahoe Donner is the ultimate family-friendly location for parents looking to take their kids skiing or adults looking to learn. With uncrowded runs and gentle beginner terrain, Tahoe Donner specializes in teaching kids and adults who have never touched a ski. Viewed as sort of a “locals secret” (or at least second home-owners secret), Tahoe Donner is an ideal place for families who aren’t hardcore skiers to enjoy time on the slopes together as a family.

Donner Ski Ranch

Photo: Donner Ski Ranch

Closest town: Norden, CA (or Truckee)Skiable acres: 500Known for: Historic feeling, inexpensive, family owned

(Yes, another resort named after the infamous Donner Party. There’s a lot in Truckee named after them).

Donner Ski Ranch is last but certainly not least on the list of northern Lake Tahoe ski resorts. Generally considered one of the most nostalgic and unique ski experiences in Tahoe, Donner Ski Ranch opened in 1937 and is truly a slice of ski history.

One of the last family-owned ski resorts in the area, Donner Ski Ranch is extremely inexpensive compared to most resorts (weekday tickets start at just $59). Affordable lessons and a fun, heartwarming vibe paired with a historical perspective make Donner Ski Ranch a favorite of many locals, many of whom likely learned to ski there. And locals and visitors alike are usually mingling at the fun dive bar and restaurant at the base, making it an ideal resort for families or beginner groups looking to learn in a low-key, low-stress environment.

South Lake Tahoe ski resorts

Many of the resorts below are in the southern Lake Tahoe area, not necessarily the town of South Lake Tahoe – but the moniker “South Lake Tahoe ” is often used to describe the entire area, regardless.

Heavenly Mountain Resort

Photo: Larry Zhou/Shutterstock

Closest town: South Lake Tahoe, CASkiable acres: 4,800Known for: Skiing between state lines, late-night party vibes, highest elevation lift in Tahoe

If you’re looking for a perfect place to head on a bachelor/bachelorette trip and explore a resort for a few days, Heavenly is for you. In South Lake Tahoe, Heavenly has the highest lift (and thus highest skiable terrain) in Tahoe, serviced by the Sky Express lift at 10,040 feet above sea level.
Heavenly is spread between Nevada and California, meaning, yes, you can ski from one state to another. And you’ll have beautiful views when doing so, with Tahoe on one side and desert on the other.

With easy access and a considerable variety of walkable accommodations, Heavenly’s location in South Lake Tahoe makes it a good choice for social trips. South Lake Tahoe has plenty of restaurants and bars, but its neighbor Stateline, Nevada, offers casinos (and more lax drinking rules) for those looking to try their luck into the night. Since it tends to attract the “casino and partying” crowd a bit more, it’s easy to find hidden pow stashes in the trees after a storm, earning it an award for the most undervalued tree skiing of any Lake Tahoe ski resorts.

Sierra-at-TahoeClosest town: Twin Bridges, CA (or South Lake Tahoe)Skiable acres: 2,000Known for: Recently reopened after forest fires, stoke is always high, friendly, everyone-belongs atmosphere

The lesser-known Sierra-at-Tahoe is special to many Tahoe residents because of the recent wildfire that ravaged the resort, along with the immense amount of work that went into reopening the slopes. Not only does Sierra-at-Tahoe boasts runs for every ability and genuinely friendly vibes, but Olympic gold and silver medalist snowboarder Hannah Teter says Sierra-at-Tahoe has the “best powder in Tahoe.”

If you’re looking to hoot and holler along with strangers on a pow day and want a Lake Tahoe ski resort where employees know folks by name, Sierra at Tahoe is the place to be. Just keep in mind that it’s a bit of a drive – it’s only 17 miles from South Lake Tahoe, but winter weather and occasional chain control can make the drive take longer than you’d expect.

Homewood Mountain Resort

Photo: Suzie Dundas

Closest town: Homewood, CASkiable acres: 1,260Known for: Change ‘a-comin, great views, tree skiing

Homewood Mountain Resort announced plans to become a “lifetime membership club” in the next few years. It hasn’t gone into detail on what that means, but it’s likely it’ll be semi-private, kind of like the luxurious Yellowstone Club, with passes available to a select group of permanent residents. So if you want to ski it, you should go now. The small parking lot means you need to get there early, but it also means there aren’t usually too many skiers on the hill – which, by the way, has views that make it look like you’re going to ski directly into the lake (which you could, if you send it through the parking lot). It also has excellent intermediate tree skiing off the back.

Kirkwood Mountain ResortClosest town: Kirkwood, CASkiable acres: 2,300Known for: Great advanced terrain, a bit further from the Tahoe area, deep pow

Kirkwood is a local’s favorite. About a 45-minute drive from South Lake Tahoe, Kirkwood is more removed from the other lake Tahoe ski resorts, equating to fewer folks hitting the slopes. The second-highest resort in the Tahoe area, Kirkwood is known for some of the best snowfall in the area and the extreme terrain (they even host a Freeride World Qualifier event).
Kirkwood does have its own beginner area, but it’s best known for its off-piste gullies, snake runs, chutes, and cliffs. Almost 60 percent of Kirkwood’s terrain is rated advanced, so don’t be surprised when you look at the trail map and it’s mostly covered in blue and black runs.

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Does Duolingo Actually Work? I Went To Belgium To Find Out After a 90-Day Lesson Streak

The first time I downloaded the language-learning app Duolingo, I was about two weeks out from a trip to Portugal. I was surprised to see an icon for the Brazilian flag representing the Portuguese course, even though Brazil’s population outnumbers Portugal’s by more than 2,000 percent, but I figured the basics of Brazilian and European Portuguese would be the same.

I figured wrong. When I got to Lisbon, simple phrases like “good morning” and “good afternoon” were pronounced so differently than the app had accustomed me to hearing them that it took me a couple of days to register the words. Other times, random words like “abacaxi” that I’d managed to memorize during my brief study were met with raised eyebrows, not because I had a tendency to shoehorn them into conversation but because, in that particular example, “ananás” is the more common word for “pineapple” in Portugal.

The experience left me with a couple of questions: How far in advance of a trip should travelers start studying Duolingo, and how well does Duolingo work when the destination you’re traveling to is different from the destination that was used as a reference point for your language course? So, when I got the opportunity to spend four days in Belgium after studying Duolingo French for three months this past summer, I jumped at the chance to find out.

How well does Duolingo actually work?

Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, the native language of about 60 percent of Belgians; French, the mother tongue of around 40 percent of Belgians; and German, which is spoken natively by less than one percent of the population. I chose to visit Brussels, the primarily French-speaking capital, because I remembered some French from a stint I spent in Paris years ago, and I was curious to see how closely Duolingo’s French course translated to the French I’d heard in France versus the French I’d hear in Belgium.

First, I needed some serious practice. Duolingo’s placement exam confirmed just how much French I’d forgotten in the decade since I stopped hearing it regularly. I was placed in Unit 3 of 199 and pledged to spend 15 minutes per day studying for 90 consecutive days.

By day five, I was hooked. I was translating sentences at breakfast, practicing my pronunciation at crosswalks, and listening to short dialogues before bed. Once, during a cabin trip to Northern California, I walked a mile into town and back to get enough internet access to complete that day’s lesson. Though I never got invested in gamification tactics like leaderboards and badges, I chased the daily dopamine hit of watching my lesson streak grow.

If the first measure of a language-learning app is user retention, Duolingo succeeds by presenting itself more like entertainment than a chore.

The second measure, of course, is efficacy.

When I landed in Brussels, I was eager to continue my learning streak in real life. The “getting around” theme of the very first Duolingo French unit I studied had equipped me with the vocabulary needed to hail a taxi at the airport. A later unit involving prepositions helped me explain to my driver, Jan, that I was going to Hotel Indigo in the city center between the botanical gardens and Place Charles Rogier. I’d practiced a few times in the taxi line.

Photo: Alex Bresler

The first sign of trouble came when Jan mumbled something about a “fête nationale” when we hit traffic near the city center. We’d spent the ride chatting. He asked where I was from (“Je viens de San Francisco”) and if it was my first time in Belgium (“Oui, c’est ma première visite”). I explained that I was learning French. He assured me that it was good, albeit not good enough to follow his tirade against Belgian governance when road closure due to it being Belgium’s National Day disrupted our route. Duolingo hadn’t prepared me for that.

This is how the majority of my interactions went. I’d order moules-frites at a restaurant as the app had instructed but then stumble through small talk as the waiter tried running my card through a broken card reader. At the Magritte Museum, I opted to use the French audio guide to learn about the surrealist Belgian artist but realistically only understood a third of his biography.

Photo: Alex Bresler

Talking with locals, if I had the vocabulary to express a complex idea, I often lacked the grammatical structure to present it, and vice versa. My most successful conversations were with an Argentinian expat I met in a cafe who’d recently moved to Belgium and was himself still learning French because we followed the same beginner’s rubric, mine from Duolingo, his from the in-person lessons he’d been taking.

This is perhaps the greatest challenge language-learning apps face: No matter how many probable real-world scenarios users are exposed to, there’s no accounting for the flow of actual, unpredictable, yet totally normal encounters.

Duolingo’s latest conversation-based exercises work to remedy this practicality pitfall. A lot has changed since the first time I used the app. Lessons now guide readers down a “learning path” rather than a “learning tree.” The content is similar but with a greater focus on audio exercises, short stories, and “spaced repetition” to re-expose users to concepts throughout their study.

These new narrative exercises achieved something no textbook I’ve thumbed has been able to accomplish: familiarize me with the cadence of a language and ease the shock of conversation when it came to speaking out loud. Duolingo got me in the habit of reaching for French words rather than English ones, and it gave me the confidence to use them with native speakers.

According to Cindy Blanco, a senior learning specialist at Duolingo whom I chatted with before my trip, that’s the Duolingo promise — not fluency but foundation.

“What Duolingo wants to do is give you a really solid foundation that you can take with you anywhere,” she explained when I’d asked how helpful the French course would be outside of France. (In the end, Belgian French proved nearly indistinguishable to Parisian French to my ear—until I tried buying a baguette, or “pain français” in Brussels, as I learned.)

No language is static, Blanco explains, whether influenced by dialect or slang, like the “TikTok French” you might hear today. “So what’s really important is to build this flexible foundation so that when your super cool TikTok waiter at the Parisian cafe says something you don’t know, you can say in French, ‘Wait, wait, wait, what do you mean there.’ You can negotiate that way … with the vocabulary or context clues to be able to figure it out … in Quebec or Congo.”

And that’s exactly what happened. In four days of attempting to speak exclusively French in Brussels, I only defaulted to using English a few times when interactions got away from me. And that, for me, is a measure of success.

When should you start studying Duolingo before a trip?

It’s hard to say how quickly Duolingo’s lessons morph into conversationalism. Different learners and languages are going to produce different results. One thing became clear to me after my short-lived Portuguese lessons though: You’re not going to learn much of a language in a couple of weeks.

Blanco recommends building the app into your travel planning early on. “I think one good way to think about it is [to start practicing] once you’ve purchased the plane tickets. You want flights, you want accommodation, maybe you start looking into tours, start learning the language … You get your visa, you get your passport, you get your language.”

Unless you tend toward spontaneous trips, that should give you at least a few months to hammer in the basics. And if my experience is anything to go by, a few months of Duolingo lessons is plenty to get you eagerly practicing your language of choice in real life.

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Indonesia’s Nusa Penida Island Is the Perfect Escape From Bali’s Crowds

Penida Island is a dream destination for travelers, and Nusa Penida is its iconic point. Located off the coast of Bali, Indonesia, it offers stunning views, gorgeous beaches, and plenty of activities to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for sun-soaked relaxation or an adventure-filled holiday, Nusa Penida Island has something to suit, with striking sunset views and a lack of Bali’s crowds to boot. The below video outlines the experience of Nusa Penida.

What to do at Nusa Penida and around the Island

Nusa Penida Island is the ideal spot for a fun-filled holiday. From snorkeling and scuba diving to exploring the hidden beaches, coves, and caves along its craggy coastline. For those looking for some relaxation, lounging on the white sand beach or soaking up the sun while cruising around in a traditional boat are both popular activities.

Much like Bali, there are plenty of yoga classes available as well as spa treatments and massages. Nusa Penida Island is full of cultural sites to explore. The ancient Pura Giri Putri Temple is a popular spot for both locals and tourists alike, as it dates back to the 11th century. This stunning temple complex offers stunning views over the island plus plenty of history to learn about.

Top restaurants and cafes on Penida Island

Enjoying a delicious meal while taking in the views of Nusa Penida is a must-do. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants near the iconic viewpoint to choose from, serving up delicious local dishes as well as international cuisine. Wahyu Atuh Beach Warung is one of the most popular spots on the island, serving up traditional nasi campur, sate ayam, nasi goreng, and more. For something different, try Sundara Beach Café which specializes in seafood dishes with fresh catches delivered daily from fishing boats around the island.

Slaza Penida Restaurant & Bar is a great spot for sunset cocktails and local nosh. Located near the beach, it’s super popular with both tourists and locals alike. If you’re looking for something more laidback, head to Warung Nusa – an open-air cafe serving up delicious nasi campur and fresh coconut water.

Best Hotels on Penida Island

We hope you love the Nusa Penida hotels we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Atalaya Villas

Photo: Booking.com

The Atalaya Villas is another excellent choice for travelers to Nusa Penida Island. Each villa is equipped with a private pool, terrace, and fully-equipped kitchenette. Plus, guests can enjoy stunning views of the crystal blue water and lush greenery from their balconies.

Room prices at Atalaya Villas can be expensive, often starting at $230 per night, and the staff is friendly and helpful. There are also plenty of activities to choose from such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and fishing.

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MAUA Nusa Penida

Photo: Booking.com

MAUA Nusa Penida is a chic and modern stay located in the village of Jungut Batu. This boutique hotel has a variety of rooms to choose from, each with its own private terrace. Enjoy stunning views of the ocean and mountains from your room’s balcony or relax with a massage in their on-site spa.

The cheapest room at MAUA Nusa Penida is the Standard Room which starts from $118 per night. It includes a king-sized bed and a private balcony with views of the ocean. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping services, and complimentary breakfast for all guests.

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PED Cottage Nusa Penida

Photo: Booking.com

For a more affordable stay on Nusa Penida Island, there’s PED Cottage. This family-run guesthouse is located in the village of Jungut Batu and offers basic but comfortable rooms at prices that start from $27 per night. All of the rooms feature air conditioning, free Wi-Fi access, and private bathrooms with hot water.

The hotel also provides guests with plenty of activities to choose from such as snorkeling trips or fishing tours. The helpful staff at PED Cottage can help you arrange any kind of excursion you’re looking for.

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13 Hotels and Resorts Where You Can Watch Wildlife From the Property

If you love creatures great and small, one of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in the animal kingdom is in a hotel that puts your right new the wildlife. For example, all of the rooms at The Cape, a Thompson Hotel in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, include a pair of binoculars so guests can whale watch from the comfort of their king-size beds. Meanwhile, guests staying in the panoramic suites (picture 180-degrees of floor-to-ceiling glass walls) are treated to “enhanced telescopes.”

That’s not to say that high-powered optics are required, however. A property might have a resident bison herd as its welcome committee, a flock of friendly flamingos photobombing on the reg, or even an adolescent elephant thinking it’s cool to drink from the pool. Why not? After all, it’s an animal’s world. We’re just living in it. From Alaska to Africa, these 13 hotels and resorts allow you to binge-watch wildlife to your heart’s content.

Puku Ridge in Zambia

Photo: Puku Ridge

Opened in 2020, Puku Ridge is the premier luxury property in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. Unlike other safari lodges, it has its own on-site hide, right below the restaurant, where guests can sit in the comfort of the structure and photograph the wildlife that frequent Puku Ridge’s watering hole. Depending on the time of the day, it’s either predator or prey. Rates start around $1,000 per night.

Puku Ridge: RPQ8+F4R, South Luangwa National Park, 10101, Zambia

Old Mondoro in Zambia

Photo: Old Mondoro

There are only five chalets at this intimate camp built along the banks of the Zambezi River, so you won’t run into many other guests. But the chance of encountering the camp’s resident trespassers, especially elephants, is pretty dang near 99 percent. If you time it just right, you can do your business on Old Mondoro’s famous “loo with a view” and watch an entire herd of elephants cross the crocodile-infested river. Rates start around $1,100 per person, per night.

Old Mondoro: 9MCR+4MC, Lower Zambezi National Park, Rufunsa, Zambia

Sussurro in Mozambique

Photo: Sussurro

The lagoon that Sussurro fronts is a popular breeding ground for the elusive dugong, an African manatee that’s the least studied manatee in the world. Guests at this design-forward boutique hotel can also spot dolphins and sea turtles from the property’s open-air yoga deck. There’s also excellent bird watching if you venture into the nearby mangroves. Rates start at $686 per person, per night.

Sussurro: Interior of Nhamabue peninsula, accessible by appointment only

Savute Safari Lodge by Desert & Delta in Botswana

Photo: Savute Safari Lodge, Desert & Delta Safaris

This luxury safari lodge in Chobe National Park, the country’s first national park, is elephant central. Thanks to the watering hole in front of the lodge, guests can watch the world’s largest land mammals, African elephants, from the comfort of the deck, pool, and dining area. The lodge is run by Desert & Delta, the safari company behind Africa’s first all-female guiding team. Rates start at $615 per person, per night.

Savute Safari Lodge: C3P4+7XC, Savuti, Botswana

Pondoro Game Lodge in South Africa

Photo: Pondoro Game Lodge

The exercise machines in the fitness center at Pondoro Game Lodge don’t have TVs. But they don’t need them. While running on the treadmill or taking a spin on the bike, guests can be entertained by baboons and bushbuck foraging in front of the floor-to-ceiling glass doors. Elephants, giraffes, waterbuck and monkeys are also regularly seen from camp. Rates start around $700 per night.

Pondoro Game Lodge: Balule Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger National Park, Hoedspruit, 1380, South Africa

The Resort at Paws Up in Montana

Photo: The Resort at Paws Up / Stuart Thurlkill

At 37,000 acres, The Resort at Paws Up in western Montana is so massive it markets itself as a private national park. Guests at this five-star ranch-meets-resort located south of Glacier National Park regularly see elk and deer, and see occasionally bears, too. Guests also have almost a 100 percent chance of seeing the property’s resident herd of 200 bison. Rates start around $1,600 per night.

The Resort at Paws Up: 40060 Paws Up Rd, Greenough, MT 59823

Anantara Golden Triangle in Thailand

Photo: Anantara Golden Triangle

Come for the transparent-walled bubble rooms with king-sized beds, stay for the animals. At this jungle resort in northern Thailand, guests enjoy ample time spent with the property’s happy herd of free-roaming rescued elephants. In their former lives, these majestic mammals were forced to work in shows and illegal logging operations. If you fall in love with one, but you can sponsor it Rates start at $1,140 per night for up to four guests.

Anantara Golden Triangle: 229, Tambon Wiang, Amphoe Chiang Saen, Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57150, Thailand

Turtle Bay Resort in Hawaii

Photo: Turtle Bay Resort

“World class” best describes the wildlife viewing at this family-friendly resort on the island of Oahu. Here, guests can see curious turtles, sunbathing seals, and breaching whales year-round. Turtle Bay Resort is a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration partner, so guests visiting during peak humpback whale season can volunteer to help count the massive mammals. Rates start at $688 per night.

Turtle Bay Resort: 57-091 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731

Parc Omega in Quebec

Photo: Gaëlle Leroyer

The aptly named wolf cabins at Parc Omega offer some of the world’s best wolf-watching, all from the comfort of a deluxe log cabin’s bay windows. Parc Omega bills itself as a large preservation of natural spaces where wild animals — including gray wolves, black wolves, and arctic wolves — cohabitate in their natural environments. Rates start at $415 per night.

Parc Omega: 399 QC-323, Montebello, QC J0V 1L0, Canada

Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort in Aruba

Photo: Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort

You may not be allowed to feed the bears in Yellowstone, but you are allowed to feed the wild flamingos living at Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort. These pretty pink birds are year-round island residents that enjoy posing for photos and drinking out of the resort’s freshwater pools. Staff members are trained on how to protect them and keep them wild despite their penchant for being hand fed. Rates start at $273 per night.

Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort: L.G. Smith Blvd 82, Oranjestad, Aruba

Marival Armony in Mexico

Photo: Marival Armony

One perk of staying at this adults-only all-inclusive waterfront resort in Punta Mita is the chance to see (often, from your own balcony) humpback whales who inhabit nearby Banderas Bay. They come by the hundreds, and if your goal is to observe their entertaining courtship rituals – males will knock heads and slap their tails to get a female’s attention – visit between December and March. Rates start at $250 per person per night.

Marival Armony: Carretera a, Playa Destiladeras km 8.3, 63729 Punta Mita, Nay., Mexico

Salmon Falls Resort in Alaska

Photo: Salmon Falls Resort

It’s not uncommon to see whales – both humpbacks and orcas – from the restaurant and deck at Salmon Falls Resort. The property is situated at the southernmost entrance to Alaska’s legendary Inside Passage, and the nearest town, Ketchikan, is considered the “Salmon Capital of the World.” In other words, the fishing is out of this world. Visit between May and September for the best whale watching and salmon-catching. Rates start at $400 per night.

Salmon Falls Resort: 16707 N Tongass Hwy. Ketchikan, AK 99901

Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort, in Peru

Photo: Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort

This five-star Pacific-front property in central Peru is just a two-hour drive from the bustling city of Lima, but it feels a world away — especially if you’re into wildlife. While you can see plenty of tropical and subtropical birds from the pool, the highlight for many guests is taking the short boat ride to the nearby Islas Ballestas. Basically a junior varsity version of the Galapagos, these islets boast everything from Peruvian boobies to Humboldt penguins. Rates start at $200 per night.

Hotel Paracas: Paracas S/N, Paracas 11550, Peru

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How to visit the Blue Cave in Greece

The Greek islands are already well known for their deep blue, clear waters, white sands, and hidden coves. If you’re looking for a deeper exploration of the waters surrounding the Greek islands, you might want to seek out a hidden swimming spot in one of Greece’s blue caves. While there are many caves that swimmers can explore, the island of Kastellorizo has one the most secluded blue caves in Greece, known as the Kastellorizo blue cave.

The Kastellorizo blue cave has two extraordinary features: First, the entrance is so small that it’s barely visible from the outside. Secondly, the way that the sunlight that can reach the inside of the cave reflects off the water turns the stone walls a deep, almost otherworldly shade of blue. In Greek, the cave is known as phokialí, or seal’s refuge.

Getting inside the cave isn’t easy, so you need to be a determined adventurer to make it work – you also might not want to attempt it if you’re claustrophobic. The entrance is about three feet high, meaning most adults will have to lay flat in the boat or hunch over completely just to make their way inside the grotto. Because the entrance is so small, the seas need to be calm before you can make the trip.

Once you get inside though, the views are worth it: The translucent dark blue of water and cave walls is astonishing to behold, and the high ceiling of the cave makes it resemble a cathedral. That’s why the best time to visit the cave is early in the morning, when the sun is still low.

Visitors can head to Megisti harbor to book a private tour that will take them to the cave. A speed boat will take your group to the cave – just be sure to confirm ahead that you’ll be allowed to hop off the boat and go for a quick swim. Some tours will also drop groups off at the small island of St. George, near Kastellorizo, where they can enjoy a leisurely day swimming before getting picked up again.

What to do in Kastellorizo, Greece

Besides visiting the blue cave, the peaceful island of Kastellorizo is worth taking the time to explore. Like so many other small towns in Europe and the Mediterranean, the cobblestone streets are full of charming detours.

Wander among the pastel blue and yellow mansions set on the hillside, or visit one of the five churches on the island. The alleyways in Kastellorizo are sometimes decorated with vines of pink flowers. Head to the island’s old town neighborhood to the 14th-century Castello Rosso. In fact, if you’re interested in learning more about ancient Greek history, there’s an archeological museum on the island, too.

This is a Mediterranean island after all, so if you want to visit Kastellorizo, plan a day of lounging on the beach, and eating fresh fish, prawns, and octopus.

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How To Plan a Trip To Maya Bay, One of the Most Photogenic Places in Thailand

Part of Phi Phi Leh island, Maya Bay is sheltered by cliffs that shut more than 300 feet into the air. The white sand beach and stunning turquoise waters draw crowds for good reason: Maya Bay is one of the most photogenic places on earth.

Maya Bay was so overrun with tourists, that the Thai government actually closed it down for several years to let the landscape recover. However, it reopened to tourists in 2022.

The beach is only accessible by boat or ferry from Phuket and Krabi, a small town in Southern Thailand that has easy access to the entire Koh Phi Phi Island chain, including Maya Bay, so if you’re planning to visit this beach, you need to start in one of those two places.

Long tail boats (a common type of boat similar to a canoe used to transport tourists throughout Southeast Asia) and speed boats regularly depart for Maya Bay from Phuket and Krabi; the journey from both places is about 90 minutes. These are private tours, which often include lunch, and don’t stop just as Maya Bay but also explore some of the other Koh Phi Phi islands.

These island hopping tours sometimes make as many as eight stops, taking guests to spots like Bamboo Beach and Monkey Beach on Phi Phi Don, the only inhabited island in Koh Phi Phi islands. You can book experiences that include, in addition to a trip to Maya Bay, shark spotting and snorkeling excursions.

Boat tours usually don’t land directly on the main beach at Maya Bay, but at Loh Samay Bay, and require a short walk through the jungle before arriving at the iconic vistas of white stand and turquoise waters. Boats are typically no longer allowed to enter the bay directly thanks to conservation efforts from the Thai government.

Don’t necessarily expect to spend all day at at the bay – most boat tours available to tourists make many stops throughout the islands, so you may only be there for an hour. Though the beach is clean, Maya Bay tends to be crowded. Swimming isn’t even allowed anymore (however dipping your feet in the water is permitted), so you may only want enough time to snap a few pictures of the beach and cliffs before continuing on your journey.

There is an entrance fee – about $6 – and while there are no hotels on Phi Phi Leh island, nearby Phi Phi Don does offer accommodation. Otherwise, when your tour is over, you can return to Krabi or Phuket.

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