5 Winter Wonderland Destinations for Travel Nurses

One of the many perks of being a travel nurse is the opportunity to experience a new destination in a way that goes far beyond a short vacation. If a snowy, winter wonderland is what you have in mind, consider these five destinations recommended by the state-specific recruiters at Health Carousel Travel Nursing.

1. VERMONT

By basing yourself just about anywhere in Vermont this winter, you’ll be minutes from soaring white-capped mountains, icy ponds, and tranquil country scenes that bring Norman Rockwell paintings to life. From Woodstock to Stowe, many of Vermont’s towns are renowned for their warmth and charm, with quintessential covered bridges highlighted under a blanket of glistening snow. Jay Peak, located in the Green Mountains, gets the most snow in the entire Northeast. The outstanding powder and frozen landscape make it a big draw for skiing, snowboarding, and a wealth of other outdoor adventures like snowshoeing, ice skating, and ice fishing. For nurses who love winter sports, Vermont is the place to be.

2. CALIFORNIA

While most people equate the Golden State with beaches and bikinis, Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Mountains area is world-famous for its outstanding skiing and boarding opportunities, home to more than a dozen resorts. If you’re not into whizzing down the slopes, you can always go sledding or tubing, snowmobiling, ice skating, snowshoeing, or even embark on dog sled tours or horse-drawn sleigh rides. When you’re ready to escape the chill, you can enjoy the world-famous entertainment Tahoe offers, from casino gambling to live music and just about everything in between. You’d be hard-pressed to have a boring off day when on a travel assignment in this popular winter destination.

3. WISCONSIN

Winter transforms Wisconsin’s landscape into an endless sea of white, from bigger cities like Milwaukee to the charming small towns of Door County and beyond. In the southeastern city of Lake Geneva, you can look forward to horseback, sleigh, and carriage rides. Near Bayfield, explore the ice caves of the Apostle Islands, a sight to see with winter’s freeze making them accessible along the frozen beach and over lake ice.

4. WEST VIRGINIA

West Virginia offers lots of old fashioned Southern hospitality, and the chance to immerse yourself into a true winter wonderland during the chillier months of the year. The Mountain State is famous for its sky-high slopes, Nordic trails, and multiple ski resorts. Glide down the mountains on skis, tube, explore backcountry beauty, or relive the simple joys of a snow day outside the hospital. Follow up a day of play by indulging in delicious farm-fresh cuisine next to the warmth of a roaring fire.

5. MICHIGAN

Wintertime is playtime in Michigan, from the wooded backcountry with its endless snow-covered paths for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing and thousands of miles of snowmobile trails, to  majestic slopes for skiing. You may even have the chance to test your mushing skills with a dog sled excursion across the pristine unspoiled wilderness. Along the banks of the Great Lakes, the wind occasionally whips the ice into incredible formations that make for a true photographer’s dream, and all that ice—Michigan is home to over 11,000 frozen lakes—is popular for ice fishing. If you’re especially adventurous, try ice climbing. The state’s awe-inspiring icefalls are consistently ranked as some of the best places in the entire nation for the sport.