🏔️ Not All Winter Is the Same

As I’m writing this, my legs are still reminding me of the nearly 100 miles of downhill skiing from my recent trip to the Eastern Townships of Quebec.

Winter, for me, is when everything overlaps. Fat biking. Snowshoeing. Skating. Skiing. Some weekends it feels like all the best options show up at once — and choosing can be the hardest part.

That’s a big reason this bi-weekly newsletter exists: to surface fresh, real-world adventure ideas — tested through the lens of the GTMTB Assistant — so you don’t have to start from scratch.

Which brings me back to New Year’s Day.

We were at a YMCA camp, and one of the afternoon activities was snowshoeing across a frozen lake (the ice was measured for thickness before we went) to a small island. It was equal parts magical and mildly intimidating — there’s something about stepping out onto open ice that sharpens the senses.

So this week’s question:

Can the GTMTB Assistant uncover three standout snowshoe adventures — one in the East, one in the West, and one in the South of the United States?

(I left out Canada. That felt like a low bar in February.)

Let’s see what it comes up with.

P.S. If you haven’t tried the GTMTB Assistant yet, you can open the custom ChatGPT and run your own outdoor challenges. It’s free for subscribers.

👉 Click here to open GTMTB the Assistant. 

— Adam

🥾 EAST: Acadia National Park (Maine)

Carriage Roads (Eagle Lake area)

Why families love it: Wide, groomed carriage roads make winter pacing easy. There’s space for kids to roam, and you can turn this into a simple out-and-back at any distance that fits your crew.

Where to go: Start near Eagle Lake and pick your mileage — 1 to 5 miles works well depending on energy and daylight. With 45 miles of carriage roads, winter options feel endless — and they’re often the park’s most approachable snowshoe terrain.

Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
(Gentle rolling hills. You control the distance.)

Family logistics: Ideal for “little legs.” The firm carriage surface offers better footing than rooty hiking trails, which can be steep or icy in shallow snow. If conditions are mixed, this is the safer, smoother bet.

Official info: Acadia National Park winter visit page

💡 Pro Tip: Pack warm drinks and trail snacks — turn it into a relaxed “winter picnic loop” and let the pace set itself.

🥾 WEST: Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)

Bear Lake → Nymph Lake

Why families love it: Big mountain scenery without a big commitment. You get that classic alpine winter feel almost immediately — and you can turn around whenever the crew has had their fill.

The route: Start at Bear Lake Trailhead and head toward Nymph Lake as a simple out-and-back. It’s one of the park’s most popular winter corridors for good reason — well-traveled, clearly defined, and manageable for families. Depending on conditions, traction devices may be enough; deeper snow may call for snowshoes.

Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
(Short distance with a steady, manageable climb.)

Family logistics: A perfect “starter snowshoe.” Make the lake your destination, take a snack break, then retrace your steps.

Planning help: RMNP’s Bear Lake Winter Trail Guide (PDF)
Trail conditions: RMNP trail conditions page (always check before heading out)

⚠️ Heads up: Winter weekends fill fast at Bear Lake. Arrive early — or build in extra time for parking and shuttle options.

🥾 SOUTH: Great Smoky Mountains National Park (TN/NC)

Kuwohi Road Winter Walk

Why families love it: When snow reaches the Smokies, this is your low-commitment, high-reward play. A scenic mountain road — normally driven — transforms into a wide, open winter playground for walking or snowshoeing.

Where to go: Kuwohi Road (formerly Clingmans Dome Road) operates on a seasonal schedule and often closes to vehicles in winter due to snow and ice. When closed to cars, it becomes an ideal family-friendly snow day route. Walk or snowshoe as far as you’d like, then turn around whenever energy dips.

Difficulty: Easy
(Wide road grade. You control the distance.)

Family logistics: A great option for kids — predictable footing, gradual incline, and no technical trail features. It’s more relaxed than committing to a steeper backcountry route.

Parking note: The Smokies require a parking tag for vehicles stopped longer than 15 minutes — plan ahead.

Road status: Always check the park’s Current Conditions page the morning of your visit for real-time closures.

Snowshoes + Poles (a simple, reliable setup)

If you’re heading out for the first time — or your old gear is showing its age — a basic snowshoe-and-pole combo is all you really need. It’s not complicated.

I’ve been using mine for over 10 years, which tells you something: they last.

Pair them with sturdy winter boots that offer solid arch and ankle support, and you’re good to go. No speciality footwear required — just something warm, supportive, and comfortable for walking a few miles in the snow.

Every trip I write about starts as a question to the GTMTB Assistant — and each article helps refine it a little more.

From the previous 4-part series, a few upgrades:

• Smarter variety: If a destination has already been featured, it now avoids repeats and suggests a fresh alternative.

• Cleaner links: Recommendations default to official homepages (no tracking clutter), with Trailforks or AllTrails as optional references.

The Assistant is designed to get better as it’s used — and the last 4-part series helped sharpen it.

You can use the same custom GPT to plan your own trips anywhere in North America, based on your skill level, time, season, and travel style.

👉 Try the GTMTB Assistant (free for subscribers)