Two years ago, I took my toddler skating for the first time. Holding his hand as his feet wobbled beneath the blades of his skates, I felt a huge sense of joy in sharing the wonder of ice skating with him. Skating is fun no matter where you are, but if you’re looking for a “special” ice rink, here are three of my favorite places in the U.S. to skate with the family.

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Well, it’s finally here. Winter, that dark grey mistress, has finally taken hold across broad swaths of these United States, and in most places they’re predicting a season equally as bad as the last. Hopefully you all took advantage of those short, warm months to stock up on sunshine, pineapple and good karma – you’ll need it for this trip past March.

Or maybe you’re like my friend Jon, a native New Englander who has the right idea about winter and is actually looking forward to the season that’s great for skiing and other outdoor adventure. It’s hard to concede, but, with the right preparation and context, spending time in the snow can actually be fun. It’s just a matter of picking the right destination and fortifying yourself against the cold. And it doesn’t have to be about skiing either – plenty of destinations have a fair share of activities for those numb to adventure sports.

Here are a few ideas for your winter vacations.

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