5 Great Winter Festivals

3. Stowe Winter Carnival, Stowe, Vt.
First held in 1921, canceled for World War II and relaunched in 1974, the Stowe Winter Carnival is New England's best. The weeklong-plus event in late January is highlighted by a professional ice-carving competition that results in some of the most ornate temporary masterpieces in the art world. There's also the notably unprofessional Snowvolleyball tournament, Snowgolf and a Super G ski race. Wee ones will enjoy the Kids Karnival Kaos, an afternoon of games and family-friendly entertainment.

4. Whitefish Winter Carnival, Whitefish, Mont.
This standout February bash features a polar plunge in Whitefish Lake and a parade complete with a host of costumed revelers (watch out for the yetis), but the main event is undoubtedly the World Skijoring Championships. For those who have never heard of skijoring, here's a primer: A horse and rider propel a skier through a snow-covered obstacle course of jumps and gates. There are four classes (including a mule class), as well as a long jump.

5. Cordova Iceworm Festival, Cordova, Alaska
Held during the sun-deprived month of February, this festival celebrates Alaska's little-known iceworm, the dinky critter that tunnels through glaciers and cannot survive in warm weather. Beyond the Miss Iceworm Pageant, there is a race to see who is the speediest at putting on a survival suit and a parade highlighted by an elaborate oversized iceworm puppet and its numerous puppeteers, inspired by similarly serpentine Chinese dragon puppets.

Also of Interest

• Where to retire if you love the outdoors
• AARP New American Diet provides tips on how to stay fit
  
  Visit the AARP home page for travel discounts, tips and more