10 Winter Wonderlands for Retirement

These wintery and affordable places could be ideal for snow-loving retirees

January 24, 2011 RSS Feed Print

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In Pictures: 10 Winter Wonderlands for Retirement

Coping with near-daily winter snowfall isn't a problem when you are prepared for it. For Pati Olson Canfield, 74, a former wedding service coordinator in Minneapolis, Minn., who retired in 2006, that means wielding a 42-inch wide shovel and a snow blower to clear off her double driveway. She enjoys the outdoors year-round. "You can walk around the lakes and the park reserves even in the wintertime, and if you can't walk, you can go snowshoeing or ski," Canfield says.

[Check out the 10 Best Places for Single Seniors to Retire.]

For those who can't take the cold, it's possible to almost completely avoid January temperatures that seldom rise above freezing in Minneapolis. Shoppers can utilize this city's eight-mile, climate-controlled skyway system. These glass walking tunnels, located one story above ground, can connect you to restaurants, stores, and the Historic State Theatre, no coat or boots required.

Check out these 10 winter wonderlands for retirement.

Aurora, Colo.

Burlington, Vt.

Juneau, Alaska

Manchester, N.H.

Marquette, Mich.

Minneapolis, Minn.

Portland, Maine

Salt Lake City, Utah

South Bend, Ind.

Syracuse, N.Y.

Tags:: Colorado,; retirement

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We have homes in SE Florida and Ironwood, MI(the UP, don't you know). I am a southern boy by birth & culture while my spouse is Euro-Siberian. Now we have air service from Florida via Milwaukee. We are retired & my wife is a serious skier so we enjoy the best of all. Each location has its advantages and the trick is to know how to get it all!!! Today I sat in skimpy shorts, drank Mango/Blueberry smoothies and read to my hearts content in Organic Chemistry while my spouse skiied the American Berkiheimer race in Cable WI with a post race dinner of Walleye. Life is good.

Dr. Richard Ray Shreve of FL 8:31PM February 26, 2011

It's said there are two seasons in Minnesota: winter and road construction. But seriously, unlike some states to the East (I'm talking about you, Maryland), MN knows how to handle snow, and 1/2" of snow won't close the entire school system. After a 6" overnight snowfall, we drove through unplowed streets to go out to brunch. By the time we drove home, most of the streets were plowed.
Throughout the winter, enterprising people will jog, ski, snowshoe, skate, and even ride bikes (though a bit dangerous). There are even local classes on dog-sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. A few of the more acclimated folks jog wearing shorts. On a sunny 32-degree day, I'm no longer wearing a winter coat, only a fall coat. At 46 degrees, we opened all the windows to get some fresh air.
In our 10 months here, we've experienced summer, fall, and winter...soon to be spring.
p.s. The Mpls skyway system is mostly convenient and a nice view but it won't get you everywhere, so plan your route ahead of time, and better bring a coat anyway, in case Target decides to lock their skyway doors earlier than their posted times and you have to walk outside.
Happy wintering!

of MN 11:58AM February 15, 2011