As crisp fall afternoons slip away, replaced by snow in the forecast, the idea of cozying up indoors has its charms: soft blanket, mug of tea, a good book. It’s a familiar winter scene many look forward to each year. But after months of sheltering in place, cancelling plans, and missing family or friends, a long winter spent cooped up in the same space you’ve been cooking, working, homeschooling, parenting, cleaning, sleeping, and more for the past eight months may not sound quite so idyllic. If you’re yearning for a break in the routine, something to jolt you out of COVID-induced ennui and stave off the winter blues, this region offers plenty of winter getaways within driving distance. Even the most cautious can rejoice: options abound for cabins and other standalone dwellings to get away without fretting about interacting with strangers. Pick a cabin where you can cook your own meals or a condo where you can order in. Get outside for some fresh air via hiking or snowshoeing, sledding or cross-country skiing. Sit by a fireplace all day doing nothing but doing puzzles and playing cards, or read that classic novel you’ve always meant to. Take it from me: two hours from home can feel like a world away.  

Elkins Resort, 

Priest Lake, Idaho

Situated on the shore of Priest Lake, Elkins Resort features over thirty cedar cabins of varying sizes, available for rent year-round. Each cabin has simple furnishings, plenty of space to spread out, and a full kitchen stocked with basic equipment to make your own meals. Most cabins feature granite fireplaces, with a healthy supply of firewood just outside the door. There are groomed trails for walking around the property, which helps when the snow off the path is several feet deep, along with various trails for hiking, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and more. 

A roaring outdoor fire pit near the lodge, overlooking the lake, creates a friendly gathering place day and night to gaze at the pristine water and the Selkirk Mountain Range. Within the lodge, the restaurant and lounge are open on weekends during winter months for either indoor dining or to-go, and a small store stocked with basic staples might come to the rescue if you forget to bring milk or bread or (God forbid) wine. 

The resort is pet-friendly, and as a solo traveler with my dog, I felt perfectly safe, welcomed by the kind staff but able to retreat to a snow-covered cabin in the woods, warmed by a crackling fire. I took my dog for long daytime walks in the woods and shorter ones at night along well-lit paths. I read a novel cover to cover, cooked meals when I felt like it, watched a nature documentary, wrote, set goals for the year ahead, and more. No matter your preferred mode of winter relaxation, Elkins Resort at Priest Lake is the perfect setting.  

(208)443-2432, www.elkinsresort.com

Cave B Resort, Quincy, Washington

Perched above the Columbia Gorge and surrounded by vineyards, Cave B Resort offers incredible views, hiking, and a unique range of lodging options. Among them are Desert Yurts (don’t worry, there’s heat!). If you’ve never stayed in a yurt, this may be the best possible entry point: a private restroom with a hot shower, sitting area with a couch, table, and chairs, and a comfortable bed, all carefully decorated. Steps outside your door, walk through vineyards toward the Gorge to stargaze, or wake up early to watch the sunrise. Another option is the “Cliffehouses,” self-contained suites with a sitting area, gas fireplace, desk and more, each with a terrace facing the gorge.

The onsite, upscale restaurant Tendrils offers indoor dining or takeout delivered to your doorstep. Both yurts and cliffehouses have a minifridge for basics, but no kitchenette; this is a place to let someone else handle chef duties. Fear not; you can always hike off the indulgence the next day, taking in sweeping views and stunning desert scenery.  

From the lodge, follow the main trail all the way down to the Columbia River. It’s a beautiful down and back hike—and may actually be more enjoyable this time of year than in the scorching heat of summer. Dress for the weather and assume it will be windy. Nearby, within a few minutes’ drive, visitors can hike up the steep path to the Wild Horses Monument, the beloved sculptures by Chewelah artist David Govedare titled “Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies.” A few minutes further down the highway is the Gingko Petrified Forest, considered one of the most diverse fossil forests in North America. There are short, family-friendly hiking trails that provide opportunity to spot eagles, bighorn sheep, and even elk in the distance, along with interpretive exhibits that illustrate how Ice Age floods carved out what we affectionately refer to as The Gorge. 

During the harshest part of winter, Cave B Resort closes, usually from mid-December through the mid-February, so if you’re eager to visit, now is the time. Cave B resort is located just two hours from Spokane on I-90, nestled between the Gorge Amphitheater and the Cave B Winery, currently offering tasting sessions seven days a week on their outdoor terrace with ample space heaters. I’ll cheers to that. 

(509)787-8000, www.cavebinn.com