The Winter Tech Series is supported by Goodyear. Its Winter Reactive Technology helps drivers react to changing winter weather conditions. Be prepared for rain, snow, ice, sleet and slush. Learn more here and take this survey for a chance to win $1,000.  Sloshing through the snow on the way to work and thawing out stiff, red hands upon arrival makes some people who live in cold winter climates frustrated, saddened and generally fed up with the weather. It makes other people (smarter people) plan vacations during the arctic months.  If you fit into the latter category, these resources can help you find the best places for escaping or enjoying winter on a reasonable budget. Take a look at our recommendations and add your own tips in the comments below.  Attitudes about snow quickly transform from “complete hassle” to “complete awesome” at a ski resort. Before you commit to a destination, see what other skiers had to say about it at OnTheSnow.com. The site uses skiers’ ratings to list top-rated resorts as well as the resorts that are best for families, nightlife, terrain park and downhill terrain. You’ll also be able to check the snow report for each resort.  You don’t need to take anybody’s word about great or bleak conditions if you visit goski.com. The site has feeds from web cams at many of the resorts that it profiles. Snoweye.com features photos from 5,085 of these cameras in 45 countries around the world, but unfortunately doesn’t rate them.  Booking in advance can save you money. Before you do so, check discount databases like skicoupons.com and liftopia.com. It can also be helpful to look for discount sites that are specific to your destination’s region. For instance, coloradoski.com and skiutah.com offer great deals for resorts in their respective states.  Snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling and winter hiking trails can make great winter vacation activities. The National Park Service provides information for each of its parks about which trails are open in winter, road closings, and which winter activities are appropriate.  Search trails by zip code, keyword and activity at TrailLink.com, the trail database of the rails-to-trails conservancy. The Cross Country Ski Areas Association also maps its member trails and resorts in the United States.  If playing in the snow seems more like adding insult to injury than a frolicking good time, your first step to planning a getaway might be to discover where in the world it is not snowing. You can do so, by country and month, using an interactive temperature map at World Reviewer. If for some reason you don’t like that map, Maps of the World provides a similar resource.  Once you have your destination in mind, scope out these resources for finding the best deals on airfare. You can also check out airlines’ latest winter promotions on blogs like FareCompare and Airfare Watchdog.  Similar web resources are available for those cold-escapers who would rather float than fly. Get professional reviews of cruise ships you’re interested in at Cruise Critic. Hear from fellow travelers what they thought of cruises at Cruise Reviews, Cruisereport.com, or CruiseLineFans. Find a deal at CruiseDeals.com, iCruise.com or Cruise Compete.  Even if your local winter is frosty, there are also ways to escape from the cold without travel. Find an indoor water park near you, Visit a hot spring or book a day at the spa.  These 20+ web resources will get you started for your next winter getaway. Let us know which of our picks are your favorites and add your own recommendations in the comments below.  The Winter Tech Series is supported by Goodyear. Goodyear’s Winter Reactive Technology helps drivers react to changing winter weather conditions. Be prepared for rain, snow, ice, sleet and slush. Learn more here and take this survey for a chance to win $1,000.  - Skiing and Snowboarding: 6 Apps For Conquering the Slopes - 12 iPhone Apps For Exploring the Great Outdoors - 6 Free iPad Apps for Planning Your Next Vacation - HOW TO: Plan a Vacation Using Social Media - 4 Social Web Apps for Making and Sharing Your Travel Plans  Image courtesy of iStockphoto, Sportstock
Whether you're planning to hit the slopes, trails, or a warm weather spot this winter, these web resources can help you find the best deals and destinations.