Unpacked by Afar

Why Off-Season Travel is the Key to Unforgettable Outdoor Adventure


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Hut-to-hut skiing, frozen waterfalls and seaside foliage—there are surprising outdoor adventures to have in the off-season.


Whether you're looking for "softer adventures" in the outdoors (think cycling and hiking) or routinely exercise your way through destinations, this episode will help you tap into the magic of the off-season and plan a travel year full of natural wonders.


How the Best Outdoor Adventures Really Happen

On this episode, you’ll learn: 


  • How to make the most of outdoor adventure, and hit the off-season, all year round. 
  • Expert recommendations for spring skiing, fall cruising and winter wonderlands. 
  • Tips for beginners to experience how outdoor travel can connect you more deeply to a destination.
  • Where to go to experience bustling city life and quieter nature, in the same day.

  • Scenic Smorgasbords and Far Flung Destinations

    Don’t miss these moments: 

    [02:20] Take a last-minute spring ski trip with these tips.

    [19:11] You could call these suggestions "scenic smorgasbords." 

    [24:27] “Who doesn’t want to stand in the face of an ice god?” 

    [34:04] Your new fall foliage favorite: The Northeast coast 



    Meet This Week’s Guests


    Cindy Hirschfeld is an avid skier and New York Times travel contributor who has been covering the outdoors for 25 years. From hut-to-hut-backcountry skiing to canyoneering in the desert she shares her favorite tips and recommendations for incredible adventures. 


    Miles Howard doesn’t just visit trails, he builds them. Miles is the founder of Boston’s 27-mile walking city trail, and in this episode he shares far-flung destinations, scenic smorgasbords and off-season insights that make a lasting mark. 


    Resources


    Read Miles Howard's take on why spring is actually the best time to ski.

    Check out the transcript of the episode.

    Find the right outdoor adventure for you.


    Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Travel Tales, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.


    ** New Opportunity: What's one tricky travel topic you want us to unpack? Send us a voice message here, for a chance to weigh in and be featured in an upcoming episode. **

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    Unpacked by AfarBy AFAR Media

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