Montana Residents Are Flocking To These Top Winter Destinations

We all know winter is almost here. No secret there, with the off-and-on snow, and even this weekend parts of Yellowstone were shut down because of heavy snowfall. For many people here in Montana, that's the signal for "time to go somewhere warm." That's not the case for most of us, but for those who live the snowbird lifestyle, WalletHub just dropped an interesting study about where to head when the temperatures start to bite.

The report looked at nearly 70 major metro areas across the country to find the best spots to escape the chill or embrace it this winter. They analyzed 37 different factors like flight costs, safety, affordability, weather, and entertainment options to find the easiest and most budget-friendly places to travel.

For those craving sunshine, Las Vegas topped the list of warm destinations, followed by San Diego, Austin, Dallas, and Phoenix. It's not hard to see why. Each offers plenty of flights, decent hotel prices, and, of course, a break from shoveling driveways.

If you prefer a cozy winter vibe instead of palm trees, the top cold-weather picks might surprise you. Chicago came in first, followed by Atlanta, Washington, D.C., St. Louis, and Cincinnati. So apparently, these people are still willingly heading toward snow (minus Atlanta) after leaving the best snow?

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While most Montanans are gearing up for another season of frozen windshields and snow boots, it's interesting to see the top destinations some people leave for. Are you a snowbird? Do you head out to any of these locations for the winter? Let us know HERE.