By now many of you have been thinking about the coming winter and the joys of dealing with snow, ice, bone-chilling cold and heating bills that challenge the national debt. You know the drill: Put on the snow treads, dig the shovel out from under those summer things, make sure the snow-blower will start, and try to find a new way of getting from the house to the car and back to the house without breaking too many bones. Ah, yes, the joys of another Canadian winter!

All of the Canadian population — with the possible exception of southwestern BC — lives north of the "winter comfort line." I do not know where that line is, and it would vary from person to person, but too many of us endure cold winters rather than enjoying warmer ones. The entire history of the human race is largely a search for comfort. Warm southern winters surely rate high on the comfort scale.

If you are not a ski bum, don’t enjoy walking on ice, shovelling snow, bundling up against the cold, read on.

Listen! Can you hear the flapping wings, quacks, honks, and eerie crackles of thousands, possibly millions of Snowbirds preparing to "vee" south for the winter?

The solution is to follow the migrating birds. Like wild geese, RVing Snowbirds know which way to fly when the mercury takes its annual dive. Enjoy the changing leaves up north, and then head south for the winter.

So the idea sounds good?

As you might expect, the US is the most popular Snowbird destination. A common language and culture, familiarity, proximity and accessibility make it the destination of choice for the vast majority of Canadian Snowbirds.

Deciding where to locate in the US can be a challenging, sometimes daunting task considering the plethora of choices available. The most popular Sunbelt states are Florida, Arizona, California, and Texas, although surprisingly enough, Nevada and Utah are gaining in popularity.

There are many factors to consider, depending on your interests and needs. What about climate? Maybe you prefer the ocean, mountains, or desert? Favour city life or rural ambiance? Enjoy hiking, biking, or 4X4ing? Friends can also be a factor drawing you to one place or another. With an RV, you’ve got the freedom to check many places out to see which areas most appeal to you.

Snowbird resorts cater to their winter guests not only with swimming pools, recreation halls, game rooms, tennis courts, and golf courses; but also with seasonal prices, extended stays, and special winter events. Nearby communities also do their part to welcome snowbirds by offering discounted meals, community-college courses, bargain shopping, parades, flea markets and festivals.

Let’s take a look at some of the favourite Snowbird nesting areas. Maybe we can find some new ones for you, or make some destination suggestions for those making the winter migration for the first time.

Ten states in particular promise that special place in the sun:

10. Louisiana

Let loose. Talk with a Southern drawl. Drink scary concoctions known as "Hand Grenades" and "Hurricanes" (with similar effects). And by all means visit New Orleans — it’s pronounced Nawlins or N’arlens. Travellers often compare visiting New Orleans to visiting a foreign country. New Orleans is a rare mixture of the Old World and the New. New Orleans, famous for its food, music, festivals, architecture, history and carefree atmosphere, is a city like no other. You will see things you won’t see anywhere else. Walk the French Quarter, tour the opulent homes of the Garden District, journey out to the bayou for a swamp tour, ride a riverboat.

When most folks think of Louisiana, they think of spicy Cajun cooking, Dixieland music, and Mardi Gras. It’s all there, but Louisiana is more than that. Sample the obvious, but don’t overlook the mansions and small towns. Bass fisherfolk will find thousands of square miles of water to explore.

For Pelican State travel information, contact Louisiana Office of Tourism: 800-33-GUMBO (800-334-8626); www.louisianatravel.com; and Louisiana Tourism: 866-928-2868; www.louisianatourism.com.

8. & 9. Alabama & Mississippi

Residents of both states will probably start sending me hate letters for lumping the two together, but from a Snowbird’s perspective there are more similarities than differences. This is the Deep South, and there’s a lot of history here. Be sure to visit some antebellum mansions and small towns. Sample the local pecan pies and buy some pecans to bring home. Winter temperatures can range from the 70s down to low 30s. You may even see a few snowflakes. Fortunately, temperature excursions into the cooler zones are infrequent and usually short.

Boating, birding, and beach life go hand-in-hand with southern hospitality. Enjoy Alabama’s Gulf Coast, with its long stretches of misty white beaches, imposing sand dunes, enchanting sunsets and equally magnificent backwaters. Snowbirds who have been nipped by the golf bug will discover a whopping 14 courses in the area, including three designed by Arnold Palmer. If tennis is your bag, you’ll like the courts in Gulf Shores.

You don’t just visit Mississippi, you explore it! Mississippi is riverboats and gambling, antebellum homes and the Gulf Coast. If you have too many quarters in your pocket, visit the Gulf Shore of Mississippi. You won’t have any trouble locating the casinos. Governor Ronnie Musgrove says, "If you have been to Mississippi before, we welcome you back. If this is your first visit, you are in for a real treat."

For Land of Dixie travel information, contact Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel: 800-ALABAMA (800-252-2262); www.touralabama.org. For Magnolia State travel information, contact Mississippi Division of Tourism Development: PO Box 849, Jackson MS 39205, 866-SEE-MISS (800-733-6477); www.visitmississippi.org.

7. Utah

Since the early 1860s when Mormon pioneers came to southwestern Utah to grow cotton, the Washington County area has been known as Utah’s Dixie. The area is hard to surpass for its sheer variety of scenic beauty. The communities of St. George, Hurricane and Springdale are situated near several national parks, monuments, and other scenic treasures that make the region so popular. Winter here — the prices are reasonable.

Utah Dixie’s climate features bright sunshine, low annual precipitation, clean air and a wide daily temperature range. The winters are mild with infrequent traces of snowfall, which rarely stays on the ground more than a day.

The most popular feature in town is the massive snow-white Mormon Temple, backdropped by the red bluffs on the north side of town. St. George is also renowned for its nine golf courses.

For Bee Hive State travel information, contact Utah Travel Council: 800-UTAH-FUN (800-882-4386); www.utah.com.

6. New Mexico

New Mexico is rich in lakes, rivers, forests, canyons, and mesas that have supported Native American, Spanish and Mexican cultures for hundreds of years. Renowned New Mexico artist Georgia O’Keeffe once said, "If you ever go to New Mexico, it will itch you for the rest of your life." Millions of folks from all over the world have come to know exactly what she meant. The people, the culture, the landscape, the climate — New Mexico just gets under your skin and takes hold. Whatever form it takes, the New Mexico mystique is a powerful force to reckon with.

The mild temperatures, sunny weather, the quiet and economical locales, the friendly people and the activities available draw Snowbirds to this part of the Sunbelt.

Though Snowbirds can be found throughout southern New Mexico, the greatest concentrations of them are found in the Deming, Truth or Consequences, and Alamogordo areas. Winter visitors add roughly 20 percent to the 10,000 Deming population. In Truth or Consequences and surrounding Sierra County, the population of 9,500 swells to 11,000 or more.

For Land of Enchantment travel information, contact New Mexico Department of Tourism: 800-SEE-NEW-MEX (800-733-6396); www.newmexico.org.

5. Nevada

You only live once, so Las Vegas is a must. The number one attraction is the Strip. The Strip is fun, even for those who don’t like to throw away their money — err — I mean gamble. Among the sites are the Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, Pirate Ships, King Arthur’s Castle, the Sphinx, and a Golden Lion. Arguably best viewed at night, it’s the undisputed opulence of Vegas.

Just remember, not everything revolves around the casinos. Get out and do a little exploring. Towering mountains capped with snow much of the year, weird and wonderful red-rock formations, and vast expanses of high desert forested with Joshua trees all lie within an hour’s drive of the city. From Red Rock Canyon and Ethel M’s Chocolate Factory to the Speedway and world-class fishing on Lake Mead, there’s always something to do.

There’s more to southern Nevada than Las Vegas. While it’s true that Vegas casts a big shadow, Snowbirds are discovering other enjoyable resort destinations in the region — like Laughlin. Located on the Colorado River, Laughlin offers many of the amenities available in its larger sister city but without the crowds. Near-perfect winter weather, modern RV campgrounds, gambling casinos and the natural wonders of the surrounding Mohave Desert and Colorado River make Laughlin a playground ideal for both indoor and outdoor enthusiasts.

For Silver State travel information, contact Nevada Commission on Tourism: 401 North Carson Street, Carson City NV 89701; 800-NEVADA-8; www.travelnevada.com.

4. Texas

The Rio Grande Valley in south Texas, known to the thousands of Snowbirds who winter here as The Valley, is the best bargain in the US for wintering in a warm climate. The Valley is an area along US 83 that stretches from Brownsville/Harlingen in the east to Mission in the west. Long known to Midwesterners in the US as a great winter spot, many Canadian RVers are now discovering it, too. The Valley lies at nearly the same latitude as Key West, Florida, and its climate is semi-tropical.

There are two kinds of ground cover: Perfect rows of irrigated citrus groves and winter vegetables, and semi-organized rows of recreational vehicles.

People who travel to The Valley for the winter months are known as Winter Texans. Newspaper headlines and signs welcome Winter Texans back home to the Rio Grande Valley. Billboards and radio stations often advertise in both Spanish and English.

Winters tend to be mild and a bit breezy. RV parks in the Valley range from small to enormous. Most of the larger ones have highly organized activities to make sure you don’t get bored. And they are crazy for dancing! The Winter Texan weekly newspaper carries pages and pages of listings for line dancing, square dancing, western dancing, round dancing and ballroom dancing at the larger RV parks.

While you’re in The Valley explore the national wildlife refuge and enjoy the wealth of birds. Walk the beach and stick your toes in the water.

For Lone Star State travel information, contact Texas Tourism: 800-8888-TEX; www.traveltex.com.

3. Florida

Florida offers some of the world’s most diverse and stunning scenery, from the rivers and forest of the northwest, to famous Lake Okeechobee in the centre of the state, to the quiet lagoons of the Keys.

Think Florida, and you no doubt will conjure up thoughts of the magic of Orlando’s amusement dynasties, dazzling white beaches, wind-blown palm trees, and crashing surf.

If your dream includes lying on the beach or hitting the surf, then you’ll likely be heading for southern Florida, somewhere south of a line between Tampa and Melbourne. Actually, many Florida addicts would say to move that line down to Fort Myers and West Palm Beach.

The western side of the state seems to move at a slower pace than the eastern side. Prices also seem to be slightly lower on the western side, away from the high-rise glitter of West Palm Beach and Miami.

The golf set must wrestle with where to tee it up. From Palm Beach to Pensacola, from St. Augustine to St. Petersburg, scratch golfers and duffers alike can find courses to suit their games.

For Sunshine State travel information, contact Florida Tourism: 888-7-FLA-USA (800-735-2872); www.flausa.com

2. Arizona

For many Snowbirds from BC and Alberta, winter means a migration to Arizona. Arizona gets this attention because its southern area has a reputation for mild winters. That doesn’t mean there will never be a cold day. The air can get a bit chilly, but cold snaps are usually very short. If you stay south of a line about 50 miles north of I-10, you will seldom be concerned with the temperature. The majority of Snowbird resorts in this area are centred around Tucson, Phoenix, and Yuma. These three cities are magnets for Snowbirds, and RV parks have responded with highly organized activities and services.

One of the hottest spots in terms of growth is Yuma, which doubles in population every winter. Nestled in the Yuma and Gila valleys of southern Arizona, Yuma’s climate blends pleasant desert sunshine with the cool waters of the Colorado River. Many Snowbirds choose to live on BLM land around Yuma but most will opt for an RV park, resort, or mobile home village as their winter home.

Any mention of Arizona and Snowbirds would be incomplete without mentioning Quartzsite, a tiny town on I-10 just 20 miles east of the California line. Although it is mostly a truck stop in the summer, Quartzsite is the best example of Snowbird flight and its mercantile impact. Every winter hundreds of thousands of Snowbirds in RVs descend upon Quartzsite, with most of them perched on Bureau of Land Management land in the desert surrounding the town. What’s the main attraction? For most, it’s the annual rock and gem show and flea markets. Probably nowhere on earth will you find such an assortment of stuff as you will at Quartzsite from mid-December to mid-February. Every RVer should be required to visit at least once.

For Grand Canyon State travel information, contact Arizona Office of Tourism: 1110 W. Washington Ste. 155, Phoenix AZ 85007; 888-520-3444; www.arizonaguide.com.

1. California

Southeastern California is the remaining Snowbird destination. This is desert country with occasional oases — some natural and most invented. Favourite areas are along I-10 and south to the Mexican border and west until you begin to run into clutter. Whether you want minimum amenities or wish to be pampered with RV luxury, you’ll find it here. Pick a town and start looking.

The fashionable desert resort city of Palm Springs lies in the Colorado Desert at the foot of 10,804 ft San Jacinto Peak. Palm Springs is synonymous with the good life. People who can afford to winter anywhere in the country often do it here. Some become residents. To be sure that you know this, the city fathers have named major streets and golf tournaments after them, such as Frank Sinatra, Gerald Ford, Gene Autry, Dinah Shore, Fred Waring, and Bob Hope.

The weather is close to perfect. Swimming pools and fairways almost overlap each other. And nature cooperates in keeping things fresh and flowery — encouraged by an army of expensive landscapers.

Palm Springs is one of 10 adjacent desert resort cities in the Coachella Valley — Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Thousand Palms, Indio and Bermuda Dunes. Known worldwide as "the golfer’s paradise," golf courses abound here. You will find the most luxurious fairways, beautifully manicured greens, and superbly designed courses. Majestic mountain vistas in a kaleidoscope of superb colours are seen all around you. Elegant palm trees dot the landscape and blue skies, dry sunny climate, and a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere, all combine to provide a real treat to the senses.

One offbeat area that needs to be mentioned is the Slabs, just east of Niland. During World War II, this was the site of a military base. After the war the military left. Nothing remains except concrete slabs where the buildings stood. For years the Slabs has been the haven of thousands of RVers and a few others. Camping is free and unregulated. There are no services, but water and dumping privileges can be purchased in Niland.

For Golden State travel information, contact California Division of Tourism: 800-GO-CALIF (800-462-2543); www.gocalif.com.

That’s about it. Whether you’re a first-time migrant or a veteran, there are so many places for Snowbirds to roost that the main problem is simply making a choice. But, not to worry, you can make another choice next year.

Snowbird facts

Snowbirds are generally considered to be Canadians who travel outside the country on trips of more than 30 days between Labour Day and Victoria Day. Most are seniors and other retirees. The destination of choice for Snowbirds is the southern United States, although Mexico is gaining popularity.

According to the Statistics Canada’s "Characteristics of International Travellers" report of May 2002:

448,000 Canadians visited the US for periods of 31 days or more in 2001, as compared with 386,000 in 2000.

In the three months following the September 11 tragedy, 12 percent more Canadians visited the US for 31 days or more than in the same period of 2000.

The top five states for snowbirds in 2001 and number of nights spent in each one:

1. Florida: 363,000 nights
2. Arizona: 53,000 nights
3. California: 52,000 nights
4. Texas: 29,000 nights
5. Hawaii: 25,000 nights

Buckaroo Bucks

Texas offers a discount savings program exclusively for Canadians travelling in Texas from Oct. 1, 2002, to March 31, 2003. The program offers discount coupons from various hotels, attractions, golf courses, shopping malls, car rental companies, and restaurants statewide. Since its inception in 1998, the Buckaroo Bucks program has been credited with boosting Canadian visitor numbers to Texas. Statistics Canada figures show a 17 percent jump in Canadian visitor arrivals for 2001, and a 48 percent increase since 1990.

Canadians can obtain a free copy of the book, along with a free Texas State Travel Guide by calling 800-8888-TEX or download the coupons by visiting www.TravelTex.com

Arizona discounts available

Arizona Tourism spokesperson Marjorie Magnusson recently informed me that Arizona’s Canadian Cactus Days program ended earlier this year, as they now have a new website featuring package specials and discounts throughout the state of Arizona. Visit www.Arizonavacationvalues.com as they are continuously receiving new offers. At the time of writing, about sixty new discounts had been added during the past few weeks! You may also link to this site from www.arizonaguide.com

Canadian Snowbird Association

The Canadian Snowbird Association (CSA) is a national and international non-profit organization created to represent the health care, social and economic interests, needs, and concerns of Canadians who travel. The CSA is comprised of more than 93,000 Canadians, mainly seniors and retirees who travel outside Canada for up to six months of the year.

Additional information on the benefits of a CSA membership be obtained by contact: Canadian Snowbird Association, 180 Lesmill Road, North York, Ontario M3B 2T5; 800-265-3200; www.snowbirds.org

Other websites worth visiting

Alabama

Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau: www.gulfshores.com

Mobile Convention & Visitors Bureau: www.mobile.org

Arizona

Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce: www.apachejunctioncoc.com

Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce: www.casagrandechamber.org

Desert USA: www.desertusa.com

Lake Havasu Tourism Bureau: www.golakehavasu.com

Mesa Convention & Visitors Bureau: www.mesacvb.com

Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau: visittucson.org

Official Website of the Colorado River: www.coloradoriverinfo.com

Quartzsite Chamber of Commerce: www.quartzsitechamber.com

Scottsdale Convention &Visitors Bureau: www.scottsdalecvb.com

Yuma Convention & Visitors Bureau: www.visityuma.com

California

City of Indian Wells: www.indian-wells.org

Indio Chamber of Commerce: www.indiochamber.org

La Quinta Chamber of Commerce: www.laquintachamberofcommerce.com

Official Website of the Colorado River: www.coloradoriverinfo.com

Palm Desert Visitor Information Center: www.palm-desert.org

Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism: www.palm-springs.org

Palm Springs Life’s Desert Guide: www.desert-resorts.com

Southern California’s Inland Empire Tourism Council: www.ieep.com/tourism

Florida

Florida Everglades: www.florida-everglades.com

Florida Keys & Key West/Monroe County Tourism Development Council: www.fla-keys.com

Florida Outdoors: www.florida-outdoors.com

Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau: www.sunny.org

Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce: www.fortmyers.org

Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau: www.miamiandbeaches.com

Great Florida Birding Trail: www.floridabirdingtrail.com

Guide to West Palm Beach: www.westpalmbeach.com

Key West Chamber of Commerce: www.keywestchamber.org

Lee Island Coast Visitor & Convention Bureau: www.leeislandcoast.com

Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau: www.orlandoinfo.com

Panama City Beaches Chamber of Commerce: www.pcbeach.org

Pensocola Visitor Information Center: www.visitpensacola.com

St. Augustine, Florida: www.oldcity.com

St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau: www.floridasbeach.com

Tampa Bay Convention & Visitor Bureau: www.gotampa.com

Welcome to Naples: www.naples-florida.com

Louisiana

New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau: www.neworleanscvb.com

New Orleans Tourism (Official Tourism Site of the City of New Orleans): www.neworleansonline.com

Mississippi

Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau: www.gulfcoast.org

Nevada

Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority: www.vegasfreedom.com

Laughlin Visitors Bureau www.visitlaughlin.com

New Mexico

La Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau: www.lascrucescvb.org

Southern New Mexico On-line: www.southernnewmexico.com

Truth or Consequences & Sierra County Chamber of Commerce: www.truthorconsequencesnm.net

Texas

Brownsville Chamber of Commerce: www.brownsvillechamber.com

Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau: corpuschristi-tx-cvb.org

Everything Under the Sun for Winter Texans: www.coastalbendwintertexans.com

Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce: www.missionchamber.com

Rio Grande Chamber of Commerce: www.valleychamber.com

South Padre Island Official Tourism Website: www.sopadre.com

South Texas Birds: www.southtexasbirds.com

Utah

Max Bertola’s Southern Utah: www.so-utah.com

St. George Area Chamber of Commerce: www.stgeorgechamber.com

Southern Utah: www.southernutah.com