Festivals and events to help beat the winter blues

Photo credit: Omni Mount Washington, Bretton Woods
No doubt it's been a wicked winter in Boston. The icy temps, the whipping winds and the mounds of snow banks have all but shut down the city on some days. But as true Bostonians, we've laced up our snow boots, wrapped ourselves in layers and weathered the wind chills.

While you might not be able to escape the winter weather (thanks in most part to the never-ending cold front sweeping the nation), there are a few places you might consider for a simple change of scenery. Pack your bags and head to one of these festivals or events for a quick change of scenery:

Winter Concert Series: January 31 – March 9: The Omni Grove Park Inn in Ashville, NC, is turning up the volume with its annual Winter Concert series. Indulge in the sounds of Celtic Weekend (January 31 – February 2) with performances by Seven Nations and Gaelic Storm or enjoy a room full of laughs over Comedy Weekend (March 7 – March 9) with sets by comedians such as Gary Gulman and John Heffron. Package rates from $498 include accommodations, concert tickets and weekend events, based on double occupancy. General admission tickets begin at $15 per person.

Telluride Gay Ski Week: February 21 – March 2: Celebrate Telluride Gay Ski Week at Hotel Madeline Telluride February 21 - March 2. With an ideal ski-in/ski-out location in the heart of Telluride’s Mountain Village, Hotel Madeline is the perfect spot to drop your bag and take in the annual event that has been voted the Top Ski Week in the U.S.A. by Gay.com. Hotel Madeline Telluride is the center of activity, with SMAK Bar hosting Telluride Gay Ski Week’s après-ski cocktail parties and festivities. The resort is offering rates starting at $215 per night for Telluride Gay Ski Week. For reservations, call 1-866-530-0880 and mention Telluride Gay Ski Week.

Brazil Carnival: February 28 – March 4: CW Adventures takes travelers to the heart Carnival with the Brazil: Rio de Janeiro Select Experience. Touching down in Rio de Janeiro, the select experience takes guests to walk the urban forest trails of Tijuca National Park to the stunning panorama of the Corcovado, and spend lunchtime in the picturesque Santa Tereza neighborhood. Guests will stay at the Sofitel Copacabana Beach Hotel with views of the waterfront. The select experience includes some meals, accommodations for two nights and entry fees for parks. Prices start at $2,498 per person based on double occupancy.

Bretton Woods Nordic Marathon: March 8: The Bretton Woods Nordic Center at the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, NH, invites Nordic skiers to test their long distance skills at the annual Bretton Woods Nordic Marathon. Staged between the historic Omni Mount Washington Hotel, Mount Washington and the Presidential Range, the Bretton Woods Nordic Marathon is a classic cross-country ski race in half marathon and marathon distances showcasing one of the largest Nordic systems in the northeast.