Although skiers, snowboarders and other outdoor enthusiasts enjoy all that the winter has to offer, there are scores of people who prefer sipping a Pina Colada while relaxing on a sun-drenched beach. These “snowbirds” flee the cold weather as soon as the first snowflake falls from the sky.

Actually, “snowbirding” is a century-old tradition first used in 1923 to describe workers moving south for winter gigs. This winter 34% of Americans are considering or making plans to snowbird to various parts of the world, with 38% of those heading south, according to data from a winter survey by Vacasa, a leading vacation management platform.

“Given today’s largely remote-first or hybrid work environment, we have reason to believe that snowbirding is no longer reserved for older generations, and that younger generations and families are hopping on board and flocking to warmer weather during the winter months,” says Vacasa’s VP of Operations for the West, Kristen Taylor. “They aren’t just traveling to the typical destinations that we see from older generations of snowbirds. Bypassing the standard gated communities and golf courses, younger snowbirds may seek a more robust offering that includes great dining options, outdoor excursions and perhaps even a bit of nightlife. The common thread, of course, is escaping the colder temps for a warmer climate.”

Unlike previous years, a new kind of snowbird is emerging, and it’s shaking up longstanding trends in the market.

New snowbirding trends and data include:

· Planning Ahead: Travelers are making their long-term booking reservations further out (about four months in advance) in contrast to the condensed booking window Vacasa is seeing for short-term stays (about 2.5 months in advance). Data is based on bookings for October 2023-April 2024.

· Younger Snowbirds: Traditionally reserved for retirees, snowbirding is becoming available to younger individuals and families thanks to remote work and flexible work environments.

· Shorter Stays: While the classic snowbirding model involves spending the entire winter in a warmer location, some individuals are opting for shorter stays, spending a few weeks or a month in different destinations rather than committing to an entire season. For the upcoming winter, Vacasa’s seeing an average snowbird rental stay of 42 nights (a little over one month in a location).

· Hot Destinations for This Winter: Hilton Head, SC, and Southern Arizona are seeing an uptick, while always-popular Oahu, HI, and the Forgotten Coast, FL, are slightly down.

Popular Markets for the Snowbird Season (defined October 2023-April 2024):

· Coachella Valley, California: The nine cities that make up the Coachella Valley are a golfer’s paradise. Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta and surrounding cities are home to 120 golf courses, allowing snowbirds to while away the winter days, one fairway at a time.

· Southwest Florida: Hundreds of thousands of winter visitors spend 30-plus days in Florida each year. The allure of trading in snow shovels for beach blankets is appealing, as are friendly communities and an array of things to do. Popular cities include Sarasota, Marco Island, and Cape Coral.

· Southern Arizona: Red rocks, desert landscapes and mild weather draw outdoor-loving snowbirds to cities like Tucson and Phoenix for the winter months.

Samantha Brown, travel expert and two-time Emmy-winning host of PBS’ Samantha Brown’s Places to Love, shares her favorite warm winter travel destinations and insider tips: