The traditional honeymoon conjures up images of tropical islands, ocean breezes and fruity drinks with umbrellas. But some people would rather have the ice under their feet than in their drinks, or they prefer snow to sand between their toes. Maybe they’d rather cuddle up beside a raging fire with a glass of cognac or hot cider after a day of racing down the ski slopes.

More and more people are turning to winter weddings as an alternative from the dog days of August (those tuxedos can get pretty stuffy, after all). So, what's a couple to do after they get hitched in February and would rather have a mix of winter adventure and romance than pure relaxation and hedonism?

Here are some winter honeymoon escapes that are sure to warm your adventurous spirit.

The obvious winter honeymoon destination is the ski resort, which can offer a perfect mix of romance and outdoor activity. One such resort is the Mont Tremblant Ski Resort (www.tremblant.ca/index.htm), located in the Laurentian Mountains of the Canadian province of Quebec. This resort was voted one of the best ski bargains in North America, but it doesn't have a bargain feel. Tremblant is a ski resort town with quaint, brightly colored shops and restaurants lining the small streets of downtown. In the evening the village comes to life with open-air theaters of fire-eaters, clowns on stilts, and live music. Mont Tremblant offers its visitors over 600 acres of land for skiing and snowboarding, and other nearby activities such as skating on Lac Miroir and the fun water slides of La Source. Keep in mind that the U.S. dollar goes further in Canada than it would on a vacation in the United States.

Another popular honeymoon ski resort is Heavenly Valley in Lake Tahoe, Nevada (www.skiheavenly.com). This resort has gondolas that travel up to 9,100 feet – a perfect height to spend quality alone time with your new spouse. Or you can soak in a natural hot spring, go for a romantic sleigh ride, or float over the snow-capped peaks in a hot-air balloon ride. The gaming tables of Lake Tahoe are close at hand, and most of the casinos have hotels offering winter honeymoon packages. If you prefer a more secluded honeymoon experience, there are plenty of condos and homes for rent on a short-term basis in the area.

Also at Lake Tahoe is the Shore House (www.shorehouselaketahoe.com), a bed and breakfast lodge centrally located to all of the lake and mountain activities. Balconies and decks offering panoramic views of the pristine lake and snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains surround each floor of the property. Each of the nine guest rooms have a private outdoor entrance and private bathroom, gas log fireplace and mini-refrigerator, and the rooms are decorated with knotty pine walls, custom-built log furniture, down comforters and featherbeds. The Shore House features a large outdoor hot tub by the lake, perfect to enjoy a gorgeous Tahoe sunset after a day of skiing or hiking.

If you have the budget to go farther and delve deeper into a truly unique winter experience, Sweden’s Ice Hotel could be the perfect destination. Located in the small riverside village of Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, the hotel is created each winter out of 10,000 tons of ice and 30,000 tons of snow. The hotel features the famous Absolut Ice Bar, a winter favorite for the 21+ crowd.

Much closer to home, the Caesars Pocono Resorts in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania prides itself as a place to "fall into the powder and fall in love all over again." Caesars is an all-inclusive getaway that has everything you need to heat things up indoors after you’ve enjoyed plenty of intimate outdoor activities like snow tubing, snowmobiling or skiing at a nearby ski resort.

Caesars Powder & Passion Special

Coupon for $100 off per night at Caesars

New England is famous for its ski resorts – such as Sugarloaf in Maine, or the White Mountains in New Hampshire. But Vermont just might be the most romantic of all winter honeymoon destinations, and Stowe, near Mt. Mansfield, is a vibrant and historic village that boasts an abundance of country-style B&Bs and resorts.

Topnotch Resort & Spa is located on a 120-acre wooded estate near Stowe. Amenities include several restaurants with continental cuisine; two retail outlets; a full-service beauty salon; indoor and outdoor pools and tennis courts; cross-country and downhill skiing; horseback trail rides; aerobic classes; circuit weight training; and a wide variety of revitalizing treatments. Its web site (www.topnotchresort.com) has a cool video tour of the resort.

Stone Hill Inn, also in Stowe, (www.stonehillinn.com) is a perfect setting for a combined private ceremony and honeymoon, and was chosen as one of the top 12 Bed and Breakfasts in North America by Forbes.com. The peaceful getaway offers fireside Jacuzzis and couples tandem massages. You can make your stay even more memorable with romantic "Inn-Dulgent Extras" such as a dozen long-stemmed roses, handmade chocolate truffles, a Vermont Welcome Basket, and a horse-drawn sleigh ride for two.

Ye Olde England Inn (www.englandinn.com) has a romantic escape package called the "Zhivago Experience" that starts with a sleigh ride across snowy meadows, continues with a bottle of chilled champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries, followed by a sumptuous candlelit dinner for two, and ends with … well, couples can provide their own ending! Honeymoon suites feature carved four-poster beds, Jacuzzis for two, fireplaces and spectacular views.

The Woodstock Inn & Resort (www.woodstockinn.com) is located in central Vermont in the village of Woodstock, known as the prettiest small town in America. The Inn is surrounded by beautiful scenery, charming shops and galleries, historic covered bridges, a national park, and a working dairy farm from the 1800s. The Inn’s 142 refurbished guest rooms and suites feature original artwork by noted regional artists, and custom designed furniture and adornments. The Inn also offers Ski Vermont Free packages Sunday through Thursday during ski season at nearby Suicide Six.

The Trapp Family Lodge (www.trappfamily.com) near Stowe continues to be owned and operated by the Trapp family, the inspiration for the classic movie "The Sound of Music." Today, the 2,400-acre resort with sweeping mountain views provides accommodations in an Austrian-style Main Lodge with an additional 23 new rooms and suites. Year-round recreational activities include cross-country skiing and hiking on over 100km of trails, tennis, croquet, snow-shoeing and sleigh rides. A Romance Package includes two nights lodging in a deluxe room, a five-course gourmet dinner and full-country breakfast each day, a gift basket and bottle of champagne, and a one-hour massage.

Our family stayed at the Combes Family Inn (www.combesfamilyinn.com)

near Ludlow, Vermont, one hot summer day/night several years ago, and we were impressed by the down-home country décor, as well as the hospitality and friendliness of proprietors Ruth and Bill Combes (not to mention the great home-cooked breakfast the next day). We could only imagine that the place would have the same warm, friendly spirit in the cold winter months. It’s very close to Okemo Mountain Resort for traditional skiing and snowboarding, or you can cross-country ski from the inn’s back door, or ride in sleighs, snowshoe or snowmobile through picturesque meadows and back roads. There are plenty of antique shops, country craft stores and museums in the vicinity.

Some other ideas for Vermont romantic winter retreats can be found here: www.countryweddings.com/honeymoon/vermontweddings/index.shtml

This idea might be off the beaten path as a honeymoon option, but if you’re a music lover and also love outdoor winter activities, the snoedown festival in Lake Placid, N.Y., in late March could be the perfect destination for a memorable getaway.

The festival features public bobsled and luge rocket rides, outdoor public speed skating, gondola rides to the top of Whiteface Mountain, toboggan and dog-sled rides, ice climbing and winter mountaineering, and tubing on Saranac Lake. You can even ice skate while listening to the music of moe., the Disco Biscuits, Little Feat, Tea Leaf Green, Brazilian Girls and many other bands. The festival takes place from March 23-25 this year, and more information is available at www.snoedown.com.

Finally, if you don’t have the budget or time for a true winter escape, here are some tips suggested by www.lovetripper.com on how to make every trip a romantic winter honeymoon (maybe even in your own backyard, if we can actually get any winter weather around here):

• Ask for a room with a fireplace. Snuggle by the fire with a cup of cocoa spiked with a little of your favorite liqueur.

• Build a snowman - or snow couple - together.

• Construct a cozy snow fort or igloo.

• Enjoy a night picnic in the snow - lit only by candles and the moon.

• Go for a quiet stroll in snowshoes.

• Hang out in a ski lodge - even if you don’t ski.

• Ice skate on a frozen lake or outdoor rink. Can’t skate? There’s no better excuse for cuddling than a skating lesson from your significant other!

• Make snow angels together.

• Share a toboggan or a sleigh ride.

• Take a walk in the snow, then warm up with a glass of mulled wine or hot cider.

• Take ski lessons together.

• Write your names in the snow.