Nine hours outside of Houston (or a two-hour flight) is where you’ll find snowy views and spectacular landscapes in Amarillo. Located in the center of the Texas Panhandle, Amarillo receives a whopping 18 inches of snow annually, with January being its peak snowy month. For some family-friendly fun, make your way to Palo Duro Canyon State Park to enjoy a winter hike. Or trot through a bed of snow while viewing the public art installation at Cadillac Ranch.

The border with Mexico promises snow sightings at Big Bend National Park. Bundle up and hike to the park’s higher elevations to view scenic snow trails along the Chisos Mountains. After a day adventuring outside, watch the snow fall from the comfort of your hotel room or cabin as you nestle in with a warm cup of tea or cocoa. Chisos Mountains Lodge and Cabins is the only hotel within Big Bend’s perimeter, but there are plenty of other options in the surrounding area to choose from.

There’s no place like El Paso. In a good year, the city can see an accumulation of seven inches of snow—which is seven inches more than what Houston usually accumulates. Although the city has not seen major snowfall since the “Great Snow” of 1987 when an astonishing two feet fell on the city, travel west (roughly 10 hours from Houston) for at least some chance to catch breath-taking winter flurries. For the best views, visit Hueco Tanks State Park or Franklin Mountains State Park.

Another West Texas place to experience snow is at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. As the website notes, Guadalupe Park “protects the world's most extensive Permian fossil reef” while also playing host to the state’s four highest peaks and an impressive array of ecological wonders. Cooler seasons like fall and winter experience high winds, snow, and freezing fog. While only a mere one inch of snow can fall on average per year, the park is still a great contender if you’re looking to participate in some chilly excursions.

You may find a light layer of white powder in Lubbock as early as October and as late as April. Chances of snow may not always be guaranteed in the High Plains, but when it does, it covers the entire city. Peak cold periods will occur in the later winter months of the year, with the best chances for snow appearing in mid-to-late January and early February. While there, catch a snowflake or two at Mackenzie Park, or drive about 95 miles farther out of town to Caprock Canyons State Park.