From decadent nightclubs and shows to multicourse meals, visitors flock to Las Vegas to experience the Strip’s great indoors. But those in need of a respite from the clang-clang of the casinos can leave the bright lights behind in favor of fresh air and open spaces not far from the Strip.

Nevada translates to “snowy” in Spanish, so it’s fitting that there’s plenty of powder in the mountains surrounding Las Vegas. With the ski season lasting until April (weather permitting), visitors can hit the slopes well into spring. The Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort, just an hour from Strip, boasts 400-plus acres of terrain fit for skiing, snowboarding or hiking. The resort’s certified ski and snowboard instructors offer guests free lessons, while off-slope amenities include restaurants, a bar and a new all-ages area for snow tubing. www.skilasvegas.com

For fun in unfrozen water, make a splash at Lake Mead, just 40 minutes southeast of the Strip. Formed by the Hoover Dam, the lake offers kayaking, fishing and sailing, while landlovers will find plenty of camping, biking and hiking along the lake’s expansive shoreline. For high-octane fun, Las Vegas Water Sports offers private charters with the gear for waterskiing, wakeboarding or tubing. www.lasvegaswatersports.net