When winter comes around, some folks start dreaming of tropical beaches and sun-soaked escapes. But not everyone! A surprising number of people are drawn to winter destinations like moths to a flame – or, should we say, penguins to an iceberg? They swap their flip-flops for snow boots, their bikinis for thermals, and head towards the chill.
Indeed, whilst it might sound surprising, many people are looking for a change of scenery and a chance to embrace the freshest, briskest of seasons. Why, you ask? Well, who wouldn’t want to sip a hot toddy by a roaring fire, or carve fresh tracks on a pristine ski slope?
And let’s not forget the joy of fewer crowds; no frantic scrambles for sun loungers which escalated across Europe earlier this year either! Plus, there’s something undeniably magical about seeing your breath in the frosty air and catching snowflakes on your tongue. Yummy.
It all feels pretty poetic, travelling to pastures white during the winter season, something summer vacations simply can’t compete with. So, pack those thermals and embrace the cold with our roundup of the best cold weather destinations to visit during winter.
The Antarctic
Ideal for a plenitude of polar delights…
We had to start here. The Antarctic landscape is a winter wonderland like no other, with its expansive icebergs, glaciers, and untouched snowfields. The white vistas contrasted with the clear blue skies provide a breathtaking spectacle indeed.
If you are looking for solitude and a holiday away from the usual crowds, there is no better place than the Antarctic. It’s not every day that you can say you’re one of the few people on an entire continent – it is, after all, the only continent with no permanent human habitation.
That’s not to say it’s totally isolated; Antarctica is home to a wealth of wildlife not found anywhere else in the world. The ubiquitous penguins – particularly emperors – seals, whales, and various sea bird species delight wildlife enthusiasts each and every year. Care to join them?
The most popular (and practical way) to visit Antarctica is by cruise. Most Antarctic voyages and expeditions entail exploration of the more temperate and accessible Antarctic Peninsula, which is the northernmost part of mainland Antarctica. For those with a particular thirst for knowledge, visiting the numerous scientific research stations in this region can provide an immersive learning experience about climate change, ice core drilling, and other Antarctic research topics.
Gstaad, Switzerland
Ideal for top-notch skiing, luxury hotels and gourmet dining…
What do George Clooney, Madonna, Richard Burton, Liz Taylor, Brigitte Bardot and Roger Moore all have in common? They are just a handful of the rich and famous who have spent their festive holidays in Gstaad (pronounced it ‘Shtard).
Alongside St. Moritz, Gstaad is the Alpine village where film stars, royalty, and a certain type of entrepreneur come to play in the snow. However, despite its fame and luxury, Gstaad has retained its authentic Swiss alpine village, low-key charm with its chalet-style architecture and picturesque mountainous surroundings.
As you can imagine, Gstaad is famous for its top-tier luxury accommodations, such as the Gstaad Palace and The Alpina Gstaad. Housed in traditional chalet style buildings, rows of high end boutiques (Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Cartier and the like) line the town’s main drag. You can eat seriously well here, too; at the time of writing, this small village boasts a whopping ten Michelin stars, one green star and four Bib Gourmands.
Should you be able to afford to charter a private jet, then good news, the town even has its own airstrip. If you can’t, you’re probably wondering if you can do Gstaad on a budget. Well you can start by staying in Saanen, just outside Gstaad and hire a car to drive into the village. You could also go off season, but that defeats the point of a winter holiday we suppose.
Val Thorens, France
Ideal for skiing and a lively après-ski scene…
The highest ski resort in Europe, Val Thorens offers excellent skiing conditions and a lively après-ski scene. If you’re after something properly rowdy, then visit the world-renowned apres ski bar ‘La Folie Douce’ where table dancing and partying on the piste is actively encouraged. Here, the entertainment kicks off every afternoon at 3pm, and sees dancers, live music and DJ’s make this area of Tignes as hot as an Ibiza nightclub, without melting the snow.
Alongside its après-ski scene, it’s also one of the best places in the world to actually ski. As Val Thorens is perched at an altitude of 2300 metres, this means that it has one of the most reliable snowfalls in the world, ensuring great skiing conditions from November to May. Being part of the Trois Vallées ski area, it also offers access to over 600 km of pistes, catering to all levels of skiers and snowboarders.
Lapland, Finland
Ideal for winter activities and sleeping under the Northern Lights…
Whilst Lapland is home to the Santa Claus Village, there’s so much more this winter wonderland than just Father Christmas.
If you’re after an active escape, then Lapland is the ideal destination for invigorating winter activities like skiing, snowmobiling, and husky sledding. Hiking through snow-covered forests and frozen lakes is another one for those who are after an active holiday.
For those looking for something a little more sedate, then why not stay in a traditional log cabin with open fire pits, private saunas and outside hot tubs? Rolling in the snow afterwards isn’t compulsory, but it is one hell of an adrenaline rush! You can also lay your head down for the night in a heated glass igloo and admire the Northern Lights from your bed. Now that’s a night under the stars to remember.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Ideal for affordable luxury…
Iceland’s capital offers a unique blend of cosmopolitan culture and extraordinary natural beauty. It also caters for those looking for a luxury winter escape without quite the same premium price tag as Gstadd.
If you’re here for luxury, opt for private guided tours to enjoy Reykjavik’s attractions at your own pace. Consider hiring a luxury private vehicle for the Golden Circle tour and, for a unique experience, book a helicopter tour to see the city from a bird’s eye perspective.
Reykjavik boasts several high-end restaurants. Make reservations at places like DILL, Grillmarket, and Fish Market for a gourmet experience. To try Icelandic specialties, reserve a table at a restaurant such as Matur og Drykkur.
If luxury to you is a day at the spa, then a visit to the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa known for its mineral-rich waters, is a must. You can book a luxury package that includes a private changing room, a massage, and a meal at the on-site restaurant.
Read: 6 ideas for the IDEAL luxury trip to Iceland
Niseko, Japan
Ideal for powdery snow, night skiing and hot springs…
Niseko, the northernmost island in Japan, is renowned worldwide for its exceptional quality of snow. Known as “Japow”, the area is famous for its light and fluffy powder-style snow, which is some of the best in the world. This is largely due to Siberian weather systems that bring cold air across the Sea of Japan and drop large amounts of snow on Niseko and other parts of Hokkaido.
After a day on the powdery slopes, you can relax in one of the many onsens (hot springs) found in the region. This traditional Japanese pastime is a perfect way to wind down and recover from a day of winter sports.
Oh, and the food in Hokkaido is something else, largely due to its unrivalled location. Hokkaido provides a bounty of seafood, including crab (king crab, horsehair crab, and snow crab), squid, scallops, sea urchin, and a variety of fish such as salmon and herring.
Sapporo, Hokkaido’s largest city, is famous for its ramen which features a rich, miso-based broth and is topped with corn, butter, bean sprouts, and chashu pork – it’s the ideal restorative, warming dish in cold weather.
And though you may think that by coming on a ski holiday here, you’ll be missing out on the dairy laden cuisine of the Alps, you’d be very much mistaken; Hokkaido is famous for its dairy farming and is particularly renowned for its rich soft serve ice cream and cheese tarts. Rejoice!
Quebec City, Canada
Ideal for the very best of winter…
Visiting Quebec City in the winter can provide a genuinely unique, magical experience. Let’s start with the fact that it also hosts one of the world’s largest winter festivals, the Quebec Winter Carnival, with snow sculptures, parades, concerts, ice-skating, and traditional events like canoe races on the St. Lawrence River.
Speaking of ice skating, there are numerous rinks across the city, with the Plains of Abraham being one of the most popular. The wider region also offers a wide range of winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling. If you visit in early winter, you’ll enjoy the festive Quebecois Christmas markets, filled with handmade gifts, warm mulled wine and local delicacies.
Speaking of local food, this Canadian city is deeply influenced by its French-Canadian roots, and Quebec’s thriving food scene has not gone unnoticed in recent years. In fact, Conde Nast Traveler readers last year voted Quebec City as one of the 20 Best Food Cities in the World. Unsurprisingly, the food here is a hearty affair. Traditional dishes include poutine, which features a bed of crispy french fries topped with gravy and cheese curds, tourtière, a traditional meat pie, usually made with minced pork, veal, or beef and ragoût de boulettes, a stew made with meatballs and pork hocks. Yep, that’s some heavy going, but it’s most welcome in the cold!
Sleep off all that hearty food at Hôtel de Glace, North America’s only ice hotel, which is recreated each and every winter. You’ll be thankful for the layer of fat you’ll inevitably gain from eating all that Quebecois fare!
Lake Tahoe, USA
Ideal for scenic, serene snowscapes and snow sports…
Straddling both California and Nevada, and high up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe is a must-visit in winter. While the winters at Lake Tahoe provide lots of snow, the temperatures remain relatively mild, not often dipping below freezing. This makes the scenic lake on the California-Nevada border a fantastic destination for powder-hounds. Indeed, Tahoe is celebrated for its snow sports, especially skiing. Whether you’re a skiing beginner or a little more advanced, there are a variety of slopes to suit all levels and even some alpine and cross-country skiing, too.
If swooshing down the slopes isn’t your thing, then fear not; you can still rent a cosy cabin, ideally with a hot tub and a log fire, and enjoy the fresh alpine air at a more relaxed pace; simply sublime.
In Tahoe City itself there are also a number of art galleries and some fantastic restaurants; Christy Hill, a casual fine dining spot looking over the lake, is superb. A trip to the Donor museum and Donner Memorial State Park offers some much needed insight into the region’s history, too. And if you’re feeling lucky, a trip to the casinos in Reno provides the evening entertainment.
Salzburg, Austria
Ideal for a fairy tale winter, Christmas markets and music…
Salzburg’s winter-scape feels like something out of a fairy tale. With the snow-covered Alps as a backdrop and the city’s baroque architecture sprinkled with a layer of fresh snow, it’s a magical sight indeed.
The Salzburg Christmas Market, or Christkindlmarkt, is one of the oldest in the world, and is a magical experience with the festive decorations, the smell of mulled wine and gingerbread, and the sound of Christmas carols in the air.
Speaking of music, if you’re a fan of classical variety, then Salzburg will see you right – it’s the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, after all, and is now home to the Mozart Museum where you can explore his life and works.
As you’d imagine, Salzburg is known for its concerts, operas, and festivals. It’s a cultural hotbed where you can enjoy performances at world-class venues like the Salzburg Festival Hall. Oh, and Salzburg is famous for being the filming location for ‘The Sound of Music’. You can even take a themed tour around the city and visit iconic spots from the movie!
Copenhagen, Denmark
The Ideal winter destination for food lovers..
Laid back Scandi cool is defined here, as well as that famed hygge, so expect cosiness and charm in bucketloads in Copenhagen.
One of the best parts of a winter trip here is most certainly the food, with Copenhagen being one the world’s leading culinary destinations. The food scene in Copenhagen is not just diverse but also innovative, especially during the winter season. It’s home to multiple Michelin-starred restaurants like Noma and Geranium, both are renowned for cutting-edge ‘New Nordic’ cuisine, which emphasises local, seasonal produce. Moreover, the city’s signature ‘hygge’ dining provides warm, cosy dining experiences that make you want to linger and really enjoy your meal.
Oh, and come the season to be jolly, Copenhagen’s Christmas markets are culinary heavens, serving up famous Danish Christmas foods like æbleskiver and Gløgg. Bakeries burst with a variety of pastries, and their warming cinnamon rolls are the perfect breakfast on a cold day.
Yep, Copenhagen offers an unmatched culinary winter vacation. Check out our IDEAL foodie guide to 48 hours in Copenhagen here for the ultimate weekend of eating.
Prague, Czech Republic
Ideal for a truly romantic winter getaway…
Prague in winter is a wonderland, with a tranquil ambiance and enchanting beauty that makes it an ideal spot for a romantic winter escape. Often referred to as “City of a Hundred Spires”, when enveloped in a blanket of snow it becomes a mesmerising sight to behold. Its cobblestone streets exude charm, while the city’s Gothic and Bohemian Baroque architecture provides a captivating backdrop, perfect for couples seeking an intimate cold weather getaway.
Come Christmas, the city’s magical Christmas markets, particularly the ones at Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, are places with romance oozing from every corner. Think twinkling lights and the intoxicating smell of mulled wine and traditional Trdelník.
Be sure to venture to Charles Bridge early in the morning, with the frost-kissed towers and the Vltava River’s tranquillity, it’s the epitome of romantic serenity. Prague’s fairy-tale castle complex, adorned with a dusting of snow, becomes even more awe-inspiring, offering panoramic views of the city that are breathtakingly beautiful.
To finish, an evening cruise on the Vltava River or a classical music concert in a historic church adds that final flourish to any romantic sojourn.
Oooh, we’re feeling a little hot and bothered after that – we’re off for a frolic in the snow!