Whether you’re chasing snow because you love winter or just want a change of pace, here’s a list of some of the best winter getaways for outdoor fun in the coldest months of the year.
The Northern Lights In Norway
Located over 300 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø has an unpredictable snowfall pattern, with some winters bringing subarctic conditions and biting winds and others staying comparatively mild. Either way, Tromsø gets plenty of snow. The northern lights can appear anytime between September and April, but the heart of winter gives you the best odds of catching them. Taking the Fjellheisen cable car to the top of the mountain gets you great views if you’re in town, but you’ll do even better heading out of the city on a dedicated tour, away from light pollution.
Ski Resort In Switzerland
Zermatt is a favorite winter destination in Switzerland for skiers, thanks to reliable snowfall, stunning views, and plenty of challenging scenic runs that are often refreshingly empty. For those after the ultimate adventure, there are also off-piste options, some accessible only with a mountain guide. It’s also possible to stay overnight on the mountain in one of the huts reached by a hike up the valley.
The Best Christmas Markets In Austria
Vienna has a range of excellent Christmas markets, with the Belvedere Christmas market topping the list. Set against the 18th-century Upper Belvedere palace, this market is smaller than others in the city, but it makes up for it with elegance and countless lights reflected on the lake.
Trekking In Transylvania
Transylvania’s landscape of forest-covered mountains and hilltop castles turns into a winter wonderland once the snow falls. Explore the region’s traditional villages, quiet valleys, and mountain pastures on a week-long trekking and snowshoeing trip with Exodus. And no trip to Transylvania is complete without a visit to Bran Castle.
Wellness In The Dolomites
High above the city of Bolzano, reached by a short cable car ride, this spa resort offers guests the ideal antidote to festive indulgence: crisp mountain air, gently invigorating activities, and luxurious treatments. The hotel offers yoga, meditation, and guided trekking, and guests can also try sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice skating on outdoor rinks and frozen ponds, weather permitting.
Winter Walking In The Spanish Pyrenees
Ordesa National Park has some of the finest trekking in the Pyrenees. Its landscape of towering mountains, tumbling waterfalls, and deep limestone canyons looks even more starkly beautiful in winter, when the lakes freeze over and Monte Perdido (Lost Mountain), the park’s highest peak, is capped with snow. Combining snowshoeing with hiking, a seven-day guided winter walking tour from Purely Pyrenees takes you deep into the park, returning each night to a cozy hotel in the mountain village of Linás de Broto.
Family Fun In Slovakia
Slovakia’s Tatra Mountains are beautiful in winter, and you won’t have to share them with crowds of tourists. Join a week-long activity tour and explore the national parks, pine forests, and mountain villages by snowshoe, husky sled, or horse-drawn carriage. Other highlights include soaking in natural hot pools, a scenic rail trip to the highest village in the Tatras, a visit to an ice sculpture park, and a winter barbecue in the forest.
Cheap Snow Holiday In Canada
From November to March, you can take in a great view of Château Frontenac while sliding down a large toboggan run. Built in 1884, the toboggan run lets you speed down the hill at around 70 kilometers per hour.
If you visit in December, don’t miss the beautiful Christmas display in the Château Frontenac courtyard, complete with a large Christmas tree and countless lights.
The city also has two great Christmas markets: the Market at the Old Port and the German Christmas Market. The Old Port market runs year-round with all kinds of artisan food and souvenirs, but adds a wide range of Christmas treats throughout December.
Go Snowmobiling In The US
Yellowstone gets over 380 centimeters of snow each year, turning its mountain trails, powdery meadows, and backcountry roads into a genuine winter wonderland. The National Forest Service offers guided tours for those wanting to get deep into the backcountry or for beginner snowmobilers, though it’s also possible to simply rent a snowmobile and explore on your own.
Cabin Hideaway In Finland
With reliable snowfall and strong odds of spotting the aurora, Syöte National Park in Finnish Lapland is an excellent choice for a winter outdoor holiday. Some of Finland’s best ski slopes are nearby, but non-skiers will find plenty to keep them busy too, from ice fishing and husky sledding to cross-country skiing and nighttime snowmobile safaris across frozen plains in search of the northern lights. At night, return to a cozy log cabin with an open fireplace and private sauna.
Off-Piste Adventure In France
La Plagne is one of the world’s largest and best-known ski resorts, so it might seem like an odd choice for non-skiers. But there’s plenty of off-piste action at this lively resort to keep even the most reluctant skier busy for a week. Test your nerve on the Olympic bobsleigh track, try the new winter sports craze Snooc, a ski/sled hybrid that makes for an exciting alternative to a toboggan, or explore Vanoise National Park by pony-sled.
Finish your day with the Far North Experience: a snowshoe walk up to a tipi camp for a fireside vin chaud and cheese fondue, followed by a descent back to the hotel by dog sled.
Have a Snowy Easter In France
Val Thorens is a great Easter destination even for non-skiers. Winter walking and snowshoeing trails in the Belleville Valley offer beautiful views, while thrill-seekers can try the resort’s zipline, which launches from the top of the Moutière chairlift and reaches speeds of around 75 kilometers per hour on the way down. Helicopter tours over the snow-covered French Alps are also available, or you can test your mental and physical limits with a bit of ice diving.
Hey everyone! I’m Luciana, a travel writer from Colombia. I focus on places I know and love — mostly Colombia, Central America, and North America.
I’m all about discovering those hidden gems that don’t always make it into the guidebooks — think street food stalls, quiet little towns, underrated hiking trails, and the kind of real-life moments that truly capture what a place is all about.
Whether I’m wandering through vibrant markets in Guatemala, cruising across the deserts of the U.S., or hiking the Andes, I try to keep it real and useful — no fluff, just the good stuff.
When I’m not off exploring or writing about it, you’ll probably find me sipping too much coffee, editing photos, or dreaming up my next trip.
Let’s keep discovering and traveling smarter — one trip at a time.