Snowy Winter Breaks
Tisa
Whenever cold weather swings around, our travel daydreams tend to fluctuate between two very different types of winter vacation ideas: snowy wonderlands and tropical beaches. Some days, we envision a ski vacation or trip to a snow-covered European village, and other days we start planning our next beach trip while scorning the sub-zero temperatures. Repeat that cycle about 50 times, and that pretty much sums up what our lives look like from December through March every year.
No matter the season, Yellowstone is always a good idea. Famous sites at the oldest of all US national parks (established in 1872) include the Old Faithful geyser and the Grand Prismatic Spring, but truly, every single acre of the park is worth seeing in person. Visiting in the winter is a good way to avoid the summer crowds; you'll be greeting by landscapes filled with steam from the thermal features.
Classic Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, sits divided by the Salzach River: Its pedestrian Old City lines the left bank, and the (slightly) newer side is on the right. For a hotel stay involving gingerbread cookies, fluffy beds, and views of falling snow, look no further than Hotel Goldener Hirsch.
While often thought of as a side trip from Cancn, Isla Mujeres is a destination in its own right. The main beach of Playa Norte is made of crushed coral, has warm shallow waters, and is much quieter than the beaches across the bay. Scuba enthusiasts should take note: The island is home to the largest concentration of whale sharks on the planet.
To experience a winter wonderland on the Indian subcontinent, head to Srinagar, the most populous city in the Kashmir Valley. Thanks to cool new hotel openings and developing infrastructure in the region that make visiting much easier than ever before, Srinagar was on our international list of 23 Best Places to Go in 2023. To keep warm, indulge in a multicourse wazwan feast and wash it all down with piping hot cups of kahwa, Kashmiri saffron tea.
Not many cities can compare to New York City during the holidays. Already experienced those classic traditions like the lighting of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, ice skating in Central Park, or The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center? Follow our guide to make a few unexpected ones of your own.
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There's something to be said for embracing the depth of winters and heading towards snowy destinations instead of away. In fact, some European cities are even more stunning in winter, as snow covers rooflines and transforms valleys and mountains into a powdery, white fairy tale.
Whether you're looking for snow holidays because you love winter or just for a change of pace, find destinations that will awe you with their many possibilities for outdoor fun in the coldest months of the year with our list of the best winter holidays with snow.
Located over 300 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, Tromso experiences an erratic snowfall pattern - with some winters seeing subarctic conditions and chilly winds and some seeing milder temperatures. Either way, Tromso will see winter snow - and lots of it.
The northern lights can appear in the area anytime between September and April, but the heart of winter offers the best chances of spotting them. If you're in town, taking the Fjellheisen cable car to the top of the mountain offers the best views, but you'll do better if you head out of the city with a tour, away from light pollution.
For snow galore with a touch of adrenaline, Switzerland's best-known resort is the perfect destination. Zermatt is a small town sitting right on the border with Italy and surrounded by towering mountains. Here, over 200 kilometers of pistes accommodate skiers of all abilities - from the beginners just discovering the lanes to expert skiers ready to tackle top stations at an impressive altitude of 3,883 meters.
Zermatt is a favorite destination in Switzerland for skiers because snowfall is reliable, the views are stunning, and there are plenty of difficult scenic runs that are often deserted. For those who want the ultimate adventure, there are also off-piste opportunities, some of which can also be accessed with a mountain guide. It's also possible to overnight on the mountain using one of the huts reached via a hike up the valley.
Not a skier? Zermatt offers excellent winter walking and snowshoeing. The best trails are high up the mountain, where the snow is deeper - reached via ski lifts - but there are also trails that start in the town of Gornergrat or at Schwarzsee.
The city that Mozart walked and loved is touched by magic all year, but the breathtaking buildings, palaces, and neo-Gothic architecture make for a particularly stunning backdrop for Christmas lights.
Vienna has a number of great Christmas markets, with the Belvedere Christmas market topping the list - set against the 18th-century Upper Belvedere palace, this Christmas market might be smaller than others in the city, but it makes up for it with its elegance and thousands of little lights reflecting on a lake.
The market outside Schnbrunn Palace is not much larger, but it's perhaps the most elegant in Vienna, selling high-quality items such as handmade glass and pottery. The largest Christmas tree in Vienna is here, and the market is a great destination for gourmet food, including mountain cheeses and home-baked gingerbread.
There's also the Karlsplatz Christmas market for handmade and very unique products, and the market at Michaelerplatz Square, selling traditional holiday crafts and food right by the entrance gate to the Hofburg.
While Vienna winters are cold, there are traditionally only about eight days of rain and snow in December. For bigger chances of a snowy Christmas market season, head to the city of Innsbruck - surrounded by the high peaks of the Karwendel Alps, Innsbruck Christmas markets are often covered in snow.
European-style architecture, cobblestoned alleys, and lots of snow make Quebec a great urban escape in winter. If you arrive in December, you'll also get a taste of their Christmas markets, where adorable wooden stalls sell everything from maple treats to handmade wooden toys.
From November to March, you can get the best view of Chteau Frontenac as you slide down a giant toboggan. First built in 1884, the toboggan offers a chance to speed down the hill at 70 kilometers per hour. If you visit in December, don't miss the stunning Christmas display at the Chteau Frontenac courtyard, complete with a giant Christmas tree and a multitude of lights.
The city also has two notable Christmas markets: the Market at the Old Port and the German Christmas Market. The Old Port market is open year-round and offers all kinds of artisan foods and souvenirs, but adds a wide variety of Christmas treats during December.
The German Christmas Market, at the Place de l'Hotel-de-Ville, offers all the yummy Christmas fare you could dream of, including gingerbread and Weihnachtsstollen (traditional Christmas sweet bread).
The Bregenz Forest is beautiful all year, but it becomes a winter wonderland as the colder months approach. A mix of signposted winter hiking trails, 72 marked snowshoe trails, and a cross-country ski trail network that extends for over 300 kilometers makes this a dreamy destination.
The Hittisau cross-country ski area around the forest is particularly stunning, with 30 kilometers of cross-country and 50 kilometers of classic mountain skiing trails with a maximum elevation of 1,040 meters. Most of the trails are dog-friendly.
For a unique twist on snow adventures, a number of local agencies organize nighttime snowshoeing trips on full moon nights - equipped with headlamps or a soft flashlight, the tours take visitors across deep, powdery snow, where the forested landscape feels magical and alien under the light of the moon.
There are over 6,000 kilometers of groomed snowmobile trails in the state of Montana - and a good percentage of those are located inside Yellowstone National Park. The town of West Yellowstone is the getaway to the park, which stretches over Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming.
Yellowstone receives over 380 centimeters of snow every year, and the mountain trails, powdery meadows, and backcountry roads transform into a winter wonderland. For those who want to get deep into the backcountry or for beginner snowmobilers, the national forest guide service offers organized tours - but it's also possible to just rent a snowmobile and explore on your own.
The highest ski resort in Europe, Val Thorens sees snow through May and is a favorite destination during the Easter Holidays - very few other places in Europe offer snow this late in the year. Easter is a great time to hit the slopes at Val Thorens because the days are longer (so you can ski until later in the day), the lift passes are cheaper, and the weather is sunnier and the skies bluer.
Val Thorens is a great Easter destination even for non-skiers. Winter hiking and snowshoeing trails in the Belleville Valley offer stunning views, and those chasing thrills and excitement can try the resort's zipline, which starts at the top of the Moutiere chairlift and reaches speeds of 75 kilometers per hour on the way down. There are also helicopter tours over the snow-covered French Alps available, or you can test your mental and physical strength with some ice diving.
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