7 of the Top Snowy Destinations for Winter Activities
Planning a vacation to remember doesn’t have to mean beach trips or tropical escapes. In fact, it’s worth flipping the calendar and traveling when you’re guaranteed frosty temperatures and thick, fluffy snowfall. Luckily, you have plenty of options for the kind of wintertime retreat that would make even Currier and Ives jealous. From the UNESCO–listed scenery of Banff National Park to the North Pole–style attractions of Lapland, here are eight places that are best explored during the coldest months of the year.
1. Lapland, Finland
Quite literally the quintessential wintertime destination.
For a true winter wonderland experience, you’ll want to aim for the North Pole—and Lapland, Finland’s northernmost region, is about as close as you can get. By day, you can go on a husky safari through the subarctic wilderness, visit a reindeer farm, and even meet jolly old St. Nick at the Santa Claus Village. And by night—which lasts for some 18 hours during the winter—you can bundle up to eat in an ice restaurant before turning your eyes to the heavens and taking in a kaleidoscopic aurora borealis show.
2. Banff, Canada
Of course Canada brings the good when it comes to wintertime activities.
Banff’s UNESCO–listed scenery—from its Rocky Mountain peaks to its azure lakes and sprawling glaciers—is impressive enough on its own. But this national park also happens to be one of North America’s top destinations for winter sports enthusiasts. The region’s three main ski resorts (Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Norquay) offer perfect powder and steep slopes, while backcountry skiing and waterfall ice climbing present their own challenges for intrepid types. Alternatively, for a gentler way to discover Banff’s scenery, travel by a (one-horse open) sleigh (and feel free to whistle along as you go).
3. Harbin, China
Harbin is home to a legendary winter snow festival that you won't want to miss.
Whether you plan a standalone visit or arrive via the Trans-Siberian Railroad, Harbin—the capital of Heilongjiang, the northernmost province in China—is best discovered during the colder months. That’s thanks to the world-famous Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, held here since 1963. The event transforms the city into a veritable winter wonderland with its soaring snow sculptures, illuminated ice palaces, skating rinks, sledding hills, skiing options, and more. There’s really no better place to soak up your dose of wintry magic (as long as you bundle up in your warmest parka).
4. Hokkaido, Japan
Combine cool temperature and even cooler attractions on this Japanese island.
Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s main islands, has a climate that’s closer to Russia’s than the rest of the country’s—and that means winter here, with its sub-zero temperatures and stacks of snow, is a major event. Ski resorts such as Niseko Village are internationally renowned, the Sapporo Snow Festival is a highlight every February, and the pop-up ice village on Lake Shikaribetsu is a major tourist attraction. Happily, there are also many ways to warm up, from steaming onsen hot springs to hearty bowls of miso ramen (enriched with butter for added coziness).
5. Reykjavik, Iceland
There's no end of winter activities to enjoy in Iceland.
With its rugged scenery, its frigid snowscapes, and its active volcanoes, Iceland’s wild and untamed beauty makes it an ideal wintertime destination—and Reykjavik is the perfect base for your explorations. Begin with a stop at the Blue Lagoon, which is fed by geothermal water and remains steaming-hot all year round. Then continue to the Golden Circle, a circuit covering many of the top attractions in southwestern Iceland (including the frozen-over Gulfoss waterfall and Geysir, a geyser that shoots 100 feet, or 30 meters, high). Cap it all off with glacial snowmobiling—or a late-night northern lights viewing.
6. Zermatt, Switzerland
Ski, ski, and ski some more in snowy Switzerland this winter.
Crowned by the Matterhorn’s readily recognizable, crooked peak, well-heeled Zermatt is a ski lover’s paradise, as well as one of Switzerland’s most beautiful corners. For an expansive overview of the region, hop aboard the Gornergrat Railway—the world’s first cog railway—for magnificent vistas. Skiing is, of course, a must, and with three mountains to choose from, there are plenty of options when hitting the slopes. In between the outdoorsy excursions, you can browse the luxury boutiques along the Bahnhofstrasse, visit the Matterhorn Museum, and warm up with fondue before indulging in the hedonistic après-ski scene.
Related: The Fon-Do's and Don'ts of Eating Fondue in Switzerland
7. Yosemite National Park, California, US
The Golden State has plenty of snow for fans of winter activities.
Discover a new perspective on Yosemite’s iconic sights, from El Capitan and the Half Dome to Bridalveil Fall, when you plan a wintertime visit to one of the country’s first national parks. Snowshoe hiking makes navigating the drifting snow banks easier, while the Badger Pass Ski Area (the oldest ski resort in California, and one of the only such facilities within a national park) offers skiing, snowboarding, and tubing opportunities. And don’t forget to drop by the Ansel Adams Gallery to see the photographic master’s timeless shots of Yosemite’s landscapes (and snowscapes).
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