Vacation In The Snow
The yearly Vacation In The Snow is an amazing experience that has been gaining popularity every year, and each year it’s a bit easier to get tickets. We spoke with our friend who works in the service center to find out more information on how to get your hands on some tickets.
Last weekend I went on vacation. I played in the snow, went sledding and drank hot chocolate afterwards.
Sometimes it’s not Snow’s fault. I know that because I’ve visited Snow over the years (maybe a couple times), and there was never a mention of it being responsible for causing trouble.
Snowmobiling is the recreational activity of riding on a snowmobile and its related paraphernalia. This encompasses recreational, touristic, sporting and racing activities. In Canada and parts of the northern United States, “snowmobile” refers specifically to a class of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)—large, four-wheel drive vehicles designed to travel over snow, while in the UK and certain other northern European countries snowmobiles refer to small-scale civilian ‘cutters’ or Nordic Skiers , track skis mounted to the front of a belt driven motorcycle .
The morning air had a bit of a bite to it, with the wind whipping snow this way and that. But the sun shone brightly with no clouds in sight, and the promise of some skiing did not make me feel any colder. In fact, I was actually quite warm in spite of the temperature. I was a bit anxious. The idea of skiing was foreign to me and I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. After all, I had never been skiing before in my life.
Vacation In The Snow
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.
Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.
1. See the Northern Lights in Tromsø, Norway
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 even better chances, visit during the polar night period, a 48-day period between November and January when the sun never rises, and the northern lights could appear at any time of the day.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Tromsø
- Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Tromsø
2. Visit Europe’s Most Famous Ski Resort in Zermatt, Switzerland
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.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Zermatt: Best Areas & Hotels
3. Discover the Best Christmas Markets in Vienna, Austria
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 Schönbrunn 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.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Vienna: Best Areas & Hotels
4. Spend a Cheap Snow Holiday in Québec City, Canada
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 Château 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 Château 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).
During a snowy day, climb to the top of the Observatoire de la Capitale for a stunning view over the city and its powdery, white roofline.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Quebec City: Best Areas & Hotels
- Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Québec City
5. Walk the Snowy Mountains of Bregenzerwald, Austria
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.
The city of Bregenz sits on the eastern shores of Lake Constance at the foot of Pfänder mountain. It offers plenty of indoor fun in the form of museums, music festivals, and ornate Baroque buildings.
6. Go Snowmobiling in West Yellowstone, Montana, US
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.
In winter, as thick layers of snow cover the roads and regular road traffic is banned, guided snowmobile tours – mainly leaving from West Yellowstone – are the only way to travel through the park.
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.
Accommodation: Where to Stay near Yellowstone NP: Best Areas & Hotels
