Vacation Ideas in Winter: Curated by Travel Experts

Winter holidays make for a much-needed escape, whether it’s taking a break from the holiday-hectic December, a bitterly cold January, or a drab February. For some, winter is the time to turn inward, snuggling up with a glass of mulled wine by a roaring fire. Yet there are others who’ll strap on their skis and snowboards and go zipping down a mountain. And yet, there are people who are driven to places with warm-weather beaches and summer skies to get away from the cold. Clearly, vacation ideas in winter are diverse, and no matter your preference, there’s something about the season that awakens an individual’s wanderlust.

So, whether you’re looking for a snowy retreat to Colorado’s best ski resorts, a vacation to explore southern Spain, or even the perfect family cruise in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, wintertime is the time to get out. Here’s a detailed list of perfect winter vacations for you, no matter how you deal with the plummeting mercury.

St. Moritz, Switzerland

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There’s a reason we started off this list with the luxury alpine resort town of St. Moritz. After all, it’s more than just a skiing destination. In fact, it’s the very birthplace of Alpine tourism and has a long and rather illustrious history. That’s what gives the region, and the town, its old-world charm. At the same time, the ski town has been constantly evolving, keeping up with the times and making it the perfect landing spot for a dream-like winter holiday. Think winter hiking, cross-country skiing, night skiing all the way until as late as 2 am (yes!), polo on the frozen lakes, yoga in the snow, nighttime horse-drawn carriage rides, and loads of places for apres-ski. That’s why this is one of the best ski resorts in the world.

Did we mention the unique and cozy Fondue Gondolas experience outside the Hotel Carlton? It combines the Swiss winter atmosphere with the deliciousness of a cheese fondue. The hotel itself is a fantastic place to stay with luxurious suites, fantastic views, and indulgent amenities like limo services, two restaurants including a Michelin-starred one, and an excellent spa.

Atacama Desert, Chile

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It might be winter in the rest of the world, but in the Atacama Desert in Chile, the time between November and February is – drumroll – summertime! Or, at least what the region calls summer, with sunshine and even rain. However, there’s much more to this desert than sand and blistering heat — this is an outdoorsy haven with a wealth of remote wonders. Since we love adventures, we hiked through the Valley of the Moon, which is kind of a rite of passage. Or, you could bike down the devil’s throat, or Garganta del Diablo, and float on the briny waters of Laguna Cejar with the Andes mountains all around.

Interestingly, Chile is often hailed as the world’s ‘Astronomy Capital.’ Since there’s no light pollution, it’s one of the best places in the world to see the night sky and indulge in stargazing. In fact, it’s home to ALMA, one of the world’s best astronomical observatories.

Hence, we chose Elqui Domos, one of the stalwarts in the astro-tourism lodging scene and one of the best stays in the region. Tucked on the southern fringes of the Atacama Desert, in the heart of the Elqui Valley, the hotel is surrounded by lush plant life, including vineyards. We had the choice of just 11 rooms, including 4 observatory-style cabins and 7 geodesic domes, which is what we chose. Our dome had an openable roof that revealed starry skies. An onsite observatory, regular stargazing tours, free Wi-Fi, a terrace, an outdoor swimming pool, room and concierge services, and continental breakfasts round up the amenities here.

Banff and Whistler Village, Canada

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It not surprising that one of the best places for a winter holiday lies right in Canada, one the coldest countries in the world. We’re talking about the postcard-perfect Banff National Park in Alberta, where there’s so much to do during wintertime. A great place to start is the town of Banff itself, which is very pedestrian-friendly and home to cute local stores, restaurants, bars, and shops. Next, you can hike your way around the glacier-fed Lake Louise, as well as indulge in dog sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and ice skating. Try tobogganing at local hills like the Spray Meadows Hill. However, one of the most popular activities here is skiing the 3 main resorts – Mt. Norquay, Lake Louise, and Banff Sunshine, which are some of Banff’s best ski resorts. Here’s a detailed guide to visiting Banff in winter.

If you want to stay in the lap of luxury, stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs, a historic, luxurious Baronial-style hotel with million-dollar views for more than 135 years. Besides its world-class spa, the hotel is also famed for luxurious digs with huge windows, an Adventure Center, a long list of winter activities, award-winning restaurants, riding stables, and a championship golf course.

Interestingly, another great Canadian destination in winter is Whistler, British Columbia, complete with charming small-town vibes. Try the après-ski pub crawl and relax at the Scandinave Spa.

Canary Islands, Spain

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If you want a break from all that snow, there’s no better place than the Mediterranean. And there’s no place better in the Mediterranean than the Canary Islands off the southern coast of Spain. After all, the waters off the white sand beaches in the Canary Islands in the winter are very comfortable to swim in. What’s more, there are the ever-impressive views, far fewer crowds, and, best of all, off-season prices. In fact, the island of Gran Canaria, one of the most popular islands in the archipelago, is supposed to have the best climate in the world. There’s guaranteed sunshine for long days at the beach, explore unique landscapes, and indulge in a world of outdoor sports. Did you know that the Canary Islands have more than one of the most underrated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain? Yes!

Also sitting in the heart of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands is the one of the world’s smallest hotels, Hotel Puntagrande. In fact, the Guinness Book of Records registers it as being the “world’s smallest hotel,” as it’s home to just four rooms/suites!

Chamonix, France

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Nestled in the heart of the French Alps, Chamonix is a powdery fresh snow-swathed vision in the truest sense of the terms. For more than a century, the legendary Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley has been a beacon in the imagination of hikers, snowboarders, and skiers worldwide, having produced great champions. Unsurprisingly, skiing is one of the most coveted activities at this adventure destination, which didn’t feel overtly touristic at any point of time.

Ride the ski lift up the Flagere and within a matter of minutes, you’ll be smack dab in the middle of wide-open bowls teeming with snow. Besides skiing and snowboarding, we also rode the cable car from Chamonix to Aiguille du Midi in the Mont Blanc massif. Some of the other top things to do in Chamonix include visiting Lake Blanc, the Mer de Glace glacier, the Alpine Museum, and the picturesque little village of Argentiere.

Even the town of Chamonix itself is extremely charming, with views of the snow-covered mountains on all sides. And no place blended Chamonix’s alpine charm and luxury better than Hotel Mont-Blanc Chamonix, one of Chamonix, France’s best hotels. The amenities here were luxurious; think door-to-door shuttles to ski lifts, heated boot racks, swanky digs, a heated outdoor pool, a multi-sensory shower/steam/sauna room, and a fantastic restaurant.

Fairbanks, Alaska

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Winter is when the northern hemisphere puts up its most spectacular light show, the Aurora Borealis, a.k.a. the Northern Lights. After all, Fairbanks is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights. However, few places in the world are as diverse as Fairbanks in Alaska, where you can not only see the Northern Lights but a whole lot more. Firstly, it has a long roster of winter events, including skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice fishing and skating, and even tubing, curling, and ice hockey! We also experienced the exhilarating sport of dog mushing and were mesmerized by the larger-than-life outdoor ice sculptures everywhere. If that wasn’t enough, Fairbanks is also home to a part of the World Ice Art Championship and the world-famous Iditarod dog sled race. Check out other top things to do in Alaska.

Since we traveled to Fairbanks to see the elusive Northern Lights, we stayed at the Borealis Basecamp. We had the options of cubes and igloos on the arctic slopes, and we chose the latter for a magical experience. They even had wide open plexiglass viewing to the North so we could view the lights right from our bed! The best bit? They offer multi-day packages including different excursions.

Finnish Lapland

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The Finnish Lapland is probably what has inspired countless snowy-winter stories and novels. The very capital of Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi, is the OG winter wonderland, complete with a Santa Claus Village! In fact, it’s one of the top things to do in Lapland. What’s more, it even has an Arctic Garden and the Ranua Wildlife Park, where we got up close with arctic animals like reindeers and polar bears. It’s also one of the best spots to see the Northern Lights, so you’ll see many intrepid travelers flocking here to begin their Aurora journeys. Also, luckily, Finnair is one of the world’s only airlines to have year-round flights to this subarctic region.

One of the most unique things about this region is the presence of igloo hotels. Imagine staying in a 360-degree panoramic igloo — that’s the Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos for you. Besides that, they also had heated floors, private bathrooms with showers, and thermal-glass roofs with mesmerizing sky views. What’s more, it also has three restaurants, an Icebar, a sauna, an outdoor jacuzzi, and a snow sauna. The best bit? They even have a special Aurora Borealis alarm service that guarantees that we wouldn’t miss an appearance of the Northern Lights!

Nagano, Japan

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There are many great reasons to add Japan to one’s winter travel list, and one of those reasons is Nagano. Located in the namesake prefecture, its capital city is a wintry mix of all the good things in the cold. Think renowned skiing opportunities, an annual snow festival, and a hot spring resort with traditional wooden inns and cobblestoned lanes. For skiing, most snowboarders and skiers flock to the Nozawa Onsen, Shiga Kogen, Hakuba Valley, which are some of Nagano’s most famous ski areas. Besides these, there are also opportunities for snowmobiling and snowshoeing. What’s more, there are many winter festivals to celebrate, like the Nagano Tomyo Matsuri, Dosojin Matsuri, and the Iiyama Snow Festival.

However, nothing beats enjoying a dip in steamy hot springs, with many hotels and ski resorts having natural hot springs right on the premises. In fact, some hot spring towns like Shibu and Nozawa Onsens even have public bathhouses known as soto-yu, each with their own healing and mineral properties. Another great place is the famous Jigokudani Monkey Park, where Japanese macaques chill out in the hot springs! It’s one of the most beautiful hot springs around the world.

We stayed at Kanaguya, a 250-year-old ryokan in Shibu Onsen from the Edo era. Besides 28 traditionally styled rooms blending both modern and Japanese details, the ryokan also had 5 private and 3 public baths and serve delicious local food.

Salzburg, Austria

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Visiting Austria in winter is like stepping into a Bavarian fairytale storybook, especially in December. The lovely city of Salzburg comes alive with music and twinkling lights, making it perfect for peeps who are more music buffs than skiers and snowboarders. There’s not only the “Silent Night” Museum, but also Mozarts Geburtshaus Museum, as well as a tour of the home featured in “The Sound of Music!” The rest of the city is much the same, where we sipped on mulled wine, feasted on “lebkuchen” (gingerbread-style biscuits), listened to carols, and bought handcrafted decorations and toys. Did we mention that the city is home to The Salzburg Christkindlmarkt, one of Europe’s best Christmas markets and one of the world’s oldest Advent markets!

One of the best hotels in Salzburg is the 1866-built Hotel Sacher Salzburg, which beautifully blends old-world charm and modernity. It even had an onsite restaurant and bar, a gym, a spa, and a kid-friendly atmosphere. Did we mention that it’s within walking distance to many of the top things to do in Salzburg? Yes!

Copenhagen, Denmark

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The concept of hygge (“hoo-gah”) is everywhere in Denmark, especially more so in Copenhagen, the capital city. Meaning “coziness,” hygge is all about slowing down, spending quality time with people and creating a warm atmosphere. So, where better to embrace hygge than Copenhagen, whose wintertime activities include going ice skating, drinking hot chocolate, and strolling through Christmas markets? Oh, and there’s nothing better than celebrating New Year’s Eve at the lovely, lush, and lit-up Tivoli Gardens. Of course, there’s the very famous statue of The Little Mermaid on the Langelinie Promenade overlooking the ocean, as well as some of the best museums and restaurants in the world.

The 19th-century built Ascot Hotel was our stay of choice, complete with the unique history of being a Copenhagen public bathhouse earlier. Today, it has modern rooms and suites, a fitness center, continental breakfasts and in-room meals, and an onsite restaurant. That’s why it’s one of the best hotels in Copenhagen.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA

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Sitting at the top of this list is the Teton-ringed Jackson Hole in Wyoming, which, with nearly 460 inches of annual snowfall, is a true winter wonderland. So, it’s not surprising that Jackson Hole, WY’s best ski resorts, are popular for not just skiing but many other winter activities. These include the likes of XC and backcountry skiing, snow tubing, snowshoeing, ice-skating, and even fun-filled horse-drawn sleigh rides. Of course, skiing is the most popular activity, with skiers and snowboarders having access to nearly 3,000 acres of backcountry terrain and thrilling vertical slopes.

Even if you aren’t a skier or snowboarder, there are a ton of other après-ski diversions for you. For instance, there are local hot springs, bars and restaurants in Teton Village and Jackson Hole. Oh, and there are even snowmobile tours to Grand Teton National Park and snow coach tours to Yellowstone National Park!

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Of all the luxury hotels in Jackson Hole, our favorite is Amangani around 25 minutes from the town of Jackson Hole. Its million-dollar views aside, its other selling points include its fantastic amenities. Think a decadent and indulgent spa, an upscale restaurant, and a heated outdoor pool. The best bit, though, is that all rooms and suites boasted large terraces and balconies with deep-soaking tubs against the floor-to-ceiling windows. 

Why is winter the best time to travel?

In terms of crowds, there are many places with fewer crowds, especially in those places where winter is the off-season. Moreover, since winter stretches beyond school breaks, you can visit even popular winter destinations later on and not find crowds.

What should I remember while traveling during winter?

Layering is important, no matter where you are. Besides jackets and shoes, remember to pack for your head, neck, and hands too.

Is December a good time to visit the Patagonia region in South America?

While Patagonia has wintery, snowy weather in December, it’s not the best time to visit as it’s dark all the time. Instead, the Atacama Desert has a delightfully pleasant climate, along with clear roads, skies, and weather.