12 magical destinations for a white Christmas
From rustic chalets to magical Christmas markets and reindeer sledding, here are some amazing locations for a white Christmas.
Touching down in the Northern Hemisphere for a white Christmas is a memory that will last a lifetime. You will love soft the snowflakes falling outside while you unwrap presents with the smell of a fresh, woody pine tree.
There is something very special about being in these spots during the Christmas holidays. Towns are lit up like … well … Christmas trees, giving everything an even more magical feel.
Unlike the winter school holidays in Australia, which only last for two weeks, you have a whole six weeks to play, which means your kids can enjoy the best of both worlds: a winter holiday with the family and plenty of time at home with friends at the beach, at the pool, or just hanging out being kids. Consider going for a White Christmas, with the kids – and the adults – waking to a world of snowy wonder on Christmas Day.
1. Val d’Isère, France
When the snow falls, this cosy village in the Tarentaise Valley transforms into a beautiful ski mecca. This standout resort might just be the
ultimate family ski holiday destination.
Ride on more than 300 kilometres of variable terrain and enjoy a myriad of activities off the slopes. You can warm up in the heated pools and spa at the Centre Aquasportif, try paragliding, snowshoeing, dog sled tours, toboggan rides and ice skating. Parents can try their hand at the snow kites or cruise around on electric moon bikes.
Christmas in Val d’Isère officially begins at the start of December when the Christmas lights are switched on and the celebrations continue all month long, so grab a vin chaud (and hot choccie for the kids), snap a photo with Père Noël (as he’s known in these parts) and stroll among the wooden chalets, bathed with Savoyard festive cheer. Head to the little villages of Le Fornet or La Daille for more Christmas festivities.
2. Innsbruck, Austria
Tirol’s capital of the Alps has so much to offer, especially come Christmas time. The city is a beacon of illuminated festive cheer, surrounded by the nine snow resorts of Olympia SkiWorld, including Nordkette, accessed directly from the city centre. As a two-time host of the Winter Olympics (three if you count the first-ever Youth Winter Olympics in 2012) snow sports are a major drawcard for the area. You and your family can also choose from a range of other winter pursuits. For the perfect way to bring the magic of Christmas to life, take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage through the snow or visit one of the five famous Christmas markets where you’ll find delicate ornaments, handicrafts and tasty winter treats, all under the twinkling lights of a giant Christmas tree on Marktplatz.
3. St Moritz, Switzerland
In St Moritz, you will find impossibly beautiful landscapes that you and the family won’t soon forget.
At the St Moritz-Celerina Olympia Bob Run you can race through the snow at up to 130 kilometres per hour. The adrenaline-fuelled ride is on the world’s only natural bobsleigh track, piloted by an experienced two-man team. This is an experience for the older kids. Younger kids can get their adrenaline fix with mountain biking and alpine skiing in the area.
St Moritz consists of four incredible ski areas: Corviglia, Corvatsch, Diavolezza and Zuoz. Over Christmas families love horse-drawn carriage rides, sledding, ice skating or cross-country skiing.
4. Christmas markets
Vienna, Innsbruck and Salzburg in Austria, Prague in the Czech Republic and Tallinn in Estonia also have magical Christmas markets. The markets have been running for centuries in medieval town squares. Stallholders sell beautifully crafted wooden toys, Christmas ornaments, mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and other goodies.
In Vienna, the market, which dates back to 1296, is held with a backdrop of the Imperial buildings. In Salzburg, the market on Residenz Square is at the foot of the remarkable Hohensalzburg Fortress. And in Innsbruck, the Old Town comes alive with market stalls backed by medieval facades.
No matter which destination you choose for your white Christmas, it will feel much more Christmassy than usual. Christmas carols will be playing everywhere, the lyrics making so much more sense than in the heat of the Australian summer, and when it comes to Christmas lights, you won’t believe how beautiful they are, twinkling against a backdrop of snow.
5. Visit Santa at the North Pole
Rovaniemi, Finland
The magic of Christmas doesn’t have to be confined to December – at Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, the holiday is celebrated year-round.
In the village, you can explore Santa’s Village, meet santa and go for a sleigh ride behind a real reindeer. The kids will be blown away by the range of exhilarating winter safaris on offer. Step across the Arctic Circle, which runs through the village, or witness the mesmerising Northern Lights. Then they can create their own souvenir with the help of some elven friends.
For skiers, just outside Rovaniemi, Ounasvaara is the perfect resort for families after their Santa experience. The mountain has nine downhill slopes, cross-country tracks and a terrain park and caters for every ability. For little ones just starting out skiing, Rendi’s Snow World is the place to be. Skis, snowboards and sleds are all welcome with the magic carpet making it easy for little legs.
6. Stay in a castle in Gstaad, Switzerland
Add a magical treat to your Swiss snow holiday with a stay at the elegant, uber-prestigious and family-friendly Gstaad Palace. It is literally a place fit for a queen, with royals quite often spotted there. And why wouldn’t they with luxury at every turn. Definitely do the fondue experience while clip-clopping around in a horse-drawn carriage.
On the snowy slopes, Gstaad resort boasts that it is one of the safest alpine resorts in Switzerland, making it the dream skiing destination for families. Beginners can choose from a range of learners’ parks as well as specialised family mountains, but if its adrenaline you’re after rest assured that Gstaad also offers a ski cross course riddled with jumps and banked curves to satisfy your need for adventure.
7. Bolzano, Italy
With a rich history, stunning mountain scenery plus an abundance of winter activities, Bolzano, on the border of Italy and Austria, is an amazing setting for a white winter getaway. Corno del Renon/Rittner Horn is one of the closest ski resorts to the city and is great for snow bunnies of every calibre. Skiers and snowboarders will delight at the gnarly slopes and cross-country trails and kids will love the snowshoe hikes. In a Yuletide experience like no other, the town square transforms into the largest Christmas market in Italy. Sweet treats, gifts and crafts galore… your family will have a magical time wandering under the twinkling city lights.
8. Val Thorens, France
Val Thorens in Les Trois Vallées is the highest resort in Europe, with some of the best snow.
The resort has a huge network of runs and so many activities that you’ll hardly have time to sleep. Val Thorens is action central. There are ice go-karts, ice driving, a zipline across the mountains, a six-kilometre toboggan run, husky sled rides and a family fun park with rails, jibs and boxes for mini freestylers.
A must do is the Tyrolienne zip line travelling beside glistening peaks. Suspended safely in a comfortable cocoon, you’ll hit speeds of up to 105 kilometres per hour as you zip from Orelle Resort to the Val Thorens crest. The Tyrolienne truly is a must-see, offering both speedy excitement and breathtaking views. This ride is suitable for ages eight and up, as long as you weigh more than 40kg.
9. Italy’s Dolomites
The scenery around the Dolomiti Superski Area in Italy is next level, especially on a ski safari riding from rifugio to rifugio (mountain hut). Spend a couple of days around magnificent Alta Badia and Santa Croce before your safari. Make sure you ride down the Armentarola run from Lagazuoi down through the Fanes Valley past frozen waterfalls. At Sarè Bridge, you’re taken up the valley floor on a horse-drawn rope tow.
There are also 40 different sledding trails to suit every experience level in the Italian Dolomites, including Italy’s longest, on Monte Cavallo. More advanced adventurers might head to the RudiRun at Plose ski resort.
10. Jackson Hole, USA
The lights sparkle brightly in Jackson’s Town Square, with its antler archways aglow with lights. And it is not just the town of Jackson, with its cowboy heart and Western shops that shines, but the soaring peaks of Jackson Hole in the shadows of Grand Teton National Park and a stone’s throw from Yellowstone.
Jackson might have a reputation as an advanced mountain, but don’t let that fool you. It is exceptional for advanced skiers and snowboarders, but it is also heaven on a ski pole for intermediates and beginners. When you’re not sliding down the slopes of Rendezvous and Après Vous, get up close to hundreds of elk in the National Elk Refuge, and marvel at the beautiful bison and moose you could spot in the area.
11. Sun Peaks, Canada
During Christmas at Sun Peaks Resort, carols are playing, fairy lights are glowing and horse-drawn sleighs jingle around corners. Families can partake in gingerbread house making competitions and kids have many opportunities to meet Santa. They can sled with him, ski with him, listen to him read a book, and even have breakfast with the jolly man in red.
Sun Peaks Resort has three mountains – Sundance, Morrissey and Tod – offering 1,728 hectares of terrain. It is the second biggest ski area in Canada. Olympic legend Nancy Greene Raine offers free guided ski tours. And for families with kids who love playing in the terrain parks, Sun Peaks has some beauties.
12. Salt Lake City, Utah
In December families looking for a white Christmas experience can embark on the North Pole Express train ride. Passengers get hot chocolates, biscuits, a souvenir ticket, and a special gift from Santa.
Salt Lake City is known as Ski City. There are 10 world-class ski resorts within a one-hour radius of the Salt Lake airport with their own Christmas celebrations. Park City Mountain has an exciting calender of Christmas events for their annual Snowfest celebrations.
Choose from the Park City resorts of Deer Valley (ski only) or the gargantuan Park City, linked to the stunning Main Street area via a chairlift. Head for Solitude, Sundance, Alta or Brighton, or further afield, let yourself go wild on the enormous powder playground that is Powder Mountain, or on the pretty-as-a-picture runs of Snowbasin.
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