The ultimate winter destinations in Asia for snow and ice adventures

You may have seen Harbin’s fantastical, life-size illuminated ice sculptures pop up on your social media feed. Located in China’s northeast, average wintertime temps dip well below zero, but its Ice and Snow Festival, with 600,000 square meters of see-it-to-believe-it creations, is worth the potential frostbite. Once you’ve gotten the feeling back in your fingers, pick up some chopsticks for a spicy hot pot meal at the Ice Palace Restaurant (yes, it’s made entirely of ice) at the Shangri-la Hotel Harbin.

Time Out tip: This year’s Ice and Snow Festival plans to open on Dec 25th and last through mid-February 2026.

Professional snowboarders will tell you, there’s no better powder than in Hokkaido. The mountain town of Niseko is basically the Aspen of Japan, where celebrities and Olympians flock for its insanely light, dry snow. There are four main mountain areas there, Hanazono, Annupuri, Grand Hirafu and Niseko Village. Each has a variety of resorts, restaurants, and activities, from tubing to snowmobiling to ice skating. Wherever you decide to stay, don’t miss out on après-ski in Hirafu village.

Time Out tip: Buy an all-mountain lift pass, so you can ski or snowboard between all four areas.

Known as the Switzerland of Bhutan, warm butter tea and raclette are perfect for a cold day in the centre of this peaceful Himalayan nation. Pack your snowshoes for tranquil winter hikes through the forests to see the area’s famous temples like Tamshing Goemba. Afterwards, sink into a Bhutanese hot stone bath at Six Senses Bumthang or Amankora. Traditional festivals also kick off during this time of year, like Mewang, a fire-blessing ceremony, and the Sacred Naked Dance at Jambay Lhakhang Drub, which takes place at midnight during this November festival.

Time Out tip: Instead of an hours-long, treacherous drive to Bumthang, take a domestic flight from Paro International Airport.

In this contested northern Himalayan region, mountain peaks get blanketed with snow. Gulmarg is the region’s Christmas capital, home to a yearly Snow Festival held in January and the Gulmarg Ski Resort, the country’s premier place to hit the slopes in January and February. Aside from skiing, there are endless outdoor activities, including a can’t-miss gondola ride, ice skating, snowmobiling, heli-skiing, ATVing and sledging. Subzero temperatures are common this time of year, so indulge in spicy comfort foods like rogan josh with a hot cup of kahwa (tea), and a trip to the spa at The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa.

Time Out tip: Kashmir is a highly contested territory between India and Pakistan. Expect military checkpoints and be respectful of local culture and perspectives.

Korea gets cold, and when it does, snow bunnies flock to Gangwon-do. Less than two hours from Seoul on the high-speed rail, this province looks like something out of Frozen. Many people come here to get a glimpse (and a photo) of the revered “snow flowers,” a wintertime phenomenon in which snow perches on branches, looking like blooming flowers. You can take the Taebaeksan Snow Flower Train or the Deokyusan Snow Flower Train to see them. Once you’ve got “the shot” of these majestic natural snow sculptures, head to Alpensia Ski Resort, where the 2018 Olympics were held, to hit the halfpipe. For ornate ice sculptures, visit the Taebaeksan Snow Festival in February.

Time Out tip: Gangwon-do is an incredibly popular domestic destination, so book as far in advance as possible.

January is the coldest month in Uzbekistan, with snow showers highly likely. Most people visit this central Asian country for the mosques and museums in Bukhara, Tashkent and Samarkand, which are open year-round. But for those on a budget, it’s one of the best places to shred the mountain. There are three main ski resorts in the country, Chimgan, Beldersay and Amirsoy. Amirsoy Mountain Resort is the largest and most modern of the three, with extremely affordable lift passes. And if heli-skiing is a dream of yours, Uzbekistan is arguably the cheapest place in the world to do it.

Time Out tip: There are roughly 10 trails at Amirsoy, so taking the hour-and-a-half trip from Tashkent makes for a perfect day trip of skiing or snowboarding.

Those with a seriously adventurous spirit and a love of rugged, wild nature should venture to Mongolia. A must-try cold-weather experience here is dog sledding, camel riding or horseback riding in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. If wellness is more your thing, head to Khujirt Resort in central Mongolia, where you can soak in warm, natural mineral hot springs. But for one of the world’s most unique travel experiences, head north to stay with the nomadic Tsaatan (Dukha) reindeer herders. It’s a long journey to get there, so few people in the world will ever get to experience this kind of cultural immersion.

Time Out tip: Temperatures in Mongolia can dip into the negative 30s, so come prepared with ultra-warm clothing and lots of layers.