The world’s greatest winter destinations – and how to plan the perfect trip

Best for: Seeing the northern lights 

The best northern lights viewing spots are away from light pollution and as far north as you can go – that’s why Iceland regularly hits the list of the best places to see them. Buy a ticket, book a hotel and cross your fingers for a cloud-free night. A new aurora retreat opened this autumn at Black Sand Hotel in south Iceland, an hour from Reykjavik, where you can see the northern lights dance over dramatic black sand beaches. 

Where to stay: The three-day aurora retreat at Black Sand Hotel costs from £532 including B&B accommodation and car rental, with Discover The World.

Time Out tip: The northern lights show up better on a camera – even a phone camera – than they do to the naked eye. Look through a viewfinder for the best view.

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People tend to head to Japan in spring for cherry blossom season. But the country’s quintessential experiences – slipping into a steaming onsen, slurping up warming ramen, riding the bullet train through spectacular landscapes – are actually at their very best in the colder months. You can ski and snowboard in Yamagata and Hokkaido, see insane snow art in Sapporo and wander around onsen towns like Ginzan at their most charming. The big cities, like Tokyo and Osaka, have fewer crowds, dazzling lights and excellent shopping. Get stuck in.

Where to stay: On the Takara River, near the Hodaigi ski resort, the highly-rated ryokan Takaragawa Onsen Ousenkaku is surrounded by spectacular wintry landscapes and has mixed-gender hot springs.

Best for: Igloos and cabin stays

Picture Norway, and you might think of the classic red fisherman’s cabins perched on stilts beside the sea. But the country has been building up its collection of exceptional interior design-led cabins over the last few years. For winter, this option goes one step further: geodesic igloos at the foot of a glacier in the Finnmark Alps in the far north of the country, offering a range of private guides and winter experiences. It’s so remote it looks out of this world.

Where to stay: Isbreen The Glacier’s luxury igloos combine comfort and wow factor. Book via Off The Map travel. Prices from around £1432 per igloo per night.

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Best for: Wilderness experiences

Where else but the Land of Maple for an extraordinary winter experience? Dog sledding in the Rockies, skiing in Whistler and snowshoeing along trails in Jasper National Park are just some of the iconic experiences the country has to offer. From the sustainable luxury of Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland to Ottawa, home to the world’s largest natural ice rink, not to mention snowy mountain landscapes home to wolves and bears, nothing else compares.

What to do this winter: Original Travel sells a ten-day dog sledding and ice hiking holiday in the Canadian Rockies that feels like the most adventurous winter trip ever, including national parks, hot springs and iconic cities. From £2900.

Time Out tip: Take a portable phone charger with you – the cold runs your battery down faster than you might think.

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Best for: Skiing

For skiers who want the thrill of a helicopter ride plus a taste of off-piste backcountry tracks, Italy is the place to be this winter. Long valley runs on tree-lined slopes await in Alagna, two hours northwest of Milan, where the highest landing point is over 4000m and tracks take in views of the Matterhorn. Elsewhere, in the Livigno Alps, heliski operator Heli Guides offers helidrops from as little as £250 per trip. 

What to do this winter: James Orr Heliski offers a 4-night, 4-day skiing option including two helidrops, a mountain guide, accommodation and lift pass in Alagna from £1875 per person. 

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Best for: Snowy landscapes (and Santa)

Sure, Finnish Lapland has Father Christmas. But this northern region has much more to offer than that. On dark winter nights, the snow, which falls sometimes as early as October, reflects the moon and stars; lakes freeze, mountains are skiable and the landscape comes alive. Trees are laden with layers and layers of snow and start to look like marshmallows, while the sky holds the colours of dawn for hours, with unreal pink and pale violet colours. It’s one of the most magical places to be. 

Where to stay: New boutique hotel and spa Galdu just opened near the Urho Kekkonen National Park, with rooms starting at £176 per night.

Best for: Ice skating

Imagine skating with a group of people on a frozen lake or river, gliding beside pine trees with that deliciously cold air in your lungs. It beats a disco soundtrack and a Slushie at your local ice rink, doesn’t it? Nordic ice skating is the new vogue this year, with ice skating fever peaking in Sweden in January. Stockholm Adventures runs a six-hour introduction to ice skating trips from the city from £152, with further options for experienced skaters.

Where to stay: Nordic Light Hotel is a stylish central hotel with doubles from £128 including breakfast.

Time Out tip: Always skate with a guide and take a safety kit with you.

Best for: A charming winter city break

Bergen in winter is one of the prettiest spots in Scandinavia, all twinkling lights, mountain trails and cosy cafes. Take the Ulriken cable car up the highest mountain in the city and admire views over its mountains and the sea, or walk up Fløyen mountain from the city along a zigzag tree-lined path. As well as seven mountains, Bergen is known for its music scene and its historic wooden waterfront, decked out with fairy lights in the winter.

Where to stay: Green Key-listed Moxy Bergen is right on the water and has doubles from around £73.

Best for: Affordable skiing and snowboarding

You’re going to hear more about this ski resort: Zakopane, in Poland, has just been named Europe’s most popular ski destination this year by Avis, based on online search, snowfall and engagement across Instagram and TikTok. The resort is in the Tatra Mountains, 100km from Kraków, and is known as ‘the winter capital of Poland’. It’s making a name for itself for its beautiful setting, characterful wooden architecture, and lively après-ski scene – and its prices aren’t bad either.

What to do this winter: Ski holiday specialist Heidi.com lists a six-night trip to Zakopane, staying in the Smerkowa Polana Resort & Spa, from £613 per person, including flights, transfers, breakfast and accommodation. Ski hire and ski passes are extra.

Best for: Winter spas

Finland’s capital Helsinki is a wild ride in the winter: bike lanes become ski lanes, nearby lakes become skating rinks, and an abundance of deep soft snow can mean only one thing: sauna time. Of the many brilliant saunas, two stand out: Löyly, where you can climb down the icy ladder into the Baltic to cool off, and Allas Pool, where you can swim in a heated outdoor pool. For best results, roll around in the snow before you swim.

Where to stay: Hobo Helsinki is a fun hotel with bags of Finnish design and a youthful atmosphere. Doubles from £125.

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