Traveling in the winter – and especially traveling in the cold – isn't always everyone's cup of tea. In fact, many long-term travelers perpetually chase summer around the globe so they never have to turn in their flip-flops for winter boots.
But that's not really my style.
I grew up in northeast Ohio on a Christmas tree farm. Snowy winters were a given – and these days I'm actually kind of sad when we don't get a white Christmas.
So, perhaps not surprisingly, traveling to cold places in the winter doesn't really phase me. In fact, I actually kind of love it!
In the past few years, I've traveled to both Ottawa and Manitoba in the depths of winter, gone to Scotland for New Years, and have been to Iceland not once but twice during the winter months.
If you, too, enjoy bundling up in order to explore somewhere new, here are 10 ideas for where to go in winter:
10 Cold-Weather Destinations to Visit in Winter
For atmosphere:
1. Quebec City
There are lots of great Canadian cities worth visiting in the winter (I quite enjoyed Ottawa in January, believe it or not!), but Quebec City has a certain magic about it. With cobbled streets and festive holiday decorations, photos of Quebec in the winter always make me feel all cozy inside.
Plus, the city has a huge winter festival every year (the Carnaval de Quebec) with sleigh rides and an ice hotel.
>> Read more: Fun Facts: Things You Might Not Know About Quebec City
2. Germany
I got to visit Germany around Christmastime for the first time in 2015, and the Christmas markets there are just as incredible as you've heard – maybe even more so. If it's a cheery, gluhwein-filled atmosphere you're looking for, you can't go wrong with Germany.
Even if there's no snow, places like Cologne, Nuremberg, Berlin, Heidelberg, or any of the small cities like Rudesheim or Rothenburg ob der Tauber boast great markets – and great German holiday food.
>> Read more: 23 of the Best Christmas Markets to Visit in Germany
3. Sapporo, Japan
Sopporo is known for its skiing (it hosted the Winter Olympics in 1972), but is also known for its very unique snow festival that takes place every February. The festival draws millions of visitors each year to see hundreds of snow and ice sculptures.
For wintery landscapes:
1. Norway
Sure, it can be frigid when you head north of the Arctic Circle, but have you SEEN photos of the Lofoten Islands or Tromsø in winter?
Norway may not get a lot of sunlight during the winter months (especially the further north you go), but your chances of seeing the Northern Lights are pretty good. And Norwegians harbor a special love for the cold, dark winter months, which I think is kind of cool.
>> Read more: A Perfect 10-Day Itinerary for Norway in Winter or 10 Reasons Why Northern Norway in Winter is Awesome
2. Iceland
Like I mentioned earlier, I've been to Iceland in winter now (once in November and once in March). The country doesn't actually get as cold as most people assume since it's an island in the Gulf Stream, meaning there are plenty of cool things to do year-round.
Whether you want to snowmobile, hike on a glacier, visit ice caves, or chase the Northern Lights, you can do it all in Iceland. You can also ride adorable Icelandic horses and soak in natural hot pools year-round.
>> Read more: A 10-Day Itinerary for Iceland in Winter (Without Renting a Car) and 6 Things to Know About Traveling to Iceland in Winter
3. US national parks
Winter can be one of the best times to visit many of the US' best national parks. The Grand Canyon, Zion, Yosemite, and Yellowstone can be magical during the winter months.
Seeing the parks dusted with snow and without tons of tourists is something you can only do in the off-season. Some roads do close due to snow, but I think the views are nevertheless well worth it.
>> Read more: Yes, You Can Visit the Grand Canyon in Winter and Visiting Zion National Park in Winter
For winter sports:
1. Canadian Rockies
Canadians love winter perhaps more than I do, and there's no lack of things to do in the Canadian Rockies when it's cold and snowy.
You can go snow shoeing, dogsledding, snowmobiling, and skiing at world-renowned ski resorts like Whistler. Something else on my bucket list is to go bobsledding on the Olympic bobsledding track in Calgary.
>> Read more: Alberta Bucket List: 40+ Incredible Things to Do in Alberta, Canada
2. Innsbruck, Austria
Do the Alps call to you more than anywhere in North America? If so, the small city of Innsbruck in Austria might be a good fit for you. Not only is the skiing great, but it's also a gorgeous alpine town with snowy mountains as a backdrop.
3. American West
If it's snow sports in the US you're craving, then you'll need to head west. Places in the Rockies like Aspen and Vail and Breckenridge and Alta are a mecca for winter snow sports in America.
There are, of course, SO many other great places to travel in the winter.
Where else would YOU recommend for the cold-weather lover?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
I just came back from Canada and I agree, Québec City is the cutest ! Though I was in Ottawa for Christmas and there was no snow and it was like 15°C, not really the magical white Christmas I was looking for.. But Canada wins me over anyway ! 🙂
I feel ya – we didn’t have a white Christmas here in Ohio, either!