Sometimes the coldest places make you feel warm when your favorite season is winter, and your favorite view is snow-covered surfaces. Visiting cold, snowy places is not just about beautiful scenery; it also offers a host of adventures. If you want to experience unforgettable adventures and breathtaking views, including the northern lights on a white snowy surface, you can visit the places mentioned below. You can read about these top winter destinations and choose to visit the one that attracts your soul the most.
Top Places to Visit in Winter
The places might be similar, but your preferences still create differences, such as whether you are just going to view and admire the cold beauty or want to engage in snow-adventure activities. You can read about some of the top places to visit in winter and choose accordingly based on your requirements to gain the experience you desire:
Lapland, Finland
Lapland is one of the best winter wonderlands in Finland's northernmost region. The main reason people explore Lapland is its incredible year-round light phenomena, vast Arctic nature, and rich Sami culture. While pleasing your eyes with the beautiful northern lights, you can also go to your adventurous side. You can also taste some of the best and most distinctive cuisines, as the place offers different types of food for each season, and offers an exceptional culinary experience.
Activities to do: Lapland offers you a range of experiences, whether you want a quiet time in nature, to admire the views, or to go on an adventure. Here are the top activities to do in Lapland mentioned below:
- Sleep under the Northern Lights.
- Explore Arctic nature in Lapland's national parks.
- Meet the Sami and explore their unique culture.
- Go skiing and snowboarding.
- Enjoy different cuisines.
Temperature during winter: Between -5 °C and -30 °C.
How to reach: To reach Lapland, you can consider any of the travel modes mentioned below:
- By air: Take a flight to the nearest airport in Lapland, Rovaniemi (RVN). After that, you can take a train, bus, or rent a car to reach Lapland.
- By train: The best and most beautiful way to reach Lapland is to take the Santa Claus Express from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, a double-decker night train offering scenic views.
- By road: You can reach Lapland by driving through the beautiful views along the European route E75 from Helsinki, passing through Jyväskylä and Oulu before reaching Lapland.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt is an amazing and enchanting village in the Valais Alps in southwestern Switzerland. Zermatt has a lot to amaze you with its beauty in winter. Zermatt is a very popular destination among travelers, attracting a large number of tourists every winter. With beautiful surroundings and stunning views, there are many reasons this must be your next winter destination. To have the best experience at Zermatt, you can witness the majestic beauty of the Matterhorn, a famous mountain that is 4,478 meters above sea level, be a part of a Zermatt adventure, admire the tranquil beauty, and more.
Activities to do: The top things that you can do at Zermatt include:
- Be in Europe's highest pool.
- Go for the Via Ferrata in Zermatt.
- Go for a sunrise trip at Gornergrat.
- Go skiing and snowboarding.
- Photograph the best views
Temperature during winter: Between -10 °C and 2 °C.
How to reach: There are several ways to reach Zermatt; read below and choose the one that suits your travel.
- By air: To reach Zermatt by flight, you first need to reach the nearest airport to Zermatt, in Geneva (GVA) or Zurich (ZRH). From there, you can take a train ride to enjoy the view, or you can also be reached by helicopter.
- By train: To reach Zermatt by train, you can take a train from Zurich (around 3.5 hours) or from Geneva (around 4 hours).
Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir, India
Gulmarg is located around 60 Km away from Srinagar and is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Gulmarg means "Meadow of flowers," and suits the place very well. Millions of tourists travel to Gulmarg every year to witness its captivating beauty. Not an unusual snow-coated mountain view, but you can look at the iconic scenic beauty of the Himalayan Mountains in the backdrop. The most famous attraction in Gulmarg is the Gulmarg Gondola, one of the highest cable car systems in the world. In addition to the mesmerizing views, you can also indulge in adventurous activities and take part in winter festivities, including the celebrations of "White Christmas" and the New Year.
Activities to do: Gulmarg offers you a wide range of experiences with the activities and things that are mentioned below:
- Ride the Gulmarg Gondola.
- Go skiing and snowboarding.
- Explore the flower-filled valley.
- Marvel at the snow-capped mountain.
Temperature during winter: Between 3 °C and -10 °C.
How to reach: There are multiple ways to reach Gulmarg that you may choose among, as per your suitability:
- By air: To reach Gulmarg by flight, you need to arrive at the nearest airport, Srinagar's Sheikh Ul Alam International Airport. The distance between the airport and Gulmarg is about 54 km, which you can cover by taking a private taxi.
- By train: The nearest railhead is at Baramulla, and the distance between the railway station and Gulmarg is about 53 km, which you can cover via private taxi or any public transport.
- By road: You can also visit Gulmarg from Jammu & Kashmir via road; it's about 410 km, and if you want to travel from Srinagar, you will need to cover around 54 km.
Niseko, Japan
Niseko is one of the most famous ski resorts in Japan, where you can find tons of light powder and spectacular backcountry. A large number of tourists visit here, especially Australians. This is the must-visit place for you if you especially want to do snow sports like skiing and snowboarding. Most of the people who visit here are generally busy with plenty of long ski runs. Besides this, you can also witness some beautiful scenes and capture the views through your camera lens.
Activities to do: Niseko is one of the amazing places to visit, and here are some of the activities that you must do if you are visiting this place:
- Go hiking, skiing, and snowboarding.
- Enjoy scenic rides.
- Explore the culture and tradition.
- Visit the Shiribetsu River.
- Night skiing.
Temperature during winter: Between -10 °C and 5 °C.
How to reach: The different ways through which you can reach Niseko are mentioned below:
- By air: You will need to fly to the nearest airport to Niseko, which is New Chitose Airport (CTS). After that, you can take shuttle buses, private transport, or a train to reach Niseko.
- By train: The nearest railway station to Niseko is the Niseko Station, and from there you can take a 10-15 minute taxi or bus ride to reach Niseko to begin the adventure.
- By road: You can begin your road travel after you reach the New Chitose Airport (CTS). From there, you can take a direct shuttle, a private transfer, or rent a car. The route may take around 2-3 hours.
Quebec City, Canada
The winter turns Quebec into a fairyland. Quebec is a city in Canada that is known for its historical charm. In the winter, the city experiences heavy snowfall, leaving streets fully covered with snow, and you can see the fairy lights near the cozy cafes, hotels, and restaurants that look so beautiful when they melt against the city's cold tone. Quebec is one of the best places to visit near Christmas. To prepare for your trip to Quebec, you can go through the information mentioned below:
Activities to do: Here are some of the top experiences and activities that you must know are as follows:
- Celebrate the carnival.
- Visit Quebec City's Christmas markets.
- Stroll down the beautiful streets of Quebec.
- Go for the ice climb of a frozen waterfall.
- Go ice skating.
Temperature during winter: Between 0 °C and -30 °C.
How to reach: To reach beautiful Quebec City, you can choose among the various methods mentioned below:
- By air: It is very easy to reach Quebec City by air; you need to fly to the Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB). From the airport, you can take public transport, taxis, ride-sharing services, and more to Quebec, which is about 20 minutes away.
- By train: Quebec is easily accessible. You can take a train from cities like Montreal and Ottawa and reach Quebec.
- By road: Reaching Quebec by road is also very accessible, as you can take a bus or drive via a highway connection.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna transforms into a magical fairytale known for its timeless elegance. Winter is the perfect time to stroll past glowing, historic buildings, explore the markets, and to feel warm in traditional coffee houses with world-class art and classical music. Exploring Vienna in the winter feels like you are in a film, and you must experience the essence of the city near Christmas when everything looks so fun.
Things to do: Here are some of the things that you must do in Vienna:
- Go ice skating at the Vienna Ice Dream.
- Explore Imperial palaces.
- Spend some time in a classic coffee shop.
- Enjoy the opera or concert.
- Explore the Christmas markets.
Temperature during winter: Between -5 °C and 4 °C.
How to reach: Here are all the modes that you can consider to reach Vienna:
- By air: To reach Vienna by flight, you can fly to the nearest airport in Schwechat, which is just 18 km from the city. From the airport, you can take a train or a taxi to reach Vienna.
- By train: To reach Vienna by train, you can arrive at Wien Hauptbahnhof, which connects the city to the U-Bahn subway network.
- By road: You can also reach Vienna by road via Europe's extensive, high-quality motorway network with great accessibility.
Tips to Consider before Visiting Cold Places
Before you plan to visit extremely cold places, it is important to take some measures for a smooth experience. Here are some of the tips that you must read about to prepare efficiently for your winter adventure:
- Pack enough warm clothes.
- Prioritize layering your clothes.
- Carry the waterproof boots with you.
- Freezing temperatures drain batteries quickly, so keep your phones and cameras close to your body heat.
- Do not forget to pack the hand and foot warmers.
- Stay hydrated, as it is easy to forget about drinking water in the cold.
Conclusion
It is very hard to choose where to visit in the winter; you simply need to listen to your heart. A vacation to places with extreme cold may be a little tough for you, but the experience you will get will stay in your heart forever. Collect all the essential details about the destination you plan to visit, pack your bags, prepare for every aspect of your trip, and start your journey. Other than winter, all the places mentioned above also offer an exceptional experience in summer, with a wide range of activities and attractions.
