Skiing, Northern Lights and cosy cabins: The best winter destinations from the Alps to Lapland.
Top winter holiday destinations are St. Anton am Arlberg, Zermatt and Val Gardena for skiers, Garmisch-Partenkirchen for winter weekends, and Lapland and Tromsø for northern lights and husky tours. The Alps are snow-sure from December to April, while the northern lights are best seen in the far north between September and March.
Winter holidays have their own particular magic: snow-covered mountain landscapes, crisp air, the silence after snowfall. Whether skiing in the Alps, Northern Lights in Lapland or winter walking in the Dolomites – the cold season offers experiences impossible in summer.
For skiers and snowboarders the Alps are paradise: Austria, Switzerland, South Tyrol and France together offer thousands of piste kilometres, legendary apres-ski and breathtaking panoramas. But winter can also mean Northern Lights in Tromso, husky sledding in Lapland or thermal baths in Budapest.
This guide shows you the best winter destinations in Europe, gives money-saving tips for ski holidays and helps you plan the perfect winter trip.
From world-class ski resorts to Arctic adventures.
The cradle of Alpine skiing: 300 km of pistes, legendary apres-ski and snow-sure altitudes up to 2,811 m.
The Matterhorn as a backdrop, car-free village and glacier skiing up to 3,883 m – skiing almost year-round.
Dolomite panorama, Sella Ronda and excellent cuisine. Best value for money in the Alps.
A winter fairy tale beyond the Arctic Circle: Northern Lights, husky sledding, reindeer safaris and Santa's village.
Skiing on the Zugspitze, winter walking in the Partnach Gorge and Bavarian inn culture.
The gateway to the Arctic: Northern Lights right above the city, whale watching and Arctic adventures.
The 6 destinations differ mainly in budget, travel time and best season, for example St. Anton (Dec–Apr), Zermatt (Nov–May) and Val Gardena (Dec–Mar). The table compares all values side by side.
| Destination | Budget | Getting There | Season | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Anton | $$$ | 5h car | Dec–Apr | Ski & Apres-Ski |
| Zermatt | $$$$ | 6h car | Nov–May | Luxury ski |
| Val Gardena | $$ | 4h car | Dec–Mar | Dolomite ski |
| Lapland | $$$ | 3.5h flight | Dec–Mar | Northern Lights |
| Garmisch | $$ | 1.5h car | Dec–Mar | Zugspitze |
| Tromso | $$$ | 4h flight | Nov–Feb | Arctic adventure |
These 6 tips help most, above all: Buy ski passes online, Hire ski equipment and Stay in the valley not on the mountain. The details for each point follow below.
Many ski resorts offer online tickets with 10-15% discount.
Pre-ordering online is usually cheaper than renting on the spot.
Valley hotels are often 30-50% cheaper. Ski bus connections in the Alps are excellent.
Early December and late March often offer the best conditions at lower prices.
A packed lunch on the slopes saves a fortune. Mountain hut prices are twice as high.
Ski lessons sell out quickly in peak season. Book 2-3 weeks ahead.
3 free HolidayGenie tools help you plan: Budget Calculator, Packing List and Holiday Finder. They run directly in your browser and complement the destination tips on this page.
Frequently asked questions
Most Alpine ski areas are open from December to March or April, and Zermatt even from November to May thanks to its glacier. Early December and late March often offer good conditions at lower prices than the Christmas and carnival holidays.
You have good chances of seeing the northern lights in Lapland (December to March) and around Tromsø in northern Norway (November to February). Dark, clear nights away from city lights and a bit of patience are key.
Buy ski passes online in advance, rent equipment instead of buying it and reserve it online, stay in the valley rather than right on the slopes and take your own lunch. The low season in early December or late March is often much cheaper.
Handverlesene Hoteldeals, Kurztrips und Erlebnisgutscheine zu Sparpreisen. Perfekt zum Verschenken oder selbst Genießen.
* Weiterleitung zu we-are.travel. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Hotelgutscheine & Kurzreisen
Deals ab 29 € p.P. auf touriDat.com
If you like Winter Holiday, you may also enjoy Active Holiday, Adventure Holiday and Family Holiday. For every holiday type we show the best destinations with travel season, budget and insider tips.
Find your perfect winter destination – whether pistes, Northern Lights or cosy cabins.
