Most people tend to go to warm places to get away from the cold weather, but that’s boring and predictable. Why not be a maverick and enjoy the winter? Sure, it’s hard to do if it doesn’t really snow where you live. But that’s why we came up with a list of 8 most underrated winter getaways around the world. These places can really make winter seem like the most wonderful time of the year, complete with lots of snow, skiing and cosy evenings curled up next to the fireplace with lots of mulled wine.
1. Niseko, Japan
Did you now that Niseko in Japan gets about 14 meters of snow per season? It’s the perfect winter getaway. You get to enjoy the ski resort, there’s hot springs on the premises that you can soak in, you can visit other cities in Japan on the way, and if you’re a fan of seafood – you know it’s basically heaven for you. All that fresh sushi, sashimi, snow crabs… yumm.
2. Gudauri, Georgia
If you love skiing but don’t want to be broke by the end of your vacation – Georgia is the place to go. The people here are very friendly and welcoming, the prices are surprisingly decent, some might even say cheap, and the service will be perfect. In term of skiing resorts – Gudauri is a highly recommended. Not only do they have incredibly awesome mountains to see and slopes to ski on, but you can literally hire a helicopter to drop you off on a mountain top or a glacier.
3. Prague, Czech Republic
For those of you who are not adrenaline junkies and would prefer to just wander through beautiful snowy streets, see some lovely gothic architecture and maybe have a glass or two at the local bar – Prague is a great spot for a winter vacation. You’re guaranteed a winter wonderland here.
4. St. Petersburg, Russia
If you really want to experience winter you might want to go to Russia. We know, it’s not the most popular place to go these days, but if you go to St, Petersburn you’ll be perfectly safe and fine. St. Petersburn is really the cultural capital of the country, this is the place where you really dive into the culture and art scene of Russia. There’s multiple museums and art galleries here, winter castles and gorgeous churches, and all that covered in snow looks more magical than ever.
5. Mont Tremblant, Quebec
Canada is another country that’s known for snowy winters. Mont Tremblant is a great getaway that offers not only marvelous skiing slopes for both beginners and pros, but also other fun winter activities. Have you ever had champagne in an outdoor ice bar, for example? Here you can try that, and that’s just one of the many things they offer.
6. Alaska, USA
Alaska is known as the most sparsely populated and cold part of the US, but it’s also a place where you can enjoy a winter festival, and even see the northern lights. The best time to visit would be between September and March, this way you have the most chances of witnessing the Northern lights. The biggest winter festival is the 10-day Fur Rondy festival. Here you’ll be able to witness and participate in dog sled races, the running of the reindeer, and huge team snowball fights, not to mention all the skiing, ice-skating, and snowmobiling your little heart desires.
7. Tatra Mountains, Slovakia
The Tatra Mountains range might not be as famous as the Alps but it can definitely rival it in terms of accessibility and price. Slovakia has many ski resorts to offer, and the prices here will surprise you. Whatever you would pay in the Alps for a weekend will probably last you a week here. If you have children and are looking for a family friendly place where they can learn to ski we especially recommend the Donovaly Park Snow.
8. Bariloche, Argentina
People usually think of Argentina as a warm place, but if you fly just two hours away from Buenos Aires you’ll find yourself in the middle of the mountains. Mount Cathedral is the biggest ski resort in South America and its peak skiing season is between June and September (that’s winter for Argentina). If you come here during the Northern winter you probably won’t get a chance to ski, but you can hike, fish, play golf and enjoy spectacular views from the mountain tops.
