Does the idea of hot, sandy beaches leave you cold? If
year-round snow action is more your thing, we have the
ultimate winter itinerary. Check out our
best holiday tips
for catching an
endless winter
in all corners of the world
.
January
The melting hotel.
Every year, a team of architects, designers and artists from
all over the world descend on the little town of
Jukkasjärvi in northern Sweden to create the Icehotel.
Built in phases, the hotel is complete by January 7. Guests
sleep on beds made of snow and ice, but stay warm thanks to
thermal sleeping bags, soft reindeer skins and mugs of hot
lingonberry juice! Book early, but if you miss out, an
Icehotel is open in Quebec, Canada, until it drips away at
the end of March.
January to April
Aspen or Vail?
Fancy some celebrity spotting from the T-bar?
Colorado's once sleepy mountain towns are now the
playground of the seriously rich and famous, their streets
lined with designer boutiques and hip restaurants. Beyond
the glitz, you'll still find some of the world's
best ski runs where the fun is free (if you don't
count the cost of the ski lift ticket!).
May to October
Ski New Zealand
On the other side of the globe, New Zealand's scenic
slopes are perfect for first timers and risk taking
heli-skiiers – don't forget your comprehensive
ski/winter sports insurance! Holiday destinations stretch
from the middle of the North Island right down to Wanaka in
the southern alps, where the mountains are still growing -
at a rate of seven millimetres a year.
November to March
Cruise to Antarctica
The great frozen continent is one of the world's most
mysterious and breathtaking places. The best way to see it
is by boat, giving you time to take in its vast landscapes
and unique wildlife. Cruises leave from Australia, New
Zealand and Argentina.
December
Christmas with Saint Nick
As the year closes, head for Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland,
the real home of Santa. This pristine Arctic landscape is
the perfect place to see the northern lights in all their
glorious action, and to hit some of the best low cost ski
slopes in Europe.
If winter is not for you, check out our travelling by season guide.
