Snow falls year-round in Europe's highest Alpine glaciers and remote Arctic regions like Svalbard, with specific locations such as the Jungfraujoch, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (Switzerland), Hintertux Glacier (Austria), and Zugspitze (Germany/Austria border) offering guaranteed snow and even summer skiing due to their extreme altitudes, while parts of Northern Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden) also retain snow well into summer.
Switzerland. Switzerland is one of Europe's snowiest destinations, but snowfall varies hugely depending on altitude. Up in the Alps, mountain resorts can see several metres of snow each winter, while towns and cities in other regions usually get much less.
In Switzerland, there is always snow on the glaciers and high-altitude areas above 2,500 meters. The famous glaciers such as Jungfraujoch, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, and Titlis offer guaranteed snow year-round.
Tignes is one of the most snow-sure destinations in Europe thanks to its high-altitude village bases, slopes that rise well above 3,000 meters, and access to the Grande Motte glacier.
Strasbourg's Christmas Market is one of the oldest in the world and one of the largest in Europe, and the city is known as “the Capital of Christmas”. Since 1570, Strasbourg has embodied the very spirit of the holiday season.
If it's a white Christmas you're dreaming of, Norway is one of the best December holiday destinations. Get up close to Santa's reindeer in Lapland and gaze up at the stunning Northern Lights. Set against a backdrop of snowy mountains, the idyllic town of Bergen is another must-see destination.
Rovaniemi, Finland is the ideal winter wonderland location to offer a guaranteed snow fix each and every year. This magical location also happens to be home to Father Christmas and his little helpers located in the arctic circle. You can visit santa's home all year round as its never closed.
Snowfalls are rare and usually very light in the north, and almost never happen in the south. Summers are dry and hot. Main cities: Cagliari, Palermo, Naples, Rome, Pescara.
Fiji: The record low in the nation of tropical islands did hit the freezing mark in 1965, reports Trading Economics. However, the country, as well as several of their South Pacific neighbors, has never seen snow, according to the WorldAtlas and the Farmer's Almanac. A beach at a resort at Natadola Bay in Fiji.
In Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland in particular, there are many inexpensive offers for a winter holiday with or without skis. These countries not only offer inexpensive skiing fun, but also many off-piste activities such as tobogganing, winter hiking and cultural events to enrich your winter holiday.
What is the warmest country in Europe over winter?
If you want winter sun in Europe in December, your best bet is either Madeira or the Canary Islands. You can find warm temperatures and sunshine in Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, Greece and Malta, but fine weather isn't guaranteed. Morocco is also an excellent option, only three hours flying time from the UK.
For guaranteed snow in Europe, head to high-altitude Alpine glacier resorts like Tignes, Val Thorens, Saas-Fee, or Cervinia/Zermatt for winter sports, or go far north to places like Rovaniemi (Finland) or Abisko (Sweden) for a true Arctic winter experience, including the Northern Lights, though expect limited daylight. These glacier areas offer extended seasons and high reliability, while Nordic locations provide deep snow and unique polar beauty.
Snow vacations for non-skiers offer activities like sleigh rides, snowshoeing, spa days, cultural exploration, and northern lights viewing, with top destinations including Lapland (Finland), Iceland, Swiss resorts like St. Moritz, Austrian towns such as Kitzbühel, French villages like Chamonix, and North American spots like Whistler, focusing on charming villages, geothermal baths, husky sledding, and scenic train rides for a full winter experience beyond the slopes.
This – explains van der Schrier – depends on the low average elevation and the increase in temperature, which reduces the fraction of snowfall in favour of rain.
Manali. A bustling mountain town with a loyal following among backpackers, honeymooners and snow seekers alike, Manali transforms in winter into a cosy, snow-cloaked hub surrounded by majestic peaks.
Discover why Utah snow is the best for deep-powder skiing and riding. The slogan, The Greatest Snow on Earth®, was coined in 1960 and has subsequently adorned Utah license plates and travel posters for decades.
