Winter holidays in Europe are not limited to downhill skiing. Across the continent, travellers can explore snowy forests, frozen lakes, mountain valleys and dark skies through activities ranging from husky sledding and snowshoeing to wild ice-skating and stargazing.
At Ruka in Finnish Lapland, just inside the Arctic Circle, winter adventures include e-fatbiking through snowy forests, ice fishing, Arctic survival courses and evening snowshoe excursions in search of the Northern Lights. Visitors can also float down the frozen Kiveskoski river in thermal suits, ride an alpine coaster and practise yoga among reindeer. Families can visit Santa’s Cottage, where activities include gingerbread baking, Christmas card making and sledding.
The Cairngorms in Scotland offer a different kind of winter experience. Short daylight hours and low light pollution make the area around Tomintoul and Glenlivet an International Dark Sky Park. The local Discovery Centre lends stargazing kits for use at recommended viewing sites, while astronomy events include moon viewing and meteor-spotting evenings. Storyteller Sarah Hobbs leads night walks combining Gaelic and Pictish legends with views of the sky, and Hillgoers runs guided walks focused on planets and nocturnal wildlife. Visitors can also drive the SnowRoads route or meet the UK’s only free-roaming reindeer herd.
In Chamonix, the dramatic Mont Blanc landscape provides plenty to do away from the pistes. Self-guided snowshoeing itineraries explore the Vallorcine valley, larch meadows and pine forests, as well as trails with views towards Mont Blanc. The Montenvers cog railway leads to the Mer de Glace, where visitors can descend into a blue ice tunnel carved into the glacier. Other options include snowshoeing around Les Contamines-Montjoie, visiting the Mont-Blanc Museum and taking the cable car to the 3,842-metre Aiguille du Midi before trying the La Luge toboggan run.
Romania’s Carpathian Mountains combine snowshoeing with wildlife and history. In Piatra Craiului National Park, walkers may encounter bear or wolf tracks, while guided trips through Transylvania use the village of Măgura as a base. Routes lead to high ridges, mountain plateaus and the Zărnești Gorge, whose limestone walls rise above the icy canyon floor. The region’s other attractions include Brașov’s medieval centre, historic churches, the Libearty bear sanctuary and Bran Castle.
Innsbruck puts winter activities within easy reach of a historic Alpine city. The Nordkette cable railway offers views over the Tirolean capital, while the Olympic track at Igls hosts bobsleigh experiences. Visitors can go night sledding at Rangger Köpfl or stay in an igloo at Iglu-Dorf in Kühtai. Back in the city, seven Christmas markets offer seasonal food such as kiachl, and the Ice Magic experience adds illuminated skating paths, projections, ice discos and DJs.
Sweden is a destination for more adventurous visitors interested in Nordic ice-skating. Long-distance skating on natural ice developed there in the early 20th century, and specialist equipment includes long-bladed skates, poles for checking ice thickness and a backpack that can act as a flotation device. Beginners can join guided trips from Stockholm on Lake Mälaren or in the archipelago. Hellasgården, outside the city, has ploughed tracks on Lake Källtorpssjön, along with ice swimming and a sauna.
The Dolomites offer a winter walking holiday centred on local food. In the Drei Zinnen nature park, a network of groomed and partly cleared paths runs through valleys and snowy landscapes without requiring snowshoes. Mountain huts serve dishes including porcini mushroom risotto, barley soup, Kaiserschmarrn and fried apple rings. Routes also reach the Kreuzbergpass and frozen Lake Toblach, while the Hotel Drei Zinnen in Sesto provides afternoon cake, a Finnish sauna and nightly four-course dinners.
In northern Norway, Tromsø is a base for northern lights excursions and experiences connected with Sámi culture. Tromsø Arctic Reindeer, run by the Oskal family, offers visitors the chance to feed reindeer, take sled rides and gather around a fire in a lavvu for traditional joik singing. The city is also a starting point for ice fishing, fjord cruises, husky sledding and snowmobile safaris. Other attractions include the Polar Museum and concerts at the Arctic Cathedral.
Prices vary widely by destination and itinerary. Examples include Ruka activities from €85, guided Nordic skating trips from £143, a seven-night Transylvanian walking and snowshoeing trip from £1,459 per person, and a three-night Tromsø package with accommodation and an aurora excursion from £767 per person.
Sources: The Guardian Travel.