Dreaming of a white Christmas? We don’t blame you, especially when all you’ll likely get in the UK this month is a combination of drizzle, blustery gales and thick fog – not quite the serene, snowy picture many hope for. But those with deep enough pockets and time to spare can escape to the world’s snow-sure landscapes for the real thing this month. From Iceland and Finland, to Banff and Colorado across the pond, here’s where to enjoy the kind of guaranteed white Christmas that even Bing Crosby would have approved of.
Val d’Isère, France
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Average snowfall in December: 130cm
Snow is just a hop, skip and a jump away in Val d’Isère (well, the Eurostar Snow Train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice and then a 45-minute transfer). Renowned as one of Europe’s most snow-sure resorts, this is where skiers can guarantee a white Christmas in the French Alps. The ski season kicked off on 29 November and boasts excellent snow reliability due to its high altitude (which peaks at 3,456m) and its location close to the Italian border which sees it primed to catch Mediterranean low pressure. Set in the Haute-Tarentaise and linked with Tignes to form the legendary Espace Killy, it offers 300km of pistes, glacier access on the Pisaillas, and vast terrain for every ski level. Its west-facing Solaise massif and high altitude guarantee exceptional conditions all winter, paired with panoramic views of the Col de l’Iseran.
Where to stay: Experimental Chalet Val d’Isère
At 1,850m and in the heart of the village, Experimental Chalet Val d’Isère is a 110-room alpine retreat designed by Dorothée Meilichzon. The hotel features a variety of social spaces to satiate any appetite, including L’Aigle d’Or serving classic French cuisine and the Experimental Cocktail Club, as well as a swimming pool and a full spa. But its real raison d’être is placing guests steps from some of the best skiing in the world.
New for this season are three design-led, top-floor suites all rendered in a calm and light-filled palette with sweeping mountain views. After an active day, guests can unwind at the spa, which offers world-class treatments by Dr Barbara Sturm and Laboratoires Mansard. Don’t miss the detoxifying massages or rejuvenation in the Nordic ice bath, sauna, and hammam.
From £350 per night.
Telluride, Colorado
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Average snowfall in December: 115cm
Framed by the majestic 14,000-foot peaks and wide blue skies of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Telluride is the chic, more affordable and understated alternative to Aspen, where those in the know go for access to America’s best alpine ski resort. Boasting an array of independent restaurants and boutiques, and perfect for families looking for ski-in, ski-out hotels without the Aspen price tag, Telluride has retained an old-world charm harking back to its former life as a Victorian mining town. A free gondola connects the town, uniquely situated in a box canyon, with the Mountain Village at the base of the ski area which opens up to 2,000 acres of pistes. While the destination is popular with seasoned skiers, Telluride also has more than 50 per cent beginner and intermediate runs to tempt newbies too. This is how to spend the snow season in the States.
Where to stay: The Madeline Auberge
From its perch in Telluride’s Mountain Village, the Madeline Auberge redefines the ski-in, ski-out experience with slopeside, state-of-the-art facilities designed to create the ultimate base camp for adventure. Aside from skiing, the Madeline Auberge offers a variety of winter experiences including horseback riding, guided snowmobile tours, ice climbing in Ouray, private scenic flights between Telluride and Moab National Park and a ‘ride and dine’ snowmobile adventure in the stunning San Juan Mountains. Back at the property, kick back in one of the 83 rooms, 11 suites and residences, as well as a spa and fitness centre, modern yet casual dining at Black Iron Kitchen and Bar, and Telluride’s only Starbucks. Pumpkin spiced latte, anyone?
From £620 per night.
Rovaniemi, Finland
Average snowfall in December: 20-40cm
For many, Rovaniemi is the only destination where families can enjoy not only a white Christmas, but plenty of authentic festive magic. Famous for being the ‘official’ home of Father Christmas, Rudolph and all of his elves, Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland (in northern Finland) and promises to get even the most discerning scrooges in the holiday spirit. It was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War but go today to discover a thriving urban culture scene, from the Arktikum museum, exploring the history of Finnish Lapland, to the Science Centre Pilke (home to interactive exhibits on northern forests). While away the days at the all-singing, all-dancing (literally) Santa Claus Village, and on exclusive husky rides and Northern Lights tours. As the Aurora Borealis is visible here on 150-200 nights a year, it’s an absolute must during your stay in Rovaniemi.
Where to stay: Ollero Eco Lodge
Just a short drive from Rovaniemi city centre, in the heart of Finnish Lapland, is Ollero Eco Lodge. This secluded retreat nestled next to the Ounosjoki River is an eco-friendly family-run property offering an authentic wilderness experience without compromising comfort. Comprising three distinct buildings – a main cottage, glass igloo, and sleeper cabin – much of the existing furniture and interior materials have been thoughtfully reimagined, breathing new life into objects from the 1970s. Touches like locally sourced sheepskins add rustic charm, while curtains crafted from linen grown on the owners’ great-grandparents’ organic farm subtly connect the lodge to its heritage. Elsewhere, guests can experience the magic of the Northern Lights from the comfort of the glass igloo or embark on thrilling seasonal adventures such as ice fishing and snowshoeing.
From £250 per night.
Banff, Canada
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Average snowfall in December: 110cm
Located in the heart of Canada’s breathtaking Banff National Park, which doubles as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Banff comes alive in winter. Locals take to the relatively untouched 8,000 acres of slopes in early December, with top resorts including Banff Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort’s bowls and night skiing hotspots at Mount Norquay. Back in the snow-laden mountain-chic town, which looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale, don’t miss Banff Christmas Market, horse-drawn sleigh rides and cozy evenings by the crackling fire in its quaint bars and restaurants. This is Canada’s ultimate winter wonderland.
Where to stay: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
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Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is one of Banff’s most famous and impressive hotels, dating back to 1888 and setting the standard for luxury in the town. Forming a grand backdrop from its elevated position just a mile from the centre, the hotel boasts a whopping 770 bedrooms, 15 shops, and 12 restaurants spanning every global cuisine you can think of. With an impressive on-site spa, built on the theme of the natural environment of the Canadian mountains, guests are also offered a variety of restorative treatments designed to enhance wellbeing, alongside an indoor saltwater swimming pool, whirlpools, saunas, steam room, and mineral baths. Ding, dong.
From £600 per night.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Average snowfall in December: 20cm
Iceland is a volcanic island – situated on the active geologic border between North America and Europe in the north Atlantic sea – and home to a dramatic landscape, marked by rolling, rustic hills and mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and geysers, all a result of the constant tectonic activity below the surface. There’s always a good chance of a white Christmas here, with December offering snow, especially in the countryside, while short days, festive lights, markets, and even the potential for Northern Lights make for a gorgeous winter break. Make the most of the four-five hours of daylight with trips to waterfalls such as Gullfoss and Skógafoss; the Vatnajökull and Langjökull glaciers; mountains and volcanoes at Vestrahorn and Hekla, as well as the country’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, Thingvellir National Park, which sits in a rift caused by the separation of two tectonic plates.
Where to stay: The Retreat at Blue Lagoon
A luxe hotel situated within one of Iceland’s lauded landmarks, the Blue Lagoon, The Retreat is the perfect escape for a calm, peaceful Christmas surrounded by Iceland’s surreal landscapes. Guests can float in mineral-rich waters before retreating to one of the hotel’s 62 luxury suites to savour Icelandic cuisine at the Lava Restaurant or Michelin-starred dining at Moss. Each year, The Retreat takes part in a beloved festive tradition, the Shoe in the Window, during which children leave a shoe in the window so that the 13 Yule Lads – troll-like figures from folklore who descend from the mountains – can leave a treat if they’ve been good, and if not, a rotten potato. In keeping with this tradition, cookies, skincare products and more will be gifted to guests staying at The Retreat leading up to Christmas, while the lobby will be filled with soulful sounds of Gradualekór Langholtskirkju children’s choir, pianist Óskar Einarsson and Njarðvíkurkirkja choir.
From £1,407 per night.
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