Brilliant stars, clear skies, sparkling ice, the colors of the Northern Lights—there are some magical destinations to consider this time of year, while many people are making their way south for winter. Book a fantastic trip to these breathtaking locations and grab your favorite scarf, gloves, and a camera!
Located within Alberta Canada’s Banff National Park, Banff is a resort town known for spectacular wildlife viewing and sightseeing. Mt. Rundle and Mt. Cascade create the iconic natural skyline and the main thoroughfare hosts shops and restaurants as well as château-style hotels. While the park is great for hiking, paddling, and mountain biking, in winter it has incredible downhill and cross-country skiing thanks to the mountain-filled landscape. There are three major downhill ski resorts in the park—Lake Louise Ski Resort, Sunshine Village, and Mount Norquay. Combined, they offer a large skiable terrain on top of the back country trails available throughout the park. You can also enjoy wildlife tours, ice walks, snowshoeing, and dogsled and horse sleigh rides. After you’ve hit the slopes, warm up in the geothermal Banff Upper Hot Springs, which is the original reason for the national park’s creation.
Nothing says winter wonderland like the picturesque German state of Bavaria. In fact, when you think of quaint villages with half-timbered buildings nestled in the Alps, chances are you’re envisioning Bavaria. In the winter, this land of storybook castles and breathtaking views becomes even more magical as it sparkles under a blanket of snow. Sights like Schloss Neuschwanstein (the castle used as the model for Sleeping Beauty’s castle), the tallest mountain in Germany, the Zugspitze, and crystal clear lake Eibsee are especially beautiful in winter. Bavaria is also home to some of the most famous cities in Europe—Munich and Frankfurt.
While Trondheim is not a big city by European standards, it is the third largest in Norway, and the country’s historic capital, which means there is a wide range of things to do and see. From its colorful warehouses, beautiful waterways with quaint fishing boats, and lovely wooded hills, Trondheim is extremely photogenic, so visit with cameras charged. Beyond the city’s outskirts there’s a range of wilderness to wander through. While the city has many sights to explore, the Nidarosdomen cathedral is something you won’t want to miss. The intimate city center is combined with exciting shops making Trondheim a popular city for shopping. Here you can enjoy many independent shops selling unique items, particularly in historic Bakklandet. Trondheim also has a strong focus on local food and many establishments serve a wide range of excellent locally brewed beers.
Closer to home, Aspen proves that you don’t have to grab your passport to have a fantastic winter experience. At the heart of the White River National Forest and surrounded by the peaks of the Elk Mountains, Aspen is one of the world’s most famous mountain destinations with four ski slopes offering some of Colorado’s best powder turns. When you’re done on the slopes, there are excellent restaurants on nearly every corner of the historic downtown. Aspen’s beautiful scenery and open spaces are perfect for other types of winter recreation, like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fly-fishing and even hot-air ballooning. Lodging in Aspen can range from camping to five star resorts, so there is a room for everyone. Just make sure you book early!
Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland and the country’s largest city. Located on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay, it is home to around 128,000 people. It is also among the cleanest, greenest, and safest cities in the world. If you’re interested in history, take a trip to the Settlement Exhibition built around an unearthed Viking longhouse or the National Museum. The Saga Museum or Old Harbour are great places to learn about the area’s maritime history. For art buffs, the Reykjavík Art Museum and National Gallery feature cutting-edge Icelandic design and edgy contemporary art galleries showcase emerging and internationally famous Icelandic artists. No matter how long you spend in Reykjavik, make sure you take a trip to the countryside. Just outside the city the snow-capped mountains, churning seas, and crystal-clear air hint at Iceland’s ancient past. Iceland is a great destination for viewing the Northern Lights with tours from Reykjavík available from September to April, the prime Northern Lights months.