You may feel like it’s too soon to be hearing “Winter Wonderland” on the radio, but like it or not, the snowy season is very much knocking at the door – besides which, if you have any intentions of seeing a winter wonderland this year, now is very much the time you need to get booking!
The winter holiday is one we often enjoy domestically, but this year could be the year you break that cycle; there really is nothing like winter in mainland Europe, an experience you and your family need to share together at least once. But where are the best places to go for a winter landscape like no other? Here, we pick just five – but those five are the best of the best.
Zermatt, Switzerland: The Mighty Matterhorn in Winter
First, to Switzerland – and to one of the most recognizable mountain silhouettes in the world. Matterhorn is one of the most stereotypical mountains you will ever see – the platonic ideal for a mountain view that reaches for the sublime. Its shape and edifying size are just two parts of a much greater whole in Zermatt, from which Matterhorn stands at its most imposing. Zermatt itself is a cornucopia of stunning views, taking in snowy planes and gothic township architecture all at once.
Chamonix, France: Views from the Roof of Europe
Eastward ho, to France! More directly, to the veritable ‘roof of France’, Chamonix – one of the foremost destinations for ski holidays in Europe, thanks in equal part to its amazing slopes and amazing chalet culture. While not literally the roof of France, Chamonix is the primary resort zone by which you access the existentially-lofty heights of Mont Blanc, as well as other Alpine peaks accessible by cable cars and funicular rail. Come for the views, stay for a glimpse at the glitterati that also come for the view!
The Italian Dolomites: Pink-Tinted Peaks at Sunset
On the other side of the Alps, at Italy’s northern reaches, you’ll find the Dolomites. The Dolomites are some of the most uniquely distinctive mountains on the map, being huge columns of robust rock that present sheer cliffs and profoundly deep valleys. This mountain range is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason – and also a stone’s throw from some incredible wine…
Norway’s Winter Fjords: Nature’s Frozen Masterpiece
Ever look at a snow-frosted mountaintop and think “eh, could be colder”? Well, Norway’s waiting! At Scandinavia’s tip, this coastal country is far less mountainous, but no less invigorating. Its rocky coastline and ever-rushing fjords are a new type of sublime, and even more so when viewed with the Northern Lights in the background.
