Most beautiful snow places in the world

Queenstown, New Zealand

Sitting on the shore of Lake Wakatipu and set against the majestic mountain backdrop of the Southern Alps in New Zealand’s South Island, Queenstown is a vision to behold. An alpine playground for the adventurous at heart, thrill-seeking couples will love skiing its world-class terrain, bungy jumping, white water rafting and speeding through narrow canyons on the famous Shotover Jet. Couples seeking something a little less adrenalin fuelled can go wine tasting at Brennan Wines or Chard Farm, explore the charming and historic Arrowtown, take a scenic sunset gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak, relax in a hot tub whilst taking in stunning panoramic views, and indulge in a fine dining degustation dinner at one of the fancy lakeside restaurants. Choose to stay in a secluded boutique luxury lodge such as Azur Lodge, Stoneridge Estate and Mt Rosa Lodge.

This is one of those mountain towns that look like a storybook paradise in winter. In addition to fabulous skiing at the area’s Stowe Mountain Resort, this northern Vermont downtown is picture-perfect when covered with a fresh layer of powder. Even though it’s a popular winter destination, Stowe retains its small-town charm, with its old-fashioned Main Street complete with specialty shops, restaurants, white-steepled church—even a covered bridge. Snow season starts in December, but the best skiing conditions are in February. Ski lodges abound, but visitors can also stay in town at a bed and breakfast like the Brass Lantern Inn.

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Bergen, Norway

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Full of Scandinavian charm, this seaport is surrounded by mountains and fjords, and features colorful houses along the old wharf, or Bryggen, that are striking against the white snow. Explore the narrow—and nearly hidden—passages between the historic buildings for jewelers, artists’ studios, and shops. Ride the funicular to the top of Mount Floyen in under ten minutes for an awesome view; a tour of the fjords is a must as well. Sunsets can be gorgeous, too—even if they happen at 3 p.m. in winter. Snowfall isn’t guaranteed but is most likely to start in December. Stay in the heart of Bryggen at Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz.

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Banff, Canada

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Renowned as one of the most beautiful spots in Canada, Banff town in Alberta is lovely in itself. In the shadow of Cascade Mountain, its wide main avenue is perfect for strolling as snowflakes fall—dart inside one of the shops, galleries, or restaurants to warm up. To fully appreciate the area’s beauty, visit Banff National Park to see stunning ice-blue lakes, frozen waterfalls, and “ice walks” along snow-covered steel walkways. The area’s skiing is also top-notch, with ski (and snow) season starting at the end of November: It’s one of the ski resorts you need to visit this year. Then, snuggle up under the covers in your room at Mount Royal Hotel, located in the heart of town.

The best snow holidays offer all the magic you require for an icy escape, from gorgeous scenery to cosy boltholes for you to snuggle up inside.

As you'll want to know the places where snow falls during the coldest months, we're here to help with our pick of the best snowy places to visit this winter.

With thick, powdery snow to stomp through, majestic peaks to ski down and charming hotels to curl up in at the end of a long day exploring, these are just a few places that are even more beautiful once winter arrives.

Time to finally enjoy that white Christmas we've been dreaming of...

Swiss Alps, Switzerland

For a sophisticated snowy escape, head to Switzerland where the stunning Alps await. With snow-covered forests, icy peaks and glistening lakes, this is a gorgeous place to take in the season. One of the best ways to experience the Swiss Alps in winter is with a ride on the Glacier Express, the iconic red train known as one of the slowest express trains.

RIDE THE GLACIER EXPRESS ON A SWISS RAIL TOUR

Yosemite, California

Yosemite National Park boats spectacular views throughout the year, but there's never a more magical time to visit than in the winter. Its huge granite cliffs and giant redwood trees are layered in bright white snow and there are plenty of activities to do during the day. Ski or board down Badger Pass or take a walk along some of the Valley Loop Trail. You won't forget it in a hurry.

Tromso, Norway

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For a snowy place to visit that's also lively and fun, Tromso offers all the goods. In winter, you can watch the Northern Lights, visit the Arctic Cathedral and dash through the snow on a dog sled. The Arctic city is perfect for wrapping up warm and enjoying the urban vibes with the locals. There's tasty seafood to try, festivals to celebrate the season and many restaurants and cafes to keep you warm.

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Dolomites, Italy

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With its powdery slopes, the 86-mile Great Dolomites Road (one of the world's most beautiful drives) and its jagged peaks, the Dolomites is one of Italy's most beautiful destinations and a terrific place to visit for snow. For skiing, Cortina, Arabba and Selva Gardena will hit the spot, while the picturesque villages of Colfosco, Corvara and San Cassiano are a fairytale dream.

Antarctica

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You won't find an icier placer than Antarctica. Known as the 'white continent,' this is where you'll find more penguins than people and can experience a place like nowhere else on Earth. An excellent winter holiday idea, Antarctica is best explored after discovering the buzzing like of Buenos Aires. You can then cruise through the dramatic Drake Passage before stepping into the wilderness of glaciers, icebergs and wildlife. If you're after a unique adventure for your snow holiday, Antarctica is the place.

EXPERIENCE ANTARCTICA WITH RED

South Coast, Iceland

Iceland is jam-packed with places to discover on a snow holiday but we'll never tire of the south of the country, where some of the most breathtaking sites can be found. The might Skogafoss, the Seljavallalaug Outdoor Pool, the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and Fjaorargljufur Canyon are some of the must-sees in the south in winter. You'll also want to get cosy in one of Iceland's best hotels, Ranga, before your Northern Lights wake-up call.

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Rila, Bulgaria

The quaint town of Rila makes a great trip, but what you really go for in the winter are the Rila Mountains, the highest in Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula . The above photo is taken from Mt Musala, the ranges highest peak, standing at just under 3,000m. The most visited part of the mountain is northwestern Rila, where you can marvel at the Seven Rila Lakes and the famous Rila monastery.

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Highlands, Scotland

Though snowfall is unpredictable in Scotland, the winter still makes for a beautiful trip. There are far less visitors than other times of the year, but do make sure you plan ahead to ensure everything you want to do is possible. If you're after a winter walking holiday, this is the one for you. Just don't forget to pack your camera to capture the amazing scenery.

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Prague, Czech Republic

If you're looking for a festive getaway, Prague is your place. While snowfall can be unpredictable, the Christmas spirit is unprecedented. Browsing the Christmas Markets is a must, where you can pick up some traditional gifts and handicrafts from brightly decorated wooden huts, all with a cup of delicious hot mulled wine and a trdelník (warm sugar-coated pastry) in hand. We're booking our flights now.

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Whistler, Canada

If you want guaranteed snow, this is your place. The above picture is the Whistler resort town, just around 20 miles from Vancouver. The largest skiable area in North America, Whistler occupies 8,000 acres over 2 mountains. It's so perfect for snow activities that it co-hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics. Well, if it's good enough for those guys, it's good enough for our Christmas break!

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Lapland, Finland

Of course, this list wouldn't be complete without a shout out to Lapland. Deep inside the Arctic Circle, Finland's fairytale destination makes for a perfect family holiday or romantic winter getaway. Think cosy log cabins with roaring fires, miles of snow-quilted forests and reindeer aplenty. For the little ones, there's Santa's grotto, sleigh rides and husky sledge rides. And you'll have enough snow to build a snowman army.

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Cappadocia, Turkey

When you think of Turkey, you immediately conjure up images of bright sunshine, blue waters and warm summer days. But don't overlook the winter season. A historial region in central Anatolia, Cappadocia is a magical, mysterious place, but even more so when covered in a blanket of snow. With its honeycombed hills and unusual architecture, you could almost be on the moon.

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Bled, Slovenia

Slovenia is beautiful in winter. Skate on Lake Bled then take a walk up the hill to Bled Castle for fantastic views of the snowy scenery. There's also plenty of opportunity for skiing, too.

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Lofoten, Norway

The Lofoten archipelago comes into its own in winter. With much fewer people around, it's a great time of year to experience the fishing villages at their most authentic. There's plenty going on, too. Take a wildlife and nature trip to experience spectacular landscape and birdlife and join in a Northern Lights hunt after the sun sets.

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New York, USA

Many people swear by visiting New York in winter. The snow is thick, the atmosphere electric and the Christmas lights are twinkling. There's plenty going on, from festivals and events to markets and ice skating. Hop on a plane with your best friend, you'll never forget it.

BEST HOTELS IN NEW YORK

Lapland, Sweden

A place worth mentioning twice, Lapland really is a snow holiday dream. If you've already ticked Finland off your list or fancy something truly unique then Swedish Lapland is the place. For starters, it's home to the unusual Icehotel where you can sleep on a bed made of ice in a hotel constructed entirely out of, you guessed it, ice! It's also the location of the Abisko National Park, known as one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights.