5 snowy winter getaways

When winter sets in, the best thing you can do is embrace the cold weather and book yourself a magical, snowy vacation. To help with some inspiration, we’ve collected the most captivating chalets, luxurious ski resorts, and best spots for watching the Northern Lights around the world.

Rosenheim Hakuba in Nagano, Japan

A ski resort with its own karaoke bar, Rosenheim Hakuba’s design is a lot more traditional than its amenities. It’s built in the style of an old Swiss mansion, featuring a latticed facade with a large clock, while the surrounding slopes of the Japanese Alps are dotted with snowy fir trees. Take the shuttle to the Hakuba Happo One Ski Resort for an invigorating day of skiing or snowboarding before returning to sink into the Rosenheim Hakuba’s private hot springs.

The Lodge at Flying Horse in Colorado, US

Colorado is one of the snowiest states in the US, with almost otherworldly landscapes. The Lodge at Flying Horse provides guests with views of the Rockies blanketed in snow during the winter. The lodge’s facilities include the off-season Weiskopf golf course (weather permitting), a spa, a swimming pool, and luxurious lounges where you can curl up and watch snowflakes swirling outside.

Litli Geysir Hotel in Haukadalur, Iceland

Spotting the Northern Lights is never guaranteed, but in the valley of Haukadalur in Iceland’s Golden Circle, you’ll have a high chance of witnessing this natural phenomenon. The Litli Geysir Hotel (named after the nearby hot springs) is a collection of traditional Icelandic cabins lit by the warm glow of beeswax candles and decorated in a minimalist style. There are lots of things to do in the scenic surroundings, including taking a snowmobile tour and admiring the geyser at sunrise.

Le Faucigny Hotel de Charme in Rhône-Alps, France

When it comes to winter wonderlands, the snowy peaks and classic chalets of Chamonix are hard to beat. Ski down some of the best slopes in Europe and soar through the sky past the peak of Mont Blanc on one of the resort area’s cable cars. Then warm up in chic surroundings at Le Faucigny Hotel de Charme, a contemporary chalet with a hot tub, sauna, and a lounge featuring warm, charcoal-colored walls, a fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.

Valen Cabins in Reine, Norway

In the Norwegian fishing village of Reine, the frost-tipped and scarlet-painted Valen Cabins combine cast iron wood burners and views of the sea and mountains to beautiful effect. Rent a car to explore the area and its gorgeous scenery, or just kick back and enjoy the panorama from your porch, bundled up and admiring the stars on a clear night.