Summer may be the more traditional period for holidaying, but anyone choosing to swap peak-season for the colder months of the year gets to experience a whole new type of travel.
Visiting other countries during deepest, darkest winter can mean swapping grey days for a much-needed vitamin D injection in warmer climes, leaning into festive cheer to stamp around snowy, cobblestoned streets under twinkling fairy lights, or donning skis or snowboard and hitting the slopes.
Many destinations come into their own in the colder months. Cities such as Prague and New York are buzzing with cosy charm in the lead up to Christmas, while Lapland enters its Northern Lights season at roughly the same time.
Head further south, meanwhile, and you can soak in some sun on a trip to somewhere farflung (Australia, anyone?) or within Europe (hello, Canary Islands).
Whatever you’re after from a winter break, here’s our pick of destinations for snow, ski or sun.
Ski holidays
Whistler, Canada
Whistler is one of North America’s most popular ski resorts
(Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Canada’s premier skiing destination remains a legendary resort, having hosted the Winter Olympics in 2010. Officially known as Whistler Blackcomb – the two respective mountains make up the resort – it is home to over 8,000 acres of skiable terrain and over 200 marked trails. Although mainly tailored towards intermediate and advanced level skiers, the ski area is also home to 35 green runs and 16 bowls.
After a day on the mountain, the town comes alive with après sessions and late-night venues, with dozens of places for eating, drinking and partying. Town favourites include Garibaldi Lift Company and Merlin’s Bar, while the Mallard Lounge and Black’s Pub offer an altogether more relaxed afternoon and evening atmosphere.
Read more on travel inspiration:
Val Thorens, France
Val Thorens is the highest resort in Europe
(Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Officially the highest ski resort in Europe, Val Thorens is part of the Trois Vallées ski area (Europe’s biggest), alongside Méribel and Courchevel, among others, offering over 600km of pistes. The town sits at 2,300m, and snowsure pistes are found at up to 3,200m (at Cime de Caron and Pointe du Bouchet).
Val Thorens is one French resort that is particularly well-known for the variety and liveliness of its après offerings, mainly…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Independent Travel…