The 7 Best Destinations for a White Christmas

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? You can still experience the childhood magical feeling of waking up to snowy scenes on Christmas Day in a few select places across the globe. With cold temperatures throughout the winter months and lots of snow, the chances of waking up in any one of these places to a white Christmas are generally very high. These are the 7 best destinations for a white Christmas.

Which Destinations Can Guarantee a White Christmas?

1. Levi – Finland

Few places on Earth can guarantee the chance of a white Christmas, but Levi in Finland is one of them.

Found in far northern Finnish Lapland, in the heart of the Arctic wilderness, Levi is a snow-covered paradise in the winter months.

A world-renowned ski resort, Levi is ideal for those who want to enjoy the benefits of both cross-country skiing and hitting the slopes, but there’s far more to this incredible area than just skiing. 

Santa Claus is said to live in Lapland, and every Christmas, the man himself comes to visit the children in the area, complete with his iconic reindeer-pulled sleigh, which is a joy to behold for kids and adults alike, especially at Christmas time while surrounded by pure white snow.

You can also explore the local festive markets, offering handmade crafts by the native Sami people, or even enjoy a husky-pulled dogsled ride in and around the town, all the while being surrounded by the backdrop of Arctic forest and deep white snow. The perfect place for enjoying an authentic white Christmas. 
 

2. Aomori – Japan

Often regarded as the snowiest city in the world, averaging around eight metres of snow each year, Aomori, on the northern tip of Honshu Island, Japan, is another place where a white Christmas is guaranteed.

The snow usually starts in November and lasts until April, so December is the perfect time to experience a classic white Christmas, with some Eastern traditions.

Activities such as skiing and snowboarding are an excellent way to pass the time, and if you arrive at the right time after heavy snowfall, you can experience what is known in Japan as ‘Juhyo’, or ‘snow monsters’. These are created when snow falls on fir trees and creates amorphous shapes which look like traditional Japanese monsters.

Throughout the city, winter illuminations and light shows are featured almost nightly in December, adding a more Western feel to the Christmas festivities, and the huge amounts of lights in the city centre create an almost over-the-top feel, but it will certainly be a memorable trip.

Plus, waking up on Christmas Day with snow on the ground wherever you are is a dream come true for the inner child inside everybody, right?

3. Zermatt – Switzerland

One of the highest Alpine resorts, Zermatt in Switzerland, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, is a fantastic place for a white Christmas.

Metres of snow fall every year over the Alps, and Zermatt definitely gets its fair share.

This is ideal for those who want a picture-perfect white Christmas, so if you feel like you want to be in the music video of Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’, then a visit to Zermatt is a must.

Expect traditional, cosy Alpine lodges and log cabins next to an ultra-modern ski resort, while through the town, church bells ring out and the snow falls almost constantly.

In addition, you can also hop on a horse-drawn sleigh ride, or opt to hit the slopes, all before relaxing in a cosy chalet-style restaurant with traditional Swiss fondue, or homemade cookies and rich hot chocolate.

St Peter’s Church also holds an English service on Christmas Day, which is a tradition in Zermatt dating back to 1870.

4. Aspen – Colorado, USA

While Denver may be known as ‘the Mile High City’, Aspen is also known for its incredibly high altitude, meaning that a white Christmas is more than likely here.

Found high in Colorado’s snow-covered Rocky Mountains, Aspen is one of the most picturesque places for a white Christmas anywhere in the world.

The mountains offer the perfect backdrop to the quaint resort, known for its world-class skiing and vibrant cultural scene, making it a popular place to visit during the Christmas season, and especially by those looking for the perfect white Christmas.

A huge effort is made in Aspen every Christmastime to make it one of the most aesthetically pleasing places in the States, from traditional Christmas lights to huge Christmas trees which dominate the skyline underneath the shadows of the mighty Rockies.

For those wanting a classic American Christmas, with snow in every direction, and some of the world’s best ski slopes on your doorstep when you wake up on Christmas Day, then a visit to Aspen is a must.

5. Lake Louise – Alberta, Canada

Staying in North America but crossing the border to Canada, Lake Louise is another excellent destination for a white Christmas.

With the snow season beginning in late October and lasting until April, the chances of a white Christmas in Lake Louise are almost 100%.

Just outside of the city of Banff, Lake Louise is the perfect Christmas escape for those who want to experience a white Christmas at its very best – quiet, peaceful and away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

With huge mountainous backdrops, glacial blue tones from the lake, deep pine greens from the surrounding forest, Lake Louise looks like it's been plucked right out of a Bob Ross painting at Christmas time.

The quintessential Canadian winter vibe is in full force at Lake Louise, especially if you opt to stay in a traditional lakeside cabin with a roaring log fire, an endless supply of hot chocolate and a good selection of your favourite books, games and films if you end up snowed in!

6. Akureyri – Iceland 

While many tourists flock to Reykjavik for Christmas, due to its proximity to the southern coast, a white Christmas is not always guaranteed in the Icelandic capital.

However, if you opt to travel to the northern end of the country and to Akureyri – known as ‘the capital of the north’, then a white Christmas is much more likely.

With a population of just over 20,000 people, this is the perfect place to escape for a quiet Christmas, surrounded by gorgeous snowy scenes straight out of a Christmas card.

Traditional colourful Nordic huts are dotted in and around the city, and like 98% of Icelandic homes, they are powered by geothermal energy from the vast array of natural hot springs and volcanoes on the island, making it a sustainable getaway as well as a beautiful one.

The scenery is some of the best in the country, and at Christmas time, when it snows, it is covered in a blanket of pure white powdery snow, which, when combined with traditional Icelandic Christmas decorations, makes it one of the most magical winter wonderlands anywhere on Earth.

7. Fairbanks – Alaska, USA

It is probably little surprise that Fairbanks has made an appearance on this list, given its geographical location in Central Alaska.

And if you wondered about the chances of a white Christmas here, then you’ll be pleased to know that there has only been one year since records began in 1904, when Fairbanks did not experience a white Christmas (1934), and even then, the highest temperature on the day was still below -23℃.

This is truly one of the few places on Earth where a white Christmas is statistically guaranteed, and when you’ve got the incredible backdrops of the mountains, huge lakes, rich forests, and all of the incredible natural beauty that Alaska is known for, waking up on Christmas Day in this winter wonderland is one of the best experiences any Christmas lover could have.

Fairbanks also has the advantage of being able to run as normal, even with a huge amount of snowfall, because they’re so used to it: the snowy season typically begins in mid-October and lasts until early April, while December and January see the heaviest snowfall.

As such, it is still easy to get to any restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, and more – just remember to wrap up warm, take in the beauty while the light lasts (there’s only around 5-6 hours of daylight in mid-December in Fairbanks), and watch the city transform into a Christmas light paradise once darkness falls, making Fairbanks one of the best destinations for a white Christmas anywhere in the world.