With a spike in holiday bookings and tourism on the rise, travelers are wanting to explore a range of different holiday types. Traditionally, a typical holiday has always been linked to sun, sea, sand and hot weather. However, in recent years with more and more people going on holiday every year to colder climates, this stereotype has changed. In fact, winter holidays which primarily are associated with snow sports and skiing have shot up in popularity in the last 10 years. This is because people are becoming increasingly aware of the health, financial and social benefits to cold weather holidays.
If you are considering going on a cold weather getaway, the first thing you should consider if what location you want to visit. One of the most popular cold weather destinations is Alaska which is a great place to visit in the Winter.
It is also a good idea to escape the crowds and venture away from the cities. Visiting Girdwood is a great idea as it is a ski town tucked away among the mountains with amazing snow-filled trees and breathtaking inlet views from the ski slopes. There are plenty of other activities to do including seeing the wildlife, visiting the national parks and checking out the wide array of distilleries.
Another popular cold weather destination is Iceland which is truly something of a beautiful spectacle in the winter. This European country has plenty of natural sites to visit including Skoftafell Ice Cave and Skogarfoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls where plenty of people take the opportunity to take a photo in front of them.
Of course, Lapland has a great reputation as being an elite cold weather holiday. From going on a sleigh ride to visiting Santa and the reindeer, this holiday is truly one that the whole family will not forget. Norway is also gaining popularity as a cold weather getaway with opportunities to see the Northern Lights, cross country skiing and photographable sites. If you want to check out some of the best Christmas markets during the festive period, Switzerland hosts many with Basel having one of the most popular Christmas markets in Europe.
Once you have decided on a destination, you will need to make a list of all the essentials you need to take. For a hot holiday, you may have packed things like sun cream and sunglasses. However, if you are going on a cold weather holiday you will need to keep warm by bringing jackets, cozy pyjamas, scarves and coats. Why not also pack board games to play by the fire during those cold nights?
Prior to embarking on your cold weather holiday, you should also make a list of things to do and an itinerary to follow. Although it is worth going with the flow and trying out different things when you have the opportunity to do so, having a few activities in mind and planning them is a great way to tick things off your bucket list.
Winter has always been a difficult time to stay active as it gets dark quite quickly and it is more tempting to sit by the fire with a hot chocolate than it is to go out and exercise. However, a cold weather holiday gives you the best of both worlds as they allow you to both relax and also engage in some winter sports. They offer a range of sports to choose from including alpine skiing, telemarking, ski touring, snowshoeing, ice climbing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, ice skating or ice hockey.
In summary, it is now more popular than ever to ditch the traditional warm holiday in favor of a cold weather getaway. These types of holidays give travelers the opportunity to check out a range of winter sports and visit local sites and attractions. It is certainly a unique experience that helps to urge travelers out of their comfort zone.
