There’s something undeniably magical about a white Christmas. Fresh snow crunching underfoot, fairy lights glowing against frosted windows, and landscapes so picture-perfect they look like they’ve been lifted straight from a Christmas card.
If you’ve ever dreamed of swapping grey December skies for glittering snow, here are four of the best places in the world to make it happen. From Lapland’s reindeer-filled forests to the drama of the Canadian Rockies, these are the best snowy holidays in December for a Christmas you’ll never forget.
Lapland: The Classic White Christmas
When it comes to Christmas in the snow, nothing quite matches Lapland. Tucked into the Arctic Circle, this is the ultimate festive escape - a place where the holiday spirit feels alive in every frosted pine and every reindeer-drawn sleigh.
In Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus, families can meet the man in red, post letters from the Arctic Circle, and even cross paths with his trusty elves. Days here are filled with husky sledding, reindeer rides, and snowmobiling across frozen lakes. At night, if you’re lucky, the Northern Lights might just appear, painting the sky with ribbons of colour.
A Lapland Christmas isn’t just for children, there’s a deep sense of magic for adults too. It’s a chance to slow down, to sip hot chocolate in cosy log cabins, and to embrace the wonder of a snowy Christmas exactly as you’ve always imagined it.
The Swiss Alps: A Fairytale in the Mountains
Few places do winter quite like Switzerland. With its chocolate-box villages, snow-covered chalets, and mountains that rise like jagged crowns into the sky, the Swiss Alps are one of the world’s most romantic white Christmas destinations.
Base yourself in resorts like Zermatt or St. Moritz and you’ll have skiing and snowboarding at your doorstep, but you don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie to fall in love with Switzerland in December. Horse-drawn carriage rides through snowy valleys, fondue dinners by roaring fires, and wandering festive markets in alpine towns all make this the perfect winter escape.
Christmas in the Swiss Alps feels like stepping inside a snow globe. It’s elegant, festive and endlessly cosy, perfect for couples, families, or anyone who wants to experience Christmas wrapped in alpine charm.
The Canadian Rockies: Wild Beauty in the Snow
For a truly dramatic take on Christmas in the snow, head west to the Canadian Rockies. In December, this landscape transforms into a winter wilderness of frozen lakes, towering peaks, and forests dusted white.
Banff and Lake Louise are two of the most iconic spots. Here you can skate on frozen lakes framed by mountains, ride gondolas over snowy valleys, or take sleigh rides through the wilderness. The wildlife doesn’t stop just because it’s Christmas either, elk, deer and even moose can sometimes be spotted in the snowy landscapes.
The Rockies are about more than scenery; they’re about space and silence. It’s the kind of white Christmas that makes you feel small in the best way, surrounded by nature’s grandeur, wrapped up against the cold, and reminded of how wild and beautiful the season can be.
Norway: Nordic Cosiness Meets Arctic Adventure
For a Christmas that blends adventure with Nordic charm, Norway is a perfect choice. In cities like Oslo and Bergen, you’ll find Christmas markets, glittering lights, and cosy cafés serving gløgg (mulled wine). But head further north and the landscapes turn wild, offering some of the most spectacular snowy holidays in December.
In Tromsø, within the Arctic Circle, you can try dog sledding, reindeer herding experiences with the Sámi people, and snowshoeing through silent forests. The long nights also mean incredible opportunities to see the Northern Lights.
What makes Norway special is its concept of koselig, a kind of Nordic cosiness. It’s about being wrapped in blankets by the fire, sharing hot drinks with friends, and finding joy in the simple pleasures of winter. Christmas here is about adventure and warmth in equal measure.
Why Choose a Snowy Christmas?
A snowy Christmas is all about the feeling. There’s a childlike joy in waking up to see snowflakes falling outside, in bundling up for a snowy walk, or in sitting by the fire as the world outside glistens.
These white Christmas destinations offer more than just cold weather; they give you stories that feel timeless. The kind you’ll share every year as the decorations come out, remembering the year you spent Christmas under the Northern Lights, or skating on a frozen Canadian lake.
Journeys Made: A Christmas Gift for Snowy Adventures
The best part of these snowy escapes is the memories you bring home. Whether it’s the thrill of spotting reindeer in Lapland, sipping fondue in the Swiss Alps, or chasing the Northern Lights in Norway, these are moments that deserve to last long after the snow melts.
That’s where Journeys Made comes in. Our personalised travel keychains with engraved tokens are a thoughtful way to capture those adventures. Imagine gifting a loved one a keyring with tokens for Lapland, Switzerland, Canada or Norway, a keepsake that tells the story of a Christmas spent in the snow.
It’s the kind of Christmas gift that goes beyond the ordinary: small enough to slip into a stocking, but meaningful enough to last a lifetime.
Final Thoughts
From Lapland’s festive magic to the alpine charm of Switzerland, the wild beauty of the Canadian Rockies, and the Arctic adventure of Norway, these are some of the best snowy holidays in December. Each offers a chance to step into the Christmas you’ve always dreamed of, one filled with snowflakes, magic and unforgettable memories.
And when the trip is over, carrying those memories with you is easy. A Journeys Made travel keyring is a way to keep Christmas in the snow close, wherever life takes you next.
