The best winter vacation ideas for December 2026 to February 2027 fall into two camps. For snow: northern lights in Finnish Lapland (season late August to early April, per Visit Finland), the Glacier Express in the Swiss Alps (winter season December 5, 2026 to May 7, 2027) and Canada's February festivals. For sun: the Canary Islands, with mild, sunny winter days, or Australia, where December to February is summer.
Photo: Valentine Kulikov on Pexels (Pexels)
Winter trips for snow lovers
Finnish Lapland: auroras and the polar night
- The northern lights season runs from late August to early April, with the most activity in September–October and February–March; December is the most popular month because of Christmas (Visit Finland).
- In late December the sun doesn't rise above the horizon in Rovaniemi, the polar night (Visit Rovaniemi).
- Full route: 5 days in Lapland.
Swiss Alps: trains and ski villages
- Most ski areas open from about December to April, depending on snow and altitude (Switzerland Tourism).
- The Glacier Express winter season runs December 5, 2026 to May 7, 2027, with mandatory seat reservations (glacierexpress.ch).
- Full route: 7 days in the Swiss Alps in winter.
Canada: two February festivals in one week
- Winterlude in Ottawa–Gatineau runs January 29 to February 15, 2027 (Government of Canada), and the Carnaval de Québec February 5 to 14, 2027 (official organiser).
- Full route: Canada in winter.
Winter trips for sun seekers
Canary Islands (Spain)
- The islands have long, sunny days with mild temperatures and few variations through the year; in winter the sun rises around 7:30 a.m. and sets around 6:30 p.m. (Hello Canary Islands, official tourism).
Australia: summer from December to February
- Australia's summer falls between December and February, with sunny, warm days on its beaches (Tourism Australia).
- In the tropical north (Cairns, the Whitsundays, Kakadu) November to April is the wet season, so the south and east coasts are the easier summer pick (Tourism Australia).
Patagonia: the southern summer
- Los Glaciares National Park recommends September to April; expect strong summer winds (Argentina National Parks). Full route: Patagonia in 7 days.
Closer to the Caribbean: Punta Cana
- For a short beach break, see 5 days in Punta Cana. Every traveler needs the free Dominican e-Ticket (Dominican Government, eticket.migracion.gob.do).
How to choose
- Festivals have fixed dates: build Canada around January 29–February 15 and Lapland auroras around the darkest months.
- Trains and lifts run on winter timetables: check each operator's official site before you book; opening times change by season.
- Sun trips: remember the southern hemisphere's seasons are the opposite of the northern ones.
Plan it with Lets2Go
Tell Lets2Go's AI trip planner whether you want snow or sun, your dates and your budget, and get a day-by-day itinerary you can adjust. Also on the App Store and Google Play. Opening hours and dates can change, so confirm them on official sites before you go.
FAQ
Where can I go on a winter vacation for snow?
Finnish Lapland, the Swiss Alps and eastern Canada are three strong picks. Lapland's aurora season runs late August to early April (Visit Finland), the Glacier Express winter season runs December 5, 2026 to May 7, 2027, and Canada's Winterlude runs January 29 to February 15, 2027.
Where is it warm in winter?
The Canary Islands have mild, sunny days all year, and Australia is in summer from December to February, according to their official tourism boards. Patagonia's recommended season is September to April.
When are the big winter festivals in 2027?
Winterlude in Ottawa–Gatineau runs January 29 to February 15, 2027, and the Carnaval de Québec February 5 to 14, 2027, according to the Government of Canada and the festival organiser.
How do I plan a winter vacation itinerary?
Pick snow or sun first, then lock in fixed dates such as festivals and train seasons. The Lets2Go planner builds a day-by-day itinerary from your dates and budget, and you confirm hours on official sites before you go.
