THE BEST OF SNOW & ICE TRAVEL
By Jason Jourdan
If you’re looking for some fabulous ice and snow destinations in the new year, here are a few of my top recommendations for what North America, Europe and Asia have to offer.
For those who dare to try extreme sports, head to Norway for kitesurfing…on SNOW!
Fly into Oslo and travel 3.5 hours by train through the blistering snow to Haugastol. This tiny village is the ultimate place to go kite boarding from with its unlimited amount of space. Enjoy riding the wind up and down hills with nothing but ice and snow in this “middle of nowhere” winter wonderland. The best time of year to take advantage of this amazing winter sport is from January to April.
Blue Lagoon in Iceland
Though it’s not always as ICY as it sounds, a list of ICE and snow couldn’t possibly exist without ICEland. I am very excited to say that I have booked my first 2018 trip and will be flying to Iceland (country #112) this week! I am very much looking forward to ice caves, the Blue Lagoon and potentially seeing the Northern Lights (fingers crossed as this is at the top of my bucket list!). My brother, Ammon, who has travelled through 135 countries, had only positive things to say about this icy treasure.
Winter Sports in Austria
You can’t really go wrong with winter sports in the Alps, but Austrian Alps are definitely a great choice. Ischl, Obertauern, Saalbach, Flachau, Kitzbuhel to name a few great ski resorts. My husband and his personal trainer recently hit the slopes in Anton am Arlberg. Blue skies, great snow and warm lodges to relax in afterwards. You can check out their video here and see what a ski trip to Austria looks like. Best time to visit is January and February.
Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort in Canada
Whistler Blackcomb is a fantastic choice for skiers and snowboarders, offering 200+ marked runs with powder snow, gorgeous views and slopes that will keep your legs burning. Great for beginners and experts. Top the fun with a heli-ski experience. For those who aren’t wild about skiing or boarding, Whistler Blackcomb has tons to offer in the snow and ice from ziplining, dog sledding, snowmobiling, fat biking and snowshoeing. Head there from December to March for the best snow conditions.
Trekking in The Himalayas
For those who love an active but not too extreme approach to winter, head to Nepal. Not only was trekking in the outstanding Nepalese Himalayan mountain range the best snow destination I’ve experienced, it is in the top 10 best experiences of my life. Nepal emphasizes not only the beauty of snow and ice but the magic of its silence. Sitting 18,505ft above sea level, on the top of a tiny mountain peak and looking UP at the magnitude of Mount Everest literally took my breath away. The best trekking season in Nepal is from September to November.
