Top 5 Alternative Winter Holidays

There's nothing better than a winter holiday to get you in the festive mood and escape dark and dreary routines. Whilst skiing is a great default option for a winter holiday, here at greentraveller we also list heaps of alternatives. Whether it's experiencing the traditional life of Arctic tribes or snow-shoeing to the remote, snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps there is something for everyone. Here are our top 5 alternative winter holidays to give you a taste of what's on offer...

1. Cross country skiing in Chamonix 
Cross country skiing in sunny ChamonixThis 8 day trip is based at the Chalet Savoy in the beautiful Chamonix valley, making it easy to get to by train from the UK and an excellent base for some of Europe's finest cross country skiing trails. Groups are taken out on a private bus each day to find the best routes given the weather conditions. These vary from the 1500m high Plateaux de Beauregard to the Ferret Valley in Italy renowned for its views of the Southern face of Mont Blanc.
8 days including transfers, accommodation, food, passes, equipment and guide costs from £829.00 per person. To get to Chamonix by train see our Plan Your Journey to Chamonix. 

2. Experience Sami life and see the Northern Lights in Norway 
This 7 day trip is one of the best you can do to get under the skin of traditional life in Northern Scandinavia. You spend three days with a Sami family and their raindeer herd eating, drinking and singing together and exploring the surrounding landscape by snow mobile and reindeer sled. The trip also includes an overnight stay at the impressive Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel and some free time in the city of Alta, which is home to the permenant Northern Lights observatory. 
7 days including transfers, accommodation, activities, full board and dog sledging costs £999 per person, based on 2 people.

Camping under the Arctic stars. Photo: Magnetic North

3. Ski touring in the Cairngorms
If gliding through the UK's highest mountains by day and sipping whisky around the fire by night appeals, then this is the perfect winter break for you. The tall massif of the Cairngorms not only has the most dependable snow in the UK but also provides epic ski mountaineering opportunitites. The trip includes ski guides and instruction and 4* accommodation in the heart of the Caringorms National Park.
3 nights including accommodation, all travel, instruction and all meals costs from £525 per person. 

4. Snowshoeing week in Guarda
 This snowshoeing week is based from the impressive 17th Century farmhouse Hotel Meisser in Guarda, one of Switzerland's most unspoilt mountain villages. During the week you will discover the picturesque Engadine Valley, with three guided snowshoeing excursions and shoe hire for the whole week. The Engadine Valley is one of Switzerland's best kept secrets and winter is the perfect time to discover it as the lakes freeze over and the Alpine trees get drenched in snow creating a true winter wonderland.
7 nights accommodation, tour guides, equipment hire, half board and train tickets to Switzerland costs from £1238 per person. 

Getting stuck into winter activities around Lake Bled. Photo: KE Adventure5. Slovenian Snow Spectacular
This holiday is great for those that want to try a little bit of everything when it comes to alternative winter activities. The trip is based in Lake Bled, where you return each night to a comfortable pension after day's worth of winter adventure.  One day involves an exploration of the forested plateau of Pokljuka on cross country skis and another includes one night in an igloo, complete with giant snow beds, mattresses, warm sleeping bags and even a sauna. Other activities include a husky sled ride, tobogganing, snow bike riding and snow shoeing
8 days of full board accommodation, all transfers, guides, instructors and equipment hire costs from £995 per person.

See more alternative winter holidays, including lots of green skiing and snowboarding trips and chalets here: Green Winter Holidays. 
For detailed itineraries, prices and transfer details about getting to the Alps by train see our Guide to the Ski Train.