10 best white Christmas holiday destinations

Keen to get into the holiday cheer somewhere with snow? Here are the best places on the planet to have a white Christmas holiday and get into the Christmas spirit.

Drinking eggnog. Throwing snowballs. Going to Christmas markets. Opening Christmas gifts. Pouring brandy. Eating fruitcake. Going to the the christmas markets yet again. We'd all love to be living our best lives at Christmas. However, some destinations feel more Christmas-y than others.

And if you live in Australia you might be curious about what it's like to experience the festive season in a winter wonderland full of Santa Claus villages, cross country skiing, christmas lights and christmas carols. Somewhere like the movies. Somewhere cold, white and snowy.

See also: 10 ways to celebrate Christmas around the world

If this is something you're keen on, here are the best white christmas holiday destinations.

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is one of Europe's best places to spend the holiday season

Like candle-lit wine-bars, beautiful architecture and Christmas markets? Swoon at the words medieval and baroque? Fan of fairy lights? Don't mind the odd church or choir? Prague at Christmas-time is for you. Highlights include the Old Town Square, the shopping, the mulled wine and the snow. Make sure you climb the castle stairs and cross the Charles Bridge too. And buy some top notch baubles while you're at it.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Walking around Copenhagen's Christmas markets, it's hard not to get into the Christmas spirit

Ready to embrace hygge? Head to Copenhagen at Christmas. Picture snow falling outside your window on Christmas eve while a roaring fireplace warms you up after an icy dip with the locals in the harbour (yes, this is a thing). Then hit up a spa or head to an ice-rink for some ice-skating. Finally, the traditional Danish Christmas lunch (think: marinated herring, egg and curry salad, roast pork with crispy rind, red cabbage) is something you'll remember fondly.

Aspen, Colorado, United States

From cross country skiing to christmas festivities, Aspen, Colorado, is the place to spend Christmas if you're a fan of the snow

One of the most iconic winter wonderlands in the world, Aspen is a skiers paradise, which means plenty of snow for your snow -angel Insta-pics and snowman-making atics. There's Christmas spirit galore and - if you tire of the twinkling lights and ski resorts and hot drinks warming you from the inside out - there are hot springs nearby in Glenwood to warm you from the outside in.

See also: World's craziest Christmas celebrations

Siglufjörður, Iceland

Santa Claus wishes he could spend Christmas here...

Want something different this holiday season? Fancy skiing your way through Christmas and into the new year? Siglufjordur, a fishing town five hours drive north of Reykjavik - which can be tricky to reach in poor weather conditions - is a bit of a wilder choice than your average sedate white christmas in a more urbane city, but it's a story you'll dine out on for years. It's a good excuse to see the Northern Lights too (is there a better present in the world than that?).

Tignes, France

Tignes in France is one of the most Christmas-looking places on the planet to spend a white christmas

Christmas is very cute and cosy in Tignes, France. There's ice sculptures, torches, fireworks, free mulled wine and hot chocolate all during the week of Christmas. If you're excited to see the big man himself, there's a Father Christmas parade too. There is skiing for holiday makers of all abilities, also. If that doesn't get you excited to go and see snow covered pastures this silly season, I don't know what will. Naturally the chairlifts are open on Christmas Day, so you can fly down the mountains at the speed of a RedBull drinking reindeer if you like...

Zermatt, Switzerland

Christmas doesn't get much merrier than this

There's something magical about a white Christmas in Zermatt. The cobblestone, the snow, the laughter ringing through the streets after a day on the slopes. There are top tier chalets, houses that look like something out of a picture book. There are also plenty of spas and churches and you can't leave without trying the raclette and fondue. The stews, pastries and chocolate are sure to delight too. Don't forget to take some time to stroll up and down the streets and breathe in the fresh air too. We'll say merry Christmas now; you can thank us later.

Innsbruck, Austria

This town is like something out of a fairy tale

A pretty town with bright buildings, this outpost in the Austrian Alps looks like something out of a fairy tale. The mountains are tightly capped by snow like a celebrity trying to hide a hangover, there are freezing cold rivers blasting through gullies, there's an iconic Swarovski Christmas Tree, a medieval fortress and the markets are to die for. It's well connected to public transport too, so you don't need a car to get there. Our top tip? Rent a cute bed and breakfast, and go and explore the old town. Merry holiday coming up in 3, 2, 1...

Banff, Alberta, Canada

Who needs the Polar Express when Canada has this?

Summer will be but a distant memory if you book a trip to Banff, Alberta over Christmas. Before you know it you'll be saying hi to santa at the top of the Banff Gondola, doing some white Christmas shopping at the Banff Christmas market and searching for the Christmas spirit by taking a walk through the Cascade of Time Garden, where you’ll witness a live Christmas story told by the animals of Banff National Park. Other options are to see the Santa Claus celebration of lights or to go on a delicious hot chocolate trail. There's also dog-sledding and guided snowshoe tours to keep you occupied (plus sleigh rides, e-biking and ski and snowboard lessons). It doesn't get much more Christmas-y than that.

Hokkaido, Japan

Hokkaido is an offbeat, but sublime, place to spend a white Christmas

If Santa lived in Hokkaido, I doubt he would have bothered to leave and traverse the world doling out presents: he would have just stayed soaking in an onsen, surrounded by fluffy white snow.... There's more to Hokkaido in festive season than world-class skiing conditions (though you're welcome to visit for that too). White Christmas seekers are welcome to dip their toes (or rather, tongues) in the fragrant local food scene, winter festivals (the Sounkyo Hyobaku Festival is kind of like a real life version of the kids' movie Frozen) and stunning landscapes. Hot springs, of which there are plenty here, hit harder in winter too.

Tromso, Norway

You'll imagine Santa popping out of every corner around here

While you might get Christmas trees and Christmas lights at home, here you've got Northern Lights. This small city in Northern Norway punches above its weight when it comes to winter wonderland activities for travellers looking for an authentic white Christmas. It's easily one of the world's best white christmas holiday destinations. It's an excellent place to base yourself to see the Northern Lights. You can also stay in a real life ice hotel and go dog sledding. Overall, it's a must for winter-lovers looking for a raw, unique white christmas experience. Bonus activities include snow-shoeing, whale watching and reindeer-searching (yes, like actual reindeer).

Originally published as 10 best white Christmas holiday destinations