The 13 Most Beautiful Snow-Covered Towns Around the World

The hills are alive with the hushed sounds of footsteps on the snowy lanes of this glittering lakeside village, about an hour southeast of Salzburg. Like something out of the Disney blockbuster Frozen, this UNESCO World Heritage site features historic alpine architecture, plus charming shops and eateries at its Marketplatz, where the town Christmas tree is set up. Head up, up, up the town’s staircases and paths toward the mountains for great views.

Heads-up: Snowfall amounts in December vary. By January or February, a thick blanket of the white stuff is more likely to wrap up the already snow-covered town. You can enjoy the cozy ambience of a lakeside room at Seehotel Gruener Baum.

This is one of those mountain towns that look like a storybook paradise in winter. In addition to fabulous skiing at the area’s Stowe Mountain Resort, this northern Vermont downtown is picture-perfect when covered with a fresh layer of powder. Even though it’s a popular winter destination, Stowe retains its small-town charm, with its old-fashioned Main Street complete with specialty shops, restaurants, white-steepled church—even a covered bridge. Snow season starts in December, but the best skiing conditions are in February. Ski lodges abound, though visitors can also stay in town at a bed and breakfast like the Brass Lantern Inn.

Full of Scandinavian charm, this seaport is surrounded by mountains and fjords, and features colorful houses along the old wharf, or Bryggen, that are striking against the white snow. Explore the narrow—and nearly hidden—passages between the historic buildings for jewelers, artists’ studios and shops. Ride the funicular to the top of Mount Floyen in under 10 minutes for an awesome view; a tour of the fjords is a must as well. Sunsets can be gorgeous—even if they happen at 3 p.m. in winter. Snowfall isn’t guaranteed but is most likely to start in December.

Book your stay in the heart of Bryggen at Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz. Later, travel to northern snow-covered towns like Tromso or Svalbard to get a glimpse of the spectacular northern lights.

Renowned as one of the most beautiful spots in Canada, Banff is lovely in itself. In the shadow of Cascade Mountain, its wide main avenue is perfect for strolling as snowflakes fall—dart inside one of the shops, galleries or restaurants to warm up. To fully appreciate the area’s beauty, visit Banff National Park to see stunning ice-blue lakes, frozen waterfalls and “ice walks” along snow-covered steel walkways. The area’s ski resorts are also top-notch, with ski (and snow) season starting at the end of November. Then, snuggle up under the covers in your room at Mount Royal Hotel, located in the heart of town.

One of the most picturesque spots in all of Europe, the snow-covered town of Bled, located on Lake Bled, owes much of its beauty to the bell tower of the Church of the Assumption of Mary on tiny Bled Island. Visit the church to ring the bell, and legend has it your wish will be granted. You can also visit the imposing Bled Castle. It’s the oldest in the country, dating back to 1011, but features an upscale restaurant that appeals to modern travelers. Other area winter activities include skiing and sledding; visit in January for the best chance of snowfall. No matter when you visit, stay in a historic area down the street from the castle at Old Parish House.

A far cry from the lush beauty of southern Italy, Canazei is unexpected: Nestled in Italy’s Dolomite Mountains, this ski village looks more like its Swiss or Austrian neighbors. Not surprisingly, the main winter activities are skiing and snowboarding, with four areas near town. Non-skiers can still get a glimpse of the majestic mountains with a ride up the cable car to the Sass Pordoi rock summit. The Hotel Albergo Alla Rosa in the village makes a warm and comfy home base for your winter visit to Italy.

These UNESCO World Heritage sites are made up of several villages of traditional farmhouses in the Gassho, or “praying hands,” style. Because of the massive snowfalls that begin to accumulate in this mountainous central region of the country in December, the thatched houses were built with steeply pitched roofs so snow wouldn’t pile up on them but instead slide off. The villages became enchanting places that looked straight out of a fairy tale. Today, some of the houses offer cultural exhibits, and visitors staying overnight at a guest house get to experience the magic of the houses lit up at nighttime. For a different but equally worthwhile experience, stay nearby at Auberge Hidanomori in Takayama.

With the same name as the wizard in Fantastic Beasts, Grindelwald is simply magical, with snowfall beginning in December or possibly even sooner. This Swiss Alps village is an idyllic spot to explore the country’s Jungfrau region, with skiing, sledding, snowshoeing and winter hiking opportunities aplenty. You can even try a wintertime zip line, the First Flyer, or a velogemme, a kind of bike with skis that the locals use to get around. The brave can ride the gondola up to the First Cliff Walk, a terrifying metal walkway suspended from the side of the mountain. Stay at the Michelin-starred Hotel Belvedere Grindelwald and be pampered by the indoor pool, hot tub and sauna.

This well-preserved medieval city may not see much daylight during winter, but the lights of the Old Town against the snow create plenty of warmth. Stroll the historic district and visit the walled fortifications, then hop into a cafe for hot glogg. Visit in December to experience its spectacular holiday market—it’s truly one of the best cities in the world to visit around Christmas. Snow begins in late November in Estonia, which lies just across the sea from Finland. Stay right in the Old Town at Hotel Cru.

You’re not seeing things: This is a real-life city made entirely of ice, complete with ice castles, ice temples, ice staircases and ice sculptures. It’s the world’s largest ice festival, created with ice blocks from the frozen Songhua River, held in Harbin in the northeasternmost area of China. At night, the creations are lit up with a rainbow of colors; the festivities also include winter sports, winter fishing and an art fair for ice lanterns (candles placed inside carved ice). Although it’s not a “town” in the traditional sense, it’s a can’t-miss sight for snow lovers. The festival starts at the end of December and runs until the beginning of February. Stay at the Shangri-La Hotel for views over the city of ice.

Travelers can discover so many snowy German villages that seem to be out of a fairy tale that it’s hard to pick just one. But the Bavarian town of Coburg, filled with historic architecture, looks particularly lovely dressed in white, with snow starting in December. Wander through the cobbled Old Town and the market square, warm up with some traditional Bavarian fare, then venture up to the Veste, the fortified medieval castle. The snow-covered town of Coburg has more than its share of castles: Visitors can also visit Ehrenburg Palace, Callenburg Castle and Rosenau Palace just outside town, where Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, was born. Stay in the center of town at Hotel Goldener Anker, a bucket-list spot if there ever were one.

You don’t need to ski to appreciate the charm of this quintessential ski village nestled in the Rocky Mountains: It’s one of America’s prettiest winter towns. Browse the many boutiques or take in the après-ski scene. The streets may seem warm beneath your feet—and that’s because they are actually heated. Go ahead and listen to the creek babbling beyond the town and visit the highest botanical garden in the United States, the Betty Ford Alpine Garden, which is open year-round and amazing covered in snow. Of course, the area offers endless opportunities for outdoor winter fun, and the snow may begin falling as early as November. Stay right in the village at the boutique hotel Austria Haus.

It’s hard to believe the enchanting, snow-covered town of Colmar in France’s Alsace region can get any prettier, but just add snow, and it looks like something out of a Disney movie. With cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and winding canals, it’s the perfect winter destination for walking hand-in-hand with a loved one as snowflakes fall. If you need something more to do, stop into medieval churches, specialty shops or a wine bar, as Colmar is the capital of the region’s winemaking. Snow, though, is iffy in December; January may present a better chance. Stay right on the canal near the covered market at the splurge-worthy Hotel Colombier Suites.

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Sources:

• Hallstatt: “Your Holiday in Hallstatt/Austria”
• UNESCO: “World Heritage List”
• Town of Banff: “Banff, AB – Official Website”
• Blejski Otok: “Welcome to the Island”
• Val di Fassa: “Welcome to Canazei: A Jewel in the Hearts of Dolomites”
• Japan Guide: “Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, Japan”
• Grindelwald Tourismus: “Grindelwald: Holidays in a Unique Mountain World”
• Visit Tallinn: “Visit Tallinn Official City Guide”
• Ice Festival Harbin: “Harbin Ice Festival 2026”
• Coburger Schlosser: “Coburg Palaces, A Dutchy Writes History”
• Office de Tourisme de Colmar: “Discover Colmar, a Unique and Endearing Country Town”