It’s the most magical time of the year, so why not hop on a plane and head to one of these spectacular winter wonderland resorts to put you in the holiday spirit. From horse-drawn sleigh rides through fresh powder and Olympic-level downhill ski slopes to majestic ice skating rinks surrounded by cascading mountains, these winter wonderland resorts offer something for everyone this season.
Winter Wonderland Resorts
Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic fondue dinner in a Swiss chalet or getting cozy in a rustic cabin in the Rocky Mountains, these 15 winter wonderland resorts offer the perfect excuse to plan an inspiring holiday vacation this season.
Located in Zurich, Switzerland, The Baur au Lac has maintained a leading position for more than 170 years in the international luxury hotel industry. Set in its own park, the hotel enjoys a unique location overlooking Lake Zurich and the Alps – and yet is still just a few minutes’ walk from the Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich’s celebrated shopping high street. During the winter season, the hotel offers Chalet au Lac (featured above), which is a traditional alpine restaurant that provides guests with a taste of winter in the Swiss Alps. Built especially for the hotel in its lakeside park, the pop-up wooden chalet is the perfect winter wonderland atmosphere for a party or romantic dinner. The menu includes cheese fondue, raclette and a festive cocktail list with mulled wine and Fire Tongs Punch served in a fireproof bowl.
This holiday season let Corinthia Hotel London take you on a magical journey through the legendary story of Swan Lake. This iconic hotel brings the fairy tale to life through delicious menus, unique afternoon tea delights, special festive cocktails and overnight stay packages. Housed within a Victorian building, Corinthia Hotel London features 294 rooms, including 40 suites and 7 penthouses, offering sweeping views across London’s most popular landmarks. To add to the winter wonderland whimsy, festive traditions are flourishing at Corinthia Hotel this holiday season, filling the hotel lobby, restaurants and bars with the magical sights, sounds and smells of the colorful Yuletide season.
Nestled in the Colorado Rockies, Dunton Hot Springs offers guests rustic luxury, and days filled with exciting outdoor activities to take in the beautiful winter wonderland. Visitors can take to the groomed cross-country ski trails, or snowshoe through the vast surrounding meadows. And then there is skiing, heli-skiing, hiking, and even winter horseback riding in the canyon country surrounding their vineyard. Other activities include dog-sledding, back-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating and ice climbing. During the holiday season, guests can enjoy ginger bread house making, Christmas cookie decorating, fireside Christmas carols, Christmas Eve mid-night canapes and cocktails, and other festivities.
Located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, Fairmont Chateau Whistler is North America’s ski-in ski-out luxury hotel, that offers the ultimate Canadian ski experience. Continuing to raise the standard, this year the resort is offering exciting packages such as the Whistler Heli Ski Adventure, featuring amenities such as two-nights’ Fairmont Gold accommodations, one Whistler heli-skiing classic experience, complimentary afternoon après-ski canapes, and more. If you’re seeking a winter wonderland with luxurious accommodations and plenty of outdoor snowy adventures, then this spectacular hotel is a must-visit for you.
From holiday caroling and traditional Christmas dinners to festive cocktail classes and visits with Santa Claus, the Four Seasons Resort & Residences in Vail, Colorado becomes a winter wonderland this season. This contemporary landmark luxury hotel has European flair, with peaked roofs, light-filled ambiance, and cozy interiors. Just outside your door, you can head out for a day of skiing on alpine trails, or take a leisurely stroll through the charming town, bustling with busy boutiques and popular eateries.
Every winter, the Copenhagen Kongens Nytorv (King’s Square) is transformed into a winter wonderland, as the whole façade of the historic hotel d’Angleterre is illuminated with lights and decorations. Travelers come from around the world to marvel at the spectacle – even Danish author Hans Christian Andersen himself, the creator of the fairytale, celebrated Christmas at the hotel in 1865. Guests are invited to try The Snow Queen’s White Gløgg, a traditional drink at Hotel d’Angleterre. When it’s time to venture outside the hotel, just a brief 10-minute drive away is the ultimate winter wonderland – Copenhagen’s famed Tivoli Gardens.
The Coeur d’Alene Resort is set in gorgeous North Idaho on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene. The Resort features luxury accommodations, an award-winning Spa, and several award-winning restaurants. Guests can enjoy the winter wonderland setting that is not far from two different ski slopes that offer prime winter recreation. This time of year, The Resort is decorated for the Holiday Light Show featuring more than 1.5 million lights. To take advantage of the spectacular vistas, guests can enjoy seeing the lake with the holiday light lake cruises or eagle watching cruises.
Located in the heart of the Engadine in Switzerland, the 5-star, Kulm Hotel St. Moritz is the perfect destination to travel this winter season. Offering stunning views of Lake St. Moritz, guests can enjoy the fascinating scenery from their own hotel suite. Known as the cradle of winter sports, Kulm Hotel offers a wide variety of activities including snow shoeing, snow trekking and more, allowing guests to experience a true après-ski experience. After a long day of fun in the snow, the Kulm spa offers a multitude of relaxing treatments and detoxes for guests to wind down and enjoy beautiful Switzerland.
Just 20 minutes from the Vermont border, and about 90 minutes from Montreal, Manoir Hovey is a 37-room lakeside resort (and a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux), was voted the #1 resort in Canada (Travel + Leisure magazine’s “World’s Best Awards”) and the #1 Hotel in Canada (Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards) in 2016. This winter wonderland offers guests a number of fun-filled recreational activities in the snow, including snow-shoeing, snow yoga, sleigh rides, ice skating, and nearby Nordic spas.
When it comes to luxurious winter wonderland resorts, the Scarp Ridge Lodge by Eleven Experience offers something the whole family can enjoy. Located in downtown Crested Butte, Colorado, this beautiful hotel enables guests to partake in a range of outdoor activities, such as guided back-country skiing, dog-sledding, cross-country skiing, ice skating and more. After a long day exploring the great outdoors, come back and relaxed in this well-appointed lodge complete with saltwater pool and hot tub, sauna, custom mini-bars, incredible food and more.
Winter has arrived in all its snowy glory at Stowe, Vermont, and there’s no better place to revel in it than at the Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa. With the majestic Stowe ski area a quick complimentary shuttle ride away and the resort’s own trails for snow shoeing and cross-country skiing, Stoweflake entices guests with outdoor adventure and accommodations packages that celebrate the season. Adding to Stoweflake’s allure is a world-class spa and delicious dining at Charlie B’s Pub & Restaurant. On Christmas Eve, after a fireside reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Santa will visit the Stoweflake, making it a magical experience for all the guests to enjoy.
From snow shoeing tours and gingerbread cookie decorating to the Grand Illumination Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Marketplace, there’s something for families of all ages and sizes during the 18th Annual Traditions Celebration at the beautiful Sunriver Resort in Oregon. The kid-friendly resort features Santa’s Workshop, Elf Tuck-Ins, Snow Painting, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and a number of other winter wonderland activities and attractions that will keep guests entertained all holiday season.
Close to alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, ice skating, the AAA Four Diamond Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa in Lake Placid, New York is a true winter wonderland resort in the Adirondack Mountains. The property includes a world class spa, fine dining, and luxurious accommodations, set on an inspiring property that overlooks Mirror Lake. Plus, guests can enjoy Christmas caroling each night during the holidays, adding to the festive feeling of the season.
Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite is a fond family tradition for all ages, and this year Tenaya is aglow with holiday magic. Situated in a forested mountain setting, the AAA Four-Diamond resort brings a little bit of everything to guests to celebrate the holidays. Yuletide activities consist of decorating prize-winning gingerbread houses, creating keepsake ornaments, twirling around an outdoor ice rink to the scent of a crackling fire and s’mores, dinner with Kris Kringle himself, and so much more. Fun and fond memories are in store this year and Tenaya’s 35-foot tree serves as the centerpiece of it all.
Last, but certainly not least, The Home Ranch in Clark, Colorado offers fabulous winter wonderland vacations featuring winter horseback riding, Nordic skiing, back country skiing, snowshoeing and feed sleigh rides. The 14-room Relais & Chateaux designated ranch, the only in Colorado, features fabulous daily meals.
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[Images c/o featured properties.]
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