Whether you’d prefer to explore a quiet snowy landscape or to conquer heart racing runs, Europe offers endless activities to enjoy in winter. From snowshoeing through silent glades to skiing the "Milky Way," here are 5 things to do on the continent this winter...
Outdoor Europe
View BookSnowtubing in Leysin, Switzerland
The Swiss resort town of Leysin is home to the Tobogganing Park which specialises in the thrilling winter sport of snowtubing. Sitting in the middle of an inflatable rubber ring, you’ll slide down one of a number of twisting runs, some of which feature tunnels, 360-degree turns and loop-the-loops. Every run ends the same – with a heart-stopping launch through the air to land on a giant airbag. Once you've caught your breath, take a moment to appreciate the surrounding scenery of Alpine peaks, snow laden evergreens and clusters of igloos.
Snowshoeing in Transylvania, Romania
If sculpting fresh tracks through an untamed landscape of snowy valleys and silent glades appeals to you, then strap on your snowshoes and get ready to explore Romania’s remote Apuseni Mountains. Incredible secrets await discovery along the routes of this little-visited corner of Transylvania: you might come across the spectacular caverns of Vartop or the exquisite ice formations of Scărişoara, a huge cave home to Europe’s largest underground glacier.
Cross-country skiing in Schwangau, Germany
Gliding through thick snow-laden forest with a fantastical castle soaring over the treetops sounds like a scene from a fairy tale, but it’s a reality on the trails around the Bavarian village of Schwangau. As you travel across the landscape, Neuschwanstein Castle, one of Germany’s most iconic monuments, is your constant companion. A beautiful sight year-round, the fortress is especially enchanting when covered in snow – and even more so when viewed from the illuminated track at night.
Skiing in Via Lattea, Italy
Via Lattea, or the Milky Way, in Italy’s northerly Piedmont region, is a winter sports colossus where some 440 km (273 miles) of ski trails spiral between six villages. Each day spent here brings the opportunity to explore a different valley, gliding on fresh snow which sparkles hypnotically in the bright sun. There’s no such thing as an early night here, either – the resorts’ various après-ski spots buzz with the sound of revellers raising an Aperol Spritz well past sundown.
Viewing the Northern Lights in Abisko, Sweden
Without doubt one of life’s most awesome experiences is to catch the Northern Lights dancing across the night sky. Statistically, the highest chance of catching this incredible display is in Abisko, a village inside the Arctic Circle in Swedish Lapland. Abisko is ringed by mountains which seem to block cloud and rain, bringing the clear skies that are critical for norrsken (northern lights) appearances. Staying here for three days or longer is estimated to give you an astounding 88 percent chance of witnessing the spectacular “green lady.”
