1-WHITEFISH, MONTANA, USA
This quaint ski town is perfect for when you want to get away from it all. There is much to see and do with bustling shops and a ski resort located on Big Mountain. Right at the vantage point, you can enjoy some beautiful mountain views reflected in their state lake. But the natural attraction is their annual winter festival, featuring the lesser-known sport of joring. In it, a horse and rider pull a skier in the shape of an 800-foot-long horseshoe while the skier jumps and spins around the slalom gates.
2. GULLFOSS, ICELAND
You can find Gullfoss Falls in southwest Iceland in the valley of the Hvita River, which is fed by the Langjökull, the second-largest glacier in Iceland. While beautiful in summer, it is even more impressive when it is partially frozen in winter. The water turns to vibrant shades of blue and turquoise while the rocks collect snow and ice. The waterfalls about 100 feet in two stages and is surrounded by a canyon wall about 200 feet. While there is nothing else to do in the area other than gawk at the waterfall, most visitors feel that it is well worth the trip to take in the untouched natural beauty.
3-LAKE TAHOE, CALIFORNIA, USA
Lake Tahoe is beautiful year-round, but its gorgeous landscape peaks in winter. In addition to offering over a dozen ski resorts, the city also has hot springs, stunning views, and vibrant nightlife. Visitors can enjoy skiing, nature walks, and bird-watching, among other winter activities. Lake Tahoe gets about 125 inches of snow a year, so if all else fails, you can always consider building a snowman.
4-SVALBARD, NORWAY
Located between the 74th and 81st parallels, you can't get too much from this small mining town. It is one of the northernmost inhabited regions globally, making it a prime spot to catch the Northern Lights. Because of its location, the city also experiences a Polar Night, which occurs between mid-November and late January. During this time, the sun never rises, and the sky gets its lightest blue twilight. This lack of sunlight only increases the chances of seeing the aurora borealis. Even if you don't catch it (it's tough to predict when it will), there's still plenty to see between the large nearby mountains and the polar bears that live in the vicinity.
5-LAKE BLED, SLOVENIA
This picturesque body of water can be found in the Julian Alps in northwestern Slovenia. The lake surrounds Bled Island, which has many buildings, including a church that hosts a good number of weddings every year. It is considered a good fortune for the groom to take his wife to ring the bell 99 steps up the church's tower. Visitors to the area can enjoy skiing or visit the nearby Wintergarden Gorge, which is home to several waterfalls, locks, and caves.
6-LAKE BAIKAL, RUSSIA
Visiting Russia in winter is usually unlucky. But some might be tempted to risk it to enjoy the views of Lake Baikal, known as the "Holy Sea" by the native peoples who lived in the region. The deepest freshwater lake in the world is undoubtedly an attraction any time of year, but in winter, the body of water becomes an ice rink of 12,200 square miles. Dog-sled and snowmobiling tours are offered, and ice diving and rafting in areas where the water doesn't freeze.
7-PERITO MORENO GLACIER, ARGENTINA
This glacier is a popular tourist destination and with good reason. Located in Los Glaciares National Park, it is one of only three Patagonian glaciers currently rising. At the northern end of the massive block of ice, there is a glacier cave that tourists can visit. The large glacier cave is three miles wide and goes about 558 feet underwater. Some people like to take a boat tour to get a good look at its deep blue snow.
8-LEH LADAKH, INDIA
Located in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, Leh is known for its stunning natural places, Buddhist temples, and pristine surroundings. Barren mountains with brightly colored gompas (or monasteries), fluttering prayer flags, rocky ridges, small settlements, and the Indus River add to the overall charm of the region. Due to the strong influence of Tibetan Buddhism, Leh is also known as Little Tibet or the Land of Lamas.
Apart from the famous monasteries in Ladakh, this scenic spot is also renowned for its dangerous passes and roads.
Chang-La and Khardung-La are among the highest motorable passes worldwide, visited by enthusiastic, experienced, and adventurous bikers from India and abroad. These passes connect the vast and beautiful valleys of Changthang and Nubra to Ladakh.
9-JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK, JAPAN
Jigokudani Monkey Park, located in the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, receives heavy snowfall for about four months every year. Despite the cold, there are plenty of hot springs to warm up to. It's a not-so-well-kept secret, especially if you're a monkey: Snow monkeys have been known to visit the valley in winter and bathe during the day. In addition to watching the monkeys retreat, visitors can also check out the steam vents, which shoot hot steam into the air.
10-GOA, INDIA
The New Year celebrations come at the end of December, and there is no better place than our very own Goa. The site is known worldwide for its New Year's Eve parties, and thousands of tourists flock to its shores to say goodbye to the previous year and welcome the next. Apart from nightclubs, many beach parties at the best beaches in Goa like Vagator, Baga, and Anjuna beach. One can also indulge in several beach shacks overnight. For a unique experience, try the silent noise parties held at Palolem beach.
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