Great snow sure locations

Choosing a destination for your next winter holiday is never an easy task, but one thing that can determine where you choose to go to is the snow! That's why at Headwater we take great care in selecting the best locations, with the best snow reliability, where in normal winter conditions, all the activities we describe are possible. So what are the differences between choosing Scandinavia, or opting for one of the closer Central European countries? Here is a guide to help you choose.

Northern Europe / Scandinavia (Finland & Norway)

Firstly, Scandinavia has an unrivalled snow record, with snow almost guaranteed from late November until the end of April and even longer in the Northern areas. Scandinavia is home to the origins of cross-country skiing and for the locals, living with the snow has been part of daily life for hundreds of years.

Scandinavia has a total population of 24 million spread over 5 countries, so it's hardly surprising that the places we take you to are so sparsely populated. Some days you'll find yourself traversing the peaceful trails of a national park, or passing through deep, pine-scented forest, other days you could be crossing the vast expanse of a frozen lake. In Scandinavia you can discover mile upon mile of untouched nature with only reindeer and elk as company.

It really is worlds apart from the hustle and bustle of daily life back home, a real chance of escapism and a unique opportunity to discover a true winter wonderland, either skiing from hut to hut, or stopping for refreshments in a cosy log cabin, or rustic mountain lodge. If you are lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights!

Of course, in Scandinavia temperatures tend to be lower than central Europe and, with the guarantee of reliable snow, chances are that daily temperatures will be colder! One argument against Scandinavia is the shortness of the days, but this can easily be dismissed thanks to the considerable number of floodlit trails available, meaning that you can enjoy a full day's skiing even in December and January.

Central Europe (Italy, France, Austria & Switzerland)

In central Europe you'll usually find regularly maintained, way-marked ski trails, and a larger choice of cafes and restaurants offering plenty of opportunity for hot chocolate breaks and lunch stops. The weather tends to be warmer and sunnier and the resorts are generally more lively. Prices tend to be cheaper than Scandinavia for any extras you buy locally (drinks, activities, lunches, etc).

In the event of poor conditions we will do our best to get you to the nearest available snow, or to arrange a suitable alternative package of similar activities on the spot. We are not able to offer a guarantee of snow, nor will we regard poor snow conditions immediately prior to a trip as a valid reason for cancelling: conditions can change very quickly and just one fall of snow can improve things immensely.

Of course this is just a generalisation and every destination is different, it all depends on the weather you have that week, the hotel you choose, the activity you do, etc. Please speak to one of our sales advisors if you are having trouble choosing from our range of holidays.