White Christmas

[Austashes]

After swealtering through Brisbane's summer this Christmas, I have promised the family a white christmas for Dec '13. Trouble is choosing the destination, my wife just loves the history and atmosphere of christmas, while M-23 wants to ski & F-20 wants to shop and hit the clubs. My preference is to keep the cost at a reasonable level.


I am hoping that someone out there has a suggestion and some great stories.

 

[Pushka]

Brisbane doesn't swelter. We were there during the heat wave and really it was ok. Try Adelaide tomorrow. 44. That is a swelter.

A white Christmas sounds fabulous.

 

[Blinky]

It was something I was talking about over Christmas, but our Northern Hemisphere friends assured us that the beauty and romance of a white Christmas is very soon trumped by the mud, slush, cancelled flights, bitter cold and difficulty to just get down to the pub.

I think we'll be satisfied with a trip to Europe starting early March.

 

[tuapekastar]

After swealtering through Brisbane's summer this Christmas, I have promised the family a white christmas for Dec '13. Trouble is choosing the destination, my wife just loves the history and atmosphere of christmas, while M-23 wants to ski & F-20 wants to shop and hit the clubs. My preference is to keep the cost at a reasonable level.


I am hoping that someone out there has a suggestion and some great stories.

I don't have overseas skiing experience but I guess the closest (and maybe cheapest?) for Christmas is Hokkaido in Japan. There is a certain AFFer who is over there now rejoicing in massive dumps of fresh powder. I'm sure others with appropriate experience will chip in with some wise advice.

 

[amaroo]

We've enjoyed Quebec in winter....bloody cold, white, relentless & beautiful.....with wind chill, can be -40

The dog sled ride was really special.

NYC not a bad stop over:idea:

 

[Pushka]

The only problem I'd worry about is getting snowed in and getting stuck somewhere. Maybe once we've retired it wouldn't matter so much. Friends of ours are currently in Canada. Christmas in Hawaii and NYE in Canada. Sounds perfect.

 

[benmay]

Im thinking about the same thing. Current thought for me and +1 is Montana in the REAL snow for a week or two over Xmas 2013.

 

[drron]

Well we have had a white Christmas in the Poconos-really cant be relied upon.Also in the Adirondacks when we hired a lodge for extended family.That was fantastic but no skiing close.
Dont worry about being snowed in-the locals are well prepared and the snow ploughs are out after any fall.In both places the owners had an arrangement so the tracks leading in to the properties were cleared the next morning.It was special.

 

[samh004]

Many Northern Hemisphere locations would count early December as early season, and thus it'd be cheaper, though you'd still then be back in Australia over the hot part of Christmas... I'd suggest Japan or Canada, somewhere.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I'm with Sam......Vancouver! Great city, plenty of accomodation, shopping and presumably, clubs (I'm way past clubbing) and ski fields close at hand.

 

[Deleted member]

Im thinking about the same thing. Current thought for me and +1 is Montana in the REAL snow for a week or two over Xmas 2013.

Can I come too?

 

[Austashes]

We are looking at traveling around 20th Dec & returning early Jan, so we can get in New Years also.

We seem split 50:50 on USA/Canada and Germany locations. I like the thought of Montana, hadn't considerd it before, but the arguement still rages. So any thoughts are very welcome;

Cheers !

 

[Berlin]

Southern Germany or Switzerland will do the trick. Not too familiar with Canada during that time but sounds like a good option too. Was lucky two years ago being in New York city for Xmas eve and the first snow flakes hit Time Square and Central Park while we were there- was probably the most magical white Christmas moment in my life (and I was pretty much used to it during childhood). Unfortunately, that's hard to plan ahead and it might as well end up being 20 degrees which is the same with most parts of Europe that are not close to the mountains.

It was something I was talking about over Christmas, but our Northern Hemisphere friends assured us that the beauty and romance of a white Christmas is very soon trumped by the mud, slush, cancelled flights, bitter cold and difficulty to just get down to the pub.

Oh yes, big time. My Aussie partner loved it the first time, not so much the second time and by the third time, he was finally healed from that "White Christmas" spell and we've decided to never do it again unless my mom forces us after a few years

 

[avstand]

Two good options: Montreal and Zagreb. Both are relatively inexpensive, snowy, magical old cities, with a great Christmas vibe. Check out apartment rentals on AirBnB - I rented a place in the middle of Zagreb recently that would have comfortably slept a family of 4-5 for about $600 for a week.

But be prepared for the cold! It's easy to underestimate how freezing it can be in the northern hemisphere when you're used to Australian winters. Being wet and frosty can ruin the most magical Christmas! You'll want lots of long layers, really good thermal coats (maybe even buy these on arrival - hard to find affordable appropriate versions in Oz), scarves, hats and mittens, and especially, proper boots that can cope with the ice and snow.

Good luck!

 

[Major]

My personal preference is the Dolomites. We have stayed in Colfosco and had a great time. EK to DXB and VCE and then coach

 Colfosco Alta Badia - Dolomites - Italy

 

[file51]

Having done Banff for a few Christmas trips some years back, that would be something I would
certainly do again. Vancouver as mentioned is a good option as well

 

[benmay]

Can I come too?

Won't be any prawns on the menu, that's for sure

 

[Deleted member]

Won't be any prawns on the menu, that's for sure

The lobster in that part of the world is really nice

 

[nonpop]

If you want to do a real white Christmas then consider Finland ... Finnair would also be a good excuse for a OW status run out of SIN or BKK or HKG as an example. Go to Lapland and see Santa. Plus you will get in lots of skiing to boot.

 

[Blackbird]

Just home from a very white Christmas at Whistler.
-4C and snowing Christmas day.
Very different.
1m snow in the week before we arrived (22 Dec)
Another 40-50cm over the week we stayed.
Base was 2m. Snow was great.
It was mentioned that there was only snow half way up the mountain for Christmas in 2011.
There was snow everywhere this year.

Crowds were surprisingly small on slopes except for our last day skiing on Friday 28 Dec.
There are plenty of shops in Whistler for shopping.
Lots of places to eat that vary from cheap to break the budget.
Takes about 90mins driving to/from Vancouver.

We booked a 2 bedroom apartment (Evolution Creekside) for a week.
30% off when booked in February last year for $AUD2500 including tax IIRC.
Self contained and sleeps up to 6 very comfortably and eat in to save $$ if you prefer.
Rented 4WD and drove up and back from YVR (snowing moderately on way up.)
My initial preference was go to Banff or Kelowna but they don't take bookings or do prices until the current season ends.

I love Vancouver but have to say it was quiet NYE.
We did a side trip to Boeing with the Everett tour.
If you like planes it's a must do, though a big day from Vancouver.

Do it all again tomorrow. Was fantastic.
My wife and daughters tell me the US was much better for shopping.
There was a huge snowstorm affecting mid Eastern Canada (Toronto, Montreal and Quebec) with extensive disruption to all transportation just after Christmas.
If you want snow, the snow might happen when your on the way there, while you are there or when you are due to leave.
But I'd do it again regardless.