The Most Scenic Winter Towns in the World

An essential art-nouveau Nordic city, the deliberate design, and color of Ålesund provides a brilliant juxtaposition for the winter snow. And the views of the Scandinavian fjords and mountains certainly don’t hurt Ålesund’s scenic cause either. In Ålesund, stay at Hotel Brosundet, one of the six boutique hotels in the family-owned collection 62°NORD. Hotel Brosundet is known for its classic-but-cozy Scandinavian interiors and curated art selection.

For one of the most lauded winter towns in the United States, you have to visit the Tetons. Of all the factors helping Jackson Hole achieve their perfect winter town status — the skiing, the national parks, the sunsets — their hot springs are high on the list. A visit to Granite Hot Springs is a must in the winter, though getting there will require skis, snowshoes, snowmobiles, or dog sleds. And for a luxury lodge experience, stay at American Express Fine Hotel & Resorts property, Four Seasons Resort and Residences, Jackson Hole.

Annecy lights up for the holidays, which is a great argument for visiting in December. The dusting of snow, easily accessible mulled wine, and intimate restaurants serving rustic French fare make the town feel beautifully romantic. Lake Annecy sparkles even in the winter sun, and Old Town (Vieux Ville) Annecy is often regarded as the “Venice of the Alps” between the cobble-stone streets and the buildings’ pastel facades. For luxurious accommodations, this winter, stay in one of the lake-view rooms at the belle-époque-reminiscent Impérial Palace.

Home to the Sapporo Snow Festival, Otaru is known for its Victorian street lamp-lined canal running through town. Stay at the Otaru Ryotei Kuramure in Hokkaido, a chic hot spring hotel that marries modern design with natural beauty. The hotel is right on a hot spring supplied by the Asari River, such that the gorgeous indoor and outdoor baths (and the private in-room tubs) are all connected to the springs.

Lake Bled is easily recognized from pictures because it’s famous for the stunning castle sitting right in the middle of the lake. While Bled gets fairly crowded in the summer and fall months, the crowds peter out in the winter—which is a shame because seeing this town in the snow is truly to see it at its most beautiful. Stay at Grand Hotel Toplice Bled, which sits directly on the shores of Lake Bled and is widely regarded as one of Slovenia’s most glamorous hotels.  

From skating on the ever-magical Lake Louise to watching the sunrise over the Rockies, the majesty of Banff in the winter is unbeatable. For a winter experience you’ll never forget, consider an ice hike through Johnston Canyon — about three miles of terrain filled with snow-laden trees and frozen-over waterfalls. As for accommodation, Fairmont Banff Springs, an American Express Fine Hotel & Resorts property, has every five-star amenity, including an award-winning spa within the UNESCO-protected national park.  

The town at the base of the Matterhorn is, somewhat predictably, an idyllic spot to visit in the winter. Situated in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Zermatt lit up at night under a layer of snow is nothing short of breathtaking. For a five-star alpine experience, stay at Mont Cervin Palace in Zermatt, which sits in the center of town with unreal views of the Matterhorn and one of the best indoor pools in Switzerland.

One of the perks of Park City is that it’s easily accessible while still feeling remote. Getting to Park City really just requires a 30-minute drive from Salt Lake City, but the wintry Alpine views feel especially transporting. When snow blankets the historic town center and weighs down the towering tree branches, it enhances the snow globe feel of this scenic town. Not only that, but plenty of luxe hotel options are popping up in Park City these days (with Pendry Residences Park City slated to break ground in July 2019, for example).

Located on New Zealand’s South Island, the winter scenery features the snow-capped Southern Alps and Lake Wakatipu. Queenstown has four nearby ski areas, all of which boast alpine terrain for every winter sport comfort level. And because Queenstown becomes such a ski town in the winter, it’s known for the après ski as well, with offerings ranging from luxury to pure dive. Stay at American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property, Matakauri Lodge, an upscale boutique hotel with only 11 rooms on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

The center of Bamberg is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to the remarkably preserved medieval structures that line the city center—some of them dating back to before 1000 A.D. The town in upper Franconia, Bavaria is home to Romanesque and Gothic-style architecture that looks especially picturesque underneath a dusting of snow in the winter. Be sure to visit Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus), one of the most-visited sights in Bamberg, sitting on its own island in the middle of the River Regnitz.