If you don’t ski there are still plenty of ways to enjoy a snowy winter break with plenty of fun for the whole family, below are places to visit and enjoy without hitting the slopes.
Horse and sleigh rides in the Austrian Alps
There’s nothing more magical than riding a horse drawn sleigh through crisp white snow, bringing back nostalgic memories of old black and white films, there are many places in Austria to enjoy this experience, one place to emulate this magic is Salzburg. A full day excursion will take you along the Salzach river valley near Schladming, then up to the ‘Steirische Ramsau’ which is a 1000m above sea level where you start your sleigh ride experience gliding through the snow across pine forests and alpine meadows, snuggled under warm blankets, with nothing but the jingle from the horses bells disturbing the peace.
Snow Trekking in the Highlands
As you know we are never guaranteed snow in the UK however in the Highlands of Scotland at the furthest reaches of Perthshire you will be most likely to find some. Around the 14 mile long Loch Tay and the foot hills of the snow capped peaks of the Munros there are plenty of places to explore with breathtaking scenery to take in. There is also cosy hotel to stop off at and have a wee dram o whisky to warm you through in front of a big log fire.
Winter in New England
Here you are guaranteed snow, the average temperature here in January is -8C, the lakes freeze over and snow settles thick and fast and the scenery looks picture postcard perfect. There are plenty of places to stay across New Hampshire with many tradition clapboard inns, with large open fires hot toddies and an enormous array of fulfilling breakfasts. There are lots of things to do, you can take in New Hampshire’s largest lake, Winnipesaukee which becomes a 21 mile long ice playground, or explore on sledges and snowmobiles.
sleigh ride
Picture courtesy of jsorbieus
