Your status as a fan of winter weather puts you in a unique class of travellers who would rather embrace the snow and cold than run away from it. That's not usually a problem here in the UK, as winter is typically not afraid to visit us. As for those years when it does not get cold enough to produce copious amounts of fluffy white precipitation, there are plenty of other destinations for a great winter holiday. We looked at some of those destinations in the first part of this two-part series. Now let us take a look at some destinations and Asia and North America.
Nagano, Japan
Nagano is a fascinating city that was chosen to host the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. Even though the city has a humid subtropical climate most of the year, things are anything but subtropical from December through until early March. The city's mountainous location allows it to receive just over 100 inches of snow every year yet still enjoy temperatures that are not oppressively cold. Furthermore, Nagano is a modern city with all the amenities you could wish for.
Ottawa, Canada
Ottawa is both the capital of Canada and a great city to visit during the winter months. Its humid continental climate is perfect for winter snowfall averaging between 80 and 100 inches annually. As for the temperatures, that part of Canada is known as the 'Great White North' for a reason: it gets cold. Ottawa boasts a tremendous Christmas light display from early December through until early January; the 4.8-mile Rideau Canal Skateway is also impressive. It is a skateway that goes right through the centre of town and is used for both entertainment and commuting purposes.
Washington DC, USA
Washington DC is a great winter holiday destination even though the local area itself is not brimming with winter sports activities. It does get its share of cold temperatures and snow, but you are more likely to be impressed with the abundance of Christmas decorations from late November through until early January. It is also the place to go if you want to learn about US history. The Smithsonian Institute houses Americas most important documents including the Declaration of Independence and original Constitution. As a bonus, winter sports are only about 90 minutes away thanks to the Appalachian Mountains.
Salt Lake City, USA
Salt Lake City, Utah is one of the best places to go skiing in the US if you do not want to spend a fortune in New England or the mountains of Colorado. The city itself sits in a valley flanked by the Wasatch and Oquirrh mountain ranges. Best of all, the city is cheap to stay in and just 30 minutes from the slopes.
As you can see, there is no shortage of great winter holiday destinations even if it doesn't snow in the UK. You just have to know where to look. Whether you holiday in Europe, Asia or North America, it is always snowing somewhere.