Help! I need a perfect snowy big birthday weekend

[recklessgran]

Please can I have your suggestions for this. It's a big birthday in January for DD4. We are a big close family and I want to organise a really memorable weekend away. It would be good if it was somewhere snowy especially as DD has always been a tiny bit disappointed about having a January birthday as all her siblings have summer birthdays which somehow makes it easier to arrange a birthday event. We have never participated in winter sports but I think she would enjoy something on that line but obviously as we have no experience maybe tobogganing/sleigh ride type thing? Any suggestions about location or activities would be most welcome. Obviously as we're talking about a weekend Friday night to Sunday night it would have to be Europe//Scandanavia I imagine. Ages are all 20's early 30's and DH and I who are cracking on a bit lets say! Budget not particularly worrying but would prefer not too ouchy! If it matters DD is widely traveled and would probably like Italy or Scandanavia best. TIA.

We went to Norway in January 2020, Oslo is lovely for a weekend, but expensive.

Northern Sweden or Finland.

I wouldn't bother with Norway.

Yes, I'm in favour of Scandanavia - any specific suggesstions?

Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany. It is the prettiest place I've ever been.

Ice Hotel in Kiruna, Sweden

Finland? Helsinki, then boat to Tallinn? Train up to the cross country skiing less risk than down hill.

This is a great option in Sweden:

www.skistar.com/en/ski-destinations/salen/winter-in-salen/

Fairly easy skiing, cross country skiing, nearby dog sledging, choice between lodges, apartments and hotels and there is a spa, tropical pool, bowling alley, restaurants as well.

The only trouble is getting there as it's quite a drive from Stockholm, although I believe an airport has/will be opening nearby.

I read this as DD was 4 & I was like how is she so well versed on winter sports & already had favourite countries! 😆

what about that igloo place

@SeasonFinale

Ice Hotel in Kiruna, Sweden

This can be tough though for the British 😂

Have you considered going skiing? Somewhat spendy but delightful.
Hopefully this is helpful: visitsweden.com/what-to-do/nature-outdoors/winter-activities/skiing-sweden/

Wow thanks all some great suggestions here. Loads to investigate - the more specific you are the better for me as I'm a Greek Island kind of girl and have no clue about this. Ha! Ha! @ronfa we have 5 DD's ranging in age from 44 down to 28, hence DD4 [she'll be turning 30!]

enjoy!

Kakslautennen in Finland. Have a look at discover the world - they do good organised trips.

I think that you'll be extremely lucky to get away to Europe in January, I don't know the situation in Scandinavia but Germany and Austria are quite likely to be locked down. Also currently everyone entering Germany who isn't vaccinated has to quarantine for at least 5 days, including children under 12. It sadly isn't looking very good for a winter holiday here.

Obviously if she's 30 assume vaccinated so ignore my comment about the quarantine

Iceland. It’s one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever been to and you’ll definitely have snow. There’s lots to do in and around Reykjavik which is a three hour flight away.

It is eye-wateringly expensive though.

Or try Arctic direct who also do good packages.

Perhaps let's leave the covid doom for another thread.

Actually yes, we 're all fully vaccinated, DH and I have had our boosters and at least 2 of the DD's will be boostered shortly as both NHS front line but yes, thanks for the heads up - I hadn't really thought about countries likely to be in lockdown. Blast!

I second @VienneseWhirligig and say visit Garmisch, it's wonderful!

Ooh following for our family

@recklessgran

Actually yes, we 're all fully vaccinated, DH and I have had our boosters and at least 2 of the DD's will be boostered shortly as both NHS front line but yes, thanks for the heads up - I hadn't really thought about countries likely to be in lockdown. Blast!

Sweden hasn't had any lockdowns yet and I can't imagine they will. They might however block any brits from coming in. I think they did at one point.

I'm loving all these and I'm going to look carefully at all of your suggestions to find the best fit for DD. Does anyone have any Italian alps ideas please as I'd like to give her a number of choices? Thanks all I'm really appreciating you taking the trouble to help us.