December 2025 ski/snowboard suggestions

[sideeyes]

For two families of varying abilities from beginner to intermediate ski and snowboard. I like the idea of Finland but will there be enough sunlight per day? Where would people recommend? We’d go on the 28th Dec - 3rd Jan or thereabouts. We’re not made of money, but realise it won’t be cheap. Personally I hate being cold so would like somewhere I can drink hot chocolate and have access to a warm pool.

If you don't like the cold and you're not made of money, then Finland (and Norway and Sweden) would be the last places to consider for New Year. Temperatures can get down to minus 25 C and as you say, daylight hours are short - for example, in Rovaniemi the sun doesn't rise until 10.58 on 31st Dec. and sets again at 13.41, so there is less than 3 hours of daylight.

Look instead at Austria, France or Italy - none of which will be cheap because the New Year week is probably the most expensive week of the season, but if you stay just outside of the main centres prices can be more reasonable - for example stay in Viehhofen or Leogang for the Saalbach-Hinterglemm Ski Circus, or in Kirchberg or St Johann in Tirol for the Kitzbuhel area. Some less expensive options might be Andorra, or Kranjska Gora in Slovenia. Stay away from Bulgaria.

Agree with @Havanananana about Finland then, especially if you don’t like the cold! We were in southern French alps at Xmas last year and the snow and weather were both fantastic. We picnic’d on the snow most days saving $$$ in mountain restaurants. My recommendations are Les Orres, Vars, Risoul, Puy St Vincent and Serre Che. If you drive out you could ski at several.