Winter casts a magical glow over the Nordic regions and parts of Europe, transforming landscapes and cities into a winter wonderland, which makes it the perfect time to book an adventure. With our leaders’ wealth of local knowledge, well-planned itineraries and a host of included experiences, your winter adventures are simply more extraordinary with Exodus. So read on as we cover five of our top winter experiences that will undoubtedly extend your festive spirit long after Christmas is over.
1. Dogsled With Huskies In Finland
On our action-packed Finnish Wilderness Week, you’ll get to snowshoe beside the Kitka River in Oulanka National Park, cross-country ski around the frozen Juuma Lake and learn how to master key wilderness skills like quinzee building and fire-making from local experts. But no visit to Finland during the wintertime would be complete without heading out on a dogsledding experience.
Finland’s snow-blanketed landscapes offer the perfect stage for a dogsledding adventure. On this trip, you’ll get the opportunity to mush your own team of friendly huskies around the edge of Riisitunturi National Park, where frozen lakes and dense, snow-laden forests stretch endlessly to the horizon. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is not just about meeting the friendly local huskies and the thrill of dogsledding itself; it’s about heading off the grid and immersing yourself in the serene Finnish wilderness. After a day of exploring, you can retreat to the comfort of your rustic log cabin at Basecamp Oulanka and unwind in the soothing warmth of a traditional Finnish sauna or outdoor hot tub—now that’s pure Arctic bliss.
2. Grab Your Crampons For A Glacier Walk In Iceland
Iceland’s dramatic winter landscapes are a study in contrasts, where fire meets ice in the most spectacular ways. Beginning in Reykjavik, our Iceland Northern Lights trip will have you visiting iconic sites along the Golden Circle, including Gullfoss Waterfall, the Great Geysir, and Thingvellir National Park. Our itinerary then heads to Kirkjubæjarklaustur, where you’ll bask at the beauty of the frozen Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, that are adorned with icicles in wintertime. You’ll also spend time exploring the otherworldly Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach where large cobalt blue icebergs stud its black sands. If you visit Iceland during winter, your chances of spotting the northern lights are also enhanced, due to the darker skies and longer nights, and you’ll have plenty of time to go out aurora hunting while staying at Hotel Laki. Located outside the small village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur, the area has little to no light pollution, so you’ll get better views if the lights appear.
On day three of this adventure, you and your group will cross the sweeping expanse of Skeidararsandur, a vast sand plain streaked with meandering rivers, before making your way to the Falljökull glacier, where your afternoon glacier walk begins. With crampons strapped on and an ice axe in hand, you’ll step onto the glacier’s surface. But don’t worry, the terrain isn’t too challenging even for beginners, so no prior experience is necessary. Along the way, you’re treated to incredible photo opportunities—where towering walls of vibrant blue ice meet the sky.
3. Cross-Country Ski Through The Serene Italian Dolomites
For those who are keen to book an active winter skiing holiday, Zermatt in Switzerland or Val d’Isère in the French Alps may spring to mind, but the Italian Dolomites is a strong contender that rivals these top destinations when it comes to cross-country skiing. On our Italian Dolomites Cross-country Skiing adventure, you’ll be based in Dobbiaco (Toblach), (1,200m), a renowned hub for skiers. This breathtaking region has a vast network of meticulously maintained pre-cut tracks that cater to both beginners and seasoned skiers alike. Over the course of this eight-day trip, you’ll discover tracks that wind along frozen lakes, through hushed forests and beneath the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites.
Come evening, you can rest your legs at the welcoming Hotel Tschurtschenthaler located in the heart of Dobbiaco. Effortlessly combining Alpine charm with modern amenities, the hotel also comes complete with a sauna, heated swimming pool and a newly built wellness area, where you can arrange treatments and massages. The cuisine at Hotel Tschurtschenthaler focuses on hearty, traditional Alpine dishes and delicious Tyrolean fare, that’s all made from locally sourced produce – the ideal fuel for an active day in the mountains.
4. Snowshoe Across Transylvania’s Enchanted Forests
If you’re looking to head somewhere truly remote, our Transylvania Winter Walk & Snowshoe takes you on guided snowshoeing treks through the spectacular Piatra Craiului and Bucegi Mountains. Snowshoeing through this region feels like stepping into a fairytale, as you navigate through serene forests, traditional farmsteads and unspoilt landscapes under a crisp winter sky. On your journey, you may even spot red deer and chamois, or the snow prints of wolves, lynx and brown bears that roam through this mountain region.
As you snowshoe through the Transylvanian wilderness, you’ll come across areas that seem untouched by the passing of time. Visits to the villages of Magura and Pestera will help you gain unique insight into their centuries-old farming methods and way of life. Along the way, you’ll find that traditional Romanian hospitality shines.
Another key highlight for many is exploring the eerie 14th Century Bran Castle, a place steeped in history and folklore which is said to have inspired Bram Stoker’s famous novel, Dracula. To heighten your chances of seeing this iconic hilltop fortress covered in snow, we’d recommend you book a trip between December and February. In the evenings, you can enjoy warm, hearty meals at Villa Hermani, your base for the week in Magura, where your friendly hosts Hermann and Katharina Kurmes are only too keen to share fascinating stories about life in Transylvania. You can rest assured that this adventure captures the enchantment of winter in its purest form.
5. Explore Sweden’s Winter Cityscapes
Our Winter in the Baltics, Helsinki & Stockholm trip, is the perfect introduction to wintertime in Europe as it encompasses visits to five beautiful capital cities, including Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn, Helsinki and Stockholm. And one of our customers’ favourite cities to soak up the winter season is Stockholm.
Visiting Sweden during wintertime offers a magical blend of icy landscapes, charming medieval architecture, and vibrant city life. On this adventure, you’ll spend some time in Stockholm towards the end of the trip, where you can enjoy a three-hour guided tour of the city by bus and on foot. After the tour, you can spend some time wandering through the historic Gamla Stan district, the city’s beautiful old town, where the cobblestone streets are often dusted with snow during the colder months. You could also visit the Vasa Museum, one of the most visited museums in Scandinavia, or unwind with a fika (a cosy coffee break) in one of the city’s welcoming cafes, for warm cinnamon buns (kanelbullar), saffron buns (lussekatter), or the layered green marzipan cake (Princesstårta). Or if you’d like to really unwind, you can take advantage of the city’s fantastic Swedish saunas at facilities at Centralbadet and Sturebadet.
If this has inspired you to make the most the winter months in 2025, take a look at our full range of incredible winter adventures here.
