10 Winter Activities Worldwide Worth Booking

1.Winter Kayaking, Swedish Fika, and Hot Sauna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 817 reviews · 3 - 6 hours · from $138Our pick

Kayak among Stockholm’s winter islands with an English-speaking guide such as Sam, Max, Jules, or Rowan. You’ll receive a dry suit, safety briefing, fika, photos, and time in a wood-burning sauna if selected. Small groups of up to eight make this a friendly, well-supported outing for confident beginners.

“We did the full package of the ride to the kayak center, kayak tour, fika, and sauna. The bonus was fika while on the tour (I thought we’d only have it when we were finished) and doing a float in a dry suit. We even did a few polar plunges! Maks, our guide, was great. He was super personable, knowledgeable, and positive. We felt very safe and well taken care of. This was a huge highlight of our Scandinavia trip!”

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2.Winter Kayaking, Swedish Fika and hot Sauna Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $160

Spend about three hours sea kayaking near Vaxholm with guides such as Sam, Jules, Rowan, and Karl. You’ll use a dry suit, paddle through winter channels and possible sea ice, pause for hot drinks and fika, then warm up in a sauna. The 8-person group suits fit beginners who are comfortable in cold water and have good mobility.

“We loved the relaxed paddle around the islands mysteriously emerging from the mist. Perfect for beginners too The fika and sauna were a lovely way to unwind”

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3.Arctic SnowHotel Tour and Snow Sauna Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 92 reviews · 5 - 6 hours · from $175

Travel from Rovaniemi to Arctic SnowHotel for a guided English or Finnish tour of snow rooms, an Ice Bar and Ice Restaurant. Then use a private snow sauna, Finnish sauna and outdoor jacuzzi. Return transfers, a sauna drink, towels and slippers are included. Dinner is optional and costs extra.

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4.Snow Sauna Experience, Jacuzzi and Dinner in Kota

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 79 reviews · from $289

Spend seven hours at Arctic SnowHotel with an English-speaking guide, touring ice rooms, using a private snow sauna, Finnish sauna, and outdoor jacuzzi, then eating a three-course dinner in a warm Kota restaurant. Round-trip transfers from selected Rovaniemi stops are included, along with access to sledding areas and the Sky Bar.

“A new experience for the books. Worth every penny and the food was amazing!”

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5.Sofia: Seven Rila Lakes Snowshoe Walk & Thermal Spring Pools

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 79 reviews · 1 day · from $129

Leave Sofia for a guided 2.5-hour snowshoe walk above the Seven Rila Lakes, using a chairlift to reach 2,150 meters. Guides such as Velko, Alex, Daniel, and Kiril adjust the route for weather and ability. Afterward, relax in Sapareva Banya’s hot mineral pools.

“Velko was our guide on this wonderful trip. He knew everything about Bulgaria. Kind, patient, and he always had a solution for anything that came up due to the weather. Congratulations.”

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6.Private Nagano 1-Day Tour:Snow Monkeys,Zenko-ji,Obuse,Sake,Onsen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $337

Spend about eight hours exploring Nagano with a private English-speaking guide such as Hori, Mutsumi, or Emi. Visit Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji Temple, Obuse, and possibly the Hokusai Museum, with hotel pickup available for selected central Nagano hotels. Transport, stops, and pace depend on your chosen vehicle option.

“Tour guide was informational and thorough. He took us to a cherry farm and tasted some cherries fresh from the orchard. The Snow Monkey Park was something to experience. Tour guide was able to chase an overly aggressive monkey away. He took us to a Soba restaurant and it was delicious. We felt safe with his driving.”

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7.Snow Monkey & Shibu Onsen Afternoon Tour (Depart: Iiyama & Nozwa)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · from $78Best value

Join guides such as Tommy, Tome, or Rossella for a 4.5-hour afternoon outing to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and Shibu Onsen. Pre-secured park tickets save time, while the cedar-forest walk, sake brewery, old bathhouse town, and seasonal countryside stop add local flavor. Expect about 4 km of walking, with snow, mud, stairs, and changing weather possible.

“Tommy provided a wonderfully informative tour along a forest path lined with Japanese cedars to the snow Monkey park. He took us on a stroll through the Ossen village where he delighted us with stories and facts. Along the drive he described the abundant regional fruit, vegetation and wildlife. Wonderful tour.”

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8.Seven Rila Lakes Snowshoe Hike and Thermal Baths Full-Day Tour from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 43 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $144

Leave Sofia early with a certified mountain leader, ride the chairlift to 2,150 meters, and snowshoe toward the frozen Kidney Lake in Rila National Park. After about 2.5 hours on snow, descend by lift and relax in Sapareva Banya’s hot mineral pools. Equipment, hotel pickup, and private transport are included.

“Our tour guide was amazing! The view was absolutely beautiful. Definitely want to come back during the summer to do the hike again!”

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9.1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $150

Travel from Nozawa Onsen with a local English-speaking guide to see wild macaques bathing at Jigokudani, enjoy lunch at Japanese Dining GOEN, visit Zenko-ji Temple, and taste Nagano sake. Guides such as Jens and Yama have led especially well-paced outings. Expect snow, ice, and a 1.6-kilometer forest walk.

“Best day! Exceeded our expectations! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and super friendly. We really loved how smoothly the tour went, pick up & drop off was great & on time, the Snow monkeys were amazing a real site to see, the lRead more”

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10.Snow Monkey Park, Soba Lunch and Shibu Onsen Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $97

Spend four to five hours with guide Umut visiting Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, eating soba in historic Shibu Onsen, and relaxing in a public bath. The small group is limited to seven people. Admission, lunch, transport, and an onsen entrance fee are included, while the stamp towel and snacks cost extra.

“I can highly recommend taking this tour, the snow monkeys did not disappoint and our guide Umut was very friendly and showed us where to buy the most amazing apple pies!!”

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