10 underrated winter travel destinations for sun-, snow- and even storm-seekers
It can sometimes feel like every destination in the world is full — and overpriced — during the holiday season in December. But traveling in the wintertime doesn't have to mean overcrowded ski lifts and packed beaches. The season may start busy, but as January and February unravel, so do opportunities in surprising places that we don't always associate with the coldest time of year — in the Northern Hemisphere, at least.
Whether it's sun or snow you seek, or appealingly mild weather in a cultural hot spot, there are options aplenty that feel blissfully off most people's radar when mountains and islands tend to take over. Take Los Angeles, where it's not unheard of to enjoy a beautiful beach day in the middle of January, and you'll find more people hiking the trails than crowding the shopping streets and sights. In Australia, skip bustling Sydney and Melbourne in favor of Adelaide, which has incredible beaches, wine and festivals. Find powdery snow in a lesser-known part of the Italian Alps, eat your way through Mexico City and immerse yourself in unreal landscapes in Bolivia.
Wherever your interests lie, here are 10 underrated winter destinations very worth a visit this season.
Adelaide, Australia
On Dec. 11, United Airlines will launch its nonstop flight between San Francisco and Adelaide. It's the first direct flight between the U.S. and the lesser-known Australian city that has a lot of other things going for it beyond perfect summer weather from December to February. (Think highs in the low 80s, lows in the low 60s and almost no rain.)
A designated UNESCO Creative City, Adelaide hosts the Southern Hemisphere's largest Fringe festival (Feb. 20 to March 22, 2026) and the biannual Tarnanthi Festival, which celebrates Indigenous art (through Jan. 18, 2026). Summer is the season for the city's fun Moonlight Cinema series, which runs through mid-February in Botanic Park.
And the small, approachable South Australian city is home to numerous acclaimed restaurants and dining experiences, including the upcoming 14-seat restaurant, Aptos, by award-winning chef Justin James, located inside a converted 1860s church in the Adelaide Hills. Which brings us to one of the most compelling reasons to visit: wine. The Adelaide Hills is just one of several world-class wine regions in South Australia, alongside the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, that produce exceptional vino.
TPG tip: Sofitel Adelaide opened in 2021 with a French aesthetic and gastronomic restaurant, lovely indoor pool and winery packages. Rates start at $204 per night, or book with ALL — Accor Live Limitless points this winter.
Bolivia
If fantastical landscapes with very few other humans in the vicinity sound up your alley, Bolivia is the ticket. The Salar de Uyuni — a 4,000-square-mile salt crust left over from prehistoric lakes high up in the Andes at some 12,000 feet — is even more mirrorlike during the rainy season from January to March, making your photographs truly epic.
Beyond that are plenty of other vivid hues to experience. Laguna Colorada's high Altiplano saline lagoon is crimson colored, and the Laguna Verde is, as Spanish speakers might assume, wondrously seafoam green. Amid all of this are volcanoes, geothermal fields, flamingos, vicunas, hot springs and condors in flight. Jeep tours, mountain biking and trekking offer plenty of options for getting around. Meanwhile, in the cities of La Paz (the world's highest city), whitewashed Sucre and the most populous Santa Cruz de la Sierra, history, cuisine and nightlife keep visitors busy.
TPG tip: With easy access to natural splendors and its own resortlike lagoon pool, the sustainable Los Tajibos, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel is a great jumping-off point. Rates start at $128 or 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night this winter.
Tofino, British Columbia
Summer in Tofino on British Columbia's lush Vancouver Island is beyond popular as the remote destination is a virtual playground for surfers, hikers and outdoors lovers who want to dip in hot springs and spot whales and bears. However, winter is also extremely compelling and especially dramatic.
From December through February, Tofino is known for its especially intense storms, which people actively seek out, often choosing ocean-facing hotel rooms from which to view the overwhelming power of Mother Nature at its fiercest. The temperature is quite mild, however, and when storms are not actively raging, there's plenty to do, from indulging in the town's famously delectable restaurants such as Wolf in the Fog and Shelter, plus sips from the town's eponymous craft distillery and brewery. And scenic floatplane flights are even available in the winter, as are fishing charters with fewer boats out to compete with for Dungeness crab, winter Chinook salmon and lingcod. Plus, you may even spot orcas.
TPG tip: The Indigenous-owned (by the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation) Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort is situated perfectly on Mackenzie Beach for storm watching from its guest rooms or even hot tubs (if you're brave). Rates start at $230 or 32,000 Best Western Rewards points per night this winter.
Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan
If snow is what you crave in the winter, head to Keweenaw Peninsula at the tip top of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where lake-effect snow is heavy and typically copious — around 270 inches per year. It's a magical snow globe of a winter destination with numerous skiing and snowboarding mountains, including the well-regarded Mount Bohemia Ski Resort. You can also go snowmobiling along trails following the coast of Lake Superior.
Snowy as it is, blue skies are common in the season, and there's even a chance of seeing the northern lights, especially at Keweenaw Dark Sky Park. Even without the dancing phenomena, there's unforgettable fun to be had ice climbing, dog sledding and hiking along frozen waterfalls, too.
TPG tip: Points properties are few and far between in Michigan's more remote upper reaches, but the Hampton Inn & Suites Houghton provides a solid base camp for exploration. Rates start at $135 or 47,000 Hilton Honors points per night this winter.
Mexico City
Not too hot and not too cold, wintertime in Mexico City is just right. Take a few layers for temperatures that can range from 45 to 70 degrees. Among those in the know, winter is actually the best time to visit thanks to the pleasant weather and lots of special events, from Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings' Day) in early January to February's Electric Daisy Carnival.
Art fans should still plan well ahead for La Casa Azul and Frida Kahlo Museum tickets, while foodies should make in-demand reservations at Rosetta, Masala y Maiz and Pujol. First thing in the morning, swing by Panaderia Rosetta for pastries, and close out nights with cocktails at Brujas and Handshake Speakeasy. With its clear and stable conditions, winter is also the best time to book a hot air balloon ride over the nearby pyramids at Teotihuacan.
TPG tip: The Andaz Mexico City Condesa is a smart choice for its highly walkable location and vibrant, compelling design in a 1961 architectural gem. Don't miss the rooftop restaurant, Cabuya. Rates start at $246 or 12,000 World of Hyatt points per night this winter.
Geneva
During winter, Geneva often gets overlooked in favor of Switzerland's tony ski towns. But with its possible dustings of snow, slightly warmer weather than Zurich and stunning views of Lake Geneva and the Alps, it's plenty festive and fun in the chilly season. It's a gateway to the mountains for adrenaline junkies and snowshoers, but there are opportunities in the city itself for the kind of cozy charm that the Swiss do best.
Related: The best Christmas markets in Europe
In December, go for uber-Christmassy vibes, courtesy of a lakeside market, plentiful twinkling decorations and abundant mulled wine and hot chocolate. Beyond the holidays, there are thermal pools, rooftop hot tubs, Turkish baths and saunas — like at Bains des Paquis, a beloved lakeside bathhouse — in which to heat up. And don't miss ooey-gooey seasonal favorites like raclette and fondue (there are even cruises dedicated to the decadent tradition). With everyone up in the mountains, it's also a wonderfully quiet time to be in the city, enjoying Old Town's cobblestone streets, the Patek Philippe Museum, Palais des Nations and Mont Saleve's cable car.
TPG tip: Gastronomes can slumber sweetly at the all-suite The Woodward, Auberge Collection after an extravagant supper at the two-Michelin-starred L'Atelier Robuchon or one-starred Le Jardinier, both of which are in the hotel. Rates start at $1,840 per night this winter. Select American Express cardholders can book with points through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts to receive benefits such as a complimentary daily breakfast for two and a guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout.
Los Angeles
Palm tree-lined boulevards, wide beaches, epic vistas, acclaimed art museums, hot restaurants and shopping galore — all the things people love about the City of Angels are still available and equally glorious in the wintertime, just with fewer people. Sunsets hit their peak beauty during the winter, and it's during this time, too, that gray and humpback whales are migrating south along the coast, making brisk beach walks even more appealing.
Further inland, the newly expanded Los Angeles County Museum of Art is making waves and pairs perfectly with the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures next door for a day of LA-style culture. There are plenty of free things to do all over the city, including the California Science Center and the nearly 100-year-old Exposition Park Rose Garden.
TPG tip: Base yourself practically on the sand at Santa Monica's classically luxurious Casa del Mar — which first opened as a beach club in 1926 — for hydrotherapy bathtubs, cocktails in cabanas, private surf instruction and organic massages in the spa. Rates start at $697 per night this winter, and you can book the hotel through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts.
Fukuoka, Japan
Whether it's phenomenal ramen that drives you or the beauty of being surrounded by mountains and sea, Fukuoka, the capital of the island of Kyushu, has it in abundance. On the southwesternmost main island in Japan, the climate is subtropical, which translates to active volcanoes, lush jungle and hot springs. In Fukuoka, there are a dozen beaches within a short drive of downtown, and though wintertime is too chilly to get in the water, these pockets of paradise are perfect for a picnic or stroll.
Culture balances out the city's natural beauty, too, in particular the 8th-century Kushida Shrine with its lineup of orange torii gates, the ruins of Fukuoka Castle inside Maizuru Park and the picturesque and technicolor Uminonakamichi Seaside Park. A visit isn't complete without a night of eating one's way through the food stalls in Tenjin.
TPG tip: Opened in 2023, The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka offers a blend of thoughtfully modern and locally inspired accommodations. It also features six dining and drinking outlets that help guests make the most of the food capital. Rates start at $536 or 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night this winter.
Courmayeur, Italy
For European ski buffs, getting away from the throngs of goggled snow bunnies can be a difficult task. But Courmayeur is still just enough off the radar of most to feel like a quieter, more peaceful place to savor the white-coated mountains in the upper Aosta Valley, just a 25-minute drive from Chamonix through the Mont Blanc Tunnel.
At the foot of Mont Blanc, the destination is blessed with excellent powder, particularly in January and February. There are challenging off-piste options for more ambitious skiers or riders, cross-country skiing, fat biking and dog sledding trails, but also a charming old town and mind-boggling panoramas for less active travelers to enjoy while cozied up with a plate of hearty risotto, gnocchi or carbonade red wine-beef stew and plenty of great Italian wine and cheese.
TPG tip: The Grand Hotel Courmayeur Mont Blanc offers guests direct access to the slopes along with a perfect terrace for apres-ski cocktails, and a spa with alpine-inspired recovery therapies. Rates start at $270 or 100,000 I Prefer Hotel Rewards points per night this winter.
Hamptons, New York
Summer is decidedly high season in the Hamptons, but winter is a wonderland at the end of Long Island. You can skate at the Buckskill Winter Club's NHL-regulation ice rink, nosh on fondue at the apres-inspired Calissa Chalet lounge, and hike through snow-dusted woodlands and preserves in Shinnecock Hills.
At this time of year, wine tasting at Sagaponack's Wolffer Estate Vineyard becomes cozier, and the Montauk Lighthouse in Montauk Point State Park becomes more dramatic, while the experience of visiting in the offseason makes it easier to connect with the local community.
TPG tip: Serene, secluded and intimate, The Roundtree, Amagansett gives guests stylish seaside digs alongside a snug fire pit and highly personalized in-cottage dining options from its French-trained Indonesian chef. Rates start at $625 or 46,000 World of Hyatt points per night via Mr & Mrs Smith this winter.
Related reading: