21 Affordable Destinations for Your First Winter Vacation

One place that is also a perfect destination to spend your first winter vacation is Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden. 

The city is known to receive a decent amount of snow and averages temperatures of 2°C. On top of that, there is an assortment of things to do around the city to fill your schedule.

For example, a crowd-favorite attraction is the Vasa Museum, where you can get an up-close view of the infamous Vasa Ship as well as see thousands of recovered artifacts.

Alternatively, if you want to explore the city a bit, consider walking around Gamla Stan, or the city's Old Town.

In the south of Germany, you will find the state of Bavaria, with Munich as its capital. The beautiful landscape of Bavaria consists of mountains, forests, lakes, and old churches. 

On the German side of the Alps, you will find many ski areas that are ideal for novice winter sports enthusiasts and families. Winter sports in Bavaria are also often slightly cheaper than in many ski areas that are located deeper in the Alps. 

An additional advantage is that it is a bit quieter in these areas. You will not find huge ski areas in Bavaria, although a site such as Garmisch Classic enjoys international fame and you can also quickly reach the Zugspitz Arena from here.

Paris is a wonderfully romantic city at any time of the year, but it's extra special in the wintertime because it's the slow season for tourists and you'll have a chance to experience the city like a local. 

As a bonus, the prices for accommodations in Paris decrease significantly in the offseason, making this city more budget-friendly than it would be if you visited in July or August. 

If you're in Paris around Christmas, don't skip wandering through an intricately decorated department store or window shopping in Le Marais. 

There are so many wonderful things to do in Paris in the wintertime, from sipping a cup of rich hot chocolate from Angelina's to enjoying a tasty crepe from Au Petit Grec. 

If you are searching for the perfect affordable winter destination for your first winter, then you need to visit Amsterdam! 

One of Europe's most beautiful cities, Amsterdam is a place full of amazing things to do and see. 

It is typically not the most budget-friendly holiday destination, but in the winter months, you can find accommodation and overall prices much lower! This makes it the perfect time to visit.

If you are lucky, you will get to see Amsterdam covered in some snow, and if you are extremely lucky, the canals will freeze over and you can skate on them! This is a very rare occurrence, and if you are in Amsterdam during it, then you are lucky! 

The moment you say Czech Republic (officially known as Czechia nowadays), you probably think of Prague straight away. Although Prague is a phenomenal city, with a fantastic Christmas market, thanks to its popularity, it's not the cheapest place in Czechia. 

Instead, head to Brno in South Moravia. It's an easy journey from Prague, Vienna, and Bratislava with direct trains taking a couple of hours. The city of Brno is Czechia's second biggest city, and because it's less visited, it's also much more affordable. 

The Italian Dolomites are a dramatic mountain range located in northeastern Italy, and perfect for a first Winter Wonderland vacation.

And the Best Part about Winter in the Dolomites is that you don't have to break the bank to get the fairytale snow. In fact, you could easily rock a $100 budget, including lodging, car rental, and food for a day. That's because winter is off-season for the Dolomites, and so prices are the lowest they will ever be all year.

That said, there are plenty of things to do, including snowboarding, skiing, snowshoeing, enjoying the mix of German and Italian food in the local towns, or just sitting near a fire admiring the snow and mountains outside.

The best place to get lodging for the winter would be either in Val di Funes town or Cortina d'Ampezzo so you can explore the little towns and eat your heart out! Who said you can't have the Dolce Vita for the holiday?!

With its affordable prices and warm vibes, Warsaw is one of the best destinations to spend your winter vacation in Europe. 

Accommodation prices start from 30€ per night and flights can be really cheap if you choose a low-cost company, like Ryanair. As far as food is concerned, you can't go wrong with the traditional milk bars where you can taste authentic Polish food for only 4-5€ for a three-course meal.

If it's your first time on a winter vacation, Warsaw is the best city to enjoy spectacular snow views while enjoying amazing indoor activities and escaping the cold at the same time. 

Budapest is one of the most popular travel destinations in Eastern Europe, and for good reason. Besides being one of the cheapest destinations in Europe, the city is exceptionally beautiful. It offers many unique activities to keep any traveler entertained for days.

Winter is a great time to visit Budapest as the city is even prettier as a frozen winter wonderland, and the off-season means fewer people and even lower prices.

Stay in the area around the famous ruin bar Szimpla Kert, if you wish to enjoy the nightlife. This area is also full of many great restaurants, bars, and cafes.

Malaga is a perfect destination for a first winter holiday because of its unique climate. Whilst the town offers mild temperatures, sometimes even sunbathing weather, the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains have the most southern ski slopes in Europe, covered in snow all winter long. 

For someone who has never seen snow before, this is a perfect combination of snow and sunshine.

Malaga in winter is a very affordable city, with some of its best hotels offering overnight stays for 50-60 euros. There are plenty of tapas bars in town where you can enjoy great cheap Spanish food. As you cross into Granada county, where Sierra Nevada ski resort is located, you will receive free tapas with every drink you order.

One of the best places to go for your first winter vacation is the historic city of Granada in southern Spain. Besides being one of the most beautiful cities in Andalucia, not so far from Malaga, the city is also situated right in the foothills of Sierra Nevada National Park. 

If you decide to go there and do not want to spend on expensive ski instructors, you can grab a plastic bag and slide down the free slopes and build snowmen on the edge of the slopes.

Granada city itself has a lot to offer and you can easily spend a week walking around charming cobblestoned streets with white-painted houses decorated with colorful pot plants.

Being the capital city of Estonia, Tallinn is a wonderful winter holiday location for first-timers. Estonia was one of the three former Soviet nations, and for that it has a rich history and charming architecture in its compact and easy-to-navigate Old Town.  

Plan your walking tour in Tallinn Old Town, and start the exploration at the Town Hall Square. This center area is filled with cathedrals, old buildings, shops, and statues that tell a story of the city's dramatic past. 

Visitors will see a few churches along their way, including St. Olaf's church, St. Mary's Cathedral, and Aleksander Nevski Cathedral. It is imperative to take a stroll along the Walls of Tallinn and reach the top of Toompea Hill. This is the viewpoint in Tallinn that offers a panoramic view of the Old Town and the Baltic Sea. 

Cappadocia is a desert region in Turkey (officially known as Turkiye now) that is iconic for its sunrise hot air balloon tours. But many people don't know that it's actually a fantastic place to visit in the winter. 

Because of its high altitude, it's known to snow during winter months, creating a magical site of unique rock formations and desert valleys that glisten in a sheet of white. 

While hot air balloon flights are rare in the winter due to the icy landing sites, there is another activity that visitors can do here that you might not expect from a desert – skiing.

In 2011, Cappadocia opened its one and only ski resort on Mount Erciyes, a dormant volcano that reaches 3,916 m above sea level. The resort has 33 pistes that offer 150km of slopes. The ski slopes cater to beginner and intermediate-level skiers, so it's a great place to go if it's your first time trying out snow sports.

In Northern India, the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand is a winter wonderland in snow and frost. The Bhabar and Terai regions of Uttarakhand get covered in white in the hardcore wintry months of November to February. 

Dehradun, the Winter Capital of Uttarakhand, is surely a common destination in this Himalayan State, but for the snow-picked mountains, freezing wind, and drizzling snowfall you have to travel to the interior of Uttarakhand.

A Himalayan destination always has the provision of mountain treks. During winter, if snowy mountain trekking is something that gives you an adrenaline boost, Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila Trek is the perfect one-day trek for beginners.

Macao or Macau, is an autonomous city and region of the People's Republic of China. While you can't expect snow in Macao, the weather in this small state is super chill, and there are many things you can do around Macao in the winter.

If you're not used to the typical winter weather, Macao is a good place to get used to it since winter in Macao is typically only around 10 to 15°, making it a perfect spot that is cold enough if you come from a tropical country.

In this small region just 40 minutes by ship from Hong Kong, you can still wear your favorite winter coat while you don't have to worry about layering your outfit much.

Located just a few hours from major cities like Washington DC, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh, Davis, WV is the perfect winter vacation destination.

There are tons of things to do in Davis no matter what season you visit, but as the highest incorporated town in West Virginia, snow sports and winter activities take center stage.

There are two ski resorts near town – Timberline Mountain and Canaan Valley Ski Resort. Both are very reasonably priced and lift tickets are $90 or under per day even on Holiday dates.

If you're looking for something a little cheaper, try tubing, snowshoeing, or ice skating at Canaan Resort. White Grass Ski Touring Center also offers some of the best cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the southeast.

An affordable destination for your first winter vacation in the US is Cleveland, OH. Located on the shores of Lake Erie in northeast Ohio, there is plenty of snow to go around. 

If experiencing that white stuff for the first time is on your list of things to do, typically you won't be disappointed. There are plenty of ways to get out and enjoy it, too. Head south to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, where entry is free and there are endless opportunities for winter recreation. 

The park has plenty of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. Downhill skiing and snowboarding options in the area, including Boston Mills and Brandywine Resorts. 

For someone looking for an affordable winter destination with plenty of snow and great cold weather experiences, consider booking a trip to Minnesota. 

Winter in Minnesota is magical and is different than many other places around the country.

From pine trees dusted in snow to every outdoor winter activity you can imagine, the Land of 10,000 Lakes has it all.

Although the weather is cold, it's the perfect place to see snow and experience an “Up North” winter.

All around the state, you can find activities to participate in that are inexpensive, such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The equipment for both of these activities can be rented at many stores or at several state parks.

Stanley, Idaho, gateway to the rugged Sawtooth Mountains, is an excellent spot for your first winter vacation. Thanks to its high elevation (sitting at over 6,200 feet above sea level), Stanley offers chilly winters, usually with fresh powder that's perfect for outdoor adventures. 

For example, try your hand at snowshoeing around Redfish Lake or Stanley Lake, taking in the beautiful surrounding pine tree forests and above, the jagged Sawtooths. 

If you're looking for something a bit more heart-pounding. Stanley is beloved by backcountry skiers, thanks to the Sawtooths' thousands of couloirs and its unique offerings of backcountry yurts and huts. 

After all of that exercise, soak those aching bones in any of the amazing hot springs in Stanley, like Boat Box Springs, where you can relax in an old mining cauldron filled with naturally steamy water along the Salmon River.

Salt Lake City is the perfect, budget-friendly winter destination for skiers. Home to a major hub airport, affordable direct flights are available from many US cities.

Four ski resorts are all located within 45 minutes of the city. Alta and Snowbird are both located in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Brighton and Solitude are located in Big Cottonwood Canyon. They are also all accessible via public transportation. The UTA Ski bus operates 3 different routes throughout the ski season to both Little Cottonwood Canyon and Big Cottonwood Canyon. The cost per ride is $4.50.

For beginner skiers, Brighton resort is the perfect place to learn how to ski on a budget. Group lessons for adults start at $80 for 2 hours. Adult learner lift tickets start at $53 per day. Gear rentals start at $50 per day, but if you are renting for multiple days there's usually a discount. In winter 2022, a 2-day ski rental including skis, boots, and poles cost $60.

Helen, Georgia in the United States is the perfect destination for your first winter vacation. It's easy to get to, extremely affordable, there's a wide variety of things to do and the town itself is extra unique.

The town sits in northern Georgia, about an hour and a half north of Atlanta, home to the country's most heavily trafficked airport. This means there will be many great flight options into the city and will usually mean low prices for tickets as well. From there, rent a car and drive north.

Helen is a Bavarian-themed village. The entire town is designed to look straight out of a fairy tale. This makes it a super fun and unique place to visit year-round, but once the whole place is decked from head to toe in lights and holiday decorations, it's that much more magical.

As the second biggest city in Canada and an important cultural center, Montreal is teeming with fun festivals, intriguing history, and delicious foods. Though the winter is quite cold in this city, it can actually make for a memorable first-time winter destination if you know the right things to do.

One of the things it's known for is its myriad of free winter walking trails. Mont Royal is a small mountain offering a breathtaking view of the city from up top, and the perfect place to try skiing and snowshoeing for the first time.

There are also the large Parc Jean Drapeau and Mont Tremblant National Park, famous for its ski resort. What better way to explore the snowy landscape than outdoors, right?

Drop by the Notre-Dame Basilica to witness old gothic architecture, which looks even more striking against the city's wintery backdrop.