Top 10 Luxury Winter Destinations for 2026/27

23 October 2023, updated 8 October 2026

The most luxurious winter holidays of 2026/27 fall into three kinds: the far north for the Northern Lights, European cities and lakes in Advent, and winter sun. The ten destinations in this guide cover all three, from Finnish Lapland and the Icehotel in Swedish Lapland to Vienna, Montreux, the Bürgenstock above Lake Lucerne and the Dolomites, and from Dubai and the Maldives to St Barths and Miami Beach.

This guide was first published in October 2023 and has been rewritten for the 2026/27 season. Ski resorts now have a guide of their own, to the best ski resorts for Christmas and New Year. Every date and figure below links to its source.

The ten destinations at a glance

The far north

Finnish Lapland

Finnish Lapland is one of the most reliable places in Europe to see the Northern Lights. In northern Lapland, according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute, three nights out of four are illuminated by the Northern Lights, provided the sky is clear enough of cloud; the institute names February to March and September to October as the best months. Visit Finland gives the season as late August to early April.

Further north the sun does not rise at all for a while: in Utsjoki, the polar night lasts almost two months. The Santa Claus Village sits directly on the Arctic Circle and is open every day of the year.

The Icehotel, Swedish Lapland

The Icehotel is rebuilt from ice every winter, and ICEHOTEL 37 opens on 11 December 2026. Since 2016 there has also been ICEHOTEL 365, which stays open all year round. Kiruna Airport is a 15-minute drive away, and in winter 2026/27 there are direct flights from several European cities, including Düsseldorf, where we have an office.

Advent in cities and on the lakes

Vienna

Vienna has the fullest season of any city in this guide, from Advent to the ball season. The Christmas market on the Rathausplatz runs from 13 November to 26 December 2026. On 1 January 2027 the Vienna Philharmonic plays its New Year’s Concert under Tugan Sokhiev; the tickets were allocated by a draw, for which registration ran from 1 to 28 February 2026. The 69th Vienna Opera Ball follows on 4 February 2027.

For events where public sale or a draw has already closed, our events service describes how we work with organisers and hospitality partners.

Montreux and Lake Geneva

Montreux Noël, the Christmas market in Montreux, runs from 20 November to 24 December 2026, with Father Christmas's house on the Rochers-de-Naye.

The Bürgenstock, Lake Lucerne

The Bürgenstock Resort lies above Lake Lucerne, and its Alpine Spa covers 10,000 square metres with five pools. Guests arrive by boat and funicular, or by private aircraft.

Trentino and the Dolomites

For a winter that combines spa and skiing, the Dolomites of Trentino are the obvious choice. The Lefay SPA World at Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti covers 5,000 square metres, and the ski area of Madonna di Campiglio has 156 km of pistes across three areas.

Winter sun

Dubai

Dubai is warm all winter. In winter, according to the Government of Dubai Media Office, daytime highs average 23 °C and overnight lows 14 °C; Visit Dubai gives a daily average of about 21 °C for January. The Dubai Shopping Festival runs from 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027, and on New Year's Eve Downtown Dubai stages fireworks, laser and light shows and a fountain show; the 2026/27 programme has not yet been published.

For private aircraft, the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub at Dubai South launched its VIP Terminal Boulevard in September 2025, citing record growth in business aviation movements. We have an office in Dubai; our Dubai page describes what we arrange there, and our guide to Dubai the city itself.

The Maldives

The Maldives are at their best in the dry season, which runs from January to March according to the Maldives Meteorological Service, with December and April as transition months; Visit Maldives gives December to April. Trans Maldivian Airways, which serves more than 80 resorts, flies its seaplanes only between sunrise and sunset and advises landing at Velana International Airport by 15:30 for a same-day transfer; otherwise guests can spend a night in Malé or Hulhumalé.

St Barths

St Barths is reached only on its own terms. Its airport, Rémy de Haenen, is known for its short runway; there are no long-haul direct flights, and only approved aircraft and pilots may land there (BEA). The St Barths Bucket regatta takes place from 17 to 21 March 2027.

Miami Beach

Miami Beach opens the winter season with art. Art Basel Miami Beach takes place at the Miami Beach Convention Center from 4 to 6 December 2026, with VIP days on 2 and 3 December. In January the long-term normal high at Miami International Airport is around 25 °C and the low around 16 °C (NOAA climate normals for 1991 to 2020, converted from Fahrenheit). Art Basel access is part of our art service.

Where to spend New Year's Eve

Three choices stand out for 2026/27. Vienna, for the New Year's Concert on 1 January, provided tickets were secured in the draw. Dubai, for the celebrations in Downtown. And, for skiers, Val d'Isère and Vail, which both have fireworks, while St. Moritz and Kitzbühel do without; Lech Zürs bans fireworks apart from its Sound Fireworks show in Zürs on the evening of 1 January. The details are in our ski guide.

For skiers

Two destinations from the first edition of this guide are ski resorts and belong with the skiing. Deer Valley in Utah expects 209 runs across ten peaks for 2026/27, as the next phase of its expansion opens. In Niseko, Japan, backcountry skiing is only allowed through the official gates, and never through a closed one.

For the full comparison of resorts, opening dates and Christmas programmes, read our guide to the best ski resorts for Christmas and New Year. For how we plan private holidays, see our travel service.