The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
FOR SNOW BUNNIES
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FJORD FIESTA
If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, Norway’s Sunnmøre fjords are a safe bet. In a region like an adrenalin version of Disney’s Frozen, with more than 100 peaks, you do as locals do: Nordic ski up, alpine ski down. In short, it is one of the world’s finest ski-touring destinations. This hang-the-expense, bespoke, private trip travels by boat to guarantee pristine powder and books stays such as chalet-hotel Union Øye, the choice of Norwegian royalty in the 19th century, beautifully refurbished last year – now open for its first Christmas.
Five nights’ full-board, including transfers, ski equipment and private guiding, costs from £6,823 per person with 62 Nord (00 47 70 11 44 30; 62.no)
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SECRET FINLAND
Why have the Finns officially been the world’s happiest nation since 2018? Because they’ve kept places like Lake Syväjärvi in the northern lake district to themselves, the rotters. But a new family-friendly trip checks into the Ukkohalla Resort where you can experience the extraordinary minimalism of the Arctic wilderness: swooshing down the pistes of an on-site ski resort, riding husky-sleighs through snowdraped taiga forest, snowshoeing over frozen lakes. This being Finland, days end in the sauna. Saunas – plural – actually; they come in nine varieties here. Fingers crossed, the Northern Lights shimmer above your glassroofed Sky Cabin at night.
Four nights’ half-board, including flights, transfers and activities, costs from £1,450pp with Best Served Scandinavia (020 4586 0999; best-served.co.uk)