The Best US Places To Spend A White Christmas

On Christmas Eve, some of us search the sky for reindeer, but others scan for snow. After all, it’s the twinkle of snowflakes and the peacefulness of an untouched blanket of white on the ground that make the holidays so magical and merry.

This holiday season, we wanted to make your wish for a white Christmas come true. While we can’t control the weather (even with the help of some special elves), we can reveal some of the best places to spend Christmas in the USA where there’s a jolly good chance for snow, either already on the ground or in the sky.

Plan a trip to one of these winter wonderlands at Christmastime and discover oh what fun our suggestions are for getting in the holiday spirit!

1. Aspen, Colorado

With an almost perfect white Christmas record, Aspen boasts a 100 percent chance of snow, promising you a merry little Christmas.

Get in the holiday spirit:

• Celebrate the Norse God of Snow at Ullr Nights with snowtubing, campfires, and Ullr’s ghost ship
• Countdown to Christmas at 12 Days of Aspen with holiday activities all over town
• Sing along with carolers in Santa’s Village at Snowmass Mall and Base Village

2. Lake Placid, New York

An average of 23 inches of snow flutters down on Lake Placid during the month of December, upping the odds for a frosty Christmastime in the Adirondacks. It’s no wonder it’s one of the best places to travel to for Christmas.

• Join the Village Stroll and marvel at how Main Street decks the halls
• Dress as Santa for a free lift ticket at Whiteface Mountain
• Hop in a bobsled and brave the tracks at the Olympic Sports Complex

3. Mammoth Lakes, California

In December in Mammoth Lakes, the mercury drops to an average low of 17 degrees F, creating ideal conditions. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Get in the holiday spirit:

• Ride the scenic Village Gondola as fireworks go off during Night of Lights
• Take part in the Mammoth Holiday Festivities
• Venture on the December Full Moon Snowshoe Tour at Tamarack XC Ski Center

4. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota

The probability of flurries in the Twin Cities looks merry and bright, as three out of every four Christmases here have snow on the ground.

Get in the holiday spirit:

• Hang out with Santa and admire the illuminated art installations during Holidazzle in Loring Park
• Practice your best Kris Kringle impression at St. Paul Lowertown SantaCon
• Take the Holiday Tour Season at the Minnesota Governor’s Residence to see the decorations

5. Anchorage, Alaska

If you’re looking to wake up to snow-covered ground on Christmas morning, make your way to Anchorage. This city has had 31 consecutive white Christmases!

Get in the holiday spirit:

• Stroll along the illuminated animal displays at Zoo Lights at the Alaska Zoo
• Sip hot cocoa while eying the ice formations at Holiday Lights in the Garden
• Cozy up inside and catch “A Christmas Carol” at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts

6. Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Jackson Hole sees temperatures as low as 7 degrees F in December, meaning you just may get your wish for a white Christmas.

Get in the holiday spirit:

• Keep your eyes peeled for Santa skiing the slopes at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort on Christmas Eve
• Decorate cookies and don your ugliest festive sweater at 12 Days of Christmas at the Wort Hotel
• Nosh on holiday treats as you take a spin around the Teton Village Ice Rink

7. Lake Tahoe, California

Lake Tahoe averages a low of 24 degrees F, so keep shaking that snow globe! You’ll be pressed to find a more whimsical Christmas setting than Tahoe blanketed in fresh snow.

Get in the holiday spirit:

• Climb aboard a Borges sleigh ride and trot along the path between Merry Wonderland and the Village
• Warm up inside and catch the “Twisted Nutcracker and the Tale of the Rat King” at Olympic Village Lodge
• Indulge in the merriment at Heavenly Holidays Family Festival

8. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago may not have the highest chances of a white Christmas, but it’s undeniably magical when it does snow. It has an average low of 24 degrees F, so snow is not off the table!

Get in the holiday spirit:

• Discover the festivities during the Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier
• Sample hot spiced wine and browse the vendors at Christkindlmarket Chicago, which dazzles like a European Christmas village
• Head to the Broadway Playhouse for a “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” production

9. Duluth, Minnesota

Duluth flaunts an average annual snowfall of 85 inches each winter—18 of which occur during December alone. During the Christmas month, its average low of 7 degrees F gives you good reason to keep an eye on the forecast.

Get in the holiday spirit:

• Ride the rails along the North Shore Scenic Railroad for a special reading of the “Christmas City Express”
• Roast marshmallows and explore the majestic displays at Bentleyville Tour of Lights
• Embark on a Candlelight Christmas Tour of Glensheen to see it decked out in wreaths and twinkly lights

10. Bismarck, North Dakota

You’ll hopefully find yourself dashing through the snow in Bismarck, one of the best places to vacation for Christmas. It enjoys an average of 9 inches of snow each December, but wear your jammies inside out just in case.

• Pray for snowflakes as you watch the “Christmas Wonderland Holiday Spectacular” at the Bismarck Event Center
• Wear a Santa suit for the Bismarck Santa Fun Run/Walk 5K around the State Capitol Grounds in early December
• Hum along at the Central Dakota Children’s Choir Christmas Concert at Belle Mehus Auditorium

11. New York City, New York

Admittedly, this city doesn’t have the strongest track record for snowy Christmases (only once every six years), but based on our poll, the majority of travelers would love to spend a white Christmas in magical NYC.

• Explore Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square and make a reservation to meet jolly ol’ Saint Nick
• Watch the festivities unfold on stage during the “Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes”

12. Crested Butte, Colorado

On average, 45 inches of snow falls on Crested Butte in December, and reports say there’s a 99 percent probability for a white Christmas. Joy to the world!

• Check out the Rock on Ice festival, where sculptors carve masterpieces out of ice
• Count down the days until Santa’s arrival as you shred the slopes at Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Start planning your next getaway