The final month of 2015 has arrived, and the countdown to Christmas has begun. If a white Christmas is on your wish list, though, there’s a decent chance you may wake up disappointed on the 25th. Thanks to El Niño, a lower-than-average percentage of the U.S. is expected to get Christmas snowfall. Most of the East Coast, for example, doesn’t typically get a lot of December snow even in a normal year.
The best way to increase the chances of your white Christmas dreams coming true might just be to hop town. Lots of cities are gifted snowfall almost every holiday season, and for these prime white Christmas getaways, there’s a good chance 2015 won’t be an exception.
Fairbanks, Alaska
This first one may not come as a surprise, but according to historical data collected by the National Data Climatic Center, there’s a 100% chance that there will be snow on the ground in Fairbanks on Christmas day. While the entire arctic state is expected to have a warmer than average December, the average high is still just 7 degrees Fahrenheit.
With that in mind, a cozy lodge — such as Pike’s Waterfront Lodge or the Alpine Lodge — could be a great choice for the holidays. Besides its high chances of flurries, Fairbanks is also a prime viewing spot for the northern lights and not far from North Pole, AK — the perfect Christmastime day trip. The North Pole even has Christmas-themed ice sculptures by local and international artists for your viewing pleasure!
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Another prime destination for a white Christmas is Minneapolis, MN — a bustling city that, on average, has 11 inches of snow in the final month of the year and a sweet 77% chance of some at least sticking around for Christmas day. As is the case in Tahoe, there are countless cross-country ski trails available to snow-loving visitors.
Plus, the city boasts lots of other holiday festivities, including a tradition called “Holidazzle” meant to bring the community together and featuring an ice rink, free music and more. And if you stay someplace like TownePlace Suites by Marriott, located in the heart of the city, you’ll be in close proximity to some of the best Christmas day dining options.
Between a good meal, good company and some good snowfall, there’s not much more to ask for during the holidays. Despite the warm weather, there are still plenty of options for pursuing a white Christmas — and plenty of time to book some travel accordingly!
Tahoe City, California
Most of California is thirsty for rain, much less snow — but that’s not the case in Tahoe City. Lake Tahoe, one of the purest large lakes in the world, is surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains, which often get some of the heaviest snowfall in the United States. As a result, Tahoe City has quite the track record of wintry conditions, even enjoying substantial snowfall during the majority of past El Niños.
Another perk of Tahoe is that a white Christmas isn’t just a song line or great Instagram picture. Instead, visitors can put that powder to good use since the lake is home to 15 top-rated ski resorts. And if you stay at a place like the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel, you’ll be provided with an on-site ski and snowboard shop to ensure you’re ready to make the most of your chilly white Christmas.
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This post was posted by TheHipmunk on Hipmunk’s Tailwind blog on 18/12/2015.
