europe travel in winter

Europe is a pretty big and diverse contintenent. Where are you planning to go and for how long so others might be able to better advise you? And are you hoping for snow activities or hoping to avoid snow in February?

We want to see snow....maybe some snow activities. Switzerland and Austria. we will end the trip with family near Cambridge.

We had a great visit to Austria late January into early February 2015 with cross country skiing in the Tyrol (PillerseeTal). That year snow came late and we arrived with only a few cm of ground snow but is started snowing the second day and didn't seem to stop. The PillerseeTal grooms two types of trails, winter walking (only boots needed, no snowshoes) and cross country skiing trails.

Haven't been to Switzerland yet but should be able to report back after Davos/Klosters this coming March.

Northern Italy is another possibility. I spectated a World Cup ski race at Val di Fiemme.

February would be on the early side for Norway, with late February being better than early February. Ski trails may not be packed and marked until mid-February and a number of mountain hytte are still closed early February. Private lodges may still be operating but bus service into the mountains can be limited mid-week.

What kind of snow activities are you seeking?

We have been to the Lauterbrunnen Valley in the Berner Oberland of Sw2itzerland, Austria (the PillerseeTal as Edgar mentioned), and the Val Gardena/Alpe di Siusi of Italy all in winter as well as in warmer weather. We are hikers and have done Winter Wandern in all three places. Great fun! How much time will you have? Switzerland is very expensive but the area is amazing and well worth spending 4 or 5 nights in. Second best in winter, to us, is the Val Gardena/Alpe di Siusi. You could easily spend another 3-4 nights there. February is high season for skiing so rates will be high and reservations ASAP a good idea.

Note that the middle two weeks of February is half term school holidays for much of Europe and therefore these weeks will probably be busier and more expensive.

European ski resorts generally had poor snow levels this last year.

Many skiers can't afford the steamy prices of Switzerland, so most head to France, with some going to Italy or Austria. I don't ski, but my friends that do tend to go to America for better chances of snow or France.

In Austria, February is the month when families go skiing. Schools in Austria are closed for a week on a rotating basis by region. It is called Ski Week. You should definitely book now.

France and UK is the best place to visit during the Winter and Snow time. There are several places are available to visit such as Winter festivals, Paris, Christmas Markets, London, Edinburgh, etc. Happy Travel in Europe!

February 28 is Mardi Gras in 2017 and Carnivale/Fasnacht events leading up to that date are pretty big attractions in Luzern, Zürich, Bern, Basel, Venice, and Ivrea, Italy, for a start. From Ivrea, you're close to the Italian side of Mont Blanc/Monte Bianco and the Aosta ski area.

Actually your € will go even further in Slovakia!!
http://www.slovakia.com/skiing/
http://www.onthesnow.com/slovakia/ski-resorts.html

or just enjoy the winter environment
http://slovakia.travel/en

Or look for special festivals and events. Its carnival season!
http://www.mohacsibusojaras.hu/