Sure, the majority of couples will pick warm climates, white sand beaches and cocktails by the pool for their honeymoon. But a tropical destination certainly isn't an absolute. In fact, couples who prefer exotic locales and adventure travel might want to think outside the box, opting instead for a cold-weather destination that offers one-of-a-kind activities and plenty of romantic evenings by the fire.
But just because a place has snow on the ground doesn't mean it's honeymoon-worthy. Couples considering a cold weather honeymoon should look to winter retreats like Iceland, Switzerland, and Wyoming -- all of which offer upscale accommodations, top-notch restaurants, and luxurious amenities -- for their getaway of a lifetime.
Read on for our five favorite cold weather honeymoon destinations to start planning your perfect escape.
Zermatt, Switzerland
There's truly no more epic Instagram backdrop than the Matterhorn, a nearly 15,000-foot-high pyramidal peak in the Swiss Alps. Winter-chic is a way of life in the small town of Zermatt, situated at the base of the Matterhorn.
Book a room at Unique Hotel Post, a cozy spot in town known for its classic mountain lodge architecture. Spend your days toggling between heart-pumping activities such as skiing, ice climbing, and snowshoeing, followed by rich meals of Swiss Gruyère fondue and Rösti, fried grated potatoes topped with bacon, ham, or salmon.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Located in the heart of the Teton Range, Jackson Hole offers a next-level winter honeymoon experience. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has some 2,500 acres of skiable terrain and receives more than 450 inches of snow each year. (Novice skiers, try Rendezvous Bowl; for experts, there's Corbets Couloir, one of the most iconic runs in North America.)
Drop your bags at the Anvil Hotel, a boutique hotel in the heart of Jackson, a charming village filled with independent shops and galleries. If you need a break from alpine skiing, spend an afternoon engaged in other honeymoon-worthy activities, such as sleigh rides, snowmobiling, dogsledding, snowshoeing, or nordic skiing. Or, plan a full-day excursion within the surrounding region -- Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are just a stone's throw away.
Banff, Canada
Packed with powdery snow, mountain vistas, and more après ski options than you can count, Banff is the ultimate winter playground. Powder hounds can choose from three major ski resorts -- Sunshine Village, Ski Norquay, and Lake Louise Mountain Resort -- all of which are conveniently accessible via one lift pass.
Post up at the Fairmont Banff Springs, a grand dame resort nestled among the mountains. Don't miss a ride on the glass-walled Banff Sightseeing Gondola, which takes you to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, offering panoramic views of the Canadian Rockies. Daredevils, meanwhile, can plan an excursion to the Johnston Canyon Icewalk, a glacier canyon with frozen waterfalls and tons of natural wildlife.
Iceland
Between the otherworldly Northern Lights, the rolling landscapes of the Golden Circle, the sulphuric springs of the Blue Lagoon, and the cascading waterfalls of Gullfoss, Iceland is an outdoorsy couple's paradise.
Book a stay at ION Luxury Adventure Hotel, a 45-room hotel offering floor-to-ceiling windows, farm-to-fork on-site eats, and a thermal outdoor pool. After a few days of heart-pumping excursions, it's just an hour by car to Rekyjavik. the bustling capital of Iceland, where sites like Hallgrímskirkja (the church of Hallgrimur) stand at nearly 250 feet tall.
Quebec City, Canada
Old-world charm and cosmopolitan vibes meld harmoniously in this Canadian capital. Spend your days meandering the snowy cobblestone streets of quaint Old Town, filled with specialty shops, boutique restaurants, and art galleries. Then retreat to your luxe accommodation at the Auberge Saint-Antoine, a contemporary Relais & Châteaux-affiliated hotel in downtown Quebec City. Pair your stay with a quick jaunt to Mont-Tremblant, one of the top ski resorts in Canada -- in case you haven't yet gotten your outdoor adventure fix.
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Editor's Note -- Updated text by Katie James Watkinson, March 14, 2019