As soon as November arrives, the thought of Christmas suddenly comes to mind as do the words Glühwein and Glögg. Throughout Europe, Christmas Markets are getting bigger and better and are a big draw for families especially those with younger children who come to soak up the atmosphere and get into the Christmas spirit.
Germany is the birthplace of the modern Christmas market where stalls selling Christmas gifts, food and Glühwein have been set up every year in the Marienplatz since the 14th century!
Many ski resorts across the Alps also host a Christmas Market throughout December showcasing their local products - delicious food and mulled wine or Glühwein, as its commonly known.
Some of our favourite ski resorts with the best Christmas markets include Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Cortina in the Dolomites and Innsbruck and Salzburg in Austria - not really ski resorts in their own right but within touching distance to many.
Depending upon which resort you choose, its also possible to do some early season skiing. After a day on the slopes, you can start the evening apres-ski with a Glühwein at the market. The best resorts for this are...
- Zell am See where you can ski on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier above Kaprun
- Garmisch-Partenkirchen on the Zugspitze glacier, and
- Gstaad where you are close to Les Diablerets Glacier 3000
See Mychaletfinder for more ideas on Christmas markets and early season skiing.
