We want a white Christmas (we are from Australia) with our 10 year old girl.
Lots of Xmassy stuff in windows etc but must also have things to do.
Skiing is a so-so option - but all ideas welcome. Does anyone have any ideas please?
We are thinking Prague, or Copenhagen but worried there is not enough to do/see in winter. Can anyone help please... thanks Mel

If you want a white Christmas in Europe, Copenhagen is out. There is hardly ever snow in Christmas. In Prague it is not guaranteed either. Wanting a lot to see and snow (as early as Xmas) are sort of controversial. Where there is guaranteed snow, all you have to see is nature, and where there is lots to see, there is no snow.

Stockholm sprang to my mind. Does anyone know any more about that option?

There is no snow guarantee in Stockholm either, they usually have a black Xmas. Also Helsinki and St.Petersburg may well lack snow, although not this year. The only places with guaranteed white Christmas are way more north and east. Lapland and eastern Finland (even south-eastern) always have a white Christmas, but there are no great sights or glimmering lights there. Just snow, dog and reindeer sledding, skiing, fireplaces and saunas. And nature.

Maybe somewhere in the Alps, but near some big town.

a train ride through the Alps in Switzerland, on the way to Vienna. or Munich. those would be my votes for a Xmas-y experience.

I am sure you want an europen christmas, but in the US Erie Pa, Bufflo NY, and most of the new england states have snow for christmas. Also check out canada

Mel - In Europe I think you'd have to choose somewhere at altitude (1500m +) to have any guarantee of snow. As Elina says, somewhere in the Alps but with good access to places of interest.

I just spent the week before Xmas at Ortisei in the Dolomites, and would happily have stayed longer. It's a typical Tyrolean village and would be a delight at Xmas.

'Things to do' would be all winter sports, plus cable cars for views and hikes. There is also access to Bolzano and other Tyrolean towns for Xmas markets and sightseeing. Even Innsbruck is only 1.5-2 hours.

If you prefer somewhere with better transport links you could choose a city at lower altitude such as Salzburg or Innsbruck - and go up into the snow for the day.

Hope this helps. I'm sure you'll get lots of other suggestions.

Steve

Since you are coming from Australia, you'll probably be staying for more than a week...how about spending a few days in an Alpine village/small town to get the full white Christmas experience, then go off to a city with lots to do? For example, maybe a few days in Kitzbuhl or Lech, Austria for the fluffy white stuff (+sleigh riding, a day skiing, etc.), then off to Vienna for cultural stuff (plus winter activities, like ice skating outside the Rathaus) or Prague. Or a Swiss or French alpine resort for a couple of days, then Paris...

mel1,

I know you're thinking of Europe, but the first place that came to my mind was a Colorado Rocky Mountain ski resert.

Several years we have spent the week between Christmas and New Year's out there, and the snow is always wonderful.

I'd suggest an "American west" type resort like Steamboat Springs or even Aspen, rather than Vail, which is beautiful but a little Disney-Bavarian for us.

Just a suggestion.

Byrd

hey, thanks to all of you so far....