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She had a point. Iceland is an isolated, sparsely populated hunk of land in the Arctic. Main activities for tourists include walking on a glacier, ice climbing, and buying cool winter gear. Not exactly the typical beach vacation for wintered-in Alaskans.--Way to Go, Kevin!
We're in the midst of a bitter cold snap -- the high in my home town today was 32 degrees. It's got me thinking about what it's like to visit cold places in the off season, places like Alaska and Finland and Iceland. I used to spend my winters in Austria not because of the snow, though I did learn to love it, but because of the sun, of all things. That's not what I'm thinking of, though, not the cozy chalets and sunny bright days. I'm thinking of extremes like Lapland and the far north. Yes, I'm thinking northern hemisphere-centricly. And yeah, that's probably not a word.
Stay in an ice hotel – understandably these are only available for reservations in winter. However the one in Sweden’s Lapland offers a 3-day ice-sculpting class during the summer. How could anyone not want to learn that?--NurdleNet
If you want to check out the most amazing ice sculptures in the world, head to the most northern part of China from January to March. The Habin Ice Latern and Sculpture Festival takes place in Manchuria, the coldest place in China, just across the border from Russian Siberia. The display of ice sculptures will leave your jaw hanging. That's why people pay to stand in the freezing cold and watch teams of sculptors carve 7-foot high blocks of snow into animals, mythical figures and other art. --Kidz World
While Lapland is a pretty common winter vacation spot, my Lonely Planet guide completely ignores the possibility of traveling to the north during winter and sticks with guiding travelers through the summer solstice and backpacking trips. I guess the authors find it hard to believe that some of us go there in spite of the darkness.--Finland Laurita
After hiding for months from sub-zero temperatures, Yukoners shake the collective cabin fever by dancing in mukluks, tossing chainsaws, and competing in flour-packing, axe-throwing and tug-a-truck contests in a carnival-like atmosphere in downtown Whitehorse.--MacLeans.ca
Ahead of me lay a journey into uninhabited wilderness just 24km shy of the Arctic Circle where, travelling and sleeping on the 18m yacht with eight others, I'd spend four days hiking up snowbound peaks and then snowboarding down to the sea's edge.--Guardian UK: Sailing to Iceland's ski slopes
I'm sitting at my desk in a hat. My feet are cold and all I can think about is the upcoming walk from my car to my friend's place where we're having dinner tonight. I feel like a sissy. I know it's all about the clothing and when I clean up for dinner, I'll pull on those fleece lined boots I bought for days like this. I do remember standing in the -14C weather in Austria for a festival, I know it can be done and I know the rewards, but right now, oh, I think it's for crazy people.
Have you ever experienced extreme winter travel? Share your stories in the comments, please.
Pam blogs about travel and other adventures at Nerd's Eye View.
Nerd's Eye View
@nerdseyeview
