Snow Way You’ll Miss This: Nine magical winter holidays from Manchester Airport

By Marc O'Toole

Whether it’s breathing in crisp mountain air on a ski slope, watching snowflakes fall outside a log cabin, or warming up with hot chocolate after a reindeer sleigh ride, there’s something magical about a winter holiday. And if you’re dreaming of snow-covered landscapes, Manchester Airport can take you there, with more than 200 destinations on offer, including some of the world’s most enchanting cold weather escapes.

From Lapland to the Alps, winter breaks have never been more popular, and thanks to a growing list of direct seasonal routes, it’s easier than ever to swap the grey skies of home for snowy adventures abroad. So whether you're after a festive family getaway, a romantic retreat, or an adrenaline-fueled ski trip, here are nine snowy destinations you can fly to direct from Manchester this winter.

1. Kittilä / Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland

Fly with easyJet direct from Manchester from only £82pp return.*

Northern forests under snowy cover, sledging with huskies, reindeer sleigh rides, and a visit with Santa in his woodland workshop are just some of the highlights in Finnish Lapland. The towns of Kittilä or Rovaniemi offer Arctic themed resorts, ice villages and a good chance to glimpse the Northern Lights’ pure fairytale cold weather magic – and both are served by direct flights from Manchester. Prices get more expensive close to Christmas but there is far more to Finnish Lapland than just seeing Santa.

2. Arctic Lakeland (Kajaani & Vuokatti), Finland

This winter TUI is introducing a package to Kajaani Airport in Finland’s Arctic Lakeland region, with a four-night festive break including flights, accommodation, snowsuits, activities and transfers from just £743pp.*

The Arctic Lakeland region is less well-visited than Lapland but still offers snowmobiling over frozen lakes, saunas, reindeer rides, and more surrounded by peaceful, snowy woodland in valleys as scenic as Scandinavia gets.

3. Innsbruck, Austria

Fly with easyJet, Jet2.com or TUI direct to Innsbruck Airport with Jet2.com's return fares from £94pp return in December.*

Austria’s winter alpine capital - nestled in the Alps with a cable car from the city-centre to Seegrube mountain in under 20 minutes, Innsbruck offers easy access to ski resorts like Seefeld and Mayrhofen. Snow dusted streets, hearty cuisine and a perfect blend of culture and pistes.

4. Salzburg / Zell am See, Austria

You can fly with Jet2.com, TUI or Ryanair direct to Salzburg, with return flights from just £46pp in December with Ryanair.*

Zell am See, just outside Salzburg, is a timeless Austrian village surrounded by mountains, where classical music meets après ski. The village offers lakeside winter views, local schnaps, hearty alpine stews and picture perfect snow cover.

5. Grenoble / Lyon region, French Alps

easyJet, Jet2.com and Ryanair serve French Alps airports Grenoble, Lyon and Chambery from Manchester. Return flights are available from Manchester Airport this winter to Grenoble from £45pp (Ryanair), to Lyon from £58pp (easyJet), and to Chambery from £64pp (Jet2.com).*

All three connect to some of France’s best ski areas. Imagine snowy mountain villages, cosy cafes serving raclette, fondue and tartiflette and slopes for all skill levels amid world class scenery.

6. Tromsø, Norway
You can fly direct from Manchester to Tromsø with easyJet or Norwegian this winter, with easyJet's return fares from just £56pp.*

A true Arctic escape under the Northern Lights. Tromsø sits within the auroral oval, meaning it offers a high chance of witnessing the aurora borealis. Visitors can enjoy dogsledding, reindeer tours, whale watching and crisp Nordic cuisine, all in a snow-covered city framed by fjords and mountains.

7. Sälen / Scandinavian Mountains Airport, Sweden
New for winter 2025/26, you can now fly with easyJet from Manchester direct to Sälen–Trysil Airport in Sweden. Return fares are available from just £38pp.*

Sweden’s newest ski hub delivers peaceful Nordic beauty with a modern edge. Transfer by sleigh or shuttle to nearby resorts, where cross country skiing, log cabins and snow-dusted forests set the tone. After a day on the trails, relax with hot glögg – a Swedish mulled wine - or warm cinnamon buns beside a roaring fire.

8. Geneva, Switzerland
You can fly with Ethiopian Airlines, TUI, Jet2.com or easyJet direct from Manchester to Geneva. Return flights start from only £47pp with easyJet.*

Geneva offers an elegant gateway to legendary resorts like Chamonix, Verbier and Morzine. Think glistening alpine peaks, Swiss fondue, lakeside charm and access to some of Europe’s finest slopes, all just a short transfer from your arrival airport.

9. Turin, Italy / Susa Valley
You can fly with Ryanair from Manchester direct to Turin. Return flights start at £53pp.*

Just over an hour from the Susa Valley, Turin is the ideal landing spot for a ski trip with Italian flair. After hitting the slopes, enjoy mountain classics like polenta, cured meats and rich red wines. The area is perfect for beginners and families, with postcard views and relaxed alpine hospitality.

*Prices quoted are available when booked directly through the airline and are accurate at the time of publication.