Winter is coming – in the Northern Hemisphere at least – and that means gearing up for some seriously snowy good times.

A family holiday in a snow-filled wonderland can be as action-packed as you like it – skiing and snowboarding can be fun for all ages – but be sure to include some of the lesser known activities on your itinerary if memories that last a lifetime sound good to you.

Visit Santa

Imagine announcing to your kids that, this year, you’ll be heading to the Arctic Circle to meet Santa and his reindeer in real life! The whole family will get swept up in the Christmas spirit in Finnish Lapland, where little ones can send a letter to Santa from the post office, and take an ‘elf mobile’ to a magical village in the snowy wilderness to meet the big man himself. With twinkling lights and festive cheer, reindeer sleigh rides and gingerbread making, this is one family getaway sure to make an indelible impression. Just be sure to pack your warmest winter woolies.

Seek out the Northern Lights

Stargazing is one thing, but the glowing green swirls that make the Northern Lights such a marvel make the experience next-level amazing. Iceland, Finland, Sweden and Norway are top spots to catch the Northern Lights, and the best time is between September and April. Sleep out under the stars in an igloo with glass skydome, brave an ice hotel (even the beds are made of ice!), or cosy up in a log cabin nestled in the snow and watch the aurora borealis shift and change through a perfectly positioned picture window.

Dog sledding

Gliding through the forest on a sled pulled by a team of huskies having the time of their lives sounds pretty good to us, and it’s a fun-filled activity for any dog lovers in your family (everyone, am I right?). Just be sure to do your research before signing up for a dog-sledding experience to make sure the dogs are well cared for, get adequate rest, and enjoy the work.

Try a new snow sport

Skiing and snowboarding are just the beginning when it comes to getting active out in the snow but why not mix it up a little? Strapping on a pair of snowshoes allows you to literally step away from bustling slopes and ski towns and into quiet forests blanketed in untouched snow. A guided snowshoe tour is a nice way to do it, especially when hot chocolate and cookies are handed out when it’s time to take a break.

Tobogganing is another must, no matter how old your children are. Little ones can tackle gentle slopes or ride tandem with you taking charge, while older or daredevil kids can take on steeper hills at speed to get their adrenalin pumping. Tubing in air-filled circular ‘tubes’ is just as fun, with slopes of all levels separated into well-groomed lanes.

Ice-skating takes a little practice (why not get some in at an indoor skating rink before you leave home?), but skating on a frozen lake or river is a smile-a-minute way to bond as a family and get out in the great outdoors.

Warm up

One of the best things about getting cold out in the snow is coming inside to thaw out. Grown-ups can warm up from the inside out at an apres-ski venue serving gluhwein (hot spiced red wine made with cinnamon, orange and cloves), while the underage members of your family can sip on hot apple cider.

Kids clubs

Snowy playgrounds, ice-themed activities and even ski lessons are on offer at most ski resorts, so be sure to take advantage of them. Having a little space – and giving the kids some time on their own and with others their own age – can make for a more harmonious holiday. While the kids are occupied, make the most of it with a soak in an outdoor spa or relaxing stint in a steamy sauna – your muscles will thank you for it.