Winter has a way of transforming a place. Streets sparkle, trails quiet down, and familiar experiences suddenly feel brand new under a dusting of snow. For travelers and locals alike, this time of year offers a chance to slow down, explore differently, and rediscover the beauty of a destination.
For DMOs and tourism marketers, winter is the perfect season for creative storytelling. With the right visuals, ideas, and content mix, you can inspire wanderlust even on the chilliest days. Here are some standout winter content approaches from destinations that are embracing the magic of the season.
1. Start With a Seasonal Snapshot
Discover Halifax does this beautifully with an Instagram carousel that highlights all the festive things to do in December. The mix of lights, markets, cozy spots, and holiday activities gives audiences a quick, inspiring look at what the month has to offer. A carousel is a simple yet effective format to help travelers visualize their December itinerary at a glance.
2. Guide Visitors Through Winter Adventures
West NB Tourism leans into what winter does best: adventure. Their gallery and map bring snowmobilers straight into the experience, showcasing places to stop directly off the region’s main trail. By highlighting seven excursions, they offer both practical guidance and visual inspiration, helping audiences plan a full day of exploration.
This approach works well for highlighting winter recreation opportunities. When visitors can see where they’re going and what’s waiting for them, they’re more likely to make the journey.
3. Turn Local Experiences Into Giftable Moments
Visit White Mountains takes a unique approach with their Holiday Gift Guide, featuring CrowdRiff galleries of local experiences and attractions. Instead of focusing solely on traditional gifts, they highlight meaningful, memory-driven ideas like winter recreation, local shopping, and family-friendly outings.
It’s a fresh, visually compelling way to encourage supporting local businesses while promoting seasonal travel.
4. Share Seasonal Shopping Adventures
Travel Oregon brings you right into the holiday shopping scene with a short video highlighting local favorites. The content feels inviting and vibrant, celebrating everything from artisanal makers to bustling seasonal markets. It’s a great reminder that winter storytelling isn’t only about snow, it can also be about warmth, community, and the joy of discovery.
5. Highlight Unique Seasonal Experiences
Visit Madison’s blog on frozen lake activities is a perfect example of winter storytelling done well. The content highlights experiences locals love, including ice boating, skating, winter festivals, while CrowdRiff galleries help immerse readers in the moment. It paints a picture of a place where winter isn’t something to endure but something to celebrate.
More Winter Content Ideas to Inspire Your Audience
Winter looks different in every destination, which is part of what makes it so special. Here are a few other ideas we’ve seen destinations use to celebrate the season:
- Snow day photo contests that spark friendly community fun
- Hot chocolate hunts featuring local cafes
- Roundups of cozy spots perfect for a quiet snow day
- User-generated galleries of winter adventures
- Highlights of local makers and holiday markets
If you’ve ever wished for an assistant to help develop seasonal content, the CrowdRiff Content Planner is worth exploring. Powered by CrowdRiff AI, it sparks ideas, tracks partner mentions, and helps you stay ahead of seasonal opportunities.
Whether your destination shines with snowy trails, twinkling downtown lights, or steaming cups of peppermint cocoa, winter is full of visual moments worth sharing. Have a great piece of seasonal content you want to highlight? Send it our way.
Our team is here to support you. If you’re looking for inspiration or guidance, reach out to your account manager. Want to learn more about how CrowdRiff can support you in planning, developing, and showcasing travel content? Book a call.
