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The best ski advent calendars 2026 for snow-loving families
Time to get counting down to Christmas, ski style! Whether your lot are already dreaming of the slopes or you’re heading to the mountains for Christmas, a ski-themed advent calendar is a lovely way to build the excitement.
I’ve rounded up this year’s best ski and snow advent calendars: toy calendars for the kids (including a little Alpine ski village that builds up day by day), a couple of brilliant mystery puzzles for the grown-ups, traditional paper ones that slip into a suitcase, and some homemade advent calendar ideas with free printables.
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Toy advent calendars for kids
For the little ones who want a surprise behind every door.
Little Worlds Alpine Ski Village advent calendar
24 miniatures that build into a little Alpine ski village, and they double as tree decorations, so you can bring them out again every year.
LEGO City advent calendar 2026
24 LEGO surprises with cars, trucks, a playmat and 7 minifigures. It’s an absolute winner for the LEGO and ski fans out there. Plus, you’re not left with lots of plastic junk at the end, because all the pieces can join your LEGO collection.
LEGO Friends advent calendar 2026
24 surprises with 3 mini-dolls and 6 animal figures, and the same no-junk bonus: it all joins the LEGO box after Christmas.
Playmobil advent calendar: at the North Pole
Santa, elves, reindeer and a post office, over 24 days. I’m torn on Playmobil: we’ve managed to avoid it in my house and leaned into LEGO, as I can only cope with one toy with endless plastic bits at a time! But if your kids love Playmobil, they’ll love this, and the pieces can join their collection after Christmas.
Disney Frozen Anna & Elsa advent calendar
24 days of Frozen surprises, including an Olaf figure and a Queen Iduna doll. One for the Anna and Elsa fans.
Advent calendars for grown-ups
Who says the kids get all the fun?
Murder mystery advent calendar: Death at the Alpine Lodge
A 24-day interactive puzzle book set in an Alpine lodge. One for after the kids are in bed.
Mystery Hunters advent calendar 2026
A mystery game in 24 parts, with a missing detective and a fire in an Alpine village. You can play it solo or as a team.
Ski-themed paper advent calendars
These are my favourite kind: no plastic, no sugar, and they’re flat and light enough to slip into your suitcase if you’re spending Christmas in the mountains.
Skiing fun: Santa joins the sled ride
A cute, traditional paper advent calendar with a lovely ski theme. If you’re looking for something you can take on a ski trip over Christmas, this is the perfect one to slip into your suitcase.
Swiss Kiss ski season advent calendar
Another great traditional ski advent calendar that will fit in your suitcase for a Christmas ski holiday. If you’re after something without plastic toys or chocolate, a paper calendar like this is perfect.
Richard Sellmer ski hut advent calendar
I really like this one because it’s landscape, so it displays nicely on a mantelpiece or a shelf.
Get it on Amazon here. Or get the Carousel Home version here.
Richard Sellmer ski area advent calendar
A second ski scene from Richard Sellmer, who have been making traditional paper advent calendars for decades.
Skiing Santa advent calendar
A small paper calendar with Santa on skis. It comes with an envelope, so you can post it to a ski-mad friend.
Skiing winter scene advent card
This one is a card with 24 doors, so it doubles as a Christmas card. Lovely for posting to the grandparents or a ski buddy.
Make your own: alternative advent calendar ideas
Advent calendars can be so much more than chocolate or toys. They’re a chance to build family traditions, make memories and bring a bit of winter magic into your home, whether you’re heading to the mountains this Christmas or not.
There’s nothing wrong with a classic calendar, of course. I’m in my 40s and my Auntie Sue still sends me one out to La Plagne every winter! But a homemade calendar lets you shape the countdown around what your family loves most. Here’s why I love them:
- A personal touch: fill it with the things your family loves, like ski-themed activities, mountain crafts or a bit of ski fitness before the trip.
- Experiences, not stuff: instead of 24 little trinkets that get forgotten, you get 24 things to do together, from baking to building a pillow fort or a trip to an indoor snow centre.
- Budget-friendly: most of these ideas use things you already have at home, so it’s magic without the price tag.
- Bringing the mountains to you: even if you’re not skiing this season, you can bring a bit of alpine magic into December.
Here are five ideas to inspire your family this December, each with a wintry twist and easy to do wherever you are. I’ve made a free download for each one, so you can get started straight away.
1. Winter activity advent calendar
Write a festive activity on a slip of paper for each day, and pop them into envelopes, jars or reusable pouches. Some ideas to get you started:
- Outdoor fun: ice skating, a winter nature walk or a trip to a Christmas market.
- At-home magic: building a fort, a family film night or making hot chocolate.
- Ski-inspired: a day at an indoor snow centre, or balance exercises to “train” for skiing.
Why it works: It’s all about doing things together, and it’s really flexible: just adapt the activities to your family and your diary.
Download my 50 winter and ski activity advent calendar ideas here
2. Cosy hygge jar calendar
If you love slowing down and embracing winter’s cosy side, fill a jar or little boxes with 24 things that encourage relaxing and family time:
- Hot chocolate sachets or winter teas.
- Fluffy socks for a snuggly day.
- A small candle for a warm glow in the evening.
- Little ski-themed treats, like a lip balm for winter-dry lips or a hand warmer for frosty days.
Why it works: It’s a lovely reminder to slow down during a busy month and enjoy the little things on dark winter evenings.
Download my 25 winter hygge advent calendar ideas here
3. DIY ski and snowboard challenge calendar
For ski-mad families, this one adds an active twist to December, with a new challenge each day:
- Balance exercises (perfect for ski fitness).
- Building a ski jump out of pillows or cardboard for toy figures.
- Watching a ski film, like Eddie the Eagle.
- A winter sports trivia question.
Why it works: It keeps the kids excited about skiing, even if you’re not heading to the slopes this year, and sneaks in a bit of fitness over the festive season too!
Download my 25 ski challenge advent calendar ideas here
4. Storytelling advent calendar
Create a family story that unfolds over 24 days. Start with a wintry, mountain setting and add a new chapter each day:
- Begin with something simple, like “One snowy morning, a child found an old pair of skis…”
- Let everyone in the family add their own ideas.
- Draw pictures or map out the journey together.
Why it works: It sparks creativity and imagination, and by Christmas Eve you’ll have your own family Christmas story to keep.
Download my 25 story prompts for a storytelling advent calendar here
5. Random acts of kindness advent calendar
Shift the focus from receiving to giving, with a small act of kindness each day:
- Baking biscuits for the neighbours.
- Donating to a food bank or charity.
- Making handmade Christmas cards.
- Helping someone out with a chore.
Why it works: It’s a lovely way to teach kids about generosity and spread a bit of Christmas spirit as a family.
Making an advent calendar on a budget
Alternative advent calendars don’t have to cost a fortune. Here’s how to keep costs down:
- Repurpose and reuse: use jars, envelopes or fabric scraps as containers, and decorate them with leftover wrapping paper or string. Old piste maps or lift passes make a lovely personal touch.
- Go for free or low-cost activities: stargazing, making decorations or baking cost very little, and ski challenges can use things you already own.
- Shop smart for fillers: pound shops and charity shops are great for small bits like winter stickers or mini candles.
- Make your own gifts and decorations: simple ornaments or homemade treats. The kids will love getting involved.
You can find all my free advent calendar templates in one place here.
That’s La Plagne & the best ski advent calendars this winter!
That’s my pick of this year’s ski advent calendars. I hope you find the perfect one for your ski buddies (or yourself!).
Looking for something a bit different? Try one of my homemade advent calendar ideas above, or have a look at my ski gift ideas for under the tree.
See you on the slopes, and Merry Christmas!
Heading to the mountains for Christmas yourself? Here’s my guide to Christmas in La Plagne, from the snow to what’s on and where to eat Christmas dinner.
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