Have you ever wanted to experience a winter wonderland? With snowfall beginning as soon as November, the Village is blanketed in snow for roughly half of the year. Whether you want to cozy up and hibernate or get out and play in the snow (sledding, anyone?), winter visitors can experience average temperatures between 20-30 with around 270 inches of snowfall annually. Dress warmly and prepare for snow in all its forms!

During winter months, Holden checks and posts the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) Forecast and provides avalanche and snow stability test results to the NWAC. If you go, know the snow!

Learn more about Holden Village Weather
Check the National Weather Service Forecast for Holden Village

• Have readily at hand (not tucked away in your luggage) cold-weather clothing for the 40-minute bus ride between Lucerne (where you’ll leave the boat) and Holden Village
• Bring extra medications and other essential personal items that you would need if weather conditions prolong your stay in the Village
• Warm clothing layers and waterproof outerwear (temperatures generally hover in the 20s and 30s but it can get colder)
• Bathrobe – bathrooms are located at the end of each guest lodge hallway
• Snow boots
• Snow/Ice traction devices (some are available to borrow and more available to purchase in the store)
  Children’s helmets for sledding (some are available to borrow)

See our Suggested Packing List for more details about what to bring to Holden Village.

Winter is a truly beautiful season to visit; however, sometimes Holden Village must cancel transport to and from the boat dock because of dangerous winter travel conditions along the road. Safety is our top priority and this decision is made based on avalanche conditions and forecasts.

Incoming Guests: If transport is cancelled, you will be notified by an email from Registration as soon as the decision is made, typically early the morning of your arrival. The boat companies will also be notified if Holden Transport is cancelled.

Outgoing Guests: Any additional nights that you have to stay at Holden Village due to transport not running will be half the normal charge. We recognize that cancelling transport out of the Village is an inconvenience to you and out of your control, so we will heavily discount your additional stay. However, if Holden has advised you to leave on earlier transport in order to avoid forecasted weather conditions that could impede departure, and you still decide to stay, then you are responsible to pay the regular rate for any additional days.

If you have time-sensitive travel plans or an event that you need to return to after a winter visit to Holden Village, we recommend that you plan your departure from the Village to be a few days earlier (with a few buffer days), just in case transport is cancelled due to weather.