The lakes of El Chalten, Argentina

The Fitz Roy Trek on the Argentine side of Patagonia is just one of the treks that leads to the beautiful El Chalten, where milky green-blue waters tinted from the minerals in glacial runoff contrast with the peaks.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Slovenia’s Lake Bled is the most photographed lake in a country filled with beautiful lakes — and for good reason.

Winter, though, offers a chance to gaze on the lake when far fewer people are present and when the white of snow adds an ethereal touch to what is already one of Europe’s most photogenic bodies of water.

Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Some 3.6 million visitors travel to Banff, Canada, and Lake Louise each year. Most, however, never see this high-altitude lake in its snow-clad prime, as the vast majority of the visitors come in summer.

Lake Baikal, Russia

Russia’s Lake Baikal is already one of the most stunning lakes to ice skate on in winter, yet it also offers a beauty that few others do in winter: frozen bubbles.

Lake Laberge, Canada

No single phenomenon accentuates a frozen lake quite like the northern lights. Yukon’s Lake Laberge is proof when the green hues of the aurora borealis trail the Canadian north and reflect off its icy waters.

Lake Champlain, Vermont, and New York

Stroll the paved lakeside trail in downtown Burlington, Vermont, in the cold of winter and you might find yourself with a strained neck. That’s because though the trail runs north-south, you’ll spend the entire time staring west!

Lake Garda, Italy

In northern Italy, almost halfway between the cities of Milan and Venice lies Lake Garda, a 143-square-mile expanse surrounded by alpine peaks.