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10Best: Places for a white Christmas

Larry Bleiberg
Special for USA TODAY

A white Christmas doesn't have to be a dream. Pick the right spot and you're very likely to find one, says Jonathan Erdman, senior meteorologist with The Weather Channel. "Every winter's different. But there are some places in the U.S. and Canada, where if it's not a white Christmas, then something really weird is going on." He shares with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY places that historic weather data suggest are likely to have snow on the ground this Dec. 25, although there are no guarantees.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyo. and Mont.

It's not just geysers that are faithful at this huge western park. Statistically, there's a 100% chance of at least three inches of snow cover on Dec. 25, and a 91% chance of at least a foot. "That's about as deadest of a certainty of a white Christmas as you can get," Erdman says. 307-344-7381; nps.gov/yell

Montreal

Chances are high for a Noel blanc in French-speaking Montreal, which gets nearly 20 inches of snow on average every December. "It's definitely cold there most often," Erdman says. "To just ask for an inch of snow on Christmas is not that far-fetched at all. It would be very, very difficult to get rain that far north." But the city doesn't hide from the weather, with outdoor skating and fireworks throughout December. tourisme-montreal.org

North Conway, N.H.

This scenic Mount Washington Valley town is at high enough elevation that it's likely to have snow. There's an 80% chance that Christmas morning will find at least an inch on the ground and a 53% chance there will be at least six inches. "It seems a pretty safe option," Erdman says. Visitors can enjoy a flurry of winter experiences from horseback riding to snowmobiling. 603-522-5357; northconwaynh.com

Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.

While the average December snowfall of 11 inches isn't large, chilly temperatures make it likely that the accumulation will remain on Christmas day. "The odds of it melting are not high because it's already cold," says Erdman, who has relatives in the area. "It's a city that really celebrates winter" with festivals and outdoor activities. minneapolis.org; visitsaintpaul.com

Snowshoe, W.Va.

This Appalachian Mountain ski area gets snow from two directions: storms coming up the East Coast, followed by cold fronts coming down from the Great Lakes bringing what Erdman calls "bonus" snow. "They can get a double whammy," he says. In addition, the snowfall is often wind-driven, making it white and fluffy. "It's the kind of snow ski resorts love." 877-441-4386; snowshoemtn.com

Crested Butte, Colo.

With each December averaging a yard of snowfall, it's hard to miss out on a white Christmas in this western Colorado ski town sitting at over 9,000-feet elevation. "You can't go wrong there," Erdman says. "Even if storms track a little to the south, they can still see snow." 877-448-1410; gunnisoncrestedbutte.com

Mount Rushmore National Memorial, S.D.

The odds are even you'll find snow-dusted presidents on Christmas morning at this iconic landmark. On average, there's 1.9 inches of snow on the ground on Dec. 25, Erdman says. "It's kind of a long shot, but when they get snow, they get big ones and it can stick around for a while." 605-574-2523; nps.gov/moru

Anchorage

While the city gets nearly 17 inches of snow every December, weather patterns can be fickle, Erdman says. "There are situations where southern winds come up and you actually get winter rain there." But Christmas visitors may get another seasonal treat: a chance to see the northern lights. 907-257-2363; anchorage.net

Tahoe City, Calif.

While California's drought has played havoc with weather patterns, Erdman still thinks there's a good chance this laid-back Lake Tahoe community will see snow this Christmas. "They pick up three feet of snow every December. Whether they get that this year we'll see. They really need it. Depending on the weather, the Sierra can get some of the heaviest snowfall in the U.S." 530-583-3348; visittahoecity.org

Banff National Park and Lake Louise, Canada

While snowfall is often heavier in November than December in this Canadian National Park and ski area, you're still very likely to find snow come Christmas. "It's pretty much a guarantee. You might have pristine, calm, cold days with snow on the ground. The kind of things you think of in postcards," Erdman says. travelalberta.us

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