A winter offsite can be one of the smartest ways to plan a company retreat: better availability, fewer crowds, and often much stronger value—without compromising the experience.
Organizing a winter company offsite (or corporate retreat) is a strategic move. During the off-season, venues are typically less crowded, service feels more personal, and you often get more flexibility with dates, group terms, and exclusive-use options.
If you don’t want to compete with the summer rush for the best hotels, winter is your advantage.
Start planning early and you’ll unlock the best choices.
How to choose the right winter offsite destination (in 60 seconds)
- Want winter sun + easy logistics?
Choose the Mediterranean or Canary Islands (mild weather, short flights, reliable infrastructure).
- Want a once-in-a-lifetime incentive?
Choose Lapland, Finland (snow, huskies, sauna culture, Northern Lights potential).
- Want a big reset + adventure?
Choose warm long-haul (Costa Rica or Mexico) for jungle, beaches, and high-energy bonding.
- A simple program formula that works almost every time:1 premium “wow” moment + 1 inclusive bonding activity + 1 grounding reset (and always a weather Plan B).
Winter-sun destinations (Europe) — the easiest win
1. Cyprus
Cyprus is one of the few European islands that truly works well in winter: mild Mediterranean days, a calm atmosphere, and a wide choice of venues that keep operating beyond peak season. It’s ideal if you want a program that mixes focused work blocks with scenic coastal time, culture, and nature—without feeling overly touristy.
The biggest advantage for company offsites is flexibility: you can combine seaside resorts with mountain or countryside experiences in one compact destination.
Best for: winter sun + variety (beach, culture, nature)
Ideal group size: 20–120
Signature highlight: off-road countryside adventure + wine tasting, coastal kayaking, or scenic hikes
Best time to go: October – May
Deep dive guide: check out our complete Cyprus retreat guide as well as the
deep dive into the best team-building activities on Cyprus.
2. Sicily, Italy
Sicily is a “slow-luxury” winter destination where the offsite naturally feels warm, social, and inspiring—driven by food culture, historic towns, and dramatic coastlines. In winter and shoulder season, you get the island’s charm without crowds, which makes it easier to secure great group terms and design a relaxed but high-quality agenda.
It’s a strong pick for teams that want bonding through shared meals, culture, and scenery rather than high-adrenaline activities.
Best for: culture + food + relaxed premium vibe
Ideal group size: 20–100
Signature highlight: food tour + wine tasting, countryside experience, or coastal boat day
Best time to go: October – May
3. Marbella, Spain
Marbella is one of the strongest winter-friendly offsite destinations in Europe: a stylish coastal setting, excellent hospitality standards, and a rare “best of both worlds” mix—premium venues and dining, plus nature and adventure just minutes away.
It’s easy to design a program that feels elevated without being overly corporate, with productive mornings and high-quality experiences in the afternoons.
Best for: winter sun + premium vibe + flexible team experience mix
Ideal group size: 20–300
Signature highlight: a curated mix of luxury and adventure—e.g., boat/yacht moments (season permitting), Sierra Blanca hikes, foodie experiences, and canyoning in the Guadalmina Gorge
Best time to go: October – May
For full planning details, see our
General guide, and for experience ideas, explore our
Deep dive on activities in Marbella.
4. Mallorca, Spain
Mallorca in winter is peaceful, bright, and far less crowded—perfect for teams who want nature, easy logistics, and a calm, focused offsite rhythm. The capital, Palma, is easily accessible from across Europe and serves as an ideal hub for your team offsite. Within a short drive, your team can experience activities like cycling tours, treetop adventures, or paddleboarding, all while soaking in Mallorca’s breathtaking scenery.
Best for: creative collaboration + nature + great dining
Ideal group size: 20–500
Signature highlight: cycling or hiking day, Palma foodie experience, or coastal boat option (season permitting)
Best time to go: October – May
5. Tenerife, Spain
Tenerife brings year-round “island summer energy” thanks to its subtropical climate—and in winter it becomes an easy win for teams who want sunshine without long-haul travel. The island’s uniqueness is its volcanic landscape: you can combine resort comfort with dramatic nature, scenic viewpoints, and outdoor adventures that feel truly different from mainland Europe.
It works especially well for groups who want a strong activity component while keeping logistics and infrastructure reliable.
Best for: winter sun + outdoors + island wow factor
Ideal group size: 20–120
Signature highlight: volcano or scenic hiking day, kayaking, or curated tasting experiences
Best time to go: October – May
6. Gran Canaria, Spain
Gran Canaria is often called a “mini continent” because it packs very different landscapes into one island—beaches, dunes, mountains, and lush valleys. That diversity is exactly what makes it strong for offsites: you can build a program that feels varied and energising without constant travel.
With stable winter weather and solid infrastructure, it’s a reliable choice for teams who want sun, activity, and strong value.
Best for: winter sun + flexible team-building + strong value
Ideal group size: 20–150
Signature highlight: surf or beach activities, national park day, or sunset celebration
Best time to go: October – May
7. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is a winter offsite classic if your team thrives on culture, design, food, and city energy—while still having the sea nearby. Its advantage is the “city break” format: easy logistics, great meeting venues, and an endless choice of dining and experiences that work year-round.
It’s ideal for strategy and creative offsites where you want inspiration built into the destination
Best for: strategy + creativity + culture
Ideal group size: 20–500
Signature highlight: market-to-table foodie experience, city treasure hunt, or architecture-led walk
Best time to go: October – May
Snow / once-in-a-lifetime winter incentive
8. Finland
Finnish Lapland is the ultimate winter incentive setting: crisp snow landscapes, sauna culture, and headline experiences that create instant shared memories. The uniqueness is the atmosphere—cozy, premium, and genuinely different—especially when you design the program around warm indoor resets and short, high-impact outdoor adventures.
It’s perfect when you want a reward trip that also strengthens team connection in a natural way.
Best for: winter incentive + unforgettable shared experiences
Ideal group size: 20–120 (larger groups can rotate in waves)
Signature highlight: husky safari + aurora hunt night (weather permitting)
Best time to go: December – March
For full planning details, see our
Finland winter incentive guide.
Long-haul “big reset” destinations (warm + adventurous)
9. Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a powerful “reset” destination: rainforest, volcanoes, wildlife, and beaches—all in one trip that feels adventurous but still comfortable. Its best advantage for company offsites is the built-in variety: you can combine high-energy bonding (ziplining, canyoning, rafting) with wellness and nature immersion that helps teams truly disconnect.
It works especially well for teams who want a transformative experience rather than a classic resort retreat.
Best for: adventure + wellness + nature immersion
Ideal group size: 20–80
Signature highlight: zip-lining or wildlife tour + beach downtime, plus wellness moments
Best time to go: December – March (dry season)
10. Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Playa del Carmen is ideal when you want an incentive-style beach setting with easy access to “headline” experiences—without overcomplicating logistics. The standout advantage is how much you can do nearby: catamaran days, cenotes, Mayan ruins, and strong nightlife or celebration options, all within a compact area.
It’s a great fit for teams that want fun, energy, and memorable shared adventures in warm weather.
Best for: celebration + beach + high-fun team bonding
Ideal group size: 20–120
Signature highlight: catamaran day + snorkeling or reef trip, cenote experience, or ruins day trip
Best time to go: December – May
FAQ: winter offsites
Are winter offsites cheaper?
Often yes—winter can mean better availability and stronger group terms (depending on destination and dates). The biggest budget drivers remain: venue category, flights and transfers, and the number of premium headline experiences.
What if we want sun, but not long-haul flights?
Choose the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands (Cyprus, Spain, Italy). They’re typically the best balance of mild weather and straightforward logistics.
What about short daylight in winter?
In winter-sun destinations (Mediterranean/Canaries), daylight isn’t usually a major issue. In Arctic destinations (Lapland), days are short—but we design the agenda around daylight for outdoor highlights, and use evenings for cozy premium moments (sauna, fireside dinners, aurora hunts).
Embrace winter with a high-impact team offsite
Winter is a powerful time to invest in morale and momentum. A well-designed winter offsite combats seasonal lows, strengthens team bonds, and creates real shared memories.
Want help choosing the best destination and building the full program (venue, agenda, logistics, suppliers)?
Reach out to our retreat planners—share your team size, month, and goals, and we’ll propose the best-fit winter concept.
