Best Winter Board Games

Winter: love it or hate it, it brings with it an equal measure of positives and negatives. Cold weather, snow, the image of laying in front of a warm fire, Christmas, those coca-cola truck commercials that have been running for the last thirty years. There’s always things to both look forward to and dread with the season, but regardless of how you feel about it, there’s usually an air of magic and majesty surrounding winter.

To accompany all of the traditional festivities, there are plenty of winter-themed board games out there to help to set the mood, especially around the holidays. They come in a wide variety of genres and play styles but all do an excellent job of creating the sense of winter. Whether it be it’s cold isolation, the coziness of being in the warm and away from the weather, or just the overall experience and theming of the game, there’s something out there for everybody. Many of these games also introduce new mechanics that enhance the gameplay experience, making each session unique and engaging.

Below are a handful of winter-themed games that are fun to play, especially on an evening when the snows falling and you’re nestled safely in the warm with some cocoa.

Introduction to Winter Board Games

Winter board games offer a unique and immersive way to experience the magic of the season. From abstract strategy games to thematic adventures, there’s a wide range of options to suit every taste and preference. These games capture the essence of winter, whether it’s the serene beauty of a frozen lake or the thrilling challenge of surviving in a harsh, snowy landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or just looking for a fun way to spend time with family and friends, winter board games are an excellent choice. They provide not only entertainment but also a cozy way to enjoy the colder months indoors.

Types of Winter Board Games

Winter board games can be broadly categorized into several types, each offering a distinct gaming experience:

• Abstract Strategy Games: These games, like “Winter,” challenge players to create a contiguous form on a frozen lake using snowflake cards. The focus is on strategic thinking and planning, making each move count.

• Thematic Games: Games like “Dead of Winter” transport players to a zombie-infested world where they must work together to survive. The rich narrative and immersive setting make these games particularly engaging.

• Modular Board Games: Titles such as “Carcassonne: Winter Edition” feature a winter-themed aesthetic and offer a unique gaming experience with a modular board that changes each time you play, keeping the game fresh and exciting.

• Family-Friendly Games: Games like “Hey, That’s My Fish!” are perfect for players of all ages. They offer a light-hearted puzzle experience that is easy to learn but challenging to master, making them ideal for family game nights.

Ticket to Ride Nordic Countries: Winter Edition

Published by: Days of Wonder    Ages: 8+    Players: 2-3    Time: 30-60 minutes

Taking everything that makes the original Ticket to Ride game great and focusing on countries and cities in northern Europe, Nordic Countries is a fun and solid game that everyone should enjoy.

Ticket to Ride is a highly enjoyable game that’s accessible to everyone and comes with a simple concept. Collect or play train cards that are used to build train lines connecting cities across countries and continents. Nordic Countries retains the same gameplay mechanics but is played on a map representing countries like Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. In this standalone game, there are less cities than in some other variations which means that players compete to make carefully thought-out moves. Combining certain elements from other versions, like tunnels and ferries, and only allowing for up to three players, the game incorporates a lot of interesting elements, is simple to learn, fun to play, and a great game to enjoy on a winters night.

Icecool

Published by: Brain Games    Ages: 6+    Players: 2-4    Time: 30 mins

Lunch break is almost here and all of the young penguins will finally get the fish they’ve been craving. However, some rascals think they are quick enough to snatch some of the fish before the lunch break starts, but they’ve forgotten one thing – the Hall Monitor!

Icecool is played on a 3-D board that represents classrooms and a hallway. It’s is a flicking game where each round one player takes the role of the Hall Monitor (also called “the Catcher”) whose aim is to catch each other penguin. The others (also known as “Runners”) will try to run through several doors,  gaining fish on their way. When a runner catches fish they will gain points, and a catcher will gain them as they manage to catch more runners. When either the Hall Monitor has caught each other penguin once or any of the others has gone through all 3 doors that have fish on them, the round is over.

Each player will take the role of the Hall Monitor once and at the end of the game the winner will be the one with the most points on their fish cards. A very simple games that’s light on rules but focuses instead on fun gameplay. A mixture of skill and luck are what will help players in this game. Players must choose key spaces wisely to navigate through the doors and avoid the Hall Monitor. Especially good for family game nights or gaming sessions with younger players.

Legends of Andor: Eternal Frost

Published by: Kosmos    Ages: 10+    Players: 2-4    Time: up to 60-90 minutes

An unnatural cold is spreading across the lands of Andor. Can the heroes work together to uncover the mystery and stop the cause before it’s too late?

Similar to the base game of Legends of Andor, Eternal Frost is a game full of action where players choose a character to play as and venture through several adventures. Over the course of the game, characters will become stronger, gain new abilities, and face more and more fearsome foes. Players work together in this cooperative game to uncover the mystery of the ‘Eternal Frost’ over several different adventures that can be played on their own or part of a wider campaign. Players must work together to secure zones and uncover the mystery of the Eternal Frost. The game is great for those who enjoy fantasy and roleplaying games and is just as easy for new and experienced hobbyists alike to play as the rules are fairly easy to get to grips with.

Mountains of Madness

Published by: Iello   Ages: 12+    Players: 3-5    Time: 60-90 Minutes

1931: Your scientific expedition discovers a new and intriguing mountain range in the middle of the Antarctic polar circle. Under these challenging conditions, the survival of your team will depend on your ability to communicate with each other and to coordinate your efforts to overcome each obstacle — but what you discover on the way to the highest peak will strongly test your mental health. Will you even be able to understand yourself despite the madness that gradually insinuates itself into your mind?

Based on H.P. Lovecraft’s story of the same name players work together to traverse a treacherous mountain in an attempt to recover hidden relics. Along the way members of the expedition will face challenges and horrors the mind can seldom comprehend. Players will gain equipment to help them to overcome these challenges, but they may also suffer injuries and even lose their sanity, and with madness growing as the summit draws closer, communication amongst team members proves more and more difficult. In order for the journey to be a success, players must try to acquire more relics than injuries, otherwise, too few discoveries will result in players losing the game. A true love letter to Lovecraft, Mountains of Madness relies on utilising teamwork, strategising, and being a little lucky in order to be successful. Mountains of Madness can also be seen as an abstract game, where strategic decision-making is crucial to overcoming the challenges.

Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game

Published by: Plaid Hat Games    Ages: 13+    Players: 2-5    Time: 60-120 Minutes

A Zombie survival game in the truest sense, Dead of Winter focuses on cooperative gameplay as players try to complete one shared objective. Although the emphasis of the game is to work together, everyone will also have their own personal objectives, some of which could put everyone else in serious danger.

Dead of Winter centres on a group of survivors trying to work together to stay alive in a world that’s been savaged by Zombies. In a world where most of humanity is either dead, dying, or a monster, the players group must do their best to survive through crises and challenges from both outside and inside their camp. A story-centric game, players will have to work through difficulties like running low on food and supplies whilst trying to keep everybody’s morale high. Amongst the many possible characters that make up the colony, there will be shared and individual objectives to complete, some being betrayal based.

This means whilst everyone will need to trust each-other, they will need to keep their wits about them and be wary of psychological manipulation. Each turn brings with it a new crisis that players must try and resolve and will occasionally bring players to a scenario where they must make a decision that could have significant consequences. Although there will always be a significant risk of a zombie attack, sometimes the threats inside the colony are just as dangerous as those outside. Although a great horror game, it does a great job of making players feel the chilly isolation and harsh cold of winter. The game’s setting is reminiscent of a harsh winter where the lake freezes, adding to the overall challenge and atmosphere.

These are our picks for some of the best games during the winter. If you have any that didn’t make the list we’d love to hear your thoughts and why you like them so much!

Thematic Immersion

One of the key benefits of winter board games is their ability to transport players to a unique and immersive environment. Games like “Winter” and “Dead of Winter” offer settings such as a frozen lake and a zombie-infested world, respectively, which players must navigate to achieve their goals. This thematic immersion can enhance the gaming experience, making it more engaging and enjoyable. Additionally, games like “Carcassonne: Winter Edition” and “Hey, That’s My Fish!” offer a winter-themed aesthetic, which can add to the festive atmosphere of the season. The detailed artwork and thematic elements help to create a sense of place and adventure, making each game session a memorable experience.

Also Read: Best Summer Board Games for Fun

Conclusion

Winter board games offer a wide range of options for gamers of all ages and preferences. From abstract strategy games to thematic adventures, there’s something for everyone. By choosing key spaces wisely, securing zones, and competing to have the most chips on the lake, players can experience the magic of the season in a unique and immersive way. Whether you’re looking for a fun way to spend time with family and friends or a challenging game to test your skills, winter board games are an excellent choice. So why not give them a try and experience the joy of winter gaming?

FAQs About Winter Themed Board Games