Winter is the perfect time to hit the slopes and some of the most highly rated ski resorts in the world, are located in Europe.
Most major European ski resorts open at the end of November and close mid-April, although the peak season revolves around holidays – Christmas, New Year and the December-January school break.
But with so many destinations to choose from, what countries are the most desirable?
When to Book
If you’ve been dreaming of a White Christmas, you could be getting what you wished for this year!
While the end of December is a popular time to travel, it’s actually New Year’s Eve that is the real crowd-puller, with places booked out up to a year in advance. Prices soar during the February school holidays as well, which is also when you’ll find the best snow conditions.
There are advantages of skiing in late season, these months like March and April (except for Easter) are significantly more budget-friendly but you run the risk of poor conditions. Your best bet for late season snow is Val Thorens in France, less than 2 hours from Grenoble.
Where to Go
Europe has no shortage of incredible ski resorts, filled with majestic white mountains, charming villages, skiing schools and runs for all levels.
The French Alps is known for its huge resorts, including the world-famous Chamonix, L’Alpe d’Huez, Courchevel and Val d’Isère. Grenoble is the gateway to the Alps, with an airport and shuttles going straight to the slopes.
Austria is also known for its excellent skiing conditions and is more affordable than France. First-timers will find their feet at Saalbach and Hinterglemm, while serious skiers love the challenging black runs at St Anton. Picturesque Innsbruck is known as the ski and snowboard capital of the Alps and is a must-see for any Sound of Music fan!
For families, Italy is ideal. Corvara and San Cassiano are two ski resorts suitable for children, with a reputation for good food and a homely atmosphere. Venice and Verona are about equal distance from the Dolomites, and are great places to thaw out after a few days on the slopes.
Switzerland has some of the most alluring and exclusive, and also expensive resorts on the planet. But there is a reason for this, you can find some of the most incredible slopes and accommodation located here.
If you are on a really low budget and seeking a cheap European ski destination you might want to consider Bulgaria – the slopes are great for all levels and prices are a fraction of the price of some of the most famous/well-known Alps resorts.
Top Rated Places to Go Skiing in Europe
Here are our pick of the most highly rated European ski resorts to choose for your next ski break.
1. Kitzbuhel, Austria
Just over an hour’s drive from the Austrian city of Salzburg and its conveniently located airport are the beautiful slopes of Kitzbuhel. Sitting among the nation’s alpine region and home to one of the most infamous downhill races on the professional skiing calendar, it is the perfect place for experienced skiers as well as ones braving the piste for the first time.
Kitzbuhel has been the retreat for skiers for generations with the first touching down in 1893. Since then it has remained a popular destination as people from all over the world come to enjoy the more than 170 kilometres of piste served by 53 lifts.
The resort is split into three separate ski sectors: the Hahnenkamm, the Kitzbuheler Horn and Bichalm. The former is the scene of the infamous Streif downhill course. Many regard the Horn as a beginner slope, but it can prove a test for some intermediate skiers. However, for the seasoned pros then look no further than Der Streif, a truly exhilarating run.
Kitzbuhel itself is a hugely picturesque town and looks like something from a postcard when covered in snow. It has a somewhat glamorous reputation with a series of five-star hotels making this area an ideal luxury getaway resort.
2. Tignes, France
Moving into France and Tignes remains among the most popular skiing destinations in Europe.
Fly into either Grenoble or Geneva and this beautiful winter retreat is two and a half hours away or three hours respectively. Tignes is one of the more dependable skiing destinations thanks to its sheer expanse, so you can find something to suit your level.
Bar ten weeks during the summer, Tignes is perfect to visit pretty much any time of the year. From the main resort you have the choice of some spectacular slopes such as Val d’Isere and Toviere but the main attraction of the region is undoubtedly the Grande Motte glacier.
This 3,656-metre summit is an amazing sight and one of the most memorable declines in skiing, whether on or off piste. It may not be best to tackle this run if you are a beginner but intermediate or advanced skiers will relish this descent.
Apres ski you can visit the quaint village of Tignes, which is home to some impressive 1960s architecture. As the resort has a reputation for attracting a young crowd, a thriving nightlife scene has sprung up around it. Start the evening with the innovative cocktails that the Alpaka Bar serves up during its daily happy hour between 4pm and 6pm, before moving on to Crowded House for live music, followed by a DJ set into the small hours of the morning.
The nearby Val Claret village has the easiest access to Grande Motte, making it the perfect place to recharge the batteries. Enjoy a drink around a log fire, either indoors or out at Grizzly’s Bar, where the alpine vibe puts you in mind of how apres ski is portrayed in adverts.
It is easy to see why Tignes is so popular with holidaymakers and people seeking ski jobs – this commune has it all.
3. Val d’Isere, France
Sat in the beautiful Rhone-Alpes region of southeastern France, close to the border of Italy, is the charming resort of Val d’Isere. Accessible from Turin, you can be at your destination within three hours of retrieving your luggage from baggage claim. Val d’Isere has been the site of a number of major winter sporting events and is a great getaway for skiers of all abilities.
Famed for its quality and variety of off-piste skiing, this destination is ideal for cruisers. However, there are plenty of opportunities for snowboarders and downhill skiers to really be challenged in the region. Close to Tignes, it shares a lot of its purpose-built runs with its neighbour making for a truly wonderful activity-based holiday.
Learning to ski? Then you are in the right place as the village boasts no fewer than 18 ski schools, all speaking English, which will be able to guide you through the basics right up to the more advanced levels. If you are more skilled then there are plenty of routes to test your mettle.
As the sun sets, relax in one of the many restaurants available both on piste and around the village of Val d’Isere, where you can relax and see why this is one of the must visit places to go in Europe.
4. St Anton, Austria
Heading back to Austria and another favourite among skiers is St Anton am Arlberg. Sat in the Tyrolean Alps it is popular with hikers, trekkers and mountaineers and, like Val d’Isere, has been host to high profile skiing competitions in the past.
Ranked in the top five resorts within the Alps, it is among Europe’s snowiest areas meaning you are bound to find some perfect weather whenever you visit this region. With around 340 kilometres of pistes and 200 kilometres of off-piste activities there is plenty to see and do for visitors of all skiing abilities.
The Warth-Schrocken ski area is where it all happens. There are various ski schools here although the region is suited more towards the advanced skier than beginners. The routes range from normal to “extreme” with the former including the Schindlerspitze and Kapall while the latter boasts the infamous Valfagehr.
Apres ski is where St Anton comes into its own. The famous MooserWirt and Krazy Kanguruh bars are absolute musts to unwind in after a day of skiing while also wandering around the village is a great way to end the day.
Get to St Anton by flying into Innsbruck, the nearest airport to the resort, with a transfer time of just one hour and 15 minutes.
5. Arinsal, Andorra
Located in the small nation of Andorra, Arinsal is another prime location for a skiing break. Dominated by the Vallnord range there are over 93 kilometres of runs to suit the needs of beginners right up to the more advanced.
Accessible from the likes of Barcelona, skiers should give themselves around four hours transfer time to arrive at one of the more understated skiing destinations. Choose from the ‘very easy’ slopes of the Arcalis Sector or the more challenging runs of both the Arinsal and Pal Sector. Apres, kick back in the village itself enjoying some fine food and a selection of great wines.
6. Courchevel 1850
Courchevel 1850 has been a popular resort with the rich and famous for decades and once you visit you will know why. This home of Alpine chic is orientated towards pure luxury, and Chalet Hermine is one of the finest private luxury chalets to rent.
The skiing here is immense, forming part of Les Trois Vallées. The season is long, the snow record exceptional and the variety immense. Although famous for its couloirs, Courchevel boasts one of the best terrains for beginners to be found anywhere, especially around the Altiport. Whether you prefer challenging runs like Les Suisses, or cruising the broad blues, such variety makes Courchevel enormously appealing to skiers of all ages.
There is a great selection of smart boutiques, restaurants and nightspots. The Cap Horn and Chalet de Pierres are favourites for lunch, and the Michelein-starred Bateau Ivre the perfect setting to enjoy Jean-Pierre Jacob’s gourmet specialities. This exclusive resort has legions of followers who simply won’t go anywhere else, and on arrival it doesn’t take long to work out why.
7. Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt is one of the true greats. As one reporter enthused ‘If you were to visit only one resort in the world, this would be it’. It is set high in the Alps, amongst beautiful scenery, with the majestic Matterhorn towering over the village. The clientele is cosmopolitan, the restaurants superb, and the high altitude skiing undeniably excellent, not to mention snow-sure.
New lifts in recent years have interlinked the main ski areas, giving easy access to the never-ending on and off piste. What’s more, Zermatt is a serious destination for skiers and boarders with a taste for the finer things in life; the rosti at Simi, sofas on the terrace at Chez Vrony, and the fabulous cuisine at Zum See. Situated on the Swiss/Italian border, one can also easily ski into Cervinia for the day.
The village is car free, making horse-drawn sleighs a popular mode of transport and creating the ambience of a bygone era. This charming setting, set at the foot of the Matterhorn, makes Zermatt a truly elegant classic.
8. Klosters, Switzerland
Klosters is unique in the ski world. A favourite of the Royal family, it has retained its feel as a traditional Swiss Alpine village, yet offers one of the most exciting ski areas to be found anywhere.
Lying at the foot of the Engadine, the local microclimate gives the resort an enviable snow record. It shares the Parsenn ski area with Davos, and the Madrisa offers superb family skiing. A profusion of excursions await you, including the magical tree-lined route down to Kublis and the route over to Arosa, following in the tracks of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. But before you set off, enjoy lunch at the Weissfluggipfel restaurant with stunning views over the Alps from Bernina to Säntis.
A must have Klosters experience is the Walserhof’s Michelin 2 star restaurant. Beat Bolliger’s gastronomic creations are legendary, and afterwards, why not enjoy some jazz at the Chesa Grischuna? Traditional yet exclusive, Klosters is the chosen resort for those in the know.
9. St Moritz, Switzerland
“And God created St Moritz”
St Moritz is the embodiment of Swiss chic, and has been so since the resort’s beginnings in 1854. This fashionable hideaway of the A-list, and home of the celebrated Cresta Run, offers stunning scenery, stylish après-ski and simply superb skiing.
Nestled at the centre of the Engadine valley, St Moritz boasts more than 350 kilometres of groomed piste in 4 connected ski areas. The Diavolezza is as sublime for freeriding as La Corviglia is for beginners, and after a hard morning, indulge at Reto Mathis’s exclusive restaurant, where it is said that more caviar and truffles are served over lunch than any other restaurant in the world!
The uniqueness of St Moritz is however best exemplified by its remarkable events. There are polo tournaments, horse races, cricket matches, show jumping – all on ice, and all best enjoyed with a glass of champagne. For snowy days, you can find boutiques to rival Bond Street, not to mention art galleries and uber-trendy bars in abundance.
St Moritz is one of the most picturesque destinations in Europe and a unique location matched only by its finest private residence, The Chesa Albertini.
10. Bansko, Bulgaria
Bulgaria has some of the most underrated ski resorts in the world, and this country is often overlooked in favour of the more trendy most western locations.
But whether you are a complete beginner, already a pro, traveling with your family or looking for nightlife – you can find the perfect resort in Bulgaria. And one of the top rated places to go skiing in Bulgaria is Bansko.
Bansko is often described as one of the most beginner and family friendly resorts in Europe, with affordable accommodation an added benefit.
Beginner slopes make up around 40% of the skiable runs in Bansko, perfect if you are looking for ski/snowboard lessons at a fraction of the price of places like France and Switzerland.
Plan Your Ski Trip Today
Once you’ve got your dates and destination sorted, it’s time to get packing!
Essentials include snow clothing such as waterproof jacket, ski trousers, gloves, goggles, hat, thick socks and lots of clothes to layer. Don’t forget the sunscreen – it might not be hot but the sun still manages to burn through. You’ll also need insurance, your passport and any ski club membership details. You can often book your lift passes online which allows you to cut the queues on your first day.
If you don’t have your own equipment, you’ll need to hire skis and poles/snowboard, boots and helmet/knee pads if you wish. Check the weather before you leave and if you’re in for a freezing trip then consider packing thermals, a neck warmer, polar fleece tops and thick scarves.
Whether you choose France, Austria, Switzerland or Italy, you’re sure to have an incredible snow break. Take a look at ski-friendly flights to the ski hotspots in Europe and book accommodation early to get the best prices and fantastic deals!
