The 10 Best Ski Resorts in Europe
To practice skiing in Europe, there is a wide choice of resorts with more exceptional panoramas than the others. Helping to make Europe the number one ski destination in the world, it can sometimes become complex to determine which are the best.
In this article, we will compile a list of the top 10 European ski resorts selected for their areas and panoramas.
1. Val-d'Isère in Savoie
Located near the Italian border, the Val d'Isère ski resort is perched at an altitude of 1850m. With some 1,600 inhabitants year-round, the small alpine village is home to one of the most beautiful French ski resorts.
Accessible to all levels, the Espace Killy ski area includes that of Val d'Isère and that of Tigne and has more than 300 km of slopes . The maximum altitude is 3456m, located at the arrival of the Grande Motte cable car. Whether you are a skier or a snowboarder, this resort will seduce you with its 1900 meters of vertical drop, its 2 snowparks and its 2 glaciers .
In order to navigate easily between the 150 slopes of the area, nearly 78 ski lifts are installed on the mountainsides.
Full of winter activities of all kinds, non-skiers will be spoiled for choice. The resort offers a wide range of activities for all tastes and all ages. For the older ones, it is for example possible to practice cross-country skiing or to indulge in snowshoeing with a guide to discover sumptuous places. For the little ones, it is possible to go snowmobiling on a circuit designed for this purpose or to go ice skating on the outdoor skating rink of the village.
Renowned as one of the most beautiful French and European ski areas , the resort of Val d'Isère has a large number of hotels and residences to stay there. In addition, its many restaurants, some of which are gourmet, will fill your stomach with famous regional dishes, such as reblochonnade.
If you are interested in this resort for a stay, plan a very warm ski outfit, because temperatures can drop to -15°C in places. In order not to encumber yourself with several layers of clothing that could hinder your mobility, opt for a heated jacket . Developed by Climb Winter, a French specialist in heated technical ski equipment, its construction is designed for performance in any situation. Waterproof, windproof and heated, it is an ideal technical jacket for skiing in icy areas.
2. The 3 Valleys in France
Largest ski area in the world with more than 600 kilometers of slopes , the 3 valleys is undoubtedly one of the best resorts in Europe.
Taking place in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, this area links the 8 winter sports resorts of Courchevel, La Tania, Méribel, Orelle, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Brides-les-Bains, and Saint-Martin- de-Belleville.
Intended for all levels, the area has 339 slopes served by 156 ski lifts , made up of cable cars, funiculars, or even state-of-the-art chairlifts.
Attracting a clientele in search of grandiose panoramas and slopes of unequaled quality, the 3 Valleys are the French benchmark in terms of the excesses of the ski area. Counting among its resorts, the most exclusive in the world, Courchevel, it includes 5 palaces, 16 5-star hotels and 8 4-star hotels.
However, this does not mean that the area is reserved for the jet-set, indeed it is intended for skiers and snowboarders of all levels and all social classes. Full of activities of all kinds, alpine skiing, freeride skiing or ski-touring remain the most popular sports. Non-skiers will however have the opportunity to do one of the many snowshoe hikes that will give them access to spots where the snow is immaculate, the calm resounding and the view breathtaking.
For adults and children, dog sledding will also be available at several resorts in the area. To find out more, you can consult the 3 valleys website .
3. Alpe d'Huez in Isère
Taking place about 50 kilometers from Grenoble in Isère, the winter sports resort of Alpe d'Huez hosted the 1968 Winter Olympics.
One of the largest in France, its area has nearly 250 kilometers spread over 135 ski slopes. The entire area is served by 65 ski lifts , allowing you to easily move around this gigantic white labyrinth.
Perched on a mountainside juxtaposing the Romanche valley, the panorama available in Alpe d'Huez is unique. In the mornings, it is common for a veil of cloud to cover the valley, which gives the inhabitants of the village a feeling of being alone in the world.
Attracting skiers and snowboarders of all levels, the resort's 2,223-metre vertical drop allows the establishment of numerous green and blue runs. For the more experienced, the red and black runs will happily test your skills and balance.
Perched at an altitude of 3300 meters, the Pic Blanc , the summit on which the resort of Alpe d'Huez draws its tracks, offers a 360-degree view that is absolutely worth admiring. The highest point of the domain, it is from here that the longest black run in Europe starts. With 16 km of descent, the "Sarenne" will offer you 2000 meters of negative elevation, enough to push your limits.
For non-skiers, they will not be left out. The Alpe indeed offers cross-country ski trails, snowshoe hiking trails, plane rides and even dog sled rides.
For accommodation, you will find a wide choice of hotels and hostels that will offer you all the necessary comfort for an excellent stay.
4. Verbier in Switzerland
Located on the mountain slopes of "Mont Fort", "Bec des Rosses" and "Mont Gelé", Verbier is undoubtedly one of the best resorts for practicing winter sports.
The resort is part of the "4 Vallées" domain, which has more than 410 kilometers of affordable and at the same time demanding slopes . For beginners or experts, the 84 slopes of the Swiss domain will be ideal for enjoying significant snow cover and incredible views of the surrounding valleys.
Perfectly equipped, the 80 ski lifts will allow you to navigate in the largest Swiss ski area. For riders looking for thrills, these ski slopes are accompanied by 4 snowparks, a skicross and a Big Air.
Multi-activities, the resort is equipped with various cross-country ski trails as well as various hiking spots where non-skiers can practice winter sports.
A Swiss luxury resort, Verbier offers many high-end hotels for its wealthy clientele, but also affordable accommodation in perfect locations.
5. Saas-Fee in Switzerland
Located in the highest Swiss Alps, Saas-Fee is a village near the Italian border which hosts 145 km of slopes suitable for skiing and snowboarding. To serve this large area, 23 ski lifts transport visitors from the top to the bottom of the slopes.
Offering wide slopes with gentle or steep slopes as well as a freestyle park, Saas-Fee is intended for all levels. You will find low altitude slopes ideal for beginners and technical slopes for professionals.
With a grandiose area and sumptuous slopes, it is very pleasant to start from the Mittelallalin Felskinn at 3,500 meters above sea level to descend the 14 kilometers of the Weisse Perle , which brings us back to the village. Located under the glacier, it is an unforgettable and unequaled pleasure to go off-piste there.
Taking place at high altitude, the Swiss resort offers high quality snow cover, which makes its area one of the few to offer skiing in summer . It is in the Allalin ski area perched at 3600m, that 20km of slopes are available. Traced on a glacier, the experience is fantastic and the panorama magnificent.
In winter, during the high season, the village comes alive with Christmas colors, which gives it a certain and very pleasant charm. Nevertheless, its high altitude requires you to wear a very warm outfit. At the level of the hands, we appreciate heated gloves , when the outside temperatures are around -5 degrees , or even sometimes -10. Made with a waterproof and waterproof membrane, their down retains heat when their heating system warms the entire hand to no longer be affected by the discomfort of the cold.
6. Obergurgl-Hochgurgl in Austria
Taking place in the Austrian Alps, this tourist resort attracts beginners but also experts who appreciate its wide slopes where sunshine is optimal.
With a vast ski area of 112 kilometers , skiers and snowboarders benefit from nearly 50 excellent quality slopes . A few kilometers from the Italian border, Obergurgl offers a warm environment with a small typical mountain village accompanied by various streams that bring an elegant melody to the valley.
Undoubtedly one of the best European resorts, this Austrian area is full of activities for the family. The village is very beautiful and will welcome you with open arms with its ice rink with a warm atmosphere. Ice rink of 1000 square meters, it is possible to practice skating but also curling, as at the Olympic Games.
For adults and children, the long toboggan run in the village (accessible by gondola), offers 3 kilometers of descent with 25 bends, enough to offer you endless sensations.
When it comes time to sleep, you can enjoy various 4 and 3 star hotels. Hosting some very good restaurants, it is pleasant to eat there while enjoying the view of the Ötzal valley.
7. St. Anton in Austria
Not far from Liechtenstein and Switzerland, St. Anton is part of the vast Austrian ski area Arlberg . With a total length of 305 km spread over some 134 ski slopes, it is Austria's largest ski area.
Taking place on the Tyrolean side of the Arlberg Pass separating the Tyrol region from Vorarlberg, St. Anton is considered one of the best resorts in the world.
Equipped with various amenities, it is easy to move around in its vast Alpine domain. Numerous ski lifts as well as a bus shuttle system have been set up, for example, to facilitate travel and fully enjoy your stay.
Attracting skiers of all levels, professionals appreciate its ski training center and its charming hotels.
What we like about this resort is its many amenities. For example, there is a fully equipped snowpark, with funboxes and slides. But also 4.2 km tracks equipped with a timing system to push your limits.
Offering many activities, St. Anton is a family resort that seduces with the diversity of its activities, intended to satisfy beginners as well as the most demanding professionals.
8. Livigno in Italy
Posted on the Italian-Swiss border, Livigno is a resort that is difficult to access. However, it is this difficulty that allows it to be preserved and to offer a unique environment of its kind. The calm, the sound of nature, the crunching of the snow underfoot, the smell of the mountains, it is a visual, auditory and olfactory experience.
What allows this Italian station to be one of the best in Europe is the quality of its slopes and its equipment. With very good snow cover, the Italian resort attracts beginners and professionals alike.
Counting 115 kilometers of slopes with 31 ski lifts distributed on both sides of the valley, it is possible to ski there facing the sun all day long.
A paradise for freeriders and freestylers, the area hosts many powder-covered descents as well as two magnificent snowparks. Designed for extreme sensations, the Mottolino and Caroselloc parks offer a half-pipe, several kickers, rails and a boardercross.
European temple of freestyle, many international competitions are organized there, which makes Livigno a real gathering place.
9. Levi in Lapland
Being one of the largest Finnish stations, Levi is located about 150 kilometers from the Arctic Circle.
Equipped with 40 kilometers of alpine ski slopes and nearly 230 kilometers of cross-country ski trails , the resort is perfect for all levels. Intended for beginners and experienced skiers, you will find wide slopes with a gentle slope but also fast and technical slopes.
To satisfy the most demanding riders, its domain also hosts a snowpark equipped with a halfpipe . Freestylers will be won over by this northern resort.
Renowned for its alpine ski slopes, it is in November that it hosts one of the World Cup competitions which attracts thousands of people at this time of year.
Due to its location in the Far North, it enjoys exceptional snow cover from October to May. However, the cold is freezing, sometimes dropping to -20 degrees Celsius .
In order to stay there, many hotels and chalets line the resort. They are accompanied by restaurants and other entertainment such as an ice rink, in order to spend pleasant moments. When night falls, it is also possible to see the Northern Lights, which makes Levi a magical place.
10. Sierra Nevada in Spain
Located in the south of Spain, the Sierre Nevada mountain range is home to a 110km ski resort with 103 runs served by 30 ski lifts.
In the heart of Andalusia, its slopes allow you to have a panoramic view of the Mediterranean Sea . Not far from the Spanish resort, the ramparts of the Alhambra in Granada rise up and invite you to discover the village.
Unique in Europe, Sierra Nevada, allows you to ski in the morning in the cool, and to go swimming in water at 25 degrees in the afternoon.
Being one of the highest mountain ranges in Europe, with 3500 meters above sea level, the snow cover is good and constant almost all year round.
Ideal for winter family outings, Sierra Nevada offers a wide choice of outdoor activities that will appeal to young and old alike.
We are coming to the end of this top 10 of the best ski resorts in Europe, tell us in the comments which one is your favorite.
In the meantime, do not hesitate to visit our online store. Offering clothing designed for the practice of winter sports, our heated down jackets will be ideal to protect you from the discomfort of the cold. Specializing in heated technical clothing, Climb Winter designs clothes that push the limits for those who go beyond them.