One of the best reasons to visit Europe is to sample the traditional local cuisine of the Alps. You’ll discover that the quality of the food at European ski resorts is incomparable. Depending on which region you choose to visit, there are a wide range of special dishes to try — all of which will have your mouth watering in anticipation.
There are also many historic places to visit, everything from old ski lodges to famous alpine towns like Geneva, Innsbruck, and Grenoble. A European ski holiday offers a very different type of trip, compared to what you’ll get from a North American resort.
That said, it can also be very challenging to decide where to ski in Europe. The Alps have a lot of terrain and you’ll get very different experiences, depending on what country you choose to visit. In this post, we’ll recommend some of the best ski resorts in Europe, based on our experiences.
Austria
Austria is one of the top countries to consider for a European ski vacation, especially if you are more interested in the cultural aspect of a trip to Europe.
The Tyrolean region of Austria contains some of the world’s oldest and best-known ski resorts. The region is also famous for its signature après-ski traditions and delicious local beers.
St. Anton
St. Anton is often referred to as “the cradle of alpine skiing”, due to its role in inventing the sport. This cozy alpine village lies in the heart of Austria’s Tyrolean Alps. It has one of the biggest ski areas in the region, including a network of interconnected ski villages that provide access to over 500 km of slopes and off-piste terrain.
St. Anton is also famous for its amazing après-ski scene, with some of the best slopeside bars in Austria. If you are looking for great skiing and great beer in equal measure, this is an excellent choice.
Innsbruck
If you want to have a cultural experience on your ski trip, Innsbruck is one of the best places to choose. The town of Innsbruck is the capital of the Tyrolean Alps and is surrounded by nine different ski areas, including the Stubai Glacier. It’s also a more affordable destination, in terms of accommodations, as you have more options staying in the city rather than at a resort.
When visiting Innsbruck, you can choose from a variety of ski passes, so you can visit multiple resorts during your trip. A free shuttle bus service is also available from town, which allows you to reach any destination in between 20 to 40 minutes.
We highly recommend visiting Innsbruck around Christmas time, when you can also experience some of Austria’s wonderful Christmas markets!
France
When North Americans think of European skiing, we find that France is often the region that jumps to mind. The French Alps have a huge number of resorts to choose from — as well as some of the most delicious local cuisine in Europe.
The French Alps also have some of the most spectacular alpine views in the world, allowing visitors to see for hundreds of miles. Here are some of the best places to visit in France:
Avoriaz | Les Portes du Soleil
Avoriaz is a great resort for both families or couples who love to ski. Located in the middle of the massive Portes du Soleil ski area (650 km of pistes), it’s one of the few entirely ski-in ski-out resorts in Europe.
The resort is conveniently located only an hour and forty minutes from Geneva, which makes it one of the easiest destinations to reach when coming from North America.
Due to the size of its ski area, the resort is very convenient for day excursions to nearby resorts (on your skis). For example, you can pop over to Switzerland for lunch and return home for dinner. The resort also offers a very traditional ski experience — you won’t see any cars in the village. Instead, you can travel by sleigh or ski along the village roads and pathways.
Chamonix | Mont Blanc
Chamonix is one of the best-known ski destinations in the world. If you are looking for the traditional French ski experience, you can’t get much better than Chamonix. From the incredible views on Mont Blanc to the delicious cuisine in the village, Chamonix is certain to fulfill every aspect of your dream French ski vacation.
While Chamonix does not provide the same level of convenience as a resort like Avoriaz, it offers a similarly vast range of terrain. You can also explore some of the best off-piste terrain in the world at La Vallée Blanche. Please note that a mountain guide is highly recommended if you plan to visit this unpatrolled ski area.
Chamonix also offers accommodation to suit a range of price points — everything from luxury to mid-range to more affordable options are available in the village. While Chamonix can be expensive (depending on where you choose to stay), it can also be a more affordable destination for skiers.
Switzerland
Located in the heart of the European Alps, Switzerland is home to some of the most famous ski resorts in the world. While this region can be an expensive option, its spectacular landscapes are something that many skiers will want to experience for themselves.
Grindelwald
The village of Grindelwald offers a wonderful, laidback ski experience for families or couples. Set between the three peaks of Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau, Grindelwald offers beautiful views of the Alps and provides access to more than 200 km of slopes and extensive hiking trails and toboggan runs.
The resort is located close to Zurich and fairly easy to reach from North America. It provides one of the most affordable destinations in Switzerland, with excellent accommodations and a traditional chalet-style atmosphere. This is another great choice if you’re looking to get out into nature for other activities, as well as doing some skiing.
Zermatt
Home to the famous Matterhorn peak, Zermatt is probably one of the most popular ski resorts in Europe. The picturesque, car-free village of Zermatt lies at the foot of the Matterhorn, enjoying superb snow conditions and one of the longest skiing seasons in the Alps.
Zermatt offers access to three great skiing areas and provides a range of unique experiences. For example, from the top of the Matterhorn, serviced by Europe’s highest cable car, you can ski down to have lunch in Italy before returning home for the evening.
A ski trip to Zermatt is a 4 hour trip from Zurich by train, with three short connections, but the scenery along the way is stunning. We recommend it primarily for experienced skiers; either couples or families with teenagers or young adults.
The Italian Dolomites
The Italian Dolomites are not on the radar for most skiers coming to Europe. Set on the southern reaches of the Alps, these mountains offers some unbeatable terrain, albeit without the infrastructure that you’ll find at most other resorts.
At Skican, we do offer standard trips in destinations like Cortina, Val Gardena, Madonna di Campiglio, as well as a special ski safari package that will be different than your typical European ski vacation.
For the ski safari package to the Dolomites, our team can help you plan a custom vacation that will take you to remote, traditional Italian ski lodges, or rifugi, located high in the mountains. You’ll travel with a guide the whole trip and stay for a night or two in every place, getting on the slopes before anyone else.
These trips can be tailored to include luxury suites and Michelin-star dining, or more modest fare and accommodations, depending on what you’re looking to experience. A ski safari trip to the Italian Dolomites is an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience that is entirely stress-free and very relaxing for guests. Everything is taken care of, including luggage transfers, resort transfers, and more. Start a quote today to learn more about this offer!
We hope that this guide to the best ski resorts in Europe has been helpful and provided some inspiration to help you plan your dream European ski vacation. Please contact our team for help planning your trip today!
