Europe is home to some truly legendary ski resorts that have achieved popularity all over the world. Often this is because of the natural landscape, but the facilities on offer at each resort makes a huge impact on how popular each destination is. There is a well defined culture around skiing that has similarities across the continents, but ski resorts in Europe have a distinct feel that is uniquely European.
The geography of the European continent gives rise to several mountainous regions that are excellent for skiing and each is worth exploring if you are a keen skier. Unlike many other skiing destinations in the world, Europe’s slopes are known for their singular natural beauty and for being located in some of the most stunning locations.
Something any intermediate to advanced skier will find there is plenty of variation and choice in terms of slopes and routes. In fact, a week’s stay in most European resorts will provide so much variation that you may not need to ski the same routes twice. There are even plenty of routes that take several hours to complete because they begin at very high altitudes, often ending at picturesque villages below.
The largest of the Three Valleys resorts, Courchevel is a famous resort that is so large it has 60 lifts that give skiers access to 150 km of stunning alpine routes and runs. If this doesn’t sound that impressive to you, you should also be aware that these 60 lifts also give you access to a further 450 km of runs through the entire interlinked network of routes in the Three Valleys. This is more than enough to keep you busy, and means that this resort has lots of scope for revisits over the years.
This Italian ski resort is in the heart of the Italian Dolomites, staged around the five imposing peaks of Cinque Torri. Not only does the area have some of the most beautiful and dramatic natural scenery, it is also a cool and sophisticated town where you can indulge yourself at the local restaurants, or do some luxury shopping. Cortina d’Ampezzo hosted the Winter Olympics in the mid 1950s, and has managed to retain and build on its popularity and reputation over the years. Car parking in Liverpool Airport makes travel to Italy extremely convenient so you will be able to plan a stress free visit even if you’re travelling with the whole family.
Austria is a winter wonderland for skiers and is home to some of the most famous and exciting ski runs in the world. Despite being a smaller resort, Kitzbühel is a charming village that offers luxury ski stays as well as budget friendly accommodation to suit your needs. Kitzbühel is also not far from Innsbruck and Salzburg which makes it the perfect base for a longer holiday within Austria.
Another world famous resort, St. Moritz offers incredible runs for skiers of all skill levels so it is the perfect place for families to visit. The low slopes are the perfect playground for young or inexperienced skiers to find their feet, and more skilled skiers seeking adrenaline highs will find their place at the higher altitudes. It is a high end resort that has the reputation for being one of - if not the - oldest ski resorts in the world, and you’ll find plenty of luxury hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues and stores in the town.
No list of the best ski resorts in Europe would be complete without mentioning one of the very best resorts that Germany has to offer. The mountain from which the resort gets its name is the highest mountain in Germany, rising over 2900 metres, has the Bavarian village of Garmisch-Partenkirchen at its base which makes it an extremely popular place to stay. There is a very acceptable choice of pistes and slopes to choose from, and everyone will be able to enjoy this picturesque resort, no matter their skill level. Despite its popularity, it is very easy to enjoy Zugspitze on a smaller budget so it is ideal for people who want to take more frequent ski trips.